Up to 13% less range: the real distances covered by 32 top electric cars

Range Anxiety: Still a Thing, but Should It Be?

Let’s face it, when it comes to electric cars, the first thing many drivers check is range. Even in 2024, it’s sometimes the dealbreaker that keeps people tethered to their fossil-fueled rides. But while this concern lingers in the air like the smell of burnt clutch at a driving school, it might actually be misplaced. Experts now insist the real key to electric motoring happiness isn’t having a battery that lasts forever—it’s access to a robust charging network. In France, for example, public charging is already quite up to snuff, making those “what if I can’t get home?” worries a bit outdated.

The Range Race: Is Longer Always Better?

Given the steady drumbeat of marketing about range, automakers seem convinced it still matters. Some, like Ford, have realized it’s no longer essential to offer cars with monstrous one-charge distances. Others, notably Lucid and Zeekr, are racing toward headline-grabbing numbers close to 1,000 kilometers. Why? Because range still sells. But this brings us to an awkward truth: not all kilometers are created equal.

The number you see on spec sheets—the WLTP homologation figure—gets tossed around as gospel. WLTP is indeed closer to real life than the dusty old NEDC or China’s CLTC, but it still isn’t flawless. After all, real-world range is shaped by a smorgasbord of factors:

• Your driving style (racing driver or Sunday stroller?)
• How much you love your onboard accessories (air con, high beams, Bluetooth disco…)
• The car’s weight
• Even the weather! (Yes, your car, like you, isn’t at its best freezing or sweating.)

Real-World Testing: From the Arctic to Mild Spring

Earlier this year, Norway’s Motor.no took a parade of electric cars for a spin—into the deep freeze. Think -5 to -10°C kind of cold. In these grim conditions, the Tesla Model S, for example, performed admirably, squeezing out 530 kilometers on a single charge. Fast-forward a few months, and the same team decided to test again—but this time, when the sun had its hat on and temperatures sat in a balmy 15-20°C range. These conditions are about as ideal as you’ll get for an EV, so WLTP figures should be close to reality, right?

Well… not quite. The results showed some pretty dramatic discrepancies between official and actual range—up to 13% less than promised in some cases, according to Motor.no. For instance, the Toyota bZ4x clocked 434 kilometers, well short of the 503 WLTP claim. The BYD Atto 3 fared similarly, managing just 364 kilometers versus the official 420. Ouch.

Yet, not all hope is lost for automakers. Certain models positively thrived in this test, which combined stretches of higher-speed roads and a bit of elevation change. The Tesla Model S Long Range deserves a special mention: it’s officially rated for 634 kilometers (WLTP), but managed an impressive 672 in this trial—a positive difference of 6%. However, there’s a twist: according to Motor.no, there might have been an error, because using the specified wheels, this Tesla is actually homologated for 723 kilometers. So, technically, it fell short of its theoretical max.

Who Surprised, Who Disappointed?

Other highlights? The Nissan Ariya was a real overachiever, covering 580 kilometers instead of its 533 WLTP expectation. Could this be linked to recent rumors about charging figures? The Xpeng P7 also broke expectations, racking up 557 kilometers versus a 505-kilometer promise. And all of this on an identical route for each car:

• Approximately 365 km highway
• 120 km of departmental (rural) roads
• If batteries still had juice at the end, cars got extra laps: another 130 km highway, 120 km departmental

It’s worth noting: this wasn’t highway-only endurance, but a mixed journey, with an average speed capped at 70 km/h (for comparison, Paris–Bordeaux via motorway averages about 90 km/h). Who else did well? The MG4 held its own, as did the Tesla Model Y RWD, BMW i7, Mercedes EQE and EQS SUV, and the Hyundai Ioniq 6. But the brand-new BYD Atto 3 disappointed, falling far short of its theoretical glory.

So, next time you’re shopping for an EV, remember: official range numbers are a bit like holiday photos—they don’t always tell the whole truth. Pay attention to real-world tests, and even more, delight in the growing number of charging stations. The real range that matters? It’s the one that fits your daily life—and your favorite road trip playlist.