- Electric vehicles
- MY2022
Most Efficient Electric Cars of 2022
The most efficient 2022 EV is the Tesla Model 3 (RWD), which uses 25.5 kWh/100 mi (132 MPGe), 7.4 kWh/100 mi less than the median EV (32.9 kWh/100 mi) among the 32 EVs ranked. The Tesla Model 3 costs about $700 a year to charge, $210 less than the median EV ($910).
The top 10 run from 25.5 kWh/100 mi to 30.0 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
25.5kWh/100 mi
Tesla Model 3
Median model
32.9kWh/100 mi
32 models
Top-10 median
28.2kWh/100 mi
Models ranked
32
one row per model
Full ranking
All 32 models. Every column is sortable.
| 1 |  | 25.5 | 132 | 272 | $700 | −7.4 |
| 2 |  | 25.7 | 131 | 516 | $710 | −7.2 |
| 3 |  | 26.0 | 129 | 244 | $710 | −6.9 |
| 4 |  | 28.0 | 120 | 258 | $770 | −4.9 |
| 5 |  | 28.1 | 120 | 259 | $770 | −4.8 |
| 6 |  | 28.2 | 120 | 405 | $770 | −4.7 |
| 7 |  | 29.0 | 117 | 310 | $800 | −3.9 |
| 8 |  | 29.4 | 115 | 247 | $810 | −3.5 |
| 9 |  | 30.0 | 114 | 303 | $820 | −2.9 |
| 9 |  | 30.0 | 112 | 239 | $820 | −2.9 |
| 11 |  | 30.4 | 111 | 149 | $840 | −2.5 |
| 12 |  | 30.7 | 110 | 114 | $840 | −2.2 |
| 13 |  | 30.9 | 109 | 301 | $850 | −2 |
| 14 |  | 31.5 | 107 | 270 | $870 | −1.4 |
| 15 |  | 32.0 | 107 | 275 | $880 | −0.9 |
| 16 |  | 32.6 | 103 | 247 | $900 | −0.3 |
| 17 |  | 33.1 | 102 | 348 | $910 | +0.2 |
| 18 |  | 33.3 | 101 | 243 | $920 | +0.4 |
| 19 |  | 35.0 | 97 | 350 | $960 | +2.1 |
| 20 |  | 35.6 | 95 | 241 | $980 | +2.7 |
| 21 |  | 36.8 | 92 | 100 | $1,010 | +3.9 |
| 22 |  | 38.5 | 87 | 226 | $1,060 | +5.6 |
| 23 |  | 39.0 | 86 | 324 | $1,070 | +6.1 |
| 24 |  | 39.4 | 85 | 223 | $1,080 | +6.5 |
| 25 |  | 40.7 | 83 | 246 | $1,120 | +7.8 |
| 26 |  | 41.3 | 82 | 238 | $1,130 | +8.4 |
| 27 |  | 41.8 | 81 | 232 | $1,150 | +8.9 |
| 28 |  | 43.4 | 78 | 222 | $1,190 | +10.5 |
| 29 | | 44.9 | 75 | 212 | $1,230 | +12 |
| 30 |  | 47.9 | 70 | 320 | $1,320 | +15 |
| 31 |  | 48.1 | 70 | 314 | $1,320 | +15.2 |
| 32 |  | 48.6 | 69 | 316 | $1,340 | +15.7 |
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 2022 EV is the most efficient?
The most efficient 2022 EV is the Tesla Model 3 (RWD), which uses 25.5 kWh/100 mi (132 MPGe), 7.4 kWh/100 mi less than the median EV (32.9 kWh/100 mi) among the 32 EVs ranked. The Tesla Model 3 costs about $700 a year to charge, $210 less than the median EV ($910).
How much does the Tesla Model 3 cost to charge per year?
About $700 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 $910 a year.
How many EVs are ranked for 2022?
32 models qualify, one row each. The median is 32.9 kWh/100 mi, and the top 10 run from 25.5 kWh/100 mi to 30.0 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.