kWh to km Converter
A 50 kWh battery in a car that uses 160 Wh per km can go about 312 km, which is 194 miles.
Quick answer: Multiply the battery kWh by 1,000, then divide by the Wh per km. For example, 50 kWh at 160 Wh per km is 312.5 km, 75 kWh at 200 Wh per km is 375 km and 30 kWh at 140 Wh per km is 214.29 km.
The kWh to km formula
Range in km equals battery energy in kWh times 1,000, divided by the consumption in Wh per km. Use the usable energy of the battery, not the gross figure.
Divide the km by 1.609 to get miles.
Take 50 kWh at 160 Wh per km. 50 × 1,000 ÷ 160 gives 312.5 km.
Take 75 kWh at 200 Wh per km. 75 × 1,000 ÷ 200 gives 375 km.
Battery energy and consumption
The battery energy in kWh is the fuel tank. The consumption in Wh per km is how much energy each kilometre takes.
A lower Wh per km means a more efficient car and a longer range from the same battery.
How to convert kWh to km step by step
- Find the usable battery energy in kWh.
- Find the consumption in Wh per km. Multiply kWh per 100 km by 10 to get it.
- Multiply the kWh by 1,000 and divide by the Wh per km.
- Read the range in km, and in miles in the last column.
Example 1: 50 kWh at 160 Wh per km
- Start with 50 kWh at 160 Wh per km.
- 50 × 1,000 ÷ 160 = 312.5.
- The range is 312.5 km.
50 kWh at 160 Wh per km = 312.5 km
Example 2: 75 kWh at 200 Wh per km
- Start with 75 kWh at 200 Wh per km.
- 75 × 1,000 ÷ 200 = 375.
- The range is 375 km.
75 kWh at 200 Wh per km = 375 km
Example 3: 30 kWh at 140 Wh per km
- Start with 30 kWh at 140 Wh per km.
- 30 × 1,000 ÷ 140 = 214.29.
- The range is 214.29 km.
30 kWh at 140 Wh per km = 214.29 km
Real range changes with speed, weather, hills and load. Use your own recent Wh per km for the best answer.
kWh to km conversion table
| Battery and efficiency | Range | In miles |
|---|---|---|
| 10 kWh at 150 Wh per km | 66.667 km | 41.425 miles |
| 20 kWh at 150 Wh per km | 133.33 km | 82.849 miles |
| 30 kWh at 160 Wh per km | 187.5 km | 116.51 miles |
| 40 kWh at 160 Wh per km | 250 km | 155.34 miles |
| 50 kWh at 160 Wh per km | 312.5 km | 194.18 miles |
| 60 kWh at 180 Wh per km | 333.33 km | 207.12 miles |
| 75 kWh at 200 Wh per km | 375 km | 233.01 miles |
| 77 kWh at 170 Wh per km | 452.94 km | 281.44 miles |
| 100 kWh at 200 Wh per km | 500 km | 310.69 miles |
| 100 kWh at 250 Wh per km | 400 km | 248.55 miles |
The highlighted row is the default of the calculator. The last column gives miles.
A quick mental shortcut for kWh to km
At 150 Wh per km, each kWh gives about 6.7 km. So 40 kWh gives about 267 km.
At 200 Wh per km, each kWh gives 5 km.
Efficiency in other units
A consumption of 160 Wh per km is the same as 16 kWh per 100 km. In miles it is 257.5 Wh per mile, or 3.8836 miles per kWh.
Convert to Wh per km before you use the calculator.
What the US label shows
The EPA electric vehicle label gives the energy use in kWh per 100 miles and an MPGe figure (EPA: Interactive Version of the Electric Vehicle Label).
Divide the kWh per 100 miles by 1.609 and multiply by 10 to get Wh per km.
Usable versus gross battery
A car may quote a gross battery of 77 kWh but only about 74 kWh is usable. Always use the usable number from the data sheet.
The calculator gives the range from the energy you enter, so garbage in means garbage out.
Speed, cold and hills
Higher speed, cold weather, heating, hills and heavy loads all raise the Wh per km. The same battery then gives less range.
If your winter figure is 200 Wh per km, 50 kWh gives 250 km, not 312.5 km.
Cost per 100 km
At 160 Wh per km, 100 km uses 16 kWh. At a price of 0.28 per kWh that costs 4.48.
Add some energy for charging losses, since some is lost between the wall and the battery.
Going the other way
To get the consumption from a trip, divide the energy used in Wh by the distance in km.
For 50,000 Wh over 312.5 km, the consumption is 160 Wh per km.
Check your answer
Multiply your range by the Wh per km and divide by 1,000. You should get the kWh back.
For 312.5 km at 160 Wh per km the result is 50 kWh, which matches.
Quick conversion answers
| Conversion | Result |
|---|---|
| 15 kWh at 130 Wh per km | 115.38 km |
| 25 kWh at 150 Wh per km | 166.67 km |
| 45 kWh at 170 Wh per km | 264.71 km |
| 64 kWh at 160 Wh per km | 400 km |
| 85 kWh at 190 Wh per km | 447.37 km |
| 120 kWh at 220 Wh per km | 545.45 km |
Where this conversion is used
Drivers estimate how far a battery will take them.
Buyers compare cars with different battery sizes and efficiencies.
Fleet planners check that routes fit within the battery range.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the gross battery size. Only the usable part drives the car.
- Mixing Wh per km and kWh per 100 km. Multiply kWh per 100 km by 10 to get Wh per km.
- Using the test figure for winter. Cold weather can raise Wh per km a lot.
- Mixing km and miles. One mile is 1.609 km. Use one unit for the whole calculation.
Related converters
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert kWh to km?
Multiply the kWh by 1,000, then divide by the Wh per km.
How far can 50 kWh go at 160 Wh per km?
About 312 km, or 194 miles.
How do I turn kWh per 100 km into Wh per km?
Multiply by 10.
Why is my real range lower?
Speed, cold, heating, hills and loads all raise the Wh per km.
Should I use gross or usable battery size?
Use the usable size from the data sheet.
What does the US label show?
It shows kWh per 100 miles and MPGe.
Sources
- EPA: Interactive Version of the Electric Vehicle Label (epa.gov)
- Wikipedia: Watt (en.wikipedia.org)
