EV Range Calculator
Estimate an electric car's real-world range from its usable battery capacity and energy consumption. Adjust for cold weather and motorway speeds — the conditions that shrink range most below the official figure.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the car's usable battery capacity in kWh (slightly less than the total).
- Enter its consumption in kWh/100km (from the car or reviews).
- Pick the conditions — cold and motorway both cut range significantly.
Formula used
Range is battery capacity divided by consumption rate. The condition factor reflects reality: cold weather can cut range 25%+ (reduced battery output plus cabin heating), and motorway speeds raise consumption through air resistance. Official WLTP figures assume favourable conditions.
Example calculation
A 60 kWh battery at 16 kWh/100km: baseline = 60 ÷ 16 × 100 = 375 km.
On a cold motorway run (×0.65) that falls to about 244 km — the winter reality that surprises new EV drivers.
Why real EV range varies so much
An EV's range is simple in principle — battery size divided by how fast it uses energy — but far more variable in practice than a petrol car's, which is why range anxiety is really consumption anxiety. Two factors dominate the swing. Cold weather is the big one: lithium batteries deliver less energy when cold, and unlike a combustion car there's no waste engine heat, so cabin heating draws directly from the battery, together cutting winter range by a quarter or more.
Speed is the other: air resistance rises with the square of speed, so sustained motorway driving consumes far more per km than town driving — the opposite of a petrol car, which is most efficient cruising. Official WLTP figures are measured in mild, moderate-speed conditions and tend to flatter, so real mixed-use range lands near the baseline here and worst-case winter motorway trips well below it. Knowing the spread is what makes route and charging planning realistic.
Why use this calculator?
- Get a realistic range, not the optimistic official figure.
- See how much cold and motorway speed cut your range.
- Plan charging stops for long or winter journeys.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate an EV's range?
Divide the usable battery capacity (kWh) by consumption (kWh/100km) and multiply by 100. A 60 kWh battery at 16 kWh/100km gives 375 km in mild conditions — less in cold or at motorway speed.
Why does my EV lose range in winter?
Two reasons: cold batteries deliver less usable energy, and cabin heating draws power directly from the battery (no engine waste heat to use). Together these can cut winter range by 25% or more. Pre-heating while plugged in helps.
Why is EV range worse on the motorway?
Air resistance rises with the square of speed, so high sustained speeds consume far more energy per km than town driving. This is the opposite of petrol cars, which are most efficient cruising — EVs prefer moderate speeds.