It is widely known that electric cars have a reduced range in colder weather. However, the extent of this deviation from the WLTP specification varies from model to model. Every year, the Norwegian Automobile Federation's (NAF) conducts a winter range test, which offers intriguing evidence of this phenomenon. In the following section, we present the results of this test.
A total of 23 models underwent testing, with all vehicles commencing their journey in groups from Oslo at approximately 9am. The designated route traversed northwards through Rondane National Park, where a loop was navigated. To accurately ascertain the range, each car was driven until completely depleted.
The weather was extremely wintry, with temperatures ranging from +4 to -11 degrees. In addition, a severe storm swept through the area. The route itself is quite mountainous, with an elevation profile in Oslo starting at sea level and gradually ascending to approximately 200 meters. Along the way, there are climbs reaching heights of around 1,000 meters above sea level.
It is frustrating that the NAF does not provide precise information about the version of most test vehicles. Additionally, the indicated WLTP range does not always allow for definitive conclusions about the specific model variant. Wherever possible, the most likely version is given in brackets in the table below.
Electric Car Range Comparison
| Car Model | WLTP Range | Range in the Test | Deviation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HiPhi Z | 555km | 522 km | -6% |
| Nio ET5 Touring (Long Range) | 560km | 481 km | -14% |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 (77 kWh RWD?) | 614km | 468 km | -24% |
| Lotus Eletre (S?) | 530km | 465 km | -12% |
| Nio EL6 (Long Range) | 529km | 456 km | -14% |
| Xpeng G9 | 520km | 451 km | -13% |
| BMW i5 i5 eDrive40 | 505km | 444 km | -12% |
| Kia EV9 (AWD?) | 505km | 442 km | -13% |
| Tesla Model 3 Highland (Long Range) | 629km | 441 km | -30% |
| Polestar 2 Long Range (Single Engine) | 614km | 430 km | -30% |
| VW ID.7 | 608km | 414km | -32% |
| Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback (55?) | 515km | 411km | -20% |
| MG4 Trophy Extended Range | 520km | 400km | -23% |
| Mercedes EQE SUV (350 4Matic?) | 491km | 399km | -19% |
| Volvo C40 (Single Engine Extended Range?) | 572km | 395km | -31% |
| Nissan Ariya (AWD) | 498km | 369km | -26% |
| Hyundai Kona Electric (160 kW?) | 454km | 341km | -25% |
| BYD Dolphin | 427km | 339km | -21% |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 429km | 338km | -21% |
| Toyota bZ4X (variant?) | 460km | 314km | -32% |
| Peugeot E-308 | 409km | 297km | -27% |
| Opel Astra Sports Tourer | 413km | 296km | -28% |
| Jeep Avenger | 395km | 286km | -28% |
On average, the deviations amount to 22 percent. Among the vehicles tested, the HiPhi Z exhibited the smallest deviation. Remarkably, this model also boasted the longest test range, clocking in at 522 km. With its price tag of 100,000 euros, this car came tantalizingly close to surpassing the previous record set by the Tesla Model S Plaid, which achieved 530 km in last year's Norwegian winter test. Notably, no other vehicle managed to exceed the 500 km mark this year.
The Nio ET5 Touring Long Range secured the second spot in terms of range, covering an impressive distance of 481 km. Following closely behind was the Hyundai Ioniq 6, likely in its longest-range configuration with rear-wheel drive and a large battery, achieving a noteworthy 468 km.
The Jeep Avenger, Peugeot E-308, and Opel Astra Sport Tourer had the shortest ranges, measuring 268 km, 297 km, and 296 km, respectively. The largest deviations, at 32 percent, were observed in the Toyota bZ4X and VW ID.7. Notably, the Toyota vehicle tested was not provided by the manufacturer but was instead a rental car, as Toyota declined to participate in the test.
The recently updated Tesla Model 3 did not perform well in the test. In comparison to the previous model, which managed to cover a distance of 521 km last year, the new Highland variant fell short at just 441 km. This marks the worst performance ever recorded by a Tesla in the NAF test. Despite this setback, the Tesla Model 3 still secured the 8th position out of 23 and outperformed its direct competitor, the Polestar 2 Long Range.
As pointed out by InsideEVs, it is puzzling that the Norwegian organizers of the extensive comparison test failed to record the motor-battery combination for many cars. However, the results table does offer insights into the "real range" during winter temperatures.
