Here at Cars4Staters we’ve been testing and reporting on cars both here and overseas for more than 25 years.
Very rarely in that time have fuel consumption figures matched manufacturer claims, although some come close.
Some on the other hand are so far off its ridiculous.
EVs are no different.
That’s because the figures are the result of laboratory testing in a controlled environment.
We note the results of the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) “real world” testing this week.
AAA has been testing cars, not just EVs, since 2023 with a $14 million grant from the Federal Government.
The Real-World Testing Program was launched after the infamous Volkswagen ‘Dieselgate’ scandal back in 2015 when car computers were rigged to fudge the results of emissions tests.
Since then AAA has released results for 114 internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicles, with 77 per cent of these cars exceeding the fuel consumption recorded in lab tests — and 1 in five also exceeding noxious emissions limits applicable to lab tests.
This week it revealed preliminary results for the five EVs it has tested so far.
It showed their driving range was between 5 and 23 per cent less in real driving conditions than recorded in mandatory laboratory tests by their manufacturer.
In a brief press release the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) politely dismissed these findings, which is curious given that FCAI has not been a big supporter of EVs.
“All vehicles, including EVs, sold in Australia are tested under strict laboratory conditions set out in Australian Design Rule 81/02,” FCAI’s Tony Weber said.
“This consistent methodology ensures vehicles can be reliably compared, regardless of brand or model.
“Tests conducted outside the ADR process are influenced by many variables, including traffic, terrain, weather and driving style.
“No two drivers or journeys are the same.”
AAA polling conducted in late July shows 60 per cent of people who identify as likely EV buyers said concerns about vehicle range and recharging was “the main concerns or hesitations that might prevent you from choosing an electric vehicle (not a hybrid) for your next car purchase”.
The Real World Testing Program uses a 93km circuit in and around Geelong in Victoria.
It uses strict testing protocols based on European regulations to ensure results are repeatable and to minimise the influence of human factors such as driving style and changing traffic flows.
The Program measures EV range by quantifying both the energy needed to drive a vehicle around the Program test route, and the energy needed to recharge each vehicle’s fully depleted battery.
The Program also measures each vehicle’s energy consumption, which determines the cost of operating the vehicle, and which carmakers are legally obliged to report at point of sale.
AAA says the results will give potential EV buyers an independent indication of real-world battery range and help them understand which cars perform as advertised and which fall short.
AAA Managing Director Michael Bradley said: “As more EVs enter our market, our testing will help consumers understand which new market entrants measure up on battery range.
“Our Program will bring confidence to Australian fleets and families looking to buy an EV.”
The first EV tests found the 2024 Smart #3 EV performed closest to its laboratory test result with a real-world driving range of 432km – 5 per cent, or 23km, less than recorded in its mandatory laboratory test.
The 2022 Kia EV 6 and the 2024 Telsa Model Y both had driving ranges of 8 per cent less in the real-world tests than recorded in laboratory tests, while the 2024 Tesla Model 3 had a real-world range of 441km on a full charge, 14 per cent less than the 513km achieved in the lab.
The 2023 BYD Atto 3 recorded the largest variation from its lab test – with a real-world range of 369km on a single charge – 23 per cent less than the 480km recorded in its laboratory test.
We’re seeing more and more EVs on the road, along with more and more manufacturers and more and more unfamiliar names.
It’s confusing but as prices continue to fall an EV will become a realistic alternative to traditional ICE vehicles, so it is important that buyers are well informed about their options.
Let’s just say that five results are hardly indicative and in statistical terms almost irrelevant.
But we look forward to the results of further testing.
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