Electrical vehicles from Tesla, BYD, Kia, and Smart fail to meet expected range in Australian road tests.
The Australian Automobile Association's (AAA) Real-World Testing Program has revealed that the driving ranges of electric vehicles (EVs) currently on sale in Australia fall short of manufacturers' official claims by between 5% and 23%, depending on the model tested.
The testing, funded by the Commonwealth, was conducted on a 93-kilometre circuit in Geelong, Victoria. Five EVs were tested, including the Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, BYD Atto 3, Kia EV6, and Smart #3.
The largest variation between the AAA's Real-World Testing Program and the manufacturer's claims was for the 2023 BYD Atto 3, which recorded a real-world range of 369 kilometres, 23% less than the 480 kilometres reported by the manufacturer. The 2024 Tesla Model 3 had a driving range that was 14% less than the 513 kilometres the manufacturer claimed in the lab.
Despite this shortfall, the tested EVs generally provide sufficient range for everyday use in real-world conditions, meeting or exceeding the typical daily driving needs of most Australians, who drive an average of 33 km per day.
Michael Bradley, managing director of the AAA, stated that the testing will help consumers understand which new EV market entrants perform well on battery range. He added that the testing highlights the importance of independent, real-world testing alongside official manufacturer claims to give consumers more reliable information about EV performance.
The Real-World Testing Program also found that 77% of the tested internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicles exceeded the fuel consumption recorded in laboratory tests. When testing electric vehicles, the Program measures both the energy needed to drive a vehicle around the test route and the energy needed to recharge each vehicle's fully depleted battery.
The 2022 Kia EV6 and the 2024 Tesla Model Y both had driving ranges that were 8% less than the manufacturer's claims. The 2024 Smart #3 EV performed closest to its laboratory test results, with a real-world driving range of 432 kilometres, 5% less than the manufacturer's claim.
Joshua S. Hill, a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years, has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012.
The Real-World Testing Program uses strict protocols based on European regulations to ensure results are repeatable and to minimize human factors. The Program has published results for 114 ICE and hybrid vehicles and has, until now, primarily focused on these types of vehicles.
This study underscores the importance of accurate information about EV performance for consumers, helping to address range anxiety concerns and promoting the adoption of clean technologies.
[1] Australian Automobile Association. (2022). Real-World Testing Program Results for Electric Vehicles. Retrieved from https://www.aaa.asn.au/real-world-testing-program/ [2] Hill, J. S. (2022). Australian EVs fall short of claimed range in real-world testing. Retrieved from https://reneweconomy.com.au/australian-evs-fall-short-of-claimed-range-in-real-world-testing-64537/ [3] Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Transport, Australia, 2019-20. Retrieved from https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/transport-storage-postal-and-communications/transport/latest-release
- TheReal-World Testing Program, which has unveiled that electric vehicles require a range between 5% to 23% less than the manufacturer's claims, also indicates a need to consider technology advancements for a sustainable lifestyle, particularly in car ownership.
- As the prevalence of electric vehicles in Australia increases, understanding their actual driving ranges via programs like the AAA's Real-World Testing Program can help reduce consumer anxiety and encourage the adoption of technology that aligns with a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
