While drivers are used to calculating a petrol or diesel car's mileage by comparing how many kilometres the vehicle runs in 1 litre of fuel, switching to an electric vehicle (EV) can get confusing as one has to deal with a completely new set of metrics that speak in kilowatts and kilowatt-hours. This is why understanding how to calculate your electric car's per-kilometre energy consumption becomes important for drivers to calculate average running cost, range and other important factors. This process not only enhances EV ownership but also ensures that drivers can plan their journeys efficiently. Here's a quick explainer on the abbreviations and metrics that you need to get familiar with.
To begin with, an EV's energy consumption is measured
in kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometres (kWh/100km). To calculate this, you need to know the total energy used during a journey and the distance travelled. For example, if your electric car consumes 20 kWh over a distance of 100 kilometres, your energy consumption is 20 kWh/100km. Which further means that the vehicle spent 2 kWh of battery capacity for every 10 kilometres of journey. This figure is crucial for understanding how much energy your EV uses in comparison to its range.
Next, calculating the range of your electric car involves understanding its battery capacity and the energy consumption rate. The range can be estimated by dividing the total battery capacity (in kWh) by the energy consumption rate (in kWh/100km). For instance, if your car has a battery capacity of 60 kWh and consumes 20 kWh/100km, your range would be 300 kilometres (60 kWh / 20 kWh/100km = 3, which is then multiplied by 100).
The recent surge in EV adoption highlights the importance of understanding how to calculate your average energy consumption and range. With brands such as Tata Motors, MG Motor and Mahindra reporting substantial sales milestones in the Indian market, more individuals are adopting electric cars as their primary mode of transport.
Also Read: What Happens To EV Battery After End-Of-Life?
In conclusion, knowing how to calculate your electric car's per-kilometre energy consumption and range is vital for effective EV usage. With the ongoing improvements in EV charging infrastructure and advancements in battery technology, understanding these metrics will empower drivers to make informed decisions and enhance their long term experience.
