How to compare electric cars fairly
Headline prices and official ranges only tell part of the story. The figures that affect your daily life are efficiency, which drives running cost, real-world range, and how quickly the car charges on a long trip. This tool puts them side by side so you can weigh them up together.
What each figure means
Efficiency (miles per kWh) is the EV equivalent of miles per gallon. A car doing 3.5 miles per kWh costs less to run than one doing 3.0, all else being equal. Range is how far on a full charge, though real-world range is often 10% to 30% below the official number. Rapid charge speed, in kW, decides how long a motorway top-up takes.
Where to find the numbers
Manufacturer websites list price, range, battery size and charging speed. For real-world efficiency, owner reviews and EV databases are more honest than the official figures, especially for winter driving. Enter whatever you can find; even rough numbers make the comparison useful.
Don't forget the full cost
Running cost here is electricity only. Also think about insurance, servicing, and how much value the car is likely to lose. If you're buying through work, the EV salary sacrifice calculator shows the true monthly cost, and the EV running cost calculator compares charging against petrol in more detail.