EV Range Calculator
Estimate an electric car’s driving range from its usable battery size and energy efficiency, and see the miles you get per kilowatt-hour.
How it works
Usable kWh = battery × usable% · Range = usable kWh × 1000 ÷ (Wh per mile) · mi/kWh = 1000 ÷ Wh per mile
Range is simply the energy you can actually use divided by how much energy the car burns per mile. Manufacturers reserve part of the pack to protect battery life, so the usable capacity is a bit below the nameplate kWh. Real efficiency swings a lot with speed, temperature, terrain and climate control — cold weather and highway speeds can push consumption 30–40% above the mild-weather figure, shrinking range accordingly.
Worked example
A 60 kWh pack with 92% usable gives 55.2 kWh. At 280 Wh/mi that is 55,200 ÷ 280 = about 197 miles, or roughly 3.57 miles per kWh.
Frequently asked questions
What is a typical EV efficiency in Wh per mile?
Efficient sedans run around 240–280 Wh/mi, while heavier SUVs and trucks are often 350–500 Wh/mi. Highway speeds, cold temperatures and hills all raise the number, which is why winter range is noticeably lower than the rated figure.
Why is usable capacity less than the battery size?
Automakers keep a buffer at the top and bottom of the pack to slow degradation and prevent damage from full charges and deep discharges. That is why a “60 kWh” car might only let you use about 55 kWh.
How do I convert miles per kWh to Wh per mile?
They are reciprocals scaled by 1,000: Wh/mi = 1000 ÷ (mi/kWh). So 3.5 mi/kWh equals about 286 Wh/mi.
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Educational estimate — real figures vary by vehicle, lender, dealer and local rules.