EV range

MouldyOldDough

How is an EV range decided ?

“Car and Driver” test EV’s at a steady 75mph – which I don’t understand !

At what speed is maximum range/efficiency achieved ?

Are they tested for range with aircon and other accessories running ?

 

Car_54

The Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) is a chassis dynamometer test cycle for the determination of emissions and fuel consumption from light-duty vehicles. You can read more here https://www.wltpfacts.eu/what-is-wltp-how-will-it-work/

Most (all?) manufacturers quote WLTP figures. But Audi (for example) go on to say:

"Range dependent on trim and optional equipment. All vehicles are tested according to WLTP technical procedures. Figures shown are official test values for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including but not limited to factory fitted options, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, road and traffic conditions, individual driving styles, vehicle load, vehicle condition, use of systems like climate control (and, for battery electric vehicles, the starting charge, age and conditions of the battery). Figures for battery electric vehicles were obtained after the battery had been fully charged. Battery electric vehicles require mains electricity for charging. Zero emissions while driving. Figures quoted are subject to change due to ongoing approvals/changes and figures may include options not available in the UK."

MouldyOldDough

Car_54 said:

The Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) is a chassis dynamometer test cycle for the determination of emissions and fuel consumption from light-duty vehicles. You can read more here https://www.wltpfacts.eu/what-is-wltp-how-will-it-work/

Most (all?) manufacturers quote WLTP figures. But Audi (for example) go on to say:

"Range dependent on trim and optional equipment. All vehicles are tested according to WLTP technical procedures. Figures shown are official test values for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption, CO2 and electric range figures with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including but not limited to factory fitted options, accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, road and traffic conditions, individual driving styles, vehicle load, vehicle condition, use of systems like climate control (and, for battery electric vehicles, the starting charge, age and conditions of the battery). Figures for battery electric vehicles were obtained after the battery had been fully charged. Battery electric vehicles require mains electricity for charging. Zero emissions while driving. Figures quoted are subject to change due to ongoing approvals/changes and figures may include options not available in the UK."

WLTP only mentions IC engined vehicles !
Is there no standard speed for testing efficiency/ range ?

MouldyOldDough

So at what speed is an EV range determined ?
IC cars are most efficient at 56 mph (in  top gear)

Car_54

MouldyOldDough said:

So at what speed is an EV range determined ?
IC cars are most efficient at 56 mph (in  top gear)

It's all in the link I provided. Average speed 46.5 km/h, maximum 131 km/h (28.9 and 81.4 mph).

It's designed to be representative of 'real-life' driving, so a whole range of speeds are used.

Grumpy_chap

If you are interested in a specific car, or choice of cars, then there is often a "range calculator" available that allows you to adjust parameters and determine the range you would achieve.  Here are some examples:

https://www.jaguar.co.uk/electric-cars/range.html

https://mobilitycalculators.online/ukmicrosite?selected=range

https://www.nissan.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/leaf/range-charging.html

Some manufacturers also have an app you can download to your mobile phone to track actual journeys and it will advise when you would be needing to charge in the real world.

Variation depending upon conditions plus variation between actual and test is to be expected - no different to having a deviation in miles/kWh for an EV to having a deviation in mpg for an ICE.

tberry6686

MouldyOldDough said:

So at what speed is an EV range determined ?
IC cars are most efficient at 56 mph (in  top gear)

My IC cars are not most efficient at 56mph.  My diesel is actually best around 70 (motorway mile muncher) and my petrol is better at 80mph.  56mph is just the standard speed they are tested at.

CKhalvashi

MouldyOldDough said:

So at what speed is an EV range determined ?
IC cars are most efficient at 56 mph (in  top gear)

Not necessarily.

My BEV is rated for 183 miles but averages about 150 on a charge, with use of A/C etc, and not necessarily driven in the most economical way.

For specific questions on specific models, come and join us on the BEV news thread and if someone owns a car you are looking at, they will be able to answer questions.

TooManyPoints

Your query is probably covered in one or more of the 473 replies to this thread!:

The big fat Electric Vehicle bashing thread. — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Petriix

It's actually a totally valid question, and one which people should fully understand before choosing an EV. The real answer is that an EV doesn't 'have a range' at all. The quoted 'range' is usually the WLTP result, but there's also the 'GOM' (Guess'o'meter) range displayed in the vehicle itself which is can be highly misleading. 

Actual range varies massively depending on factors including speed, journey type, driving style, temperature and weather conditions.

A typical EV is actually most efficient at somewhere between 15 and 30 mph and, in ideal conditions with the HVAC off, it's possible to vastly exceed the WLTP range.

I've managed to push my standard range MG5 to over 250 miles despite having a WLTP range of under 220. That involved sticking below 65mph and patiently following high vehicles in perfect conditions. On the other hand, I've seen below 150 miles when driving fast in the cold, wind and rain.

Most of the time, range is unimportant because most journeys are short. However, on long journeys you soon learn to optimise your speed to achieve a balance between making progress and minimising charging stops. 

[Deleted User]

Try A Better Route Planner website, it will give you a good idea of range and what the most efficient speed is.

Official range figures are done using a standard test.