What Does MPG-E Mean and How Is It Calculated?

MPG-E stands for miles per gallon of gasoline equivalent, a metric the EPA uses to compare the energy efficiency of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids against traditional gasoline cars. The agency calculates it by equating one gallon of gasoline to 33.7 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. This allows drivers to gauge how far an EV can travel on the same energy content as a gallon of gas. The formula is simple: MPG-E = miles driven per kWh × 33.7.

For example, the 2026 Nissan Leaf, with its 75-kWh battery, achieves 28 kWh per 100 miles in EPA testing. That translates to 3.57 miles per kWh, which when multiplied by 33.7 gives a combined MPG-E rating of 120.3. The Lucid Air Pure leads the pack with a top combined rating of 146 MPG-E for 2026, unchanged from 2025. The Lucid Gravity SUV follows at 111 MPG-E combined, while the Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Plus sedan posts 126 MPG-E.

Among compact electric SUVs, the 2026 Toyota BZ scores 131 MPG-E combined, a 12-point improvement over its predecessor, the 2025 bZ4X. Tesla’s Model Y trims can exceed 130 MPG-E, though its third-row option is impractical. The Model X is rated at 105 MPG-E combined. Mainstream options like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6 are capped at 110 and 115 MPG-E, respectively.

In the electric pickup segment, the Rivian R1T holds the efficiency crown at 87 MPG-E combined after Ford discontinued the F-150 Lightning and Ram scrapped its EV pickup. The Tesla Cybertruck trails at 79 MPG-E, while the GMC Hummer posts a dismal 53 MPG-E combined—nearly 64% worse than the Lucid Air Pure.