Electric Car Happiness Will Turn To Fury When Real Range Becomes Clear

A brand-new electric car is gleaming on your driveway and your first reaction is going to be excitement, followed perhaps by a smidgeon of smugness. Make sure you enjoy that moment because the next one will be fury after you plug it into your house and the range attained after a full charge has no relation to the number suggested by the dealer, or the one written down in the car’s specification details. Manufacturers are reluctant to produce much accurate information, and organizations like the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association wouldn’t respond to my questions. Meanwhile, BEUC, the European Consumer Organization, isn’t happy and wants action. EV manufacturers are hoping that by the time sales reach the same level as internal combustion engines (ICE), technology might advance to a point where battery-electric cars can compete head-on, but there seems little chance of that any time soon. If you’ve purchased a Mini e 32.6 kWh and charge the battery, the shortfall might reach 32% - 98.5 miles versus 145 miles, according to my data. For a Vauxhall/Opel Corsa E 50 kWh it’s close to 25% (154.5 miles versus 209 miles). Buyers of the Polestar 2 78 kWh will be relatively happy. The range possible is only about 7% less than the promised 292 miles at 270. That won’t last though because when you tackle your first long-distance journey on the motorway/highway, you will be shocked to find that you will only get about 40% of the offered range, that is if you drive at normal cruising speeds with the air conditioning on, the media system doing its stuff and the heater making you snug; just like drivers of ICE-powered cars enjoy without worry.“Normal” cruising speed in Britain is about 75 mph. The actual legal limit is 70 mph, but the accepted speed which most drivers seem to think will avoid prosecution is about 80 mph. In mainland Europe, the actual speed limit on highways is 82 mph, so 90 mph should be possible. At these higher speeds the impact on range is even more devastating. In Germany, there are still some unlimited speed sections of motorway. When the new buyer’s misinformation fury has subsided, the next reaction will be to look around for culprits, and that won’t help the mood. The manufacturers all hide behind the same excuse. The range claims are based on so-called WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) data, a scientific attempt to make sure all the claims offered are based on the same methodology. That’s true, but because this relies on computers rather than actual real-world experience the claims are all overstated, but perfectly comparable. To add to the confusion, there is also a procession of surveys from management consultants heralding the imminent triumph of electric cars with barely any negatives mentioned. Earlier this month a survey from EY found that 49% of British drivers “want” an electric car to replace their ICE vehicle, up from 21% two years, said to be a “tipping-point” in the U. K market. All data is taken from the source: http://forbes.com Article Link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/neilwinton/2022/06/15/electric-car-happiness-will-turn-to-fury-when-real-range-becomes-clear/ #mph #newsusa #newstodaylocal #newsworld #newstodayabc #bbcnewsworld #

Added 14 Aug 2026