EV range and battery size by year
Median driving range, battery capacity and range per kWh of new electric car generations, in five-year periods. The sample is small — the table shows how many cars stand behind every figure.
Median range, km
Median battery, kWh
Key findings
- Median range of new electric car generations grew from 367 km in 2010–14 to 320 km in 2025–26.
- Median battery size went from 34.5 kWh to 79 kWh.
- In 2025–26 a typical EV covers 7.5 km per kWh of battery on paper.
- Longest range in 2025–26: the Volvo EX60 I, 810 km.
- Small sample: 6–57 electric generations per period.
Data table
| Period | EV generations | Median range | Median battery | Range per kWh | Cars with data (range / battery) | Longest range | Longest range: car |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–14 | 6 | 367 km | 34.5 kWh | 7.9 km | 4 / 4 | 660 km | Tesla Model S |
| 2015–19 | 19 | 450 km | 60 kWh | 5.9 km | 15 / 17 | 630 km | Volkswagen ID.3 I |
| 2020–24 | 57 | 505 km | 79 kWh | 7.1 km | 37 / 54 | 755 km | Lucid Air I |
| 2025–26 | 8 | 320 km | 79 kWh | 7.5 km | 7 / 7 | 810 km | Volvo EX60 I |
Methodology
Electric versions only. For each generation we take its longest published range and its largest battery (gross or usable, as published); efficiency = range ÷ battery of the version with the longest range. Range figures mix test cycles (WLTP, EPA and others) as published by the makers. Periods with fewer than 5 electric generations are not shown.
Passenger cars only: trucks, buses and vans are excluded (the same rule as our rankings).
Values come from the 1CARS catalog. Part of the specifications are extracted from our articles and not yet checked by an editor; obvious outliers are excluded. Figures describe the cars in our catalog, not the whole market.
Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0: credit “1CARS” and link to this page. License terms.