Between engine output and the wheels cars lose an estimated 15% of their power on average. Electric vehicles do better.
In addition to I.C. Engines Efficiencies not being great, a standard (non-electric) vehicle loses about 15% of the energy output by its engine to internal resistance by the time that energy makes it to the tires on the road.
I saw this figure in several places. The first listed out the losses at major components piece by piece (Driveshaft, Differential, Propeller Shaft, Gearbox, and gear mesh).
Electric are Better
Electric vehicles are much less complicate. Less going on ⇒ less losses in all that stuff. This is a Tesla Model S drivetrain.
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Source
Source
https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/modp-1005-drivetrain-power-loss/
Drivetrain losses (efficiency)