The most efficient EVs in New Zealand
Which vehicle travels the furthest with the least amount of energy.
An efficient electric vehicle is the one that uses the lowest amount of electricity to travel the furthest distance.
This is determined under testing conditions (WLTP) that takes measures recharged electricity. This is called WLTP consumption and allows drivers to compare running costs.
What you see on the dashboard while driving is efficiency (measured by energy drawn from the battery).
This list is updated dynamically as new models are released.
How does this affect running cost?
If your EV uses 189 Wh/km it means it will cost you 18.9 kWh of electricity (from your home switchboard) to travel 100 kilometres.
What you see on the dashboard (efficiency) shows the amount of energy used from the battery. Most EVs have a temperature sweet spot (20-25°) where energy use is lowest.
However, WLTP consumption allows you to estimate true running cost. Electricity does not go directly into the battery - there are loss; thermal loss, the AC-to-DC conversion, and some EVs may use mains electricity to precondition the battery.
Top 50 most efficient EVs
Adjust your electricity price to see running cost for each vehicle.
← Swipe to scroll horizontally →
Model | Consumption (kWh/100 km) | Range (km) | Running Cost ($/100 km) |
|---|---|---|---|
Tesla Model 3 | 13.8 | 520 km | $3.45 |
Mini Cooper E | 13.8 | 305 km | $3.45 |
Mini Aceman SE | 13.8 | 406 km | $3.45 |
Tesla Model 3 Long Range | 14.0 | 629 km | $3.50 |
Mini Cooper SE | 14.1 | 402 km | $3.52 |
Mini Aceman E | 14.1 | 310 km | $3.52 |
Fiat 500e | 14.2 | 320 km | $3.55 |
Polestar 2 Long Range | 14.8 | 655 km | $3.70 |
Kia EV3 Light SR | 14.9 | 436 km | $3.73 |
Kia EV3 Light LR | 14.9 | 605 km | $3.73 |
Tesla Model Y | 14.9 | 466 km | $3.73 |
BYD Dolphin Essential | 15.2 | 340 km | $3.80 |
BYD Seal Dynamic | 15.3 | 460 km | $3.83 |
Mini Cooper JCW | 15.3 | 371 km | $3.83 |
Tesla Model Y Long Range | 15.3 | 600 km | $3.83 |
Jeep Avenger | 15.4 | 402 km | $3.85 |
Omoda E5 BX | 15.5 | 430 km | $3.88 |
Omoda E5 EX | 15.5 | 430 km | $3.88 |
BYD Atto 3 Superior | 15.6 | 420 km | $3.90 |
Hyundai IONIQ 5 63 | 15.6 | 440 km | $3.90 |
Volvo EX30 Single | 15.7 | 476 km | $3.92 |
BYD Atto 3 Essential | 15.7 | 345 km | $3.92 |
Geely EX5 Complete | 15.8 | 430 km | $3.95 |
BYD Dolphin Premium | 15.9 | 427 km | $3.98 |
Polestar 2 Long Range Dual | 15.9 | 593 km | $3.98 |
MG 4 Excite 64 | 16.0 | 450 km | $4.00 |
Subaru Solterra | 16.0 | 465 km | $4.00 |
Mini Aceman JCW | 16.0 | 355 km | $4.00 |
Hyundai IONIQ 5 84 RWD | 16.0 | 570 km | $4.00 |
BMW i4 eDrive40 | 16.0 | 590 km | $4.00 |
Kia EV3 Earth | 16.2 | 563 km | $4.05 |
Kia EV3 GT-Line | 16.2 | 563 km | $4.05 |
Volvo EX30 Twin | 16.3 | 445 km | $4.08 |
Smart #3 Premium | 16.3 | 455 km | $4.08 |
Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 | 16.4 | 626 km | $4.10 |
Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ | 16.4 | 496 km | $4.10 |
Zeekr X RWD | 16.4 | 446 km | $4.10 |
MG 4 Long Range | 16.5 | 530 km | $4.13 |
Cupra Tavascan VZ | 16.5 | 499 km | $4.13 |
Audi A6 e-tron Avant | 16.5 | 650 km | $4.13 |
Audi Q4 e-tron 45 | 16.5 | 550 km | $4.13 |
Cupra Tavascan V | 16.5 | 534 km | $4.13 |
MG 4 Essence 64 | 16.6 | 435 km | $4.15 |
BYD Seal Premium | 16.6 | 570 km | $4.15 |
Geely EX5 Inspire | 16.6 | 410 km | $4.15 |
MG S5 EV 49 Essence | 16.6 | 335 km | $4.15 |
MG S5 EV 49 Excite | 16.6 | 340 km | $4.15 |
GWM Ora Extended | 16.7 | 420 km | $4.17 |
Tesla Model 3 Performance | 16.7 | 528 km | $4.17 |
Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback | 16.7 | 525 km | $4.17 |
Two different units
Dashboard efficiency is given in two different units:
- kWh per 100 km (how many kilowatt-hours are consumed per 100 kilometres).
- km per kWh (how many kilometres the car travels per kilowatt-hour).
It's just a personal preference, and in many cars you can change the setting.
What makes an EV efficient?
- low aerodynamic coefficient (the smaller the frontal area the better).
- low mass.
- powertrain efficiencies.
- low rolling resistance.
So, generally, sedans, and lighter hatchbacks will be the most efficient EVs.
How is your driving?
Here's a quick chart (very generalised) to know how your car / current journey is looking| kWh / 100 km | km / kWh | Efficiency |
| 10 | 10.0 | Incredible |
| 10.5 | 9.5 | Incredible |
| 11 | 9.1 | Incredible |
| 11.5 | 8.7 | Excellent |
| 12 | 8.3 | Excellent |
| 12.5 | 8.0 | Excellent |
| 13 | 7.7 | Good |
| 13.5 | 7.4 | Good |
| 14 | 7.1 | Good |
| 14.5 | 6.9 | Normal |
| 15 | 6.7 | Normal |
| 15.5 | 6.5 | Normal |
| 16 | 6.3 | Normal |
| 16.5 | 6.1 | Normal |
| 17 | 5.9 | Highway |
| 17.5 | 5.7 | Highway |
| 18 | 5.6 | Highway |
| 18.5 | 5.4 | Highway |
| 19 | 5.3 | Highway |
| 19.5 | 5.1 | Highway |
| 20 | 5.0 | Highway |
