The Volkswagen e-Golf is rated 117.8 MPGe (126 city, 108.6 highway) — that is not petrol economy but the distance it covers on 33.7 kWh, the energy held in one gallon. Drawn from a socket it needs 28.6 kWh per 100 miles, so 12,000 miles a year costs about $583 at $0.17 a kWh. The EPA's own annual figure for it is $650.
Every Volkswagen e-Golf version, compared
The Volkswagen e-Golf was rated in a single specification, so its consumption does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $0.17 a kilowatt-hour.
| Version | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Years | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 126 / 108.6 | 2015–2019 | $583 |
What that actually costs
MPGe is an abstraction; the electricity bill is not. At 12,000 miles a year the Volkswagen e-Golf draws about 3432 kWh, which at $0.17 comes to the figures below.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use | 28.6 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.049 |
| Charging per year | $583 |
| Charging over five years | $2,915 |
| Against other Electric cars | −$98 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $650 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Volkswagen e-Golf is one of the cars that does better in town than out of it — 126 in the city against 108.6 on the highway. That is $49 a year in favour of the commuter stuck in traffic, and it usually means a hybrid drivetrain recovering energy every time you brake.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 126 MPGe | $545 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 108.6 MPGe | $632 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -17.4 MPGe (-14%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the e-Golf changed over the years
The e-Golf peaked in 2019 at 119 MPGe (126 city, 111 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2016 at 116 — 3 MPGe apart, or $17 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2019 car does 119. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined MPGe | City / Highway | Versions offered | Charging per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 126 / 111 | 1 | $577 | |
| 2018 | 126 / 111 | 1 | $577 | |
| 2017 | 126 / 111 | 1 | $577 | |
| 2016 | 126 / 105 | 1 | $594 | |
| 2015 | 126 / 105 | 1 | $594 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Volkswagen e-Golf — 1 engine across 2015–2019. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour, against EPA's own estimate of $650. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Volkswagen e-Golf rated at?
117.8 MPGe combined on average — 126 in the city and 108.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2015–2019. MPGe is distance covered on 33.7 kWh, the energy in a gallon of petrol — the car itself takes none.
How much does a Volkswagen e-Golf cost to charge per year?
About $583 at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour — roughly $2,915 over five years, or 0.049 dollars a mile.
Which e-Golf version is the most efficient?
The Electric at 117.8 MPGe.
Is the e-Golf efficient compared with similar cars?
Against other Electric cars it sits above the average of 101 MPGe, computed across 426 ratings.
Are these real-world e-Golf figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Volkswagen e-Golf is $650 against the $583 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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