EV Range Calculator
Estimate an electric car's driving range.
Miles per kWh. Defaults to 3.5.
Results update as you type.
How it works
Range anxiety is often just uncertainty, and this EV range calculator replaces it with a concrete estimate from two numbers that define an electric car's reach. Enter the battery capacity in kilowatt-hours and the efficiency in miles per kilowatt-hour, and it returns how far the car can travel on a full charge, so you can judge whether a given model suits your driving. The estimate is useful whether you are shopping for an EV or planning a journey in one you own. Battery capacity is like the size of the fuel tank, while efficiency is the electric equivalent of miles per gallon, telling you how far each unit of energy carries you. Multiplying the two gives range, and seeing it laid out lets you compare a large battery with modest efficiency against a smaller battery in a very efficient car, which can end up neck and neck. Real-world range depends heavily on conditions, and efficiency is where they show up. Cold weather, high speeds, hilly terrain, running the heater or air conditioning, and heavy loads all lower miles per kilowatt-hour, sometimes dramatically in winter. For a realistic figure, use an efficiency number that reflects your climate and driving rather than the best-case rating from a mild test. By lowering the efficiency input to match harsh conditions, you can see a conservative range you can actually count on, which is far more useful for planning than an optimistic headline number.
range = battery capacity × efficiency
An electric car's range is how far its stored energy can carry it, so multiplying the usable battery capacity in kilowatt-hours by the efficiency in miles per kilowatt-hour gives the distance on a full charge. Efficiency states how many miles each kilowatt-hour delivers, and battery capacity states how many kilowatt-hours are on board, so their product is total miles. A bigger battery or higher efficiency both extend the range this way.
Source:Standard EV range estimation (capacity × efficiency)
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter battery capacity.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust efficiency if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Estimated range updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
What is a typical EV efficiency in miles per kWh?
Most electric cars achieve roughly 3 to 4 miles per kilowatt-hour in mixed driving, with efficient models exceeding 4 and larger, heavier vehicles falling below 3. Efficiency drops in cold weather, at highway speeds, and with heavy loads or climate control running. Check your car's display or the EPA rating for a baseline, and reduce it somewhat if you often drive in demanding conditions for a realistic range estimate.
Should I use total or usable battery capacity?
Use the usable capacity if you know it, since manufacturers reserve a buffer of the total battery to protect longevity, and only the usable portion actually powers the car. Published range figures are based on usable capacity. If only the total capacity is listed, your range estimate will be slightly optimistic. Where possible, enter the usable kilowatt-hours for the most accurate result that matches real driving.
Why does cold weather reduce EV range so much?
Cold temperatures slow the battery's chemistry, reducing the energy it can deliver, and heating the cabin draws significant power directly from the battery rather than from waste engine heat as in a gas car. Together these can cut winter range by twenty to forty percent. Preconditioning the car while plugged in and using seat heaters over cabin heat help, but you should still plan for reduced range in cold months.
Does driving fast lower my range?
Yes, considerably. Aerodynamic drag rises sharply with speed, so sustained highway driving at high speed consumes far more energy per mile than city or moderate cruising. This is the opposite of a gas car, which is often most efficient on the highway. To maximise EV range on a long trip, moderating your speed makes a noticeable difference, sometimes adding many miles compared with driving at the fastest legal pace.
How does this relate to charging time and cost?
Range tells you how far a full charge goes, but charging time depends on the charger's power and the battery size, while charging cost depends on your electricity rate and the car's efficiency. To estimate cost per mile, divide your electricity rate by the efficiency in miles per kilowatt-hour. Range, charging speed, and cost are three separate questions, and this calculator answers the first: how far you can go on a charge.