Driving range of electric cars: how far do they go?
Range is a major selling point for electric cars. How is the range calculated? Is it realistic? How can I go further? Comparis shares some tips.
19.06.2024
iStock / Adam Vradenburg
1. How is the range measured?
An electric car’s range is measured using WLTP (the Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure). This is a test under laboratory conditions. There are WLTP tests for both petrol and electric cars; these differ slightly owing to the different technologies.
The resulting WLTP range is usually higher than the actual range. According to TCS, you should subtract about 5% from the WLTP range to work out the actual range. The ADAC test produces even greater differences. (Link text not available in English.)
The discrepancies depend on the vehicle and driving style. The external environment also plays a role.
The following apply:
Cars in Europe must pass the test twice. The first test takes place at a standardised temperature of 23°C. The second test is at 14°C (as this is the average temperature in Europe).
The maximum speed is 131km/h. The average test speed is 46.5km/h.
Secondary systems such as heating and air conditioning are switched off during the test.
The test follows a defined process at the set speed.
For electric cars, the amount of energy consumed is measured during charging after the test. This is used to calculate the consumption.
Electric cars undergo two additional tests: one with a full battery and one with a nearly empty battery. These additional tests have a distance of 7km because the vehicle has a different consumption pattern under these conditions. Recuperation is also not possible if the battery is full.
The emissions from combustion engines are measured with an extra on-road test drive.
2. What influences the range of an electric car?
Multiple factors affect the range, including:
The car itself affects the potential range. A battery with more capacity in kWh (kilowatt hours) usually travels further than a smaller battery. Larger batteries are also heavier, which can reduce the range.
The range is also influenced by:
Charging losses: some energy is lost when the car is charged. The car is rarely fully charged in reality and is thus unable to travel as far.
Power consumption: the more the engine consumes, the lower the range.
Vehicle construction: a more aerodynamic car has less drag. For example, SUVs consume more than compact sedans.
Battery age: the capacity of the battery decreases with the number of charging cycles. This means that the more times you charge the battery, the lower the capacity.
The weather and surroundings influence how far you go with your electric car. For example, you need more energy in the mountains than on flat roads.
Range also decreases in the rain and the cold. However, this also applies to petrol cars. In case of rain, the resistance of the tyres on the road is higher. At low temperatures, the heating consumes additional electricity. Furthermore, batteries work best at temperatures above 20°C.
In winter, the range of electric cars can be reduced by up to 30%. For short journeys, the energy used to heat up the car may be even higher.
When it’s hot, additional cooling of the car and battery shortens the range. However, this has less effect than heating in winter. The batteries can work normally in summer temperatures and won’t overheat.
The way you drive has a major influence on your car’s range. Smooth, defensive driving gets you further than hectic honking and hopping.
Cars also consume more energy at higher speeds. For example, doubling the speed quadruples the drag. A heavy, fully packed car also uses more energy than an empty one.
The right tyre pressure and the right tyres also affect the range. Pressures that are too low or too high both increase consumption.
Tyres suited to the electric car can increase the range (link not available in English). Pay attention to the energy label when buying the tyres. Depending on the aerodynamics, even the rims can affect the range.
Electric cars and hybrid cars can increase their range through recuperation (link not available in English). In this process, the car converts braking energy into energy for the battery. Regular recuperation brings you further overall.
The batteries installed in electric cars use chemical reactions in liquids. However, manufacturers are currently researching solid-state batteries. These have several advantages:
Longer service life. Solid-state batteries can last for up to 100,000 charge cycles. The lithium-ion batteries currently in general use have a service life of only 1,500 charging cycles.
They cannot overheat. They are also largely non-flammable.
Solid-state batteries can store up to 30% more energy in the same volume. This means that batteries with the same size have a longer range.
The charging time of solid-state batteries will probably be faster than for lithium-ion batteries.
The Chinese manufacturer Nio is planning an electric car from 2024 with a range of 1,000 kilometres. This car's battery is a mix of liquid and solid. It is unknown when the car will also be available in Switzerland.
3. Electric car range: list of popular vehicles
ADAC bases its test on the WLTP, but adds an additional motorway section. ADAC then tests the emissions of pollutants from combustion engines on the road. The consumption of an electric car is calculated from the electricity required to charge the car after the test. (Link not available in English.)
For the carbon footprint, ADAC calculates the additional CO₂ emissions. For petrol vehicles, they calculate the emissions during the production of the fuel. For electric cars, the emissions of the average German electricity mix are added.
4. Tips for increasing your range
These tips will help you to get a little further with your electric car:
Make use of recuperation. This generates energy when braking, which is fed back into the battery.
When driving in the city, use the highest recuperation setting. This is because frequent braking can generate a lot of energy in stop-and-go city traffic.
However, the higher the recuperation setting, the more wear on the tyres.
Recuperation also doesn’t work when the battery is fully charged, so use the function intelligently.
In winter, it is best to heat the car and the battery while it is still connected to the mains. The heating energy then isn’t taken from the drive battery.
Adapt your driving style:
Drive evenly and defensively.
Accelerate moderately; this uses less energy.
Let your vehicle coast to a stop. This is also known as sailing and is similar to idling in a petrol car.
Use cruise control on the motorway. This helps to maintain a constant speed and control energy consumption.
Drive at a moderate speed: higher speeds increase drag.
Use the car's economy mode. This artificially reduces the performance of the engine.
Choose the right model when buying an electric car. The heavier and bulkier the car, the higher the fuel consumption.
Switch on energy consuming systems such as heating and air conditioning only when needed. Instead of heating the entire car, use seat and steering wheel heating.
Make sure you have the right tyres at the right pressure.
Don’t transport unnecessary weight.
This article was first published on 19.06.2024
