In 2026, most electric cars cover between 300 and 650 real km per charge. But the figure that matters is not the one in the catalogue — it’s the real consumption in kWh/100 km, which determines how much you pay each time you charge and how much you can save if you have solar panels at home or at your business.
At Fotovol we install charging points and work daily with electric vehicle owners. What you see here is real data, not laboratory figures.
What is the real range of an electric car?
Range is the distance a vehicle travels from 100% charge until the battery is depleted. It depends on three variables: battery capacity in kWh, energy consumption in kWh/100 km and real-world usage conditions.
The formula is simple: a car with a 60 kWh battery and average consumption of 17 kWh/100 km has a real range of 60 ÷ 17 × 100 = 352 km. That is the logic behind any catalogue figure — and why WLTP always exceeds what you experience on the road.
How much does an electric car consume per 100 km?
Real consumption depends on the model, speed and usage conditions. Unlike the catalogue, these are the values you will see on screen in your day-to-day driving:
| Vehicle type | Real consumption kWh/100km | Cost at €0.15/kWh | Cost with solar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban compact | 14-16 kWh | €2.10 – €2.40 | €0.70 – €0.96 |
| Compact/family | 16-18 kWh | €2.40 – €2.70 | €0.96 – €1.08 |
| Electric SUV | 18-21 kWh | €2.70 – €3.15 | €1.08 – €1.26 |
The “cost with solar” column corresponds to charging with your own photovoltaic surplus at an estimated cost of €0.05/kWh. If you have solar panels at home, the real cost per kilometre can be three times lower than the grid price.
Real range by vehicle type
| Vehicle type | Battery (kWh) | WLTP range | Estimated real range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban compact | 40-50 kWh | 300-400 km | 250-320 km |
| Compact/family | 55-65 kWh | 400-500 km | 320-400 km |
| Electric SUV | 70-85 kWh | 450-600 km | 360-480 km |
| High-end/premium | 90-115 kWh | 600-960 km | 480-750 km |
In urban driving, regenerative braking helps recover up to 15% of energy. On a sustained motorway at 120 km/h, consumption rises 20-30% compared to city driving due to aerodynamic drag.
Electric cars with the longest range in 2026
The new generation of batteries, 800V architectures and improved thermal management have pushed WLTP range to figures that three years ago seemed like prototypes. These are the reference models in 2026:
| Model | Battery | WLTP range | Estimated real range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucid Air Grand Touring | 112 kWh | 960 km | 750-800 km |
| BMW i3 50 xDrive | 115 kWh | 900 km | 700-750 km |
| Volvo EX60 Twin Motor | 112 kWh | 810 km | 640-680 km |
| Mercedes EQS 450+ | 108 kWh | 799 km | 630-670 km |
| Tesla Model 3 Long Range | ~82 kWh | 750 km | 590-630 km |
| Volkswagen ID.7 Pro | 86 kWh | 709 km | 560-600 km |
| Peugeot e-3008 Long Range | 98 kWh | 701 km | 550-590 km |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 Long Range | 84 kWh | 680 km | 530-570 km |
If you manage a fleet of electric vehicles with a range of over 500 km, a photovoltaic canopy in your car park can cover a large part of the daily charging with your own solar energy.
WLTP range vs real range: the difference that matters
The WLTP cycle simulates combined driving in a laboratory but does not account for sustained motorway driving at 120 km/h, extreme temperatures or a fully loaded vehicle. The practical rule for long journeys is to subtract 20% from the WLTP figure — you will plan with margin and avoid range anxiety.
On a motorway at 120 km/h, aerodynamic drag grows exponentially. A car homologated at 500 km WLTP may cover 350-400 real km on a sustained motorway. In winter with active climate control, subtract another 15-25%.
What really affects real range
Speed: Above 110 km/h aerodynamic drag grows exponentially. It is the single factor with the greatest impact on real range.
Outside temperature: Lithium batteries work best between 15°C and 25°C. In winter, internal resistance increases and heating consumes battery energy. Pre-conditioning the car while connected to the home charger prevents this consumption from being deducted from the range.
Battery degradation: The average annual degradation of a modern battery is around 2-3%. After 5 years there may be a range reduction of between 10% and 15% compared to the original value.
Regenerative braking: In the city or on mountain passes you can recover up to 15% of energy by lifting off the accelerator. It is the key to lowering average consumption in urban environments.
Weight and load: Every additional 100 kg reduces range by between 1% and 3%. Avoid carrying unnecessary load to maintain efficiency.
What charging point do you need for your car?
Your car's range directly determines which home charging system is best for you. Not all wallboxes are the same, nor do all cars benefit from them equally.
| Vehicle range | Recommended charger | Full charge time |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 350 km (urban) | Single-phase wallbox 7.4 kW | 6-8 hours |
| 350-500 km (compact and SUV) | Three-phase wallbox 11 kW | 5-7 hours |
| Over 500 km (high-end) | Three-phase wallbox 22 kW | 4-5 hours |
If you also have solar panels, we configure the charger to prioritise charging with solar surplus during peak production hours — electric mobility with practically zero energy cost during the day.
How to maximise real range
Driving progressively and making use of regenerative braking are the two changes with the greatest impact on real consumption. In addition:
- Keep tyre pressure at the correct level — low pressure can increase consumption by up to 3%
- Avoid constantly charging to 100% to preserve the battery long-term
- Keep the battery between 20% and 80% for daily use
- Pre-condition the car while plugged in during winter — saves real range
- Plan night charging on off-peak tariff — cost per km drops to €1.20-€1.80/100km
Frequently asked questions about electric car consumption and range
What does the range figure on my car’s screen mean?
It is an estimate based on your recent consumption — the so-called GOM or Guess-O-Meter. If you have just climbed a mountain pass the figure will drop; if you have been on flat ground for a while, it will rise. It is not an absolute value but a dynamic projection based on the last kilometres driven.
Is it bad to charge the car to 100% every day?
For daily use the ideal is to keep the range between 20% and 80%. Charging to 100% is only recommended if you are about to make a long journey immediately, to avoid the battery suffering heat degradation at the top of the charge cycle.
How much range do I recover with regenerative braking?
In the city or on mountain passes you can recover up to 15% of energy by lifting off the accelerator. It is the key to lowering average consumption in urban environments and one of the great differentiators of electric versus combustion vehicles.
How does weight affect range?
Every additional 100 kg can reduce range by between 1% and 3%. Avoid carrying unnecessary load in the boot to maintain efficiency, especially on long journeys.
