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Electricity use and range

An electric car uses energy measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Consumption is often given per kilometre, and it rises with speed, cold, heating and load. The range is the energy in the battery divided by the consumption. In winter the range can be noticeably shorter, so plan charging on long trips.

s=Efs = \dfrac{E}{f}the range

Symbols

EEenergy in the batterykWh
ffconsumptionkWh/km

Example

The battery holds 60 kWh. In summer the car uses 0.16 kWh/km, on a cold winter day 0.22 kWh/km.

Summer: s=60/0.16=375s = 60 / 0.16 = 375 km. Winter: s=60/0.22≈273s = 60 / 0.22 \approx 273 km.

Pre-heat the car while it is plugged in. Then the heating uses power from the grid instead of the battery.
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Part of Car licence (class B): Environment and eco-driving.