MPGe Calculator

What is MPGe?

MPGe stands for Miles Per Gallon equivalent. It was introduced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help consumers compare the fuel economy of vehicles that use different fuel types — specifically electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles versus conventional gasoline cars.

The concept is built around the energy content of one gallon of gasoline, which the EPA defines as 33.7 kWh (kilowatt-hours). An EV's efficiency in kWh per mile is then converted into an equivalent MPG figure, so shoppers can easily compare energy costs. You can use our Miles Per kWh Calculator to help with conversions.

How is MPGe calculated?

The EPA defines MPGe based on the energy content of one US gallon of gasoline, which contains approximately 33.7 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy. The MPGe rating tells you how far a vehicle can travel on the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline.

Alternatively, if you know the kWh consumption per 100 miles:

For example, if an electric vehicle uses 28 kWh per 100 miles, its MPGe would be: 3,370 ÷ 28 = 120.4 MPGe.

Why is MPGe important?

MPGe provides a standardized way to compare the energy efficiency of electric vehicles with conventional gasoline cars. A higher MPGe rating means the vehicle is more energy-efficient.

Without MPGe, it would be difficult for consumers to understand how an electric vehicle's energy consumption (measured in kWh) compares to a gasoline car's fuel efficiency (measured in MPG). The MPGe metric bridges this gap.

Key points about MPGe:

• A higher MPGe rating indicates better energy efficiency
• MPGe is based on the EPA's determination that 1 gallon of gasoline = 33.7 kWh of energy
• It allows direct comparison between EVs, hybrids, and gas-powered vehicles
• MPGe appears on the EPA fuel economy label (the Monroney sticker) for all new vehicles sold in the US

MPGe ratings for popular electric vehicles

The following table shows MPGe ratings for some popular electric vehicles. Note that these figures are EPA-rated and may vary depending on driving conditions.

Note: figures are approximate and based on EPA ratings.

kWh to MPGe quick reference

Use the following table to quickly look up MPGe values based on energy consumption in kWh per 100 miles:

MPGe = 3,370 ÷ kWh per 100 miles. Values rounded to 1 decimal place.

Frequently asked questions about MPGe

What is the average MPGe for electric vehicles?

Most modern electric vehicles have MPGe ratings ranging from about 80 to 140 MPGe. Smaller, lighter EVs tend to be at the higher end, while larger SUVs and trucks are typically lower. For context, the average conventional gasoline car achieves around 25–30 MPG.

Does MPGe relate to my electricity bill?

MPGe is an energy efficiency metric, not a direct cost measure. To estimate your actual electricity costs, you'll need to know your local electricity rate (cost per kWh) and the vehicle's kWh consumption per mile. For example, if your EV uses 30 kWh per 100 miles and electricity costs $0.12/kWh, driving 100 miles costs $3.60.

Is a higher MPGe always better?

Yes — a higher MPGe means the vehicle uses less energy to travel the same distance. However, MPGe doesn't account for other factors like purchase price, battery degradation, or charging infrastructure availability.

How does MPGe compare to miles per kWh?

Miles per kWh is another common efficiency metric for EVs. To convert: miles/kWh = MPGe ÷ 33.7. For example, a car rated at 120 MPGe achieves about 3.56 miles per kWh.