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
To start a Mercedes-Benz that uses the tapered SmartKey style, the engine Start / Stop ignition button must be removed. It appears to ‘float’ above the dashboard and is easily pulled away from the ignition lock. Insert the tapered end of the KEYLESS-GO key in the ignition lock and turn it to start and operate old school style.
Beginning in 2017, the ignition lock in AMG roadsters and coupes is found at the back of the center console storage area, as shown in the image. Insert the tapered key fob into the ignition lock and turn it to start and operate old school style.
Models using the new, rounded SmartKey fob styles , shown to the left, require that the fob be placed in a back up location or slot. These models, as of the 2019 model year, are the AMG, C-Class, E-Class and S-Class.
The new SmartKey fob style had spread through nearly the entire product line by the 2019 model year. However, the mark (the image of a metal key with lines radiating from it) is found in or near cup holders, which are at the front of the center console. See the two images at left. The 2021 S-Class Maybach uses the rear cup holder as well (second image) as well as a newer key fob. It is similar to the one shown above.
Also in 2019, Mercedes-Benz introduced the first of its electric and electrified models, the GLC 350e. And while the mark is also found in the cup holder, it too uses the image of the SmartKey (see the image to the right), like the updated C-Class models noted above. This will likely take over all model lines with time.
Finally come a small number of exceptions. Since 2019, the GLE and GLS SUVS use a slot, with the mark of a key with lines radiating from it, is found inside the center console storage area in the front. G-Class SUVs joined them in 2024. See the image to the left. Drop the key fob into the slot and start the vehicle as normal.
Note: If you have made an attempt to start the vehicle without success, there may be residual pressure in the brake system and a new warning light may appear (left) or text message to Step on the Brake. Press the brake pedal very, very hard when trying to start the vehicle again to be sure that the release switch behind the pedal is engaged. Or wait a few minutes and try again.
If you’ve ever walked out to your car and found all the windows open, this is the subject. Keyless start vehicles made by BMW and Mini, Honda and Acura, Ford and Lincoln, Maserati, Mercedes, Toyota and Lexus and Volkswagen Group, include what is called a convenience feature, which opens all the windows for ventilation when the unlock button is pressed and held. The sunroof will be open as well if there is one and the car unlocked.
In this case, you might try using a device like a carabiner or snap hook. It can be hooked to a strap and still actually be closed into the bag. But it won’t work its way to the bottom. The devices come in many different sizes and colors so you can be a stylish as you’d like and they can be found online or at most hardware stores.
Wrong Way Indicator 
The system uses a forward facing camera in conjunction with data from the vehicle’s navigation system. A driver about to pass one of the signs would hear beeps and see the symbol. The text in German – the sign is not in use in North America – shown below the red symbol would be included and translates loosely to Wrong Way.
Can Your Car Windows Open on Their Own??
Why Are My Windows Open?
If you’ve ever walked out to your car and found all the windows open, this is our subject. We’re going to discuss a feature found in cars from a number of manufacturers that catches people with their pants down. Or their windows down. This is not about a fault or a system failure or a warning light, but about something working exactly as it is supposed to, but doing it seemingly at random on its own.
Vehicles made by BMW and Mini, Honda and Acura, Ford and Lincoln, Maserati, Mercedes, Toyota and Lexus and Volkswagen Group, include what is called a convenience feature, which opens all the windows for ventilation when the unlock button is pressed and held. The sunroof will be open as well and the car unlocked.
Its An Accident!
So, what is causing the surprise window openings can be explained by accidental button pushes. Whether carried in a bag or in a pocket, something pressing on the unlock button for an extended period can and will activate the feature, if the key fob is within 50 feet or so. Remember that while the key fob’s keyless access can only operate within 18 to 24 inches of the vehicle, the buttons on the fob will work from a much greater distance.
If it is carried in a bag, the nature of keyless open and start can easily lead to the fob migrating to the bottom of the bag. In this case, you might try using a device like this carabiner or snap hook. It can be hooked to a strap like on this computer bag and still actually be closed into the bag. But it won’t work its way to the bottom. The devices come in many different sizes and colors so you can be a stylish as you’d like and they can be found online or at most hardware stores.
To finish off the functions of the actual convenience feature, the windows will stop short if the button is released, and will continue down if it is pressed and held yet again. Some vehicles require the unlock button to be pressed and released once before the convenience feature will work. In Honda and Acura vehicles, the feature will work by holding the mechanical key turned to the right in the key cylinder, but this will not happen accidently. Also, turning and holding the key back to the left will close the windows and sunroof.
The feature can be disabled in Ford Motor Co and Toyota and Lexus vehicles, but you’ll need your dealer. In fact, the feature in a Toyota and Lexus must have first been activated in this way.
So, if ever you find your windows wide open one day, don’t panic — find a new way to carry your key fob.
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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.
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