Gas vs. Electricity: Which Is More Efficient?
How do you compare the efficiency of gasoline vs. electricity? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created the MGPe or “Miles Per Gallon (of Gasoline) Equivalent.” This takes the BTU’s contained in a gallon of gasoline (115,000) and measures them in terms of electricity.
When you plug this formula into the performance of electric cars, there are some amazing results. The Tesla Model S series gets you from 102 to 110 MPGe on the highway, and 64 or 65 MPGe in the city. Ford has also thrown its hat into the electric ring with the C-Max Energi, which delivers 98 highway and 87 city, and the Ford Focus Electric with 107 and 108 (better in the city than on the highway!).
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Nissan and Mitsubishi are also in there. The Nissan Leaf SL is rated at 118 highway and 86 city and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV SE rates 116 highway and 104 city.
But the one that comes closest to finding the Holy Grail of fuel efficiency is…
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