Electric Vehicles Fall Short in Australia Road Tests, Tesla Leads

Independent road tests in Australia have revealed that electric vehicles (EVs) are not achieving the range promised by manufacturers. The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) conducted these evaluations, which showed that all tested models failed to meet their advertised distances. The results were published on March 15, 2024, as part of the AAA’s ongoing $14 million Real-World Testing Program.

The findings highlight significant discrepancies between claimed and actual performance. In the latest tests, the MG4 electric hatchback recorded the most disappointing result, falling short by over 124 kilometers from its advertised range of 405 kilometers. This represents a shortfall of approximately 31%. The Kia EV3 and Smart #1 also underperformed, missing their targets by 67 kilometers and 53 kilometers, respectively.

On the other hand, Tesla emerged as the top performer in these evaluations. Its latest Model Y SUV was only 16 kilometers shy of its claimed range of 466 kilometers on a single charge. This indicates that Tesla is closer to living up to its advertised performance compared to its competitors.

Testing Methodology and Previous Findings

The AAA’s analysis involved road tests on a 93-kilometer track in and around Geelong, Victoria, incorporating a mix of urban, rural, and motorway conditions. This testing approach aims to provide a realistic assessment of EV capabilities. The current results follow a previous round of evaluations where all five models tested also failed to meet their promised range. In addition, an earlier study involving 131 internal combustion and hybrid vehicles revealed that 76% consumed more fuel than advertised.

Michael Bradley, managing director of the AAA, emphasized the importance of accurate representations of electric vehicle performance. “These results give consumers an independent indication of real-world battery range, which means they now know which cars perform as advertised and which do not,” Bradley stated.

Impact on Consumers and Future Testing

The AAA’s initiative, which is funded by the federal government, aims to build consumer confidence in the EV market. By providing detailed information about real-world performance, the association hopes to alleviate concerns regarding range anxiety, allowing more individuals to consider switching to electric vehicles.

Since its launch in 2023, the vehicle-testing program has evaluated 140 vehicles out of a targeted 200. The findings thus far indicate a troubling trend where most vehicles consume more energy or fuel than claimed. This effort was initiated in response to the 2015 Volkswagen emissions scandal, where the automaker was found to have manipulated software to pass emissions tests in laboratories.

As the demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, understanding the gap between laboratory claims and real-world performance will be crucial for consumers. The AAA’s ongoing research is set to play a significant role in shaping the future landscape of the automotive industry in Australia and beyond.