The paper presents a theoretical analysis of the effect of electric car performance characteristics on vehicle energy consumption and driving range. The test object was a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle. The characteristic curves of basic and additional resistance to motion (sum of rolling resistance and air resistance and inertia resistance or grade resistance, respectively) were applied to the model characteristic curve of electric motor torque of the tested vehicle. Based on that, the graphs describing the relationships between vehicle energy consumption and vehicle speed were made (for specific values of car acceleration / acclivity grade) as well as the relations between vehicle driving range and its traction properties. It was concluded that the use of performance characteristics significantly increased the vehicle’s energy consumption and decreased the available vehicle’s driving range.