Real Range Calculator
When the WLTP range seems off…
WLTP range is great for comparing EVs with each other; but it's not like the type of driving we do. Because no one drives like a lab test, our 'real-world' EV range is often lower.
The Real Range Calculator will estimate the kind of range you might achieve for any EV based on local temperature and the type of driving you do.
Real Range Calculator
Why is 'real-world' range different from 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.
How to use this calculator
Adjust driving style to your typical usage.
- 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, the school run, 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.
Adjust for temperature
While all cars use more energy (petrol / diesel / electricity) when it's cold, battery EVs can be significantly affected by colder temperatures.
Also, the WLTP test is carried out at 23 degrees, so any temperature colder than that tends to lower vehicle range.
Battery State of Health
If the EV is an older model, its battery may not hold a charge as well as it did when new. This can lead to a reduced range.
In this situation, an extra field is shown allowing adjustments to State of Health (SoH). More dealers are beginning to test EV batteries, providing an SoH estimate. If you have a number, adjust the slider to get a more accurate estimate of range.
See more about battery life.
Calculator limitations
- The algorithm does not take into account things like heat pumps and aerodynamic differences. It’s a general formula that applies the usable battery capacity and WLTP range and consumption values against a model from real-world tests.
- If your EV has a heat pump – it will probably get a longer range in colder temperatures.
- If your EV has impressive aerodynamics, it might do slightly better at higher speeds.
