What MPGe means

Fueleconomy.gov explains that vehicles that do not use liquid fuels, such as electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids running on electricity and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, show miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe) on their fuel economy label. Think of it as similar to MPG: it is the number of miles the vehicle can go using an amount of fuel with the same energy content as a gallon of gasoline.

That is what makes a fair comparison possible across fuels, even though, as fueleconomy.gov notes, CNG is not dispensed or burned in gallons. Like MPG, MPGe is shown for city, highway and combined driving. Fueleconomy.gov says the combined figure weights city driving 55% and highway driving 45%, and is the most prominent number for quick comparisons.

From Electric Vehicles: Learn More About the Label (fueleconomy.gov), Gasoline Vehicles: Learn More About the Label (fueleconomy.gov) and the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD and Equinox FWD side-by-side comparison, EPA records 49953 and 49442 (fueleconomy.gov), read November 9, 2026.

MPGe vs. MPG: an EPA example

Here are the EPA ratings fueleconomy.gov lists for the electric and gas versions of the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox with front-wheel drive. Annual fuel cost is fueleconomy.gov's estimate based on 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and the current energy prices when we checked on November 9, 2026:

From the 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD and Equinox FWD side-by-side comparison, EPA records 49953 and 49442 (fueleconomy.gov), read November 9, 2026; efficiency figures below from All-Electric Vehicles (fueleconomy.gov). Your results will vary with driving, weather and energy prices.

Notice that the electric version uses electricity more efficiently on city streets than on the highway (117 vs. 100 MPGe), unlike the gas Equinox, which is rated higher on the highway (29 vs. 26 mpg). Fueleconomy.gov says electric vehicles convert over 77% of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels, while conventional gasoline vehicles convert only about 12% to 30% of the energy in gasoline.

Why kWh per 100 miles matters more for cost

Fueleconomy.gov says the label's fuel consumption rate, kilowatt-hours per 100 miles for an electric car or gallons per 100 miles for a gas car, relates directly to the amount of energy used, and so to cost. It points out that MPG can be misleading on its own: over 1,000 miles, going from 10 to 15 mpg saves about 33 gallons, while going from 30 to 35 mpg saves only about 5 gallons. That "MPG illusion" is why consumption numbers give a more accurate comparison.

To estimate your own charging cost, multiply the kWh per 100 miles by your electricity rate, then by your miles divided by 100. For a related fuel-saving feature on gas cars, see our guide to auto start-stop.

From Electric Vehicles: Learn More About the Label (fueleconomy.gov) and All-Electric Vehicles (fueleconomy.gov), read November 9, 2026.

Other numbers on the label

Fueleconomy.gov lists these other items on the fuel economy and environment label:

• Estimated annual fuel cost, based on 15,000 miles a year and a projected energy price.
• You save or spend over 5 years, compared with the average new vehicle.
• A fuel economy and greenhouse gas rating from 1 (worst) to 10 (best).
• The best and worst fuel economy in the vehicle's class for that model year.

From Electric Vehicles: Learn More About the Label (fueleconomy.gov), read November 9, 2026.

Service at Elgin Auto Sales & Service Center

Questions about a used electric car, plug-in hybrid or gas car? Schedule service or see our service specials.

Our service department at 1200 E. Chicago St. in Elgin is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Sunday. Get directions.