EV Real Range Calculation

On each EV model page is a ‘real range’ calculator; here are some frequently asked questions.

Why does EV range matter?

With petrol cars, tank size isn’t top of mind: petrol stations are everywhere, and refuelling is quick.

EVs are different:

  • Public chargers are still catching up. Although the network grows every month, it’s nowhere near as dense as petrol stations.
  • A full charge usually gets you fewer kilometres than a full tank of petrol.

Because of those two factors, range is something most EV shoppers look at closely. That said, many owners who mostly drive locally and recharge at home seldom need a public charger at all.

What about WLTP range?

WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) is the official lab test used so every EV can be compared under identical conditions. Each car follows the same circuit at mild temperatures, with:

  • No heating or air‑conditioning running
  • Only brief high‑speed sections

If you drive in similar conditions—urban speeds (50–80 km/h) and mild weather (around 23 °C) – you can expect to match the WLTP figure.

The WLTP is the standard for comparing EVs with each other. It’s conducted in a controlled environment, and every car drives the exact same circuit.

Intrigued? See the WLTP deep dive.

Some EV owners take the mickey out of the WLTP – calling it things like “Way Less Than Predicted” or “We Like to Pretend”. So look to a more realistic estimation of range.

Why real-world range can be lower

WLTP is a helpful benchmark, but no one drives exactly like a lab test. Expect noticeable drops in range when:

  • Taking motorway or rural road trips (higher sustained speeds).
  • Driving in cold temperatures.
  • Carrying heavy loads, towing, or using roof racks.
  • Driving into strong headwinds or up hills.

In those situations, plan for less range than the WLTP number suggests—sometimes significantly less. Knowing this helps you choose the right EV and plan longer journeys with confidence.

The EVDB real range calculator (on the spec page of any EV model) – is a rough estimator of real range.

It takes generalised data from EV performance in different temperatures, and combines some rule-of-thumb stuff that’s come from observing and driving different EVs.

How to use the real range calculator

What is urban driving compared to highway driving?

  • If all your driving, every day was on a state highway (or a motorway that wasn’t stuck in a traffic jam) — then you’d shift the slider all the way to the right.
  • If all your driving was down to the shops, and some cruising on an 80 km/h road – then you’d shift the slider to the left.

High speeds really do increase energy consumption in an EV.

What about hills? Generally what goes up must come down, and EVs are exceptionally good at reharvesting energy while going down a hill. This is something you can only figure out through experience.

Secondhand EVs and Battery State of Health

As electric vehicles get older, their battery capacity gradually decreases.

We call this SoH (State of Health) – and its expressed as a percentage of what the battery was when it was new.

If a battery has 85% SoH, it holds 85% of its original capacity. If its WLTP range was 420 km when new, at 85% SoH its WLTP range would be 357 km.

Want more? See the deep dive into EV battery life.

Unfortunately its not easy to get an accurate assessment of battery SoH for a secondhand EV — but we are seeing more workshops able to test this.

The Nissan Leaf is commonly listed with battery SoH – that’s due to a standard app called Leaf Spy. This app talks to an OBD adaptor (that anyone can buy). For other cars they’re generally tested at their dealership.

The EVDB range calculator shows a SoH field (on secondhand EVs) – so you can alter that and get an idea of real-world range.

See the calculator on any EV model page.

Calculator limitations

  1. The algorithm does not take into account things like heat pumps and aerodynamic differences — it’s a general formula that uses each models usable battery spec and WLTP range and consumption values.
  2. If your EV has a heat pump – it will probably get a longer range in colder temperatures.
  3. If your EV has impressive aerodynamics, it might do slightly better at higher speeds.