Comparative Energy and Economic Analysis of Hyundai Kona EV and Toyota Corolla ICE Vehicle Under Real-World Driving Conditions in Nigeria

This study presents a field-based energy and economic comparison between the 2020 Hyundai Kona battery electric vehicle (BEV) and the 2008 Toyota Corolla internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle under real driving conditions at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). The study addresses the absence of empirically measured EV performance data under Nigerian driving conditions, the unquantified impact of air conditioning (AC) on EV range in tropical climates, and the uncharacterized daily charging capacity of solar EV charging stations in Nigerian university settings. For an identical 8 km round trip, the Hyundai Kona EV consumed approximately 1.024 kWh without AC and 1.056 kWh with AC, compared to 7.78 kWh for the Corolla, a ratio of approximately 7.6:1 in favor of the EV. Corresponding trip costs were 230.4 and 237.6 Naira for the EV versus 1,750.5 Naira for the Corolla. Two empirical linear models were developed relating EV state of charge to drivable range (y = 5.57x − 45) and charging time (y = −6.44x + 647). Effective real-world range was estimated at 396.9 km without AC and 348.1 km with AC, from a 500 km dashboard indication. The NADDC solar station (19.9 kW array, 95 kWh battery bank) was found capable of sustainably supporting one full Kona EV charge daily. These findings provide empirical evidence supporting EV adoption and solar charging infrastructure planning in Nigeria and similar developing-country contexts.