The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first began using the Miles Per Gallon Gasoline Equivalent (MGPe) in the window stickers of early green vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt.
MPGe is used to compare energy consumption of alternative fuel vehicles, plug-in electric vehicles and other advanced technology vehicles with the fuel economy of conventional internal combustion vehicles expressed as miles per US gallon.
The ratings are based on the EPA’s formula, in which 33.7 kilowatt hours of electricity is equivalent to one gallon of gasoline.
In 2010, the Leaf scored a strong MPGe of 99, while the Chevy Volt earned its respectable MPGe of 93.
Suddenly, those numbers don’t seem so eye-popping anymore.
In early October Edison2’s prototype electric Very Light Car (eVLC) rocked the electric car industry when they announced their car scored an amazing 245 MPGe in stringent EPA accredited tests that include five separate driving cycles including air conditioning use, cold temperatures and aggressive driving.
In the running EPA drive cycle test, the eVLC scored an astounding 352 MPGe in the EPA City cycle and 347 MPGe Highway cycle, for a stunning 350 MPGe combined.
Edison2’s EPA test trials also showed that the eVLC has a 114-mile range, another impressive number given its small 10.5-kWh battery (for comparison, the Nissan Leaf is powered by a 24 kWh battery.) The eVLC can recharge on a standard household outlet in just six hours.
According to Edison2 CEO Oliver Kuttner, this charging efficiency has important implications.
“The eVLC removes the need for massive investment in charging infrastructure and minimizes range anxiety,” he said.
Edison2 is no stranger to the world of super-efficient EVs. Last year Edison2 won the prestigious Progressive Insurance Automotive X prize (and a cool $5 million) in the mainstream class.
