Consumption - definition

Consumption for EVs is an analog of the fuel consumption metric for internal combustion engine cars. The unit of measurement differs, of course, in the case of EVs this being kWh/100 km and not liters of fuel per 100 km.

The various standard testing cycles also produce consumption numbers, and we list those in our spec pages when they're available. Since the different testing cycles (such as WLTP or EPA) use slightly different testing methods, the numbers they will produce will also slightly differ, but they should give you a reasonable idea of the average consumption of the EV you're looking at.

You can also rather easily derive each testing cycle's range estimate for a specific car by looking at average consumption and battery capacity.

Just as with traditional combustion-powered vehicles, the driver’s behavior affects the energy consumption of an electric vehicle. A driving style that anticipates both the traffic and the road conditions will reduce the energy required to power the electric car and, ultimately, optimize your electricity consumption.

On the highway, as speed increases, so does energy consumption. Increased road surface friction and air resistance mean that the motor has to use more watts to maintain speed. Lastly, consumption also depends on interior temperature regulation: both heating and air conditioning significantly reduce the range of an electric car battery.

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