EV Guides/9 June 2026/2 min read

How to Read an EV Spec Sheet (Without Getting Scammed)

Brochures lie by omission. Here's what the numbers actually mean — and which ones to ignore. Range: MIDC vs WLTP vs real Indian brochures quote MIDC…

Brochures lie by omission. Here's what the numbers actually mean — and which ones to ignore.

Range: MIDC vs WLTP vs real

Indian brochures quote MIDC (Modified Indian Driving Cycle) range. It assumes ~38 km/h average, no AC, perfect tarmac. Expect 65–75% of claimed in real Indian driving. A "421 km MIDC" Punch EV gives you ~290 km on highway, ~310 km city with AC. For real-world examples across the affordable segment, see our buyer guide of EVs under ₹15 lakh — every range claim there has a real-world number next to it.

If a spec sheet quotes WLTP, that's stricter — multiply by ~0.85 for real-world.

Charging time: read the fine print

"DC fast charging: 10–80% in 56 minutes" is honest. "Charges in 60 minutes" with no qualifier is usually 10–80% on a specific charger speed they don't name. Always ask:

What charger kW? (50 kW vs 150 kW changes everything)
10–80% or 0–100%? (the last 20% takes as long as the first 80%)
At what temperature? (charging slows below 10°C and above 40°C)

Motor power: kW vs PS vs bhp

1 kW = 1.36 PS = 1.34 bhp. EV brochures love quoting peak power in PS to sound bigger. The number that matters daily is torque (Nm) — and the speed at which it's delivered (EVs deliver max torque from 0 rpm, hence the strong launch feel). Want to see this play out in a head-to-head? Read our Tata Punch EV vs MG Comet spec-by-spec comparison — same segment, very different numbers.

Battery capacity: usable vs total

A "40 kWh battery" might have 38 kWh usable. The buffer protects longevity but isn't available to you. Ask for usable kWh when comparing. Range per kWh (efficiency) is a fairer cross-EV metric — aim for 6+ km/kWh in city, 5+ on highway. Curious what these brochure numbers look like after 12,000 km of actual ownership? See our long-term MG ZS EV review.

Numbers to mostly ignore

Top speed (you'll never use it), 0–100 km/h time (matters only for sports EVs), and "AC fast charging 7.2 kW" (every modern EV has this).