By Martijn Versteegen, CEO and founder of Imagin.Studio

For years we reviewed the fuel efficiency of cars. Then energy labels were introduced, borrowed from appliances like refrigerators. Suddenly every car carried a sticker indicating its relative fuel efficiency. It seemed easy and transparent, quickly becoming a staple in company car policies. Who doesn’t remember the fleet rules that only allowed vehicles with an Energy Label A, B, or C?

Over time, we realised that a car’s real consumption was often very different from what the label showed. The focus shifted to actual fuel consumption and CO2 footprints. Efficiency and optimised engines became the priority, further complicated by WLTP figures and the reality of plug-in hybrids that may or may not have been charged by drivers.

Today, life seems simpler. EVs have freed fleet managers from these old headaches. Every new EV is a win for our corporate responsibility reports. And with new models offering 250 miles on a single charge – or closer to 400 with a bigger battery – range anxiety feels like a thing of the past.

But here’s the issue. With the frustrating memory of energy labels still fresh, it’s strange how little we hear about the actual efficiency of electric cars. The energy consumption of one EV can be twice as high as another. The usual fix – a bigger battery – is like putting a larger gas tank on an inefficient, thirsty car. Bigger batteries are expensive, require more raw materials and add significant weight, which hurts range.

A more efficient EV allows you to ‘fuel up’ more miles per hour of charging. Choosing an efficient model also means a lighter vehicle, which is better for tyre wear, road surfaces, overall energy use and is more fun to drive! The answer isn’t just adding more battery capacity; it’s about being more efficient with the capacity you have.

We need to return to the principles of clarity and transparency. Just as we once relied on energy labels, we need a clear, standardised way to compare EVs based on their true energy consumption, not just battery size or range. It’s time for a transparent ‘efficiency sticker’ that makes comparing EVs simple, clear and easy to understand.

The path forward is not only about bigger batteries, but about smarter choices.