Miles per kWh Explained: The Ultimate Guide to EV Efficiency

Electric Vehicles 

You don’t have to be around cars for very long to know that we love an abbreviation. Over the years, one of the most important for those looking to lease a vehicle has been MPG, or ‘miles per gallon’, a measurement for how efficient an engine is. But in our evolving Electric Vehicle (EV) age, there’s a new abbreviation – kWH or ‘kilowatt hour’.

Understanding how many miles you can travel on one kWh of energy is key to understanding how efficient your EV is; the higher the number, the less you’ll spend on charging and the further you’ll be able to go between top-ups. If you’ve ever played a racing game, you know that managing your fuel or battery power can mean the difference between victory and getting left in the dust. This means that understanding how far you can travel in your EV is the remedy for range anxiety.

In today’s blog post, we’ll have a closer look at how many miles per kWh is considered good, what affects efficiency and how you can save money on running costs by fully understanding the term.

What is miles per kWh?

Let’s keep this nice and simple – miles per kWh tells drivers how far an electric car can travel on one ‘unit’ (a kWh) of electricity. If your vehicle can cover three miles using just one of these units, then your result is 3 miles per kWh. This measurement helps you compare the efficiency of different EVs and allows you to estimate their running costs accordingly.

Why does miles per kWh matter?

Miles per kWh directly impacts three key areas of your EV experience: range, charging cost and sustainability. The further you can travel on one kWh, the more efficient your car is.

The more efficient the vehicle, the further you can travel on one charge, the fewer stops you need to make on longer journeys and the more affordable your car is to own. And of course, less strain on the power grid means your car is better for the environment, not just when driving but even when not in use.

How is miles per kWh calculated?

To calculate the miles per kWh of a vehicle, simply divide the total range by the battery capacity in kWh. For example, if an EV has a 60kWh battery and offers a range of 240 miles, you’d calculate:

• 240 (miles) ÷ 60 (kWh) = 4 (miles per kWh)

This simply means the vehicle can travel 4 miles on each unit of electricity and offers a useful comparator for measuring up your potential EV lease choices.

What affects miles per kWh? 5 factors to consider

There are other considerations that will impact how many miles per kWh you’ll get, and it’s worth considering how to further increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of your vehicle. Here are five key points:

1. Driving style and speed
2. Weather and temperature
3. Vehicle weight and aerodynamics
4. Battery health and regenerative braking
5. Tyre type and pressure

1. Driving style and speed

Where possible, maintaining a steady speed and using cruise control on motorways can improve efficiency. Aggressive acceleration and sudden braking make the car work harder and drain the battery faster – keeping a moderate speed helps conserve energy and maximise range.

2. Weather and temperature

Sadly, there’s not much we can do about the weather in good old Blighty, but it’s worth understanding that cold weather reduces battery performance, leading to lower miles per kWh. Likewise, in extreme heat, air conditioning and cooling systems will increase energy use too.

3. Vehicle weight and aerodynamics

The heavier your EV, the more power it requires to move, impacting the range. Carrying excess cargo or using roof racks increases drag, making your EV work harder, so consider this before setting off. Choosing a model with efficient aerodynamics can also help improve overall efficiency.

4. Battery health and regenerative braking

Battery capacity will slowly degrade over time, gradually affecting your range. That said, regenerative braking, which is increasingly becoming a standard feature in hybrids and EVs, recovers energy when you are slowing down, improving miles per kWh and helping maximise efficiency.

5. Tyre type and pressure

Underinflated tyres will increase the rolling resistance of your vehicle, making it work harder. So, regularly checking your tyre pressures and even using low-resistance EV-specific tyres can improve efficiency and help maintain a higher miles-per-kWh rating.

How to improve your EV’s miles per kWh

As well as the above considerations, pre-conditioning your car’s cabin while it’s still plugged in reduces strain on the battery, improving efficiency in extreme temperatures. Route planning can also make a difference – avoiding heavy traffic means less of a stop-start drive, conserving more energy.

When possible, use slower AC charging instead of frequent rapid charging, as this can help preserve battery health over time, too.

How does miles per kWh compare to MPG?

Petrol and diesel cars are measured in miles per gallon (MPG), so to make a rough comparison, a common rule of thumb is to multiply an EV’s miles per kWh by 40. For example, an EV achieving 3 miles per kWh is roughly equivalent to 120 MPG in a petrol or diesel car.

If you know your MPGs, you’ll immediately spot that EVs are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional internal combustion vehicles, offering a much greater mileage for lower energy costs.

Average miles per kWh for popular EVs

Most modern EVs achieve between 3 and 4.5 miles per kWh, depending on model and driving conditions. For some rough examples, across these three popular models, the Skoda Elroq delivers around 4.1 miles per kWh, the Kia EV3 is more efficient at 4.6 miles per kWh while the Volkswagen ID.5 achieves 4.2 miles per kWh.

These numbers highlight the variation in efficiency between different models, and why a thorough understanding of miles per kWh is necessary when looking to lease a new EV. Across the Gateway2Lease site, we always make sure to indicate the kWh of a vehicle to help you compare your preferred choices.

Explore electric car leasing at Gateway2Lease

Understanding how many miles per kWh your chosen vehicle offers is key to making a fully informed EV leasing decision. At Gateway2Lease, we make it simple to lease the perfect electric vehicle for your needs. From high-efficiency city cars to long-range SUVs, our wide range ensures you always get to choose from the very best options around.

Feeling fully informed now you’ve got one more abbreviation under your hat? Browse our latest EV leasing offers, or if you have any questions, please get in touch with us via our contact page – our expert team is always happy to help.

Miles per kWh FAQs

What is a good miles per kWh rating for an EV?

Generally speaking, a good rating is 3.5 to 4.5 miles per kWh. Smaller EVs tend to be more efficient, while larger SUVs or performance models may be lower.

How does temperature affect EV efficiency?

Such is life in the UK that, yes, outdoor temperature is a consideration. Cold weather reduces battery performance, while extreme heat can increase energy use for cooling. Pre-conditioning your EV while still plugged into the mains can help improve efficiency.

Can I track my EV’s miles per kWh in real-time?

Yes, most modern EVs display real-time data via the dashboard or infotainment system, allowing you to track this. Many also offer mobile apps with detailed energy usage insights. Can’t do that with a 1974 Ford Capri Mk II, can you?

Does fast charging impact miles per kWh?

Not directly, but frequent rapid charging can degrade battery health over time, which may slightly reduce long-term efficiency.

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