- Electric vehicles
- MY2013–2027
Most Efficient Electric Cars
The most efficient 2026 EV is the Lucid Air (Pure with 19 inch wheels · RWD), which uses 23.1 kWh/100 mi (146 MPGe), 9.9 kWh/100 mi less than the median EV (33.0 kWh/100 mi) among the 66 EVs ranked. The Lucid Air costs about $640 a year to charge, $260 less than the median EV ($900).
The leader went from 28.0 kWh/100 mi in MY2013 (Scion iQ) to 23.1 kWh/100 mi in MY2026 (Lucid Air); the top-10 median went from 31.0 kWh/100 mi to 26.2 kWh/100 mi.
Partial model year: 46 MY2027 models rated as of Sep 29, 2026. This ranking will change as EPA adds more. MY2027 is still partial: see the 2027 ranking
Lowest energy use
23.1kWh/100 mi
Lucid Air · 2026
Median model
33.0kWh/100 mi
2026
Models ranked
66
2026
Model years covered
15
MY2013–2027
Top 10 for 2026
| 1 |  | 23.1 | 146 | 420 | $640 | −9.9 |
| 2 |  | 24.3 | 139 | 321 | $670 | −8.7 |
| 3 |  | 24.4 | 138 | 321 | $670 | −8.6 |
| 4 |  | 25.5 | 131 | 314 | $700 | −7.5 |
| 5 |  | 25.7 | 129 | 308 | $700 | −7.3 |
| 6 |  | 26.6 | 126 | 301 | $730 | −6.4 |
| 7 |  | 27.0 | 126 | 374 | $740 | −6 |
| 7 |  | 27.0 | 127 | 307 | $740 | −6 |
| 9 |  | 27.1 | 124 | 410 | $750 | −5.9 |
| 10 |  | 27.8 | 121 | 303 | $760 | −5.2 |
Year by year: leader and top-10 median
The leader of each model year and the median of that year's top 10, both computed from the same rows as the yearly rankings. The leader's name opens that year's full ranking.
| 2027 | Lucid Air partial year | 23.1 | 27.5 | 46 |
| 2026 | 23.1 | 26.2 | 66 | |
| 2025 | 23.1 | 27.0 | 68 | |
| 2024 | 24.0 | 27.9 | 58 | |
| 2023 | 23.6 | 27.8 | 41 | |
| 2022 | 25.5 | 28.2 | 32 | |
| 2021 | 23.7 | 29.1 | 18 | |
| 2020 | 24.0 | 28.8 | 16 | |
| 2019 | 25.0 | 29.0 | 16 | |
| 2018 | 25.0 | 29.1 | 14 | |
| 2017 | 25.0 | 29.2 | 16 | |
| 2016 | 27.0 | 30.0 | 13 | |
| 2015 | 27.0 | 30.6 | 10 | |
| 2014 | 27.0 | 30.0 | 12 | |
| 2013 | 28.0 | 31.0 | 11 |
Open a model year
How this list is built
Every line below is read from the list definition that produced the table.
- Classes: every EPA class except special-purpose vehicles.
- Powertrains: Electric.
- Ranked by energy use (kWh per 100 miles), lowest first.
- One row per model (make and model): the configuration that ranks best in this list is shown, with its trim, engine and drive named in the row.
- Ties are decided on the displayed value (whole miles, kWh per 100 miles to one decimal, cost rounded to $10): tied models share a rank, then are ordered by a tie-breaker and by name.
- Special-purpose vehicles, such as heavy-duty variants, are excluded.
- Model years MY2013 to MY2027; a year is listed only when at least 10 models qualify.
Data and period
- EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026
- Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. average, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh)
- 15,000 miles a year, 55% city and 45% highway
Frequently asked questions
Which 2026 EV is the most efficient?
The most efficient 2026 EV is the Lucid Air (Pure with 19 inch wheels · RWD), which uses 23.1 kWh/100 mi (146 MPGe), 9.9 kWh/100 mi less than the median EV (33.0 kWh/100 mi) among the 66 EVs ranked. The Lucid Air costs about $640 a year to charge, $260 less than the median EV ($900).
Which model years does this ranking cover?
MY2013 to MY2027. A year gets its own page only when at least 10 models qualify, so the pages cover 15 model years.
Which model year does the top 10 above show?
MY2026, the latest complete model year. MY2027 is still being rated by EPA and is listed as a partial year.
How are ties, trims and drivetrains handled?
Each model appears once, with the configuration that ranks best in this list; its trim, engine and drive are named in the row. Models with the same displayed value share a rank (1, 2, 2, 4) and are then ordered by a tie-breaker and by name. See the methodology.
What are MPGe and kWh per 100 miles?
MPGe is how far an EV goes on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of gasoline. kWh per 100 miles is the energy it uses over 100 miles, so lower is better. See the EV hub.