Revealed: How far electric cars fall short of their advertised range...where does YOUR vehicle rank?
- Battery life of 12 electric cars tested was on average 29.9% less than advertised
Electric car drivers may feel they have been ripped-off after tests revealed that some vehicles have significantly shorter ranges than advertised.
Measurements taken by What Car? magazine found that some of the latest electric vehicles (EV) have up to a third less battery life when than official figures advertised in brochures and online suggest.
8 comments:
Fall short of what is advertised? The automotive industry? Really??
I remember watching a programme on the development and testing of a new flagship petrol car for a major company. I can't remember which one.
When it came to the mpg testing, the team managed to get it down to the promised "X mpg", but they had to remove mirrors, aerial, wiper blades etc., fill in a few crevices with aerodynamically-styled putty, and take out the spare wheel and carpets to reduce weight. But they did it, and that's what went on the advertising.
For most customers EVs are silly.
Is there a decent case for hybrids? (My intuition sys "no".)
Then there are the 'mpg testing tracks' where an aerodynamically altered car meanders around a route in the factory grounds, which has no gradients, no crossings, no traffic lights, no incoming traffic, or anything which would cause the vehicle to slow down, change gear, or stop.I
I think it's called 'selective truth' or something similar.
A friend of mine used to work for a major car company which claimed 61 mpg on one model.
Penseivat
Sam and Penseivat - yes, the scepticism of the experienced driver seems to have deserted EV enthusiasts. Given the price of them I don't suppose they are all young.
dearieme - hybrids seem too complicated to me although Toyota has been selling them for years.
@ Sam Vega - Your comments about the tricks used to improve mpg reminded me of the Top Gear team when the late Sabine Schmitz was trying to beat Clarkson's lap time round the Nurburgring in a Transit van.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KiC03_wVjc
RIP Sabine
Case for hybrids? Engine designed to run at a steady rate: smaller, lighter, economical. Battery does not need capacity for full-range, just enough to maintain a reservoir of power so that the engine can keep to that steady output; smaller, lighter. Drive-train does not need gearing?
But, more complex? How big a reservoir is required of that battery?
djc - do they run at a steady rate? I've seen many a Toyota Prius belting along at about eighty along motorways and the A38 near here. They do seem to last though, old ones are not uncommon.
In theory…. but in practice Theory and Practice are different.
You need to charge the battery at a steady rate and for it to have enough capacity to provide a boost for as long as desired. Now whether that circle can be squared…
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