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Hybrid
Hybrid Ratings -
Plug-in Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid Ratings -
Electric Vehicle
Electric Vehicle Ratings
- kW
- Kilowatt, or one thousand watts. The unit for electrical power. For EVs, it is used to express the power output of an on-board charger or electric motor (which can be converted to horsepower).
- kWh
- Kilowatt hour. A unit of energy that is stored inside a battery. Think of it like a gallon of gasoline.
- MPGe
- Miles per gallon equivalent. Used to estimate the equivalent energy use of PHEVs and EVs to compare to cars without plugs. Importantly, not the same as a PHEV’s gas-only mpg.
- mi/kWh
- Miles per kilowatt hour. The EV version of MPG, this is miles traveled per unit of energy (kWh) in the battery. A higher number means greater efficiency. Typical numbers range between 2.0 and 4.0 mi/kWh.
- Gas-only mpg
- The gas mileage a PHEV gets when its battery is spent.
- Level 2 charger
- A 240-volt charger that can be installed at home or in public. Adds 20 to 30 miles of charge per hour, and can fully charge an EV’s battery overnight.
- DC fast charger
- A public charger that can add between 100 and 200 miles or more to an EV’s battery in 30 minutes. They usually cost money to use and are not as common as Level 2 chargers.
- Max acceptance rate
- The maximum power a vehicle can accept from a charger. EVs have two separate ratings for DC fast and Level 2 charging. PHEVs generally have only a Level 2 max acceptance rate.
- Regenerative brakes
- Capture momentum to create electricity as the car slows down or coasts. Used on hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs.
- One-pedal driving
- Using regenerative brakes, the driver can speed up or slow down just by modulating the accelerator pedal.
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What's the difference between chargers?
EVs have one of three kinds of plugs. Tesla uses NACS (North American Charging Standard) for both Level 2 and DC fast charging. Many other automakers plan to use this kind of plug on newer vehicles. For DC fast charging, most non-Tesla EVs made before 2025 have an SAE/CCS combo plug. With a converter, CCS (Combined Charging Standard) can be used by Tesla models, and some Tesla chargers can be used by CCS cars.
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How can I charge a PHEV?
Because they have smaller batteries, PHEVs take less time to charge at a Level 2 outlet than a pure EV. Many PHEVs can also be charged overnight at regular household 120V outlets using a mobile charging cable that comes with the car. Most PHEVs cannot be charged at DC fast chargers.
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How much does it cost to install a charger at home?
You’ll need a professional electrician to install a Level 2 charger. Expect to pay about $500 to $1,200 for the work, plus $500 to $700 for the wall-mounted charging unit. A wiring upgrade may be needed in older homes and could cost thousands more. There are federal, state, and local incentives that can significantly reduce the cost of installing a charger at home. Some automakers and power companies also offer discounts.
Learn how to find the best home charger for your electric vehicle.
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How do I charge when I am traveling long distances?
Most EV charging takes place at home. If you’re taking a longer trip, however, you’ll benefit from one of the 32,000 public DC fast-charging stations across the country. Many of these are designed for Tesla vehicles. More DC fast chargers are being built, and most are available near major highways. PHEVs can just go to a gas station when on a trip.
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Why do I need a charging app?
Because public charging stations aren’t as common (or as reliable) as gas stations, apps such as A Better Route Planner are necessary to help you find a working charger on your route and let you know how busy it is. Once you’re there, apps associated with the charging provider, such as Electrify America or EVGo, allow you to activate the charger and pay for the electricity you use.
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Who can charge at a Tesla Supercharger?
Tesla owners have access to a network of Tesla Supercharger DC fast-charging stations, and we have found that they make topping up a Tesla seamless, convenient, and relatively quick. Owners of other EVs rely on a patchwork of chargers that aren’t always convenient to access and may not be in working order. Tesla has begun allowing other EVs to charge at some of its Superchargers and says it plans to open more.
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10 Best Deals on Electric Vehicles
Federal tax credits have expired, but it is still a great time to buy an electric vehicle, with some automakers offering their own rebates that knock thousands off the sticker price. See deals on EVs and deals on fuel-efficient cars and SUVs.
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Which EVs have the longest ranges?
If you’re planning on taking road trips or want to go long distances between charges, these are the vehicles that can get between 250 and more than 400 miles on a single charge.
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How do temperatures affect an EV’s range?
There are many reasons why EV ranges drop in cold conditions. In our winter testing, we found that cold weather saps about 25 percent of range when cruising at 70 mph compared with driving in the same conditions during mild weather in the mid-60s.
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How reliable are EVs, PHEVs, and hybrids compared with gas vehicles?
Hybrids are some of the most reliable vehicles on the market. But PHEVs and EVs lag behind gas cars. Our experts share why.
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How much do EVs cost to maintain?
EVs have fewer moving parts than gas-powered vehicles, so you’ll spend less on routine maintenance. But you’ll still have to pay attention to your tires, suspension, and other wear-and-tear items.
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Which new EVs are coming soon?
There are more and more electric cars on the market every year. Some come from legacy automakers, others from new startups. We take a look at new models that will be available in the near future.
