Electric car makers post exaggerated range in their publicity – because tests don’t reflect real life, a study has revealed
- EVs, including Tesla Model Y and Nissan Leaf, have a shorter range than advertised
- Which? advised car buyers to be ‘skeptical’ of manufacturers’ claims
Electric car manufacturers use exaggerated driving ranges as official tests to fail to reflect real life, a study finds.
More than 70 electric vehicles were analyzed in independent tests by consumer champions Which? showed that the real-world range was nearly 20 percent lower than what automakers advertised on average.
Tests also showed that electric car batteries require about 15 percent more current than advertised to fully charge, resulting in higher operating costs.
The UK’s most popular electric car, the Tesla Model Y, reportedly had a range of 100 miles less than advertised, and the Nissan Leaf lost more than 50 miles compared to what was promoted.
Drivers debating whether or not to buy an electric car should be ‘skeptical’ about the advertised offerings and make sure they do ‘rigorous’ research before making an expensive purchase. Which? said.
Table showing the difference between advertised ranges of electric vehicles versus tested ranges
Britain’s most popular electric car, the Tesla Model Y (pictured), has one of the widest discrepancies between its advertised range, 331 miles, compared to its actual range of just 371 miles, 160 miles less, according to Which?
This came 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 due to be introduced by 2030. Currently, about one-sixth of new car sales are electric.
The result could leave electric vehicle drivers “disappointed by the distance they can realistically travel on a single charge.” sustainability editor Emily Seymour said: The times reports.
Electric car manufacturers have been using a lab test called the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) to determine range since 2017, under EU law. This was introduced after the previous testing regime was accused of overestimating the fuel efficiency of fossil fuel powered cars.
The WLTP gives more accurate results for petrol and diesel cars, but as a ‘strong tendency’ to overestimate the efficiency and range of electric cars. Which? claim. And they say their own tests give a more realistic estimate.
EVs often have a shorter range on dual carriageways and highways because they use more power to travel at higher speeds – and also recover less power through braking.
According to which? larger electric vehicles had the worst range compared to what was advertised – more than 50 miles less on average. This could mean drivers on long journeys will pay significantly less money if they need to charge on a journey within the advertised range, which they cannot complete due to the higher cost of gas station chargers compared to domestic chargers.
Britain’s most popular electric car, the Tesla Model Y, has one of the widest discrepancies between its advertised range, 331 miles, compared to its actual range of just 231 miles, 160 miles less, according to Which?
The Nissan Leaf is advertised as having a range of ‘up to 239 miles’ – although the manufacturer says this is ‘not referring to any particular individual vehicle’. Which? research found a maximum range of only 187 miles.
James Court, of the Electric Vehicle Association, told The Times that there are large cars that are more efficient, but some cars have less range in colder conditions.
The Nissan Leaf (pictured) is advertised as having a range of ‘up to 239 miles’, but which one? research found a maximum range 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 the offers of different models. We have a real-world range calculator readily available on our website where customers can adjust parameters to view accurate and realistic range figures based on their individual circumstances.”
Tesla has not commented to The Times, but has previously rejected independent testing and said fair comparisons can only be made under lab conditions.
Mike Hawes, from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, told the paper: ‘By law, manufacturers are required to test all vehicles to the same, repeatable official standard: the WLTP test. This test is regulated by government agencies 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 laboratory testing and real-world use. For example, the range of the battery, just like the fuel consumption of petrol and diesel cars, will vary depending on the type of journey made, the circumstances, the driving style, the load on the vehicle and other factors.’