Battery capacity (net/gross)

The battery capacity of an EV or plug-in hybrid is stated in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and often in two figures. The gross capacity is the total energy the cells physically hold. The net capacity is the part the car actually uses; the manufacturer keeps a buffer at the top and bottom to spare the cells and extend their life.

The difference between gross and net is therefore not a loss but a deliberate reserve, which per model can amount to a few up to more than ten percent. The WLTP range and the average consumption belong to the net capacity, not the gross. Two cars with the same gross value can have a different usable range because the buffer differs. Not every manufacturer states both figures equally clearly.

Where we have both values we show them as a manufacturer statement and calculate the range against the net capacity. If the distinction is missing, we state which value is given, so that a comparison between models stays fair.