During the winter El Prix 2024, several car brands were independently tested and experienced poor results. To understand the extent of their shortcomings, it is important to examine the losses in terms of percentage rather than be swayed by the EVs with the largest batteries. It should be noted that all cars in the Norwegian Automobile Association test had their cabins set to 21°C (69.8°F) using a thermometer to ensure fairness.
The HiPhi Z emerged as the winner, falling short of its WLTP range by only 5.9 percent. On the other hand, the Tesla Model 3 missed its advertised range by nearly 30 percent, placing it in 19th position. Surprisingly, the Polestar 2 Long Range, Volvo C40, Toyota bZ4X, and Volkswagen ID.7 performed even worse than Tesla, with their ranges dropping by almost a third compared to their WLTP manufacturer claims.
The WLTP, which stands for Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure, was implemented as a global standard in 2017 to simulate real-world driving conditions. The test cycle consists of four parts, each with different average speeds and featuring various acceleration, braking, and starting phases. It is designed to provide a more accurate representation of a car’s performance.
In addition to range, the El Prix winter range test also evaluates energy efficiency using the European metric of kWh per 100 km (62 miles). The MG4 Trophy Long Range achieved the highest efficiency with 17.9 kWh per 100 km. However, since this test focuses on comparing performance to manufacturer claims, the Nio EL6 was declared the winner with 20 kWh per 100 km, representing a 9.5 percent discrepancy.
Overall, the winter El Prix 2024 revealed that several car brands fell short of their WLTP ranges, with the Tesla Model 3 experiencing the largest deficit. The test also emphasized the importance of evaluating energy efficiency and comparing it to manufacturer claims. While the HiPhi Z emerged as the top performer in terms of range, the Nio EL6 proved to be the most efficient according to the test’s parameters.
