If youre shopping for an electric car today, youll see a blizzard of efficiency numbers: MPGe, mi/kWh, kWh/100 mi, and estimated range. Making an electric vehicle efficiency comparison across sedans, SUVs, and trucks can feel harder than comparing gas MPG used to be especially if youre also weighing used EVs.
Quick snapshot
For model year 2024 EVs sold in the U.S., official efficiency spans roughly 53140 MPGe and about 1.54.2 miles per kWh. Thats nearly a 3:1 spread in how much electricity different EVs use to cover the same distance.
Why electric vehicle efficiency matters more than you think
EV shoppers often focus first on range and price. Efficiency feels like a nice-to-have. But it quietly drives three things youll care about for years: how much you spend on electricity, how often you stop to charge on trips, and how your car feels in difficult conditions like winter.
EV efficiency vs gas, at a glance
Take two extremes on todays market. A very efficient luxury sedan like a Lucid Air uses roughly 2330 kWh per 100 miles, while a massive off-road truck like a Hummer EV can burn through more than 70 kWh per 100 miles. Cover 15,000 miles a year and you could spend three to four times as much on electricity in the bigger, less efficient vehicle, even before demand charges or road-trip fast charging markups enter the picture.
Think in kWh, not just MPGe
If youre used to gas MPG, MPGe is helpful for intuition. But when you want to know what an EV will actually cost to run at your electricity rate, focus on kWh/100 miles or mi/kWh. They connect directly to your utility bill.
How to read EV efficiency labels: MPGe, mi/kWh and kWh/100 mi
Every new EV sold in the U.S. carries an EPA Fuel Economy and Environment label. For electric vehicles, youll typically see three different efficiency metrics. Understanding them is the foundation for any smart electric vehicle efficiency comparison.
Three efficiency metrics youll see on every EV
Same idea, different lenses on energy use
MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent)
What it is: How many miles an EV can travel on electricity that has the same energy as one gallon of gas (33.7 kWh).
Good for: Comparing an EV to a gasoline car, or comparing EVs with very different sizes at a glance.
Rule of thumb: Higher MPGe = more efficient.
mi/kWh (miles per kilowatt-hour)
What it is: How many miles you travel per unit of electricity the car uses.
Good for: Comparing EVs to each other and calculating your cost per mile using your actual electric rate.
Rule of thumb: 4 mi/kWh is excellent for a car; around 2 mi/kWh is typical for a big SUV or truck.
kWh/100 mi (kilowatt-hours per 100 miles)
What it is: How much energy the EV consumes to travel 100 miles, including typical charging losses.
Good for: Quick cost math: kWh/100 mi d electricity price = cost per 100 miles.
Rule of thumb: Lower kWh/100 mi = more efficient.
How the EPA tests EV efficiency
The EPA runs EVs through city, highway, high-speed, and hot/cold tests, then combines the results to estimate average use. MPGe values already include typical charging losses from Level 2 home charging, so they reflect the energy youre actually pulling from the wall.
Heres an easy mental model: a car that uses 25 kWh/100 mi and a truck that uses 50 kWh/100 mi differ by a factor of two. If your power costs $0.15/kWh at home, thats about $3.75 vs $7.50 in energy for the same 100 miles of driving.
Electric vehicle efficiency comparison by class
Comparing a sleek sedan to a lifted off-road pickup isnt entirely fair; youre buying different tools for different jobs. A better way to think about EV efficiency is by vehicle class the kind of body style and size you actually need. Within each class, the spread in efficiency can still be dramatic.
Typical efficiency ranges by EV class (EPA combined, approximate)
Use this as a directional guide when comparing new models in 20242025. Individual models may sit above or below these bands.
| Vehicle class | Example models (illustrative) | Approx. MPGe range | Approx. mi/kWh range | kWh/100 mi range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient midsize/large sedans | Lucid Air, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Tesla Model 3 | 120150 MPGe | 3.54.5 mi/kWh | 2228 kWh/100 mi |
| Compact/midsize crossovers | Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5, VW ID.4 | 100130 MPGe | 2.74.0 mi/kWh | 2535 kWh/100 mi |
| Standard 2-row SUVs | Cadillac Lyriq, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya | 90115 MPGe | 2.43.2 mi/kWh | 3040 kWh/100 mi |
| 3-row & luxury SUVs | Rivian R1S, Mercedes EQS SUV, Cadillac Vistiq | 75 95 MPGe | 2.02.9 mi/kWh | 3550 kWh/100 mi |
| Electric pickups | Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevy Silverado EV, Rivian R1T | 60 85 MPGe | 1.72.5 mi/kWh | 4055 kWh/100 mi |
| Heavy off-road trucks & specialty EVs | GMC Hummer EV, performance exotics | 45 70 MPGe | ~1.01.8 mi/kWh | 5580+ kWh/100 mi |
Efficiency ranges are rounded from publicly available EPA data; always check the window sticker for a specific vehicle.
Be careful with trims
Within a single model line, efficiency can swing significantly based on battery size, motor count, wheels, and tires. A dual-motor, big-wheel performance trim will almost always be less efficient than the single-motor, smaller-wheel version.
Two quick real-world style examples:
- A modern efficiency champ: a single-motor Lucid Air or Hyundai Ioniq 6 can deliver combined ratings around 135145 MPGe with energy use near 2325 kWh/100 mi.
- On the other end, a Hummer EV pickup or SUV may sit under 50 MPGe and consume over 70 kWh/100 mi. Same 100 miles; roughly three times the electricity.
Real-world vs EPA efficiency: why your numbers will differ
If you own an EV already, youve probably noticed that your in-car mi/kWh doesnt always match the EPA label. Thats normal. The label is a standardized estimate built from laboratory drive cycles. Your real-world efficiency depends on how and where you drive.
Factors that reduce real-world efficiency
- High speeds: Aerodynamic drag rises quickly over 65 mph, so highway road trips almost always deliver fewer miles per kWh than city driving.
- Aggressive acceleration: EV torque is addictive, but frequent full-throttle launches burn energy.
- Cold or very hot weather: Cabin heating and air conditioning can be major energy draws, especially below freezing.
- Big wheels & off-road tires: They look great, but they add weight and rolling resistance.
- Towing & roof boxes: Both add drag and weight, cutting efficiency dramatically.
Factors that improve real-world efficiency
- Moderate speeds: Cruising closer to 6065 mph instead of 7580 mph can add meaningful range.
- Eco drive modes: Softer throttle mapping and more aggressive regeneration help many drivers use less energy.
- Anticipatory driving: Lifting early for stoplights lets regen recapture energy instead of turning it into brake heat.
- Well-planned charging: Preconditioning the cabin while plugged in saves battery energy for driving.
- Proper tire pressure: Under-inflated tires cost you miles per kWh just like they cost gas MPG.
Visitors also read...
Winter can change the math
In very cold weather, many EVs use 2050% more energy for the same driving. That doesnt mean theyre broken; its a function of battery chemistry and cabin heating. If you live in a cold climate and are comparing EVs, look for owner reports on winter efficiency, not just EPA ratings.
When you read efficiency tests from publications or forums, pay attention to speed, temperature, and elevation. A Tesla Model Y that averages about 3.8 mi/kWh on a mild 60 mph loop might drop closer to 3.0 mi/kWh at 75 mph into a winter headwind. Same vehicle, very different conditions.
Efficiency when buying a used EV
Efficiency is just as important when youre looking at a used EVsometimes more so. A less efficient vehicle will cost you more to drive for years, and older batteries and outdated drive units can widen the gap further. The challenge is that you cant just glance at the original window sticker anymore; you need to know how the car performs today.
Checklist: evaluating efficiency on a used EV
1. Start with the original EPA numbers
Look up the vehicles model year and trim on the EPA fuel economy site. Note the original MPGe and kWh/100 mi as a baseline, especially if youre comparing multiple candidates.
2. Ask for recent mi/kWh data
Many EVs show <strong>lifetime</strong> or long-term average mi/kWh in the instrument cluster or infotainment menus. Ask the seller to share photos so you can see how the car has actually performed.
3. Consider battery health
A battery with significant degradation wont necessarily change mi/kWh, but it does reduce usable range. At <strong>Recharged</strong>, every car comes with a Recharged Score battery health report so you know what capacity youre really buying.
4. Note wheel and tire changes
Previous owners may have installed larger wheels or aggressive tires that cut efficiency. Verify whats currently on the car and, if needed, price out a more efficient setup.
5. Match efficiency to your driving
If you commute 60 highway miles a day, a truck that uses 50 kWh/100 mi will feel very different on your utility bill than a sedan using 25 kWh/100 mi. Run the math with your kWh rate.
6. Factor in future fast charging
If you plan frequent road trips, inefficiency gets magnified at DC fast-charging rates. A vehicle that needs 70 kWh to go 150 miles will cost more and require longer stops than one that needs 45 kWh.
How Recharged helps
Because every used EV on Recharged includes a Recharged Score Report with verified battery health and pricing benchmarks, you can focus on comparing efficiency, range, and total cost of ownership instead of wondering whats hidden behind an odometer number.
How to compare two EVs step by step
Lets say youre torn between an efficient compact crossover and a larger, more powerful SUV. Heres a simple, repeatable process you can use to make an apples-to-apples electric vehicle efficiency comparisonwhether the vehicles are new or used.
Step 1: Capture the key label numbers
- MPGe (city, highway, combined) for each vehicle.
- kWh/100 mi (combined) this is crucial.
- Battery capacity (kWh) and rated range.
Write them down for both vehicles so youre not flipping between tabs.
Step 2: Convert to cost per mile
Use the formula: Cost per mile = (kWh/100 mi f 100) d electricity price. If power costs $0.15/kWh:
- 25 kWh/100 mi f 100 d $0.15 $0.0375/mi.
- 50 kWh/100 mi f 100 d $0.15 $0.075/mi.
Step 3: Scale to your annual miles
If you drive 12,000 miles per year:
- Efficient EV at $0.0375/mi d 12,000 about $450/year.
- Less efficient EV at $0.075/mi d 12,000 about $900/year.
Over a five-year ownership window, that one choice could mean roughly $2,250 difference in electricity costs, not counting road-trip fast charging.
Step 4: Overlay non-efficiency factors
- Cargo space, seating, towing needs.
- Charging curve: how quickly each vehicle charges from 10 80%.
- Battery health and remaining warranty (for used EVs).
- Purchase price and financing terms.
Efficiency isnt the only factor, but this process makes its impact concrete next to everything else.
Fast comparison shortcut
If you want a quick snapshot in a dealership or on your phone, compare two EVs by subtracting their kWh/100 mi numbers. Every 5 kWh/100 mi difference is roughly $75/year for a 10,000-mile driver at $0.15/kWh.
Seven ways to improve your EVs efficiency
Once you own an EV, you still have plenty of control over how efficient it is day to day. Here are practical, no-drama tweaks that usually move the needle more than people expect.
- Use Eco or efficiency modes for most driving; save Sport for when you really want it.
- Precondition the cabin while plugged in so you use grid power, not battery power, to heat or cool the car.
- Keep your tires inflated to the recommended pressure; low tires can eat a surprising amount of range.
- Remove unused roof racks, cargo boxes, and bike carriers when youre not using them to reduce drag.
- On the highway, set cruise closer to 6568 mph instead of running 7580+ mph when youre not in a rush.
- Learn to drive the regen lift early and let regenerative braking slow you instead of coasting and then hard braking.
- In winter, use seat and steering-wheel heaters, which consume less energy than blasting cabin heat.
Dont chase efficiency at all costs
If driving for maximum mi/kWh makes you anxious or frustrated, its not worth it. Efficiency should be a tool to lower cost and extend range, not a source of stress. Build a comfortable buffer into your range planning instead.
Electric vehicle efficiency comparison: FAQ
Frequently asked questions about comparing EV efficiency
Bottom line: efficiency as a shopping tool, not a scoreboard
Efficiency isnt a contest you win by chasing the highest MPGe number. Its a practical lens that helps you decide which EV truly fits your life from daily commutes to road trips and everything in between. A compact, ultra-efficient sedan might be perfect for a solo commuter; a less efficient three-row SUV might still be the right answer for a big family that needs space every day.
What matters is that you understand how to interpret the numbers, how they translate into real dollars and charging stops, and how they interact with battery health on a used vehicle. Get that part right and youll be in a much better position to choose the EV that feels good not just on a test drive, but over years of ownership. If youre ready to compare real cars, you can browse used EVs with transparent battery health reports and expert guidance on Recharged and see, in black and white, which ones will be the real efficiency winners for you.
