EV Real Range Calculation

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

What is EV range and why does it seem like a big deal?

We don’t obsess about petrol tank size in a combustion car — that’s because petrol stations are everywhere, highly visible, and unless you have a super-gas-guzzler you generally don’t plan out your petrol refills.

EVs are different.

Public charging infrastructure is still in relatively early days (but continuously improving). And the distance an EV can travel on a single charge is typically a lot less than a combustion car.

Because of these factors, EV range is a consideration when buying. That said, some drivers rarely visit a public charger (they’re mostly driving locally and charging from home).

What about WLTP range?

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”.

The reality is that none of us drive exactly like a WLTP test cycle.

• The WLTP takes place in mild temperatures (with no HVAC use), and, only has a small amount of high-speed driving.
• WLTP will typically match driving in urban environments (like a mix of 50 / 60 / 80 km/h) – and when the weather is mild (like around 22°).

If that’s what all your driving is like — your EV will reach its WLTP range.

But…

The moment you head out on a road trip — or winter arrives — the EV will not match its WLTP range (it can be quite a bit less).

What is real world range?

This depends on many conditions.

• Drive like a maniac? Your real range will be much lower.
• Drive through storm, howling winds, and torrential rain? Your real range will be much lower.

These factors are the same as a combustion car — but remember the bit about big petrol tanks and prolific petrol stations? That’s why we don’t talk about it much.

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.

The reality is that different models do perform differently in the cold – this is observed during winter testing in Norway.

While it would be great to try and incorporate these tests somehow, the EVDB calculator is better than nothing — and gives you a rough idea of the sort of range you can expect where you live.

How to use the real range tool

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.

Battery State of Health and real range

This is a tricky one.

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

We call this SoH (State of Health) – and its normally 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 2nd hand EV — but we are seeing more workshops able to test this.

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

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.