Electric car makers use exaggerated driving ranges as official tests that don’t reflect real life, research has found.
More than 70 electric vehicles have been analyzed by consumer champions in independent tests. showed that real-world ranges were, on average, almost 20 percent lower than advertised by car manufacturers.
The tests also found that electric car batteries would require about 15 percent more energy than what was advertised to fully charge, leading to higher running costs.
The UK’s most popular EV, the Tesla Model Y, has reportedly had 100 miles less real-world range than advertised, while the Nissan Leaf has lost more than 50 miles compared to advertised.
Drivers considering buying an electric car should be “skeptical” of the advertised range and make sure they do “hard” research before making an expensive purchase. said:
Table showing the difference between the advertised ranges of electric vehicles and the tested range
Britain’s most popular electric car, the Tesla Model Y (pictured), has one of the most incongruous differences between its advertised range of 331 miles compared to its real-world range of just 231 miles, 100 miles less, according to Who.
It comes as the government announced this week that more than a fifth of new car sales next year will be electric cars, with a ban on new petrol and diesel cars to be introduced in 2030. Currently, about one-sixth of new car sales are electric. .
The result could leave electric car drivers “disappointed with the distance they can realistically cover on a single charge.” Which? According to The Times, sustainability editor Emily Seymour said.
Electric vehicle manufacturers have used a laboratory test called the World Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) to determine ranges under EU law since 2017. This comes after the previous test regime was accused of overestimating the fuel efficiency of fossil fuel vehicles.
WLTP gives more accurate results for petrol and diesel cars, but as a “strong tendency” to overestimate the performance and range of EVs. requirement And they say that their own tests give a more realistic assessment.
EVs often have shorter ranges on dual carriageways and highways because they use more power to drive at higher speeds and also get less power from braking.
According to which larger electric cars had the worst real-life range compared to advertised, averaging more than 50 miles less. This can mean long-haul drivers could be significantly out of pocket if they need to charge up in the advertised range while driving, which they can’t top up due to the higher cost of domestic chargers.
Britain’s most popular electric car, the Tesla Model Y, has one of the most incongruous differences between its advertised range of 331 miles compared to its real-world range of just 231 miles, 100 miles less, according to the.
The Nissan Leaf is advertised as having a range of “up to 239 miles”, although the manufacturer says this is “not vehicle specific”. Which one? the survey found a maximum distance of only 187 miles.
James Court of the Electric Vehicle Association told The Times that there are big cars that are more efficient, but some that lose range in colder conditions.
The Nissan Leaf (pictured) is advertised as having a range of “up to 239 miles,” but Which? the survey found a maximum distance of only 187 miles
Nissan told the newspaper. “WLTP testing is mandatory and the only universal range figure quoted by all manufacturers. It is used by consumers to compare a range of different models. We have a real-world range calculator readily available on our website where customers can adjust the settings to view accurate and realistic range numbers based on their individual circumstances.
Tesla did not comment to The Times, but has previously rejected independent tests, saying fair comparisons can only be made in a laboratory setting.
Mike Hawes of the Association of Motor Manufacturers and Traders told the newspaper: “By law, manufacturers are required to test all vehicles to the same, repeatable official standard, the WLTP test. This test is regulated by government bodies, and it is these results, and only these results, that manufacturers are required by law to publish. However, there will always be a difference between lab tests and real-world use. For example, battery range, like the fuel economy of petrol and diesel vehicles, will vary depending on the type of journey taken, conditions, driving style, vehicle load and other factors.”