The instrument quantifies the energy efficiency of electric vehicles. It determines the number of miles an electric vehicle can travel using one kilowatt-hour of electricity. For instance, a result of 4 miles per kilowatt-hour signifies the vehicle can travel 4 miles consuming one kilowatt-hour of energy from its battery.
This metric is valuable for prospective electric vehicle buyers and current owners. It allows for comparing the energy efficiency of different models, estimating charging costs for trips, and monitoring changes in driving efficiency over time. The development of this calculation method has paralleled the growth of the electric vehicle market, becoming increasingly relevant as electric vehicle adoption expands.