WattCalc LAB

How to choose realistic EV consumption

Use real driving data instead of relying on one official efficiency number.

Reviewed 8 September 2026 · WattCalc Lab editorial team

Start with your own long-term figure

The vehicle trip computer across several weeks is usually the best starting point. Separate urban, motorway and winter figures if your journeys differ.

Allow for charging losses

Dashboard consumption normally represents energy leaving the battery, while a home meter records energy entering the charger. Use a charging-efficiency adjustment when estimating the bill.

Test scenarios

Calculate mild-weather, winter and motorway cases. Planning with a range rather than one precise result makes cost and trip estimates more robust.

Try the numbers