The real driving range of popular electric vehicles has been established

Anna Tkach

AutoPortal editorial team

1,598 views 3 min read

Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) conducted a large-scale study to determine the real driving range of electric vehicles. In March of this year, its experts tested two dozen electric cars in winter conditions, and now – in summer conditions.

Real range of electric vehicles

The testing principle was as follows – take each car with a fully charged battery and drive until it “runs out” and turns off. After that, the data obtained on the distance traveled was compared with the “official” range according to the WLTP cycle (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure).

At the same time, the following mandatory conditions were observed: each car drove along the same route on the same day with the same climate control/air conditioning settings – so that the conditions were equal for everyone. The test route ran through the city, highways, dirt roads, and even mountain roads. The speed on the highway varied from 60 to 110 km/h.

The winter test of electric vehicles was carried out at temperatures from 3 to –6 degrees Celsius, with 20 electric vehicles participating. The summer test took place at 20-25 degrees of heat, and 21 electric vehicles were already declared in it.

Real range of electric vehicles (winter)

Cold weather significantly affects the battery charge level of electric vehicles, and the NAF test demonstrated this clearly. The average loss of range across all “electrics” was 18.5%, and not a single car reached the declared real range. The best result was shown by the Hyundai Kona Electric crossover – it drove only 9% less than the WLTP method promised (405 km instead of 449 km). But the worst was the Opel Ampera-e hatchback (also known as the Chevrolet Bolt) – its real range was only 70% of the declared one (297 km instead of 423 km).

And what about Tesla? The result of the “Americans” also turned out to be far from ideal. In particular, the brand's flagship – Model S Long Range – actually drove 470 km instead of the promised 610 km.

Real range of electric vehicles (summer)

But warm weather is a completely different matter! Of the 21 tested electric vehicles, only three cars drove less than declared, while the rest exceeded their official range.

The BMW iX3 crossover made the greatest impression on the testers – it covered 556.2 km, while its WLTP range is 432 km. That is, after the theoretical discharge of the battery, the “German” stretched another 106 km (20%)!

The greatest autonomy (first place in range) was demonstrated by the Tesla Model 3 Long Range sedan – an impressive 654.9 km with 614 km declared. In second place was the Ford Mustang Mach-E Long Range RWD crossover – 617.9 km (only 27 km less than Tesla) instead of 610 according to the passport, and the top three was closed by the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S hatchback, which managed to “hit” 564 km, while the factory estimates its range at 539 km.

As for the three outsiders, they included the Polestar 2, Citroen e-C4, and Xpeng G3. Even in summer, they managed not to reach the official figures (drove less than declared by 3, 5, and 12 km, respectively).