EV Consumption: How Much Energy Does an Electric Car Consume?

You'll pay four times more per kilometre if you choose the Mercedes-Benz G 580 over the Microlino. Why? Because the G 580 consumes 28.0 kWh/100 km, while the Microlino needs only 7.1 kWh/100 km. You need to know what factors define consumption before you take the big step over to the e-mobility side.

In this article, we will explain the average kWh an EV needs per kilometre, what can influence power consumption, and how to reduce it. Curious to find out? Keep reading.

On average, electric cars consume around 15 kWh/100 km — this is not just the middle between the highest and lowest but reflects what most models offer.

In general, one trip with an electric car costs about £12.23 / 100 mi (£7.60 / 100 km).

Small EV models usually use less energy than larger, more powerful ones.

Factors like speed, terrain, temperature and others considerably affect energy consumption.

The energy consumption of an electric car is a term used to show how much electricity a car uses over a specific distance. It is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 kilometres. For example, a Hyundai IONIQ 6 is an EV with decent efficiency, consuming around 13,9 kWh to 15,1 kWh per 100 km (WLTP) depending on the configuration variant. 

One kWh costs 26.35p / kWh if you charge your car exclusively at home. This is ideal for those who have their own wallbox and can charge whenever they are not travelling. On the other hand, if you prefer using fast public stations, you’ll pay around 75p / kWh. Public EV charging prices in the UK are far more complex than domestic electricity prices.

In the UK, public charging costs around £11.25 / 100 km. If you charge only at home for 26.35p / kWh*, the cost goes down to £3.95 / 100 km (based on 15 kWh/100 km consumption). Split charging 50/50 between home and public chargers, and you pay around £7.60 / 100 km (£12.23 / 100 mi).

So, if you charge your electric car mainly at home, you can potentially save up to £1,095 per year (assuming 15,000 km driven annually). The savings can be even higher if you use a smart wallbox, enabling you to benefit from flexible energy tariffs and charge when electricity is the cheapest. 

If you want to know the charging costs for a specific electric car, you can use the electric car power consumption calculator from the European Alternative Fuels Observatory. Simply select your country and the EV model, enter the average vehicle consumption, monthly kilometres driven, and a few other factors, and you'll get an estimated monthly price immediately.

If your EV consumes 15 kWh per 100 km, like the Fiat 600e*, and you drive 500 km per month, your charging costs depend on where you charge. With a 50/50 split between home (26.35p / kWh) and public fast chargers (75p / kWh, IONITY tariff), your monthly cost would be around £38.01.

*15.1 kWh/100 km WLTP

The electricity consumption of an electric car per year with medium usage is around 1,714 kWh, based on the UK average of 7,100 miles (11,426 km). If you charge exclusively at home, it would cost you around £451 a year. If you use a mix of home and public charging, your yearly costs would be approximately £868.

Our electric car range list features several budget models with the lowest WLTP energy consumption. You will find options under £30.000 and even EVs under £20.000. 

Still unsure what electric car you should go for? Check out the selection to have fewer if-the-maybes when choosing one! 

*WLTP consumption represents the efficiency you can achieve under optimal conditions, like steady speed, smooth roads, and minimal use of climate control. For a more realistic idea of the range, it’s a good idea to check test data from sources like ADAC or AUTO BILD.

OK, so now you know which EV models truly shine in terms of energy consumption. You also know that 15 kWh/100 km is the starting point for evaluating a car’s efficiency. Now, let’s take a look at the models where manufacturers clearly prioritised something else over efficiency.

The factors influencing the electricity consumption of your electric car are vehicle model, battery condition, temperature, driving speed and style, terrain, and tyre condition. Carrying more passengers and luggage also affects how much energy you spend per 100 km.

• Vehicle model. Small, efficient models like the ones from our top 5 list use less energy than larger, more powerful ones. 

• Battery condition. If your EV battery is in great shape, you’ll get better mileage. As it ages and wears off, the consumption rises. 

• Temperature. Using the heater or AC means you are spending the energy you could otherwise turn into kilometres.

• Driving speed. Did you know that your EV consumption at 130 km/h increases by 10-20% compared to driving at 100 km/h? It’s just a 30 km/h difference! You will appreciate this knowledge even more if you ever drive with a low battery. 

• Driving style. Contrary to the previous point, when you're stuck in rush hour traffic, moving in stop-and-go style, your car is much less efficient than when driving steadily on the highway.

• Terrain. Hilly or mountainous routes will consume more energy because your car has to work harder to climb uphill. On the other hand, though, going down a hill can help you recharge your battery a bit, thanks to recuperation.

• Tyre condition. Under-inflated tyres make your car work harder. Naturally, it uses more energy.

• Carrying more load. The more people and heavy stuff you have in your car, the harder the motor works. This leads to higher amounts of energy used per 100 km. So, avoid travelling with things like a grill set or extra suitcases from your last weekend trip that you haven’t yet unpacked.

You can drive 200-700 kilometres on one charge, depending on the model, speed, weather conditions, battery capacity, and other factors. While cars like the Mercedes-Benz EQS and the Lucid Air Dream Edition can cover distances exceeding 700 kilometres, smaller vehicles like Microlino can do around 200 km.

A large battery doesn’t necessarily mean long range. For example, the Cupra Born has a 60 kWh battery and a WLTP range of 427 km. In comparison, the Mercedes-Benz EQV, also with a 60 kWh battery, will take you as far as 242 km on a single charge (WLTP). One of the reasons for this is that the former is a compact hatchback, while the latter is a van. But the fact remains the same — their energy consumption is radically different. That’s why, when choosing an electric car, you should check not only its battery size and range but also its consumption to know how much that range will actually cost you.

To reduce energy consumption: 

• try to drive more smoothly

• opt for roads with lower speed limits

• make sure your car is not loaded with unnecessary weight

• use regenerative braking

• ensure regular maintenance of your car

• in colder months, precondition the cabin while the car is plugged in to avoid using your battery energy for that.

To pay even less for driving your electric vehicle, you could reduce the price of charging by doing it at home. This can be done with a smart wallbox like our go-e Charger that comes with special features allowing you to save a lot. For instance, you can cut energy costs using excess solar power to charge your EV. Moreover, go-e Charger users have a special option to combine PV surplus charging with flexible energy tariffs. So when there is no surplus solar power available, the wallbox charges only when the grid electricity is below the user-set limit. 

Yes, electric cars are far more efficient than gasoline cars. Petrol engines convert only 25% of energy into motion, while EVs reach 85% and recover energy via regenerative braking. You might argue that ICE vehicles can go further per refill. The thing is, though, that the great number of public chargers and the ridiculously convenient option of home charging make this less relevant.

Germany now has 1.65 million electric cars, saving almost 1.4 billion litres of fuel each year. That’s like filling nine million bathtubs with gasoline and diesel. These cars cut CO2 emissions by about four million tons annually, which is the same as 160 million trees absorbing. It's a big win for the climate without losing out on mobility or fun driving.
 

Electricity is cheaper. If you choose the most common setup and charge half at home and half at public stations, it costs £7.60 / 100 km, while petrol costs £10.45 / 100 km* (based on average consumption of 7.7 l/100 km). If you drive 15,000 km, you save around £428 per year.

* In November 2025, the average monthly price for petrol in the UK averaged 135.60p per litre (Source: RAC)

Over time, driving an electric car is generally cheaper than driving a gasoline vehicle. While EVs may have a higher initial purchase price, they are more affordable in the long run. Charging costs less than buying petrol, there are fewer maintenance needs, and in some countries, EVs are subsidised. As a result, after a few years, an electric car often ends up costing you less.

Over the years, these savings add up, making EVs the more cost-effective choice in the long run. This financial advantage is one of the key reasons why more businesses are switching to electric fleets. In Belgium, for example, 41.2% of corporate vehicles are already electric, as companies look to cut fuel expenses and benefit from tax advantages.