Most energy-consuming EVs

The number of different electric vehicles (EVs) available for purchase in Australia has continued to surge each year. With fuel prices rising to record highs and being extremely volatile, EVs are becoming an increasingly compelling option for those looking for a new car.

After all, while EVs cost more than their internal combustion engine counterparts to buy, the cost of recharging their batteries is far less than the cost of refuelling in petrol or diesel. However, not all EVs are created equal.

The energy plan comparison service iSelect has run the numbers for 85 of the latest, current EV models for sale in Australia, finding which ones are the biggest electricity guzzlers, and which are the most efficient.

The least energy-efficient EVs of 2026

The number one and two least energy-efficient EVs in the list are both utes, while the rest are medium to large-sized sport utility vehicles (SUVs). They have the highest energy consumption of any of the 85 models on this list, and thus the highest annual cost for recharging.

1. Toyota Hilux SR BEV

The least energy-efficient EV on the list is the electric version of the iconic and popular Toyota Hilux, the Hilux SR BEV. It has one of the lowest driving ranges in the entire list at 270kms, second only to the Abarth 500e Hatchback. With a battery size of 62 kWh and consumption of 23.6 kWh/100km (the worst of the entire list), a Hilux SR BEV could average 44 recharges per year for an average driver. This means it consumes 2,832 kWh a year. At the average example tariff, that could cost AU$915.87 a year.

Still a lot less than refuelling an internal combustion engine Hilux, though.

2. KGM Musso EV

Another ute, the KGM Musso EV, is the second least-efficient EV in the list. While it has a larger driving range than the Hilux, it has the second-highest kWh consumption rate, and the higher battery size means that, despite needing less recharges than the Hilux, the Musso almost uses as many kWh as the Hilux, consuming 2,760 kWh of electricity a year in our average scenario. This puts recharging costs at about $892.58 a year.

3. Cadillac Lyriq

The Cadillac Lyriq is a medium-large SUV with the largest battery size of the top five most energy consuming EVs, and the largest driving range at 530kms. While this means it only needs 23 recharges per year (assuming it’s driven from full to empty every time), with a consumption rate of 22.5 kWh/100km, it consumes almost as much electricity as the Musso to recharge its larger battery. Consuming 2,700 kWh a year, it costs $873.18 a year on average to recharge.

4. KIA EV5 GT-Line

Another mid-size SUV, the KIA EV5 GT-Line has an average driving range, an above-average-sized battery at 88.1 kWh, but an inefficient consumption rate at 21.0 kWh/100km. At 12,000 kms per year, that’s 26 recharges and 2,520 kWh consumed, costing $814.97. 

5. Nissan Ariya Evolve

Rounding out the top five least efficient EVs on our list is the Nissan Ariya Evolve. It’s got a 91 kWh battery, a 487km driving range, and an electricity consumption rate of 20.8 kWh/100km. With iSelect’s calculations, that’s an estimated 26 recharges a year, totalling 2,520kWh, or $814.97 to recharge.

The most energy-efficient EVs in 2026

While the least efficient electric cars were heavier SUVs and utes, the most efficient were small hatchbacks and sedans; much lighter and far more efficient in their electricity consumption per 100km. While the smaller battery size means they might not have as much driving range as other EVs, they consume less electricity overall across the year, even if driven the same distance as other EVs.

1. Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD Long Range

Out of the list of 85 EVs, the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD Long Range takes the cake as the most efficient EV, consuming just 1,500 kWh of electricity per year for an average driver. It has an excellent consumption rate of 12.5 kWh/100km, and the longest range of the list at 750kms per charge (on average). This puts the annual cost of recharging at $485.10, almost half that of the Toyota Hilux SR BEV.

2. Mini Aceman SE & Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD

The next most efficient EV is the Mini Aceman SE. It consumes 1,656 kWh a year, not much more than the Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD Long Range; an EV purpose-built to go the distance. The Mini Aceman’s battery size of 54.2 kWh is much smaller, and its driving range is almost half that of the Tesla Model 3 above (406km vs 750km), but its efficiency means it only consumes a bit more than the Tesla per 100km. That places its recharge cost at $535.55 per year.

At the exact same cost is a slightly different Model 3 Tesla, the Model 3 Premium RWD. It does not have the battery size or driving range of its Long Range counterpart, but its range is still a respectable 520km. Furthermore, it has the second-lowest energy consumption rate, tying with the Mini Aceman SE, putting the overall cost at $535.55 a year as well.

3. Mini Cooper SE

Right behind its Aceman cousin is the Mini Cooper SE, which has the same battery size at 54.2 kWh and a super close range at 402km (just 4km shy of the Aceman). It has a very slightly higher consumption rate of 14.1 kWh/100km, leading to a slightly higher annual energy consumption of 1,692 kWh. In the calculations, this leads to an average recharge cost of $547.19 each year.

4. Hyundai Inster & KIA EV4 Air SR

The Hyundai Inster has the smallest battery size of all EVs on the list (tying with the Fiat 500e and Abarth 500e Hatchback) and the fifth shortest driving range, but it has the fourth-lowest consumption rate of 14.3 kWh/100km. While it requires 37 recharges a year, it only consumes 1,716kWh, costing a total of $544.95 to recharge.

KIA’s EV4 Air SR has the same consumption rate and total energy consumption as the Hyundai Inster, again leading to an estimated annual recharging cost of $544.95.