Electric vehicle range tested by AAA comes up short of expectations, but the truth may be more nuanced

The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has made a groundbreaking move by conducting the first independent testing of electric vehicles (EVs) to determine their real-world range. The tests aim to provide consumers with a clearer understanding of the performance of new EVs on battery range.

The AAA's testing programme, however, may not fully represent what many owners will achieve in daily use due to factors like changing weather, temperatures, traffic, and road conditions.

Variations in Test Results

Some variation could have entered from the test vehicles, as the Smart #3 had already covered 4202km and the Tesla Model 3 29,880km. Interestingly, the Smart #3 had a tested range that was only 5% shy of its 455km claim, while the Tesla Model 3 was 14% off its claimed range figure in the AAA's testing.

On the other hand, the BYD Atto 3 consumed as much as 21% more energy on a journey compared to its claimed range. Another EV tested, the BYD Atto 3, was 23% off one of its range figures as published by the manufacturer.

Under similar AAA testing, petrol and hybrid cars typically used more fuel than their claim, in one case by up to 33%.

Overestimation of Range

The Australian Automobile Association claims that some electric vehicle (EV) brands overestimate their EV's range by as much as 23%. However, the automobile brand with the highest deviation from the stated range of its electric cars, measured by the AAA independent test (Norwegian Automobile Club test), is not explicitly named in the available sources. The test ranked 27 vehicles based on deviations from WLTP range, showing that some models significantly underperformed, but specific brand details are not provided in the search results.

The WLTP Standard and ADR Testing

The WLTP standard is what now applies in Europe and is seen to be more relevant (but still not accurate for everyone) to what you'd experience in the real world. In Australia, all vehicles, including EVs, sold are tested under strict laboratory conditions set out in Australian Design Rule 81/02.

Tony Weber, the head of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, argued that these tests conducted outside the ADR process are influenced by many variables, including traffic, terrain, weather, and driving style. He stated that conflicting figures can undermine consumer confidence and cause unnecessary confusion.

BYD, one of the EV brands tested, emphasizes the WLTP figure on its website but publishes both NEDC and WLTP figures in its online brochure and specifications sheets.

Top-Performing EVs

Despite the variations, some EVs performed well. The best-selling Tesla Model Y and the Kia EV6 were just 8% shy of their official claims.

AAA Managing Director Michael Bradley stated that the testing will help consumers understand which new EVs perform well on battery range. The tests serve as a valuable resource for potential EV buyers, offering insights into the real-world performance of various models.

In conclusion, while the AAA's real-world testing programme provides valuable insights into the performance of EVs, it's essential to remember that individual experiences may vary due to factors such as driving style, traffic, weather, and road conditions.