EPA Electric Vehicle Label Explained (MPGe, kWh/100 mi, Range)
- MPGe is a gasoline-equivalent efficiency number for EVs.
- kWh/100 miles is direct electricity use (and maps closely to cost).
- Range is separate from efficiency: a big battery can increase range even if kWh/100 miles is higher.
What We Know (Sourced)
EPA provides official documentation for the EV label, including an interactive EV label and a text version that explains each part of the sticker.
EPA’s testing documentation explains that plug-in electric vehicle efficiency is reported using metrics like MPGe and clarifies that MPGe values include charging losses to represent energy use at the outlet. Source: U.S. EPA — Fuel Economy and EV Range Testing.
EPA explains the overall purpose of the fuel economy label as a standardized way to compare fuel economy, costs, and emissions. Source: U.S. EPA — Learn about the fuel economy label.
MPGe on the Label
MPGe is an MPG-like efficiency number that uses gasoline-equivalent energy so you can compare different fuels. EPA describes MPGe this way in its testing documentation and label text. Sources: EPA testing and EPA gasoline label text.
If you want the concept in plain language before you shop, start here: What is MPGe?
kWh per 100 Miles on the Label
kWh per 100 miles is a direct electricity-use metric. EPA’s EV label text notes that kWh/100 miles relates directly to electricity used and therefore to cost. Source: EPA EV label text.
For a deeper breakdown (with the cost formulas), see: kWh per 100 miles explained and EV charging cost per mile.
Range and Why It’s Separate
Range answers “How far can I go?” Efficiency answers “How much energy do I use to go a distance?” The label includes range because two vehicles can have similar kWh/100 miles but very different battery sizes — and therefore different ranges.
Range is also sensitive to speed and weather. EPA’s standardized testing is designed to support comparisons, but real-world results vary with conditions. Source: EPA testing documentation. (For the test method in plain English, see EPA’s 5-cycle method.)
How to Use the EV Label When Shopping
- Start with kWh/100 miles if your main goal is minimizing charging cost.
- Use MPGe if you want one efficiency number to compare EVs to gas cars.
- Check range based on your longest typical drive (plus cold-weather buffer if needed).
- Translate to dollars using your electricity rate and your annual miles. Related: gas vs electric cost per mile.
Want a quick cost comparison?
Compare annual energy costs for a gas car vs an EV with your own miles and prices.
Try the Gas vs Electric CalculatorWhat’s Next
After you understand the EV label, the next step is to validate it against your reality:
- Decide where you will charge most often (home, work, public).
- Estimate your effective $/kWh under that charging mix.
- Estimate cost per mile and cost per month, then compare to your current vehicle.
If you want the “hub” overview of EV metrics and how they connect, see: EV efficiency metrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the EV label reflect real-world charging losses?
EPA notes that MPGe values include charging losses and account for energy from the outlet to better represent what users would pay to refuel. Source: EPA testing documentation.
Which number should I prioritize: range or kWh/100 miles?
Prioritize range for meeting your longest typical drive. Use kWh/100 miles for cost and efficiency. The label includes both because they answer different questions.
Where can I see sample EV labels?
EPA provides both an interactive EV label and a text version explaining each part. Sources: interactive EV label and text EV label.