Calculator
Real-World EV Range Calculator
EPA range is the best-case number. This calculator adjusts for the real conditions that drain your battery: temperature, highway speed, and cabin heating or cooling.
Real-world range
0 mi
How real-world range is calculated
Base range is battery size times efficiency. The calculator then applies three multipliers based on conditions:
Temperature: below 32°F × 0.70 — between 32–50°F ×
0.85 — between 50–80°F × 1.0 — above 80°F × 0.90.
Speed: 65 mph or under × 1.0 — 66–75 mph × 0.85 —
76–85 mph × 0.75 — over 85 mph × 0.65.
Climate: off × 1.0 — moderate × 0.95 — max × 0.88.
Example: A 75 kWh / 3.5 mi/kWh EV at 70°F, 65 mph, AC off gets 262 miles. At 25°F, 75 mph, full cabin heat: 262 × 0.70 × 0.85 × 0.88 = 137 miles — almost half.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my EV range lower than the EPA estimate?
EPA range tests are conducted at moderate temperatures (~75°F) with HVAC off and steady speeds. Real driving involves highway speeds (which cost ~20% range), cold weather (15–30% loss below freezing), cabin heating (5–15% loss), and HVAC (3–8% loss). Expect 70–90% of EPA range in typical conditions, and 50–70% in winter highway driving.
How much does cold weather actually affect EV range?
Below freezing (32°F), expect about 15–30% less range than EPA. Below 20°F, losses jump to 30–40% because the battery itself becomes less efficient and the heater draws significant power. Heat pumps help — vehicles equipped with them lose about half as much range to cabin heating as resistive-heater vehicles.
Does driving fast really kill range that much?
Yes. Aerodynamic drag scales with the square of speed, so going from 65 to 75 mph increases drag by 33% — and energy use rises with it. Most EVs lose 15–25% range going from 65 mph to 75 mph, and another 10–15% going to 80 mph. The most efficient highway speed for almost every EV is 55–60 mph.
What about AC and heat?
Air conditioning typically draws 1–2 kW continuously, which is 3–8% of range on most EVs. Resistive cabin heat (older EVs, base Tesla Model 3) draws 3–7 kW and can cost 15–25% of range in winter. Heat pumps draw 1–3 kW and cost only 5–10%. Preheating while plugged in eliminates most of the heating range loss.