Find the driving range of an electric vehicle.
The battery's total energy is multiplied by how far the vehicle travels per unit of energy.
Range: Battery capacity × efficiency (km/kWh)
The EV range calculator estimates how far an electric vehicle can travel on a full battery. It multiplies the battery capacity in kWh by the vehicle's efficiency in kilometres per kWh. A 40 kWh battery at 6 km per kWh, for example, gives about 240 km.
Range is the number most buyers worry about when they consider an electric car or scooter. The certified figure in brochures comes from a standard test cycle and is usually higher than what drivers see on Indian roads with heat, traffic and air conditioning. By entering your own efficiency, from the car's trip display or from your charging records, you get a range estimate that matches the way you drive, which is far more useful for planning an intercity trip.
1. Find the usable battery capacity in kWh.
2. Find your real-world efficiency in km per kWh. If your car shows Wh per km, efficiency = 1000 ÷ Wh per km.
3. Range = Battery capacity × Efficiency.
4. For a planning figure, subtract a reserve, for example the last 10% to 20% of the battery, so you are not driving to zero.
5. Recalculate with a lower efficiency for highway speeds or heavy AC use.
A battery stores a fixed amount of energy. Efficiency tells you how many kilometres each kWh of that energy moves the car. Multiplying the two gives distance. It is the electric version of tank size × mileage. Because range is directly proportional to efficiency, a 15% drop in efficiency from fast highway driving cuts range by 15%. Changing driving style or speed is often the quickest way to add range.
At higher speeds, aerodynamic drag grows roughly with the square of speed, so the energy needed per kilometre rises quickly above about 80 km/h. Air conditioning is a steady extra load that matters most in slow city traffic, where the car is running for a long time per kilometre. Very hot or cold batteries also work less efficiently. Regenerative braking recovers some energy in stop-go traffic, which is why EVs, unlike petrol cars, can be quite efficient in the city.
Certified ranges in India come from standard laboratory driving cycles, such as those used by testing agencies like ARAI. These cycles use gentle speeds and no air conditioning, so they give a best-case number. Real-world range is commonly lower by a noticeable margin. The calculator notes that its answer is a best-case estimate too, because it uses the full battery. Battery ageing over several years also slowly reduces usable capacity.
Deepa's electric SUV has a 50 kWh usable battery and her trip display shows she averages 5.2 km per kWh on the Mumbai to Pune expressway with the AC on.
Answer: Estimated range 260 km
Using the brochure's certified range to plan a long highway drive.
Confusing km per kWh with Wh per km, which are reciprocals scaled by 1000.
Planning to arrive at 0%, leaving no buffer for detours or a busy charger.
Using a city efficiency figure for highway driving, where it is usually lower.
Planning charging stops on intercity trips.
Comparing the practical range of EV models before buying.
Checking whether a daily commute fits comfortably within one charge.
Tracking battery health by comparing range estimates over the years.
Why is real-world EV range usually lower than the claimed figure?
Speed, road type, temperature, and using the AC or heater all affect how far you can go. Claimed ranges are measured under ideal test conditions, which rarely match everyday driving.