What is Kilowatt-Hour?

A kilowatt-hour, abbreviated kWh, is the unit used to measure electric vehicle battery capacity and energy consumption, much as litres measure a gas tank. An EV with a larger kilowatt-hour battery generally travels farther on a charge. Energy use is often expressed as kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometres, the EV equivalent of fuel economy, and charging costs are calculated by the kilowatt-hour based on local electricity rates. For dealerships, being able to explain kilowatt-hours helps customers compare EV models, estimate range, and understand real charging costs, which are typically much lower than gasoline. For example, knowing a vehicle uses a certain number of kilowatt-hours per 100 kilometres and the local electricity price lets a salesperson show concrete savings. Framing battery size and efficiency in kilowatt-hours gives shoppers a clear, apples-to-apples way to evaluate electric vehicles.