EV Efficiency
Most commonly any talk about EVs is about range. And while that’s certainly important, we want to shift the focus to fuel efficiency. And yes, there is such a thing! Click here for charging speed information.
The industry talks about kilowatts used per 100 miles, which is just so far from anyone’s experience and difficult to truly understand, unless maybe you’re an electrical engineer.
We use miles per gallon when talking about internal combustion engine or ICE cars, so how about miles per kilowatt?
We offer this as part of our continuing efforts to simplify the latest in automotive technology as much as possible. And yes, we in turn are choosing to ignore miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe). It is a tortured stat meant to compare EVs to vehicles run on liquid fuels. It will be extinct soon enough.
The chart below is a translation primarily but not exclusively of work from ev-database.org, and I’ve linked their chart here. It’s in kilometers and the twisty kW per 100. I did a video as well that is also posted below, but here can be updated easily as improvements are made and new models are introduced. Note that our chart focuses on EVs available in North America while ev-database goes world wide and that the it can be expanded to show all entries.
Manufacturer | Model | Battery (kWh) | Range (mi) | Miles per kW (m/kW) | Fleet Ave. m/kW |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Renault | |||||
R5 | 52 kWh | 249 | 4.8 | 4.8 | |
Lucid | |||||
Air Pure / Touring | 88 | 336-348 | 3.8-4.0 | 3.8 | |
Air Dream | 112 | 405-419 | 3.6-3.7 | ||
Tesla | |||||
Model 3 | 58 | 252 | 4.3 | 3.7 | |
“ | 75 | 286-301 | 3.8-4.0 | ||
Model S | 95 | 348-357 | 3.7-3.8 | ||
Model Y | 58 | 218 | 3.8 | ||
“ | 75 | 258-270 | 3.4-3.6 | ||
Model X | 95 | 283-295 | 3.0-3.1 | ||
Hyundai | |||||
Ioniq 6 | 54 | 227 | 4.2 | 3.7 | |
“ | 74 | 273-308 | 3.7-4.2 | ||
Kona | 48 | 186 | 3.9 | ||
“ | 65 | 248 | 3.8 | ||
Ioniq 5 | 54 | 183 | 3.4 | ||
“ | 74 | 239-242 | 3.2-3.3 | ||
Lexus | |||||
RZ300e | 71 | 266 | 3.7 | 3.6 | |
RZ450e | 63 | 200 | 3.5 | ||
Volkswagen | |||||
ID.7 | 86 | 323 | 3.8 | 3.5 | |
ID.7 | 77 | 292 | 3.8 | ||
ID.4 | 52 | 177 | 3.4 | ||
ID.4 | 77 | 249-255 | 3.2-3.3 | ||
Honda | |||||
Prologue | 85 | 273-296 | 3.2-3.5 | 3.4 | |
BMW | |||||
i4 | 81 | 280-320 | 3.5-4.0 | 3.4 | |
“ | 67 | 267 | 4.0 | ||
i5 | 81 | 264-295 | 3.3-3.6 | ||
iX | 65 | 230-236 | 3.5 | ||
“ | 71-74 | 224-239 | 3.2 | ||
i7 | 102 | 314-323 | 3.1-3.2 | ||
iX | 105 | 301-314 | 2.9-3.0 | ||
Polestar | |||||
4 | 94 | 348-372 | 3.7-4.0 | 3.4 | |
2 | 78 | 255-273 | 3.3-3.5 | ||
3 | 107 | 292-305 | 2.7-2.9 | ||
Chevrolet | |||||
Bolt | 65 | 259 | 4.0 | 3.4 | |
Bolt EUV | 65 | 247 | 3.8 | ||
Silverado | 200 | 450 | 2.3 | ||
Kia | |||||
Niro | 65 | 239 | 3.7 | 3.3 | |
e-Soul | 39 | 143 | 3.7 | ||
“ | 64 | 230 | 3.6 | ||
EV6 | 74 | 224-255 | 3.0-3.5 | ||
“ | 54 | 190 | -3.5 | ||
EV9 | 100 | 280-286 | 2.8-2.9 | ||
Nissan | |||||
Leaf | 39 | 146 | 3.7 | 3.3 | |
Leaf e+ | 59 | 211 | 3.6 | ||
Ariya | 63 | 208 | 3.3 | ||
“ | 87 | 252-280 | 2.9-3.2 | ||
Porsche | |||||
Taycan models | 84 | 236-286 | 2.8-3.4 | 3.3 | |
“ | 71 | 230-236 | 3.2-3.3 | ||
Macan | 100 | 310-381 | 3.1-3.8 | ||
Genesis | |||||
G80 | 83 | 274 | 3.3 | 3.2 | |
GV60 | 74 | 227-242 | 3.1-3.3 | ||
GV70 | 74 | 218 | 2.9 | ||
Volvo | |||||
EX30 | 49 | 174 | 3.6 | 3.2 | |
“ | 64 | 224-230 | 3.5-3.6 | ||
C40 | 66 | 221 | 3.4 | ||
“ | 79 | 249-261 | 3.2-3.3 | ||
XC40 | 66 | 214 | 3.2 | ||
“ | 79 | 242-252 | 3.1-3.2 | ||
EX90 | 107 | 280-289 | 2.6-2.7 | ||
Lotus | |||||
Eletre | 112 | 354 | 3.2 | 3.2 | |
Audi | |||||
Q4 e-tron | 52 | 239-264 | 3.4-3.5 | 3.1 | |
“ | 77 | 177-183 | 3.1-3.4 | ||
e-tron GT | 85 | 252-261 | 3.0-3.1 | ||
Q8 e-tron | 89 | 261-277 | 2.9-3.1 | ||
“ | 106 | 283-326 | 2.7-3.1 | ||
Fisker | |||||
Ocean | 105 | 326 | 3.1 | 3.1 | |
“ | 75 | 236 | 3.1 | ||
Acura | |||||
ZDX | 102 | 288-325 | 2.8-3.2 | 3.0 | |
Mercedes | |||||
EQS Sedans | 108 | 336-395 | 3.1-3.7 | 2.9 | |
EQS SUVs | 108 | 301-311 | 2.8-2.9 | ||
G-Wagon | 116 | 250 | 2.2 | ||
Ford | |||||
Mach-e | 91 | 264-298 | 2.9-3.3 | 2.9 | |
“ | 70 | 233 | 3.3 | ||
Lightning | 98 | 230 | 2.4 | ||
“ | 131 | 320 | 2.4 | ||
Vinfast | |||||
VF 8 | 88 | 264 | 3.0 | 2.8 | |
VF 9 | 123 | 323 | 2.6 | ||
Rolls Royce | |||||
Spectra | 102 | 260 | 2.6 | 2.6 |
The Rankings
So, I’ve ranked manufacturers by efficiency, based on the fleet average miles per kW. This is exactly what we’re used to using in ICE vehicles — fleet average miles per gallon. The miles/kW figures are derived simply by taking a vehicles range and dividing by the battery’s kWh size. Note that the numbers are rather small, which may be what drives the use of kilowatts per 100 miles, but they are still very telling.
Few models reach or exceed an efficiency of 4 miles per kilowatt. Further, those numbers are nearly all associated with smaller models and often with smaller batteries! For instance, the industry leader is Tesla’s Model 3 with the 58 kWh battery! A smaller battery weighs less and is thus more efficient, while lacking some range. The higher range Model 3 features a 75 kW battery.
*In fact a May, 2024 update finds a Renault R5, available only in Europe, a small car with a small battery, comes in at 4.8 m/kW! It now leads the list!
Overall, Lucid, Tesla and Hyundai lead with the most efficient fleets. Oddly, Kia in particular and Genesis as well fall short of their Hyundai cousins. Kia’s smaller vehicles should have it neck and neck with Hyundai, who’s offerings tend to be smaller as well.
Bigger batteries, while offering more range generally, are not a guarantee. Note that Vinfast’s VF 9 models holds a whopping 123 kWh battery, but only 323 miles in range and lands at the bottom of our list at 2.6 miles per kilowatt. This is a full 40% less efficient than the 58 kWh Tesla Model 3.
Speaking of big batteries, battery power trains are already heavier than their ICE counterparts. For example the Ford F150 Lightning weighs in at 2500 lbs more than the gas powered version. The battery alone in the upcoming Hummer is said to weigh 2900 lbs.
The hyphenated ranges and efficiencies are identical models most often with single vs dual motors. Single motor variants are always more efficient. In some cases there are adjustments that up the horse power as well, which then cuts into efficiency.
Note who’s missing from this list: Toyota/Lexus (since added)! Honda/Acura (since added). Mazda. Subaru (missed this one)! Stellantis (at work in Europe). Even those we’ve added remain well behind a changing landscape…
So we’ll keep an eye on that landscape. Expect to see battery chemistries get more efficient and to see weight reductions, also adding efficiency.
We also expect to see faster and faster charge rates — which is also an upcoming topic.
Updates:
- 8/21/23, Acura introduces a ZDX EV, but comes in near the bottom. Big battery, low average efficiency.
- 12/21/23, Rolls Royce Spectra added. Also a big battery and landed at the very bottom of the list…
- 1/21/24, Two Lexus models added. Just above the middle on the list.
- 2/3/24, Porsche Macan added, which moved the brand average from 3.2 to 3.3 m/kW.
- 5/21/24, Renault R5, available only in Europe, a small car with a small battery, comes in at 4.8 m/kW!
- 5/21/24, Honda intros the Prologue with an 85 kWh battery and nearly 300 miles of range.
- 5/22/25, the Mercedes adds the G-Wagon and drops fleet efficiency from 3.1 to 2.9.
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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
Dog Mode is slowly spreading
Dog Mode
I have a friend who has had some recent headaches with her Tesla and has threatened to move on to another vehicle. But, she wonders why no one else has Dog Mode, which she makes great us of.
Dog Mode allows the temperature in the car to be set, keeping the vehicle interior at that temperature until you return. Whether the cabin needs to be heated or cooled, the car will control the HVAC to hold the selected temperature.
She has a point, and rather misses another.
First and foremost, any car — electric or otherwise — with a remote start option or a remote climate control option can be effectively used as a pet protector, which is the missed point! More on that in a bit.
But, since dog mode is such a good idea, this first spurred a search, and while its taken more time than it should have, it does appear that pet protection is at last being added by a number of manufacturers.
Other Manufacturers
The search found that Ford, Rivian, Lucid and Volvo have added similar features. Hyundai and Chevrolet were included in the list, but we couldn’t find any indication of this in any Hyundai, Kia, Genesis or Chevrolet model.
The other manufacturers use different names, and while there may be a copyright on the use of Dog Mode, its more likely that others just like to apply their own name to systems that perform the same function. For instance Ford calls theirs Pet Mode, which is sensible, while Lucid takes it a step too far calling it Creature Comfort Mode.
But back to remote start. In an EV, since there is no engine to warm up, this is nothing more than cabin preconditioning. This could easily be used in place of an actual pet mode to keep a pet safe.
However, remote start shuts down if no one comes to the vehicle to actually drive it. In a Kia for instance, this is 10 minutes.
Further, remote start is available in vehicles using internal combustion engines (ICE) as well. In this case, the engine would be running throwing its exhaust into the air, but at least your pet will be safe.
However, if you use remote start to keep a pet safe be sure you have enough battery power or gasoline. The Telsa feature only works above 20% battery or a little less than a “quarter” tank of fuel. A good rule of thumb.
But the real point to manufacturers is this: just exactly how difficult is it to gather existing software applications and making a Dog Mode button and screen? This is a seriously popular and potentially even life saving feature. It can be applied to humans left in the car as well…
If you make use of remote start for this purpose, you may want to make a sign to place in your window letting outsiders know. Otherwise a good samaritan may be tempted to smash a window to rescue your pet…
——————————————————————-
Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.
These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.
Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.
The author has 25 years of automotive experience and has assembled the most extensive collection of symbols and warning lights anywhere (over 1,000!) and can help you open and start any keyless start car with a dead key fob battery. BA, St. Joseph’s College, ME: MS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY