How far can electric cars REALLY go?? – we drive 12 until they DIE! Tesla, BYD & more | What Car?

Summary

The script details an electric car winter range test assessing 12 EVs to compare real-world ranges versus official estimates. Cars are prepared identically then driven on a simulated route with town, highway, and motorway driving until charge depletion. The Tesla Model 3 and Mercedes EQE squeeze out the longest ranges while the Lexus RZ and Jeep Avenger fall far short of claims. The team evaluates efficiency ratings, noting optimistic trip computer readings on some models versus actuals. They also examine the value of adding a heat pump, determining the feature's added cost may not pay back over realistic ownership periods.

Takeaways

• 😀 They tested 12 electric cars in real-world winter conditions to see how far they could travel on a full charge
• 👀 The Lexus RZ had the worst range at 157 miles and was one of the most expensive cars
• 🚗 The Tesla Model 3 Long Range was the most efficient at 3.9 miles/kWh and had the second best range at 293 miles
• ❄️ Having a heat pump improved the ID.7's range by 14 miles over the non-heat pump version
• 💡 The trip computers weren't always accurate - some were very optimistic about efficiency
• 💰 Choosing an efficient EV over an inefficient one can save over £1000 in electricity costs per 10,000 miles
• 😕 Paying extra for a heat pump is unlikely to pay for itself in fuel savings within the car's lifetime
• 🏆 The Mercedes EQE had the longest range at 300 miles, 7 more than the Tesla Model 3 Long Range
• 💧 Wet and windy weather reduced how far the cars could travel versus official manufacturer claims
• 👍 The Tesla Model 3 provided excellent real-world range and efficiency at a reasonable price

Q & A

What was the weather like during the test drive?

The weather was cold (around 10-11°C on average), very wet with lots of standing water, and quite windy.

How many cars were involved in the test drive?

There were 12 cars involved in the test drive.

Which car officially had the longest range?

The Tesla Model 3 Long Range had the longest official range at 421 miles.

What was the test route?

The test route was roughly 15 miles long. It included 2.6 miles of simulated urban driving at 30 mph, 4 miles at a steady 50 mph, and 8 miles at a constant 70 mph.

Which car ran out of charge first?

The Lexus RZ ran out of charge first after 157 miles.

Which car was the most efficient?

The Tesla Model 3 was the most efficient, averaging 3.9 miles per kWh.

How much extra range did the ID.7's heat pump provide?

The ID.7 with a heat pump went 14 miles farther than the one without, 267 miles versus 253 miles.

Were the cars' efficiency readouts accurate?

No, many cars like the BYDs were very optimistic about their energy usage. The readouts did not match the calculated efficiency.

How far can you drive a Model 3 Long Range for $1000 in electricity costs?

At $0.79 per kWh public charging rates, a Model 3 Long Range can drive roughly 5000 miles for $1000 in electricity costs.

Which car traveled the farthest before running out of charge?

The Mercedes EQE went the farthest, covering 300 miles before running out of charge.