What Is MPGe (Miles Per Gallon Equivalent)MPGe stands for miles per gallon equivalent, a rating the EPA uses to express how efficiently an electric or plug in hybrid vehicle uses energy. It converts electricity into the same unit gas vehicles use, by treating 33.7 kilowatt hours as the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline, so shoppers can compare a gas car's MPG against an EV's efficiency on the same scale.How MPGe Is CalculatedThe EPA divides 33.7 by the number of kilowatt hours a vehicle uses to travel 100 miles, then scales the result to a per gallon basis. As an example, an EV that uses 30 kilowatt hours to travel 100 miles converts to roughly 112 MPGe, since 33.7 divided by 0.30 works out close to that figure.
Most EVs on the market today land somewhere between 90 and 140 MPGe combined, depending on size and aerodynamics.MPGe Does Not Directly Tell You Your Charging CostA high MPGe number is a good sign of efficiency, but it does not by itself tell you what charging actually costs in your area, since electricity rates vary by state, utility, and even time of day. Two EVs with the same MPGe rating can cost noticeably different amounts to actually run if one owner pays a much higher per kilowatt hour rate than the other. Pairing your vehicle's MPGe with your own electricity rate, rather than relying on MPGe alone, gives a far more accurate sense of real running cost.Why MPGe Matters When Comparing VehiclesEven though an EV never burns a drop of gasoline, MPGe lets it sit on the same window sticker scale as a gas powered car, which makes cross shopping far easier than comparing kilowatt hours to gallons directly.
A higher MPGe number generally points to a more efficient EV, the same way a higher MPG points to a more efficient gas vehicle, and pairing that number with your local electricity rate gives you a real sense of running cost. The EV vs Gas by State page is a useful next step if you want to see that comparison in dollar terms for where you live.Curious how an EV's running cost compares to a gas vehicle in your area? Check EV vs Gas by State for a side by side look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MPGe the same as MPG?
Not exactly. MPG measures gasoline efficiency directly, while MPGe converts electrical energy use into a comparable gallon based figure so EVs can be compared against gas vehicles on a similar scale.
Does a higher MPGe mean lower charging cost?
Generally yes, since a higher MPGe means the vehicle uses less energy per mile, though your actual charging cost still depends on your local electricity rate.
Why do plug in hybrids show both MPG and MPGe?
Plug in hybrids can run on electricity alone or on gasoline, so the window sticker shows MPGe for electric only driving and a separate MPG figure for once the gas engine takes over.
Where do I find a vehicle's MPGe rating?
It appears on the EPA window sticker for new electric and plug in hybrid vehicles, and is also listed on fueleconomy.gov for most current and recent model years.