The Volkswagen ID.4 is rated 108.7 MPGe (117.3 city, 100 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 31 kWh per 100 miles, so 12,000 miles a year costs about $632 at $0.17 a kWh. The EPA's own annual figure for it is $683.
Every Volkswagen ID.4 version, compared
The Volkswagen ID.4 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 | 117.3 / 100 | 2021–2026 | $632 |
What that actually costs
MPGe is an abstraction; the electricity bill is not. At 12,000 miles a year the Volkswagen ID.4 draws about 3720 kWh, which at $0.17 comes to the figures below.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy use | 31 kWh per 100 miles |
| Cost per mile | $0.053 |
| Charging per year | $632 |
| Charging over five years | $3,160 |
| Against other Electric cars | −$49 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $683 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Volkswagen ID.4 is one of the cars that does better in town than out of it — 117.3 in the city against 100 on the highway. That is $57 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 | 117.3 MPGe | $585 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 100 MPGe | $687 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -17.3 MPGe (-15%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the ID.4 changed over the years
The ID.4 peaked in 2026 at 113 MPGe (122 city, 104 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2021 at 99 — 14 MPGe apart, or $86 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 113. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 122 / 104 | 1 | $608 | |
| 2025 | 122 / 104 | 1 | $608 | |
| 2024 | 122 / 104 | 1 | $608 | |
| 2023 | 115 / 99 | 1 | $643 | |
| 2022 | 116 / 98 | 1 | $643 | |
| 2021 | 107 / 91 | 1 | $694 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Volkswagen ID.4 — 1 engine across 2021–2026. 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 $683. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Volkswagen ID.4 rated at?
108.7 MPGe combined on average — 117.3 in the city and 100 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2021–2026. 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 ID.4 cost to charge per year?
About $632 at 12,000 miles and $0.17 a kilowatt-hour — roughly $3,160 over five years, or 0.053 dollars a mile.
Which ID.4 version is the most efficient?
The Electric at 108.7 MPGe.
Is the ID.4 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 ID.4 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 ID.4 is $683 against the $632 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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