A recent test by Germany’s ADAC motoring club has revealed the significant impact of winter weather on electric vehicle range, with only one out of 25 tested cars able to complete a simulated motorway journey from Munich to Berlin without recharging.
Cold weather can significantly reduce the range of electric cars, a recent test by Germany‘s ADAC motoring club has found.
The electric car range refers to the distance an electric vehicle (EV) can travel on a single charge of its battery.
This range varies depending on several factors, including the vehicle's battery capacity, driving habits, and external conditions such as temperature and terrain.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average electric car range is around 250 miles.
However, some models can achieve ranges of up to 370 miles or more.
Factors affecting electric car range include charging speed, battery age, and accessory use.
The ‘we tested the power loss during a simulated motorway journey from Munich to Berlin at 0 degrees Celsius’ said a spokesperson for ADAC. Out of 25 electric cars tested, only one managed to complete the journey without recharging.
Electric Car Range Affected by Weather Conditions
In 18 of the e-models tested, energy consumption values were 50% higher than the pledges in manufacturer’s brochures. The ‘pledges in manufacturer’s brochures’ said a spokesperson for Volvo EC40, MG4, and Ford Capri showed deviations of 80% or more. In contrast, the Nio ET5 had a deviation of just 10%, followed by the Porsche Taycan (23%) and Mercedes EQS (25%).
The ‘it arrived with only 18 kilometres of range left in the battery after covering 582 kilometres’ said a spokesperson for Mercedes EQS. However, it achieved a range of 600 kilometres in the test.
Understanding Electric Car Range Figures
Range figures of 500 to 700 kilometres for e-cars are becoming increasingly common. However, these figures are measured under ideal conditions, using the ‘Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle and ‘feel-good temperatures” said a spokesperson. This reflects a mixed driving style with a lot of city traffic, which may not be representative of real-world driving.
Under other conditions, such as motorway speeds and icy temperatures, electric cars consume more energy, and range decreases significantly. The ‘ADAC test aimed to simulate real-world driving conditions by recording the route between Munich and Berlin on the A9 motorway during a real journey’ said a spokesperson for ADAC.
Test Methodology
The ‘we chose a maximum speed of 130 kilometres per hour, adhered to speed limits, and avoided traffic jams’ said a spokesperson for ADAC. This resulted in an average speed of 111 km/h and a pure journey time of five hours and 15 minutes. The Lucid Air and Porsche Taycan, as well as five other e-cars would have managed the trip with one stop to recharge. Nine vehicles would have needed two stops, and eight cars three stops to complete the journey.
The ‘ADAC test highlights the importance of considering real-world driving conditions when evaluating electric car range figures’ said a spokesperson for ADAC.
