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  • Electric vehicles
  • MY2019

Most Efficient Electric Cars of 2019

The most efficient 2019 EV is the Hyundai Ioniq (Electric · FWD), which uses 25.0 kWh/100 mi (136 MPGe), 5.0 kWh/100 mi less than the median EV (30.0 kWh/100 mi) among the 16 EVs ranked. The Hyundai Ioniq costs about $690 a year to charge, $130 less than the median EV ($820).

The top 10 run from 25.0 kWh/100 mi to 30.2 kWh/100 mi. Each model is listed once, with its best qualifying configuration named in the row; models with the same displayed value share a rank.

Lowest energy use

25.0kWh/100 mi

Hyundai Ioniq

Median model

30.0kWh/100 mi

16 models

Top-10 median

29.0kWh/100 mi

Models ranked

16

one row per model

Full ranking

All 16 models. Every column is sortable.

Most Efficient Electric Cars of 2019: top 16 of 16 models
1
Hyundai Ioniq
Electric · FWD
Large cars · Electric
25.0136124$690−5
2
Tesla Model 3
Standard Range Plus · RWD
Midsize cars · Electric
25.4133240$700−4.6
3
Hyundai Kona
Electric · FWD
Small SUVs · Electric
28.0120258$770−2
4
Chevrolet Bolt EV
FWD
Wagons · Electric
28.3119238$780−1.7
5
Volkswagen Golf / GTI
e-Golf · FWD
Small cars · Electric
28.4119125$780−1.6
6
Honda Clarity
EV · FWD
Midsize cars · Electric
29.511489$810−0.5
7
BMW i3
RWD
Small cars · Electric
29.8113153$820−0.2
8
Kia Niro
Electric · FWD
Wagons · Electric
30.0112239$8200
8
Fiat 500e
FWD
Small cars · Electric
30.011284$8200
10
Nissan Leaf
(40 kW-hr battery pack) · FWD
Midsize cars · Electric
30.2112150$830+0.2
11
Tesla Model S
Long Range · AWD
Large cars · Electric
30.3111370$830+0.3
12
smart fortwo
EQ fortwo (coupe) · RWD
Two-seaters · Electric
31.010858$850+1
13
Kia Soul
Electric · FWD
Wagons · Electric
31.2108111$860+1.2
14
Tesla Model X
Long Range · AWD
Standard SUVs · Electric
35.096325$960+5
15
Jaguar I-Pace
4WD
Small SUVs · Electric
44.376234$1,220+14.3
16
Audi e-tron
AWD
Standard SUVs · Electric
45.674204$1,250+15.6

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 2019 EV is the most efficient?

The most efficient 2019 EV is the Hyundai Ioniq (Electric · FWD), which uses 25.0 kWh/100 mi (136 MPGe), 5.0 kWh/100 mi less than the median EV (30.0 kWh/100 mi) among the 16 EVs ranked. The Hyundai Ioniq costs about $690 a year to charge, $130 less than the median EV ($820).

How much does the Hyundai Ioniq cost to charge per year?

About $690 a year at 15,000 miles a year, using the prices stamped at the bottom of this page. The median EV in this list costs $820 a year.

How many EVs are ranked for 2019?

16 models qualify, one row each. The median is 30.0 kWh/100 mi, and the top 10 run from 25.0 kWh/100 mi to 30.2 kWh/100 mi.

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.

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