What Car? Real Range: which electric car can go farthest in the real world?

[DjordjeC63]

With demand for electric models soaring, What Car? has developed a test that shows their Real Range between charges. Here we reveal the best and worst performers...

One by one, the barriers to electric car ownership are being removed, as charging infrastructure improves, costs come down and the cars themselves become as luxurious as conventional models. But what about range anxiety?

For all the improvements, this nagging concern that the battery will run flat before you get to where you’re going continues to put many people off.

It doesn’t help that official figures are unrealistic. So, What Car? is now putting every electric car through a Real Range test that reflects the way people actually drive and allows direct comparisons.

The new Mercedes EQC SUV and the entry-level version of the Tesla Model 3 are the latest cars to be put through it. So, how do they compare with rivals?

Below we count down all of the results we have so far, from worst to best.

20. Smart Forfour EQ

• Real Range57 miles
• Miles per kWh2.9
• Full charge cost£2.42*
• Cost per mile£0.042

With an 80bhp electric motor, the Forfour EQ feels much quicker than its 0-62mph time of 12.7sec would suggest. Plus, it handles well because the bulk of its weight is positioned lower down than in the petrol models.

Sadly, the electric ForFour travelled just 57 miles between charges – the smallest Real Range figure of any car we’ve tested.

19. Smart Fortwo EQ Cabrio

• Real Range59 miles
• Miles per kWh2.9
• Full charge cost£2.43
• Cost per mile£0.042

The two-seater Fortwo travelled two miles farther than the four-seater Forfour, but range anxiety is still likely to be a major problem.

It’s a shame, because the EQ is cheaper to run and more composed than any conventional Fortwo.

18. Volkswagen e-Up

• Real Range66 miles
• Miles per kWh3.5
• Full charge cost£2.28
• Cost per mile£0.035

Volkswagen’s smallest electric car is a version of the Up city car, meaning it’s great to drive and smart inside, but not all that roomy.

The e-Up is also a lot more expensive than its petrol-engined sisters, despite having a very limited range.


=16. Hyundai Ioniq Electric

• Real Range181 miles
• Miles per kWh3.9
• Full charge cost£3.57
• Cost per mile£0.030

The Ioniq is really three cars in one; it’s available as a conventional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric car. In the latter form it has a Real Range of just 117 miles, but enough torque to make for brisk acceleration around town.

The Ioniq also benefits from a smart interior, and our recommended Premium trim gets sat-nav and heated front seats as standard. However, the ride is unsettled at low speeds.


=16. Volkswagen e-Golf

• Real Range117 miles
• Miles per kWh3.3
• Full charge cost£4.27
• Cost per mile£0.036

Unlike purpose-built electric car rivals such as the Nissan Leaf, the e-Golf is based on a conventional hatchback. However, this is no bad thing because it means it has most of the good points of the regular Golf, along with greatly reduced running costs.

What lets the e-Golf down is the distance it can go on a full charge, with it limited to the same 117 miles as the Ioniq in real-world driving.

15. BMW i3 94Ah

• Real Range121 miles
• Miles per kWh3.1
• Full charge cost£4.67
• Cost per mile£0.038

The i3 is a prestige electric hatchback whose futuristic styling helped it to stand out from the crowd when it was launched in 2014.


Its relatively high price and impractical rear door arrangement mean it hasn’t been a class leader for some time, but a larger battery version was recently introduced and features higher up this list.


14. Nissan Leaf

• Real Range128 miles
• Miles per kWh2.8
• Full charge cost£5.40
• Cost per mile£0.042

In its first iteration, the Leaf became the world’s best-selling electric car, while we crowned the second-generation version as our 2018 Electric Car of the Year for its punchy performance, generous safety kit and big boot.

Its range in official WLTP tests is 168 miles, but our Real Range figure shows that 128 miles is more realistic.



13. Renault Zoe Q90

• Real Range132 miles
• Miles per kWh2.7
• Full charge cost£5.80
• Cost per mile£0.044

The Zoe was one of the first mass-market electric cars and set out to prove that zero-emissions motoring could be both practical and cheap.

You can either lease the Zoe’s battery on a monthly basis or buy the whole car outright; do the former and it’s one of the most recommendable electric cars around.


12. Renault Zoe R110

• Real Range146 miles
• Miles per kWh2.9
• Full charge cost£6.03
• Cost per mile£0.041

This more powerful version of the Zoe has brisker mid-range acceleration than the Q90 and a slightly longer range, making it a better choice for motorway drivers.

Prices for the R110 start at around £16,500 after the Government's £3500 electric vehicle grant is factored in.


11. Hyundai Kona Electric 39kWh

• Real Range158 miles
• Miles per kWh3.6
• Full charge cost£5.27
• Cost per mile£0.033

Hyundai’s small electric SUV is offered with 134 or 201bhp, but even in its less powerful form it outperformed all but one of its mainstream rivals, with a Real Range of 158 miles.

The Kona also has a smart interior, sophisticated infotainment system and fine driving position on its side.

10. BMW i3 120Ah

• Real Range165 miles
• Miles per kWh 3.3
• Full charge cost£6.94
• Cost per mile£0.042

While the 120Ah version of the i3 has a bigger capacity than the 94Ah, helping it travel an extra 44 miles between charges, its battery takes up no more space, so doesn't impinge on practicality.


An 80% charge from a 7.4kW BMW i wallbox takes 4.9 hours, while a 50kW motorway fast charger will do the job in 42 minutes.



9. Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus

• Real Range181 miles
• Miles per kWh 3.1
• Full charge cost£8.20
• Cost per mile£0.045

This is the cheapest Tesla yet. And while it isn't as good to drive as the Performance version of the Model 3, because it misses out on four-wheel drive and generally feels less agile and controlled, the Standard Range Plus makes a much cheaper company car than petrol and diesel alternatives.

Tesla is still to confirm how long it takes to charge the car using one of its Superchargers, but typically these are faster than regular public charging points.



8. Audi E-tron

• Real Range196 miles
• Miles per kWh 2.0
• Full charge cost£13.43
• Cost per mile£0.069

The Audi E-tron doesn’t feel as sporty to drive as the rival Jaguar I-Pace, and it has a shorter range. However, it’s the classier of the two inside and the quieter cruiser.

In a first for a production car, buyers can improve the aerodynamics by opting to remove the E-tron’s door mirrors and replace them with cameras that feed into small screens inside.


7. Tesla Model S 75D

• Real Range204 miles
• Miles per kWh2.4
• Full charge cost£10.09
• Cost per mile£0.049

The Model S transformed the image of electric vehicles when it arrived in 2014. A luxury car with plenty of space for five adults, it’s capable of sports car performance and has a long range.

It can be charged at home in an average of 11 hours, while Tesla’s Superchargers will give you 80% in half an hour. However, it should be noted that our Real Range test was carried out in 2018, before Tesla upgraded the Model S's power unit.


6. Mercedes EQC

• Real Range 208 miles
• Miles per kWh 2.2
• Full charge cost£13.05
• Cost per mile£0.063

A rival to the Audi E-tron and Jaguar I-Pace, the EQC is closer in character to the former, being exceptionally quiet and comfortable but not particularly agile.

Its Real Range, meanwhile, treads the middle ground, with it managing 208 miles on a charge in our test.

5. Tesla Model X 100D

• Real Range233 miles
• Miles per kWh2.0
• Full charge cost£13.67
• Cost per mile£0.059

Tesla's sporty yet plush Model X was the first prestige electric SUV. A practical seven-seat rival to the Audi Q7, it gets a four-star overall rating from us.


The 100D variant that we put through our Real Range test represents the mid-point in the Model X line-up although, as with the Model S, we've so far only tested a 2018 car, meaning it didn't have the latest upgrades designed to maximise range.


4. Tesla Model 3 Performance

• Real Range239 miles
• Miles per kWh 2.8
• Full charge cost £12.04
• Cost per mile £0.050

Like all Model 3s, the Performance is surprisingly practical and stuffed with useful technology. But this version is also great to drive and ridiculously fast.

Indeed, the Model 3 Performance is a strong contender in the executive car class, not just when compared with other electric cars.



=2 Kia e-Niro 64kWh

• Real Range253 miles
• Miles per kWh3.5
• Full charge cost£8.74
• Cost per mile£0.035

While the number of electric cars on sale in the UK is growing fast, there are still few that have a range nudging what you would expect from petrol and diesel models. But with a realistic 253 miles, the e-Niro is certainly one of them.

It’s also seriously quick, decent to drive and has plenty of space for five adults inside.


=2. Jaguar I-Pace

• Real Range253 miles
• Miles per kWh2.6
• Full charge cost£11.87
• Cost per mile£0.047

The I-Pace took a landslide victory in the 2018 What Car? Reader Award, and has since lived up to the anticipation, mixing show-stopping looks, space for four adults, a Real Range of 253 miles and entertaining handling.

From the latest 150kW public chargers, it can obtain an 80% charge in 46 minutes, although this rises to 85 minutes from the more common 50kW chargers.



1. Hyundai Kona Electric 64kWh

• Real Range259 miles
• Miles per kWh3.6
• Full charge cost£8.65
• Cost per mile£0.033

A Real Range figure of 259 miles makes the 201bhp (or 64kWh) version of the Kona Electric the best performing car we’ve tested to date.

It’s the first sensibly priced electric car that won’t require the majority of motorists to adjust their lifestyle in order to live with it, especially when you factor in the UK’s rapidly improving charging infrastructure.

*Full charge cost based on a rate of 12p per kWh

 

[hovabongZA]

So real world range Tesla doesn’t lead the way , but I guess on the balance of performance and range it’s still the best.

 

[Sunny]

So real world range Tesla doesn’t lead the way , but I guess on the balance of performance and range it’s still the best.

They tested older version of of the teslas by their own admission without latest updates that increased ranges.

But given how much more "real world" range they got out of the Jag than EPA range while most cars it was less than the EPA range, I seriously doubt how scientific ot standardized the test was.

 

[hovabongZA]

They tested older version of of the teslas by their own admission without latest updates that increased ranges.

But given how much more "real world" range they got out of the Jag than EPA range while most cars it was less than the EPA range, I seriously doubt how scientific ot standardized the test was.

You can take it with a pinch of salt, but as things stand as far as I’m aware this is the first real world standardised test by a mag. We shall wait for more. Tesla in this one doesn’t lead.

 

[Sunny]

You can take it with a pinch of salt, but as things stand as far as I’m aware this is the first real world standardised test by a mag. We shall wait for more. Tesla in this one doesn’t lead.

To be a standardized test, they should actually mention what the standard is. Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see it here. Do you?

 

[hovabongZA]

To be a standardized test, they should actually mention what the standard is. Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see it here. Do you?

No they don’t mention what sort of standard they use, but there obviously has to be one when testing 20 different cars they can’t randomly test them. As I’ve mentioned before you don’t have to believe the test and I’m sure there’ll be more tests like these in future. You

 

[Sunny]

but there obviously has to be one when testing 20 different cars they can’t randomly test them.

I don't think that is so obvious. The results look random and completely disconnected from actual standardized tests. Take EPA range and WLTP range, 2 independent standardized tests done completely independently by completely different orgs in completely different continents, yet there is a strong correlation between the two where you can calculate one from the other with in some margin of variance. Unlike here, where they are all over the place.

I don't have to believe in the test or not to point out the obvious flaw with a "standardized" test where the standard is not published and the results seem disconnected from actual standardized tests.

 

[hovabongZA]

I don't think that is so obvious. The results look random and completely disconnected from actual standardized tests. Take EPA range and WLTP range, 2 independent standardized tests done completely independently by completely different orgs in completely different continents, yet there is a strong correlation between the two where you can calculate one fro...

Ok, but that is just your opinion which is fine. Will wait for other tests. As it stands the first of these kinds of tests does not put Tesla first.

 

[Sunny]

Will wait for other tests

We don't have to wait. This is not first test to compare EVs. There have been many before where they tested range. And of course there is the very standardized and scientific EPA and WLTP tests.

 

[hovabongZA]

This is how they test the cars


How do we test real range?

1. We fully deplete the battery.

2. We measure the energy (in kWh) required to fully recharge the battery.

3. We leave the car overnight in an air-conditioned garage set to 18deg C.

4. We check the tyre pressures to ensure they match the manufacturer’s recommendations.

5. We only test when the ambient air temperature is between 10 and 15deg C.

6. Tests are always conducted with a driver and front passenger, or with the car ballasted accordingly.

7. The climate control is set to 21deg C while the car is plugged in, and it’s only unplugged once the interior is up to temperature. The climate control is left at the same level for the remainder of the test with headlights switched on.

8. If the car has multiple driving modes, ‘normal’ is selected, along with the minimum level of regenerative braking.

9. All driving is done at What Car?’s private test track. The 19.4-mile route simulates a mix of stop-start urban traffic, rural roads and motorways. This route is driven twice for cars with batteries that accept more than 60kWh during the preparation stage and three times for cars with batteries that accept more than 100kWh.

10. Consistent driving is ensured by the use of a Racelogic Route Profiler, which records speed on a second-by-second basis.

11. At the end of the test, the car is plugged back in and the energy required to return its battery to full is measured.

12. Knowing the kWh required for the test route and for a full recharge from flat enables us to calculate the Real Range.

So of the electric cars currently on sale, which cars do the best? We start with the lowest real-world range and make our way to the highest:

What range do electric cars REALLY have?

 

[Matski]

So real world range Tesla doesn’t lead the way , but I guess on the balance of performance and range it’s still the best.

I think for a test that's supposed to represent a real world scenario you'd have to factor price into that balance. The Model 3 Performance is ~30% more expensive than the Kona, you'd expect it to be better in a number of respects which is great for internet bragging rights, but that doesn't put the money back in the bank. I don't think we get all the Tesla Model 3 models in the UK, but for now at least, I'd say it's the Koreans that are doing the best job of offering sensible electric mobility.

No they don’t mention what sort of standard they use, but there obviously has to be one when testing 20 different cars they can’t randomly test them. As I’ve mentioned before you don’t have to believe the test and I’m sure there’ll be more tests like these in future. You

There is a link in the original article to the testing regime. Obvs I can't post the link.

Biggest shortcoming to me, is the fact the mileage driven is a fraction of the total range of the car, and then extrapolated, so if the battery efficiency changes depending on the state of charge and ongoing thermal management, this wouldn't be reflected in the test.

Personally I think there's an inherent flaw in calling things real-world tests, sure you can standardise and control all the necessary variables, but the fact is the nature of the test probably only reflects a small portion of the populations real-world mileage profile. A 20 mile commute that's in stop start traffic and B-roads, vs. a 20 mile commute on a motorway, vs. a 20 miles commute on A-roads with lots of roundabouts, will all use a different amount of power. To be useful these tests should have something similar to urban, extra-urban and motorway figures separately - that'd be most useful to prospective buyers.

No doubt people will accept or reject the results to support their narrative.

 

[hovabongZA]

I think for a test that's supposed to represent a real world scenario you'd have to factor price into that balance. The Model 3 Performance is ~30% more expensive than the Kona, you'd expect it to be better in a number of respects which is great for internet bragging rights, but that doesn't put the money back in the bank. I don't think we get all the...

Just posted how they standardise the test. Very interesting.

 

[Sunny]

I don't think we get all theTesla Model 3 models in the UK, but for now at least, I'd say it's the Koreans that are doing the best job of offering sensible electric mobility.

I don't know the pricing in UK, but Model 3 Standard range plus (240 mile EPA range) is same price as Hyundai and Kia here. Of course, those two you still get fed tax discount, but Teslas, you don't any more.

 

[Sunny]

Just posted how they standardise the test. Very interesting.

Thanks for posting that. But looks like they drive for just ~40/60 miles and extrapolate it. But I don't think that works. The charging/discharging software controls the recharging depending on battery SOC.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

How can they test the cars when the ambient temperature is between 10-15 degrees? This must be a very narrow window and they should have the cars available exactly when this window opens. Quite impossible I think.

 

[KiwiRob]

To be a standardized test, they should actually mention what the standard is. Maybe I missed it, but I didn't see it here. Do you?

Here's how they were tested.

What Car? Real Range: how we work it out

 

[Matski]

This must be a very narrow window and they should have the cars available exactly when this window opens. Quite impossible I think.

It seems on the low side temperature wise, I suspect the What Car test track is actually Millbrook since it's about the only test track in the UK where they'd be able to simulate motorway speeds for an extended period. It'd depend on time of year and/or time of day, but certainly not impossible. I live about 30 miles from Millbrook and there'd have been a 5-6 hour window this morning where there was a 5° window (14-19° specifically).