🚗 Electric car

How much electricity does an electric car use? kWh per 100 km and home charging cost

Electric car consumption in kWh per 100 km and cost of charging at home per month and per year, for small cars, saloons and SUVs.

Per 100 km

18 kWh

Cost per 100 km

$3.24 · £4.68

Per year · 2,153 kWh

$388 · £560

With 2.3 times a week, electricity at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh all-in.

An average electric car uses about 15–20 kWh per 100 km, charging losses included (about 10% from a home socket or wallbox). At 12,000 km a year that’s about 2,100 kWh.

Consumption rises on the motorway, in the cold and with the heating on: in winter it can be 30% higher. In town, where braking recharges the battery, EVs are at their most efficient.

Charging at home costs far less than public rapid chargers, which often charge two or three times the household rate. With solar panels, daytime charging is almost free.

Consumption compared

TypeUsagekWh/yearCost/year
Small car (e.g. Fiat 500e, Renault 5)15 kWh / 100 km1,794$323 · £466
Mid-size saloon (e.g. Tesla Model 3)17 kWh / 100 km2,033$366 · £529
Mid-size SUV21 kWh / 100 km2,512$452 · £653
Large SUV, motorway driving in winter28 kWh / 100 km3,349$603 · £871

Yearly cost with 2.3 times a week.

Work out your cost

Per 100 km
$3.24
Per month
$32.29
Per year
$388
Energy per year
2,152.8 kWh

The price is a typical all-in figure for your country: replace it with yours (bill total ÷ kWh).

How to use less

  • Charge overnight on an off-peak tariff or during the day from solar, and schedule charging in the car’s app.
  • Pre-heat the cabin while still plugged in: the energy comes from the grid, not the battery.
  • A 3.7–7.4 kW wallbox is safer and more efficient than a household socket; choose one with load balancing if your supply is limited.
Lower-energy modelsCompare prices and energy labels on AmazonAmazon ↗

FAQ

How much electricity does an electric car use?
About 18 kWh per 100 km, from 12 kWh to 30 kWh depending on model and programme.
How much does it cost per year?
With 2.3 times a week it uses about 2,153 kWh a year: about $388 · £560 at $0.18/kWh and £0.26/kWh.
How can I reduce it?
Charge overnight on an off-peak tariff or during the day from solar, and schedule charging in the car’s app. Pre-heat the cabin while still plugged in: the energy comes from the grid, not the battery.
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