Autonomy of electric cars

The map of the Grande Rérité Anulare

Super test: the real autonomy of the 10 electric cars of the moment

We evaluated the real mileage of ten electric models among the stars of the moment. Here is our super video test.

By: Francesco Barontini

There is the autonomy you sell to you and the one you live on everyday. Like every year, we wanted to compare the Zero emission models of the moment – the ten precisely – to see the distance they could reach before lacking energy.

We have selected different vehicles not only in terms of countries of origin (we have German cars, a Frenchwoman, Korean and of course Chinese this year) but also in terms of price, segment, performance and design.

We did this great test by driving them all the same day, at the same time and of course on the same road.

Test rules

The playground and Large Anulare fitting (GRA). L’A90 motorway (as its official name wants) is 68.2 km and acts as a peripheral belt of Rome. In our test, we have rolled on the outdoor device, which makes the loop in the anti-hidden direction. The speed is limited to 130 km/h on the GRA, and to 110 on certain portions and in tunnels, but constant traffic makes it difficult to circulate.

Our cars on the large anulare connecto

The cars of our test all rolled with the air conditioning set to a temperature of 22 degrees and in auto mode, with closed windows and a “normal” driving program. Only the driver was present in each car.

To alleviate the impact of traffic jams at rush hour, the test started at 11:00. The outside temperature fluctuated between 14 and 18 ° C and all the cars have traveled more or less one behind the other, until you fall to a 5 % load level. When a car reached this value, the test was interrupted and the motorist left the place to reach the nearest station and recharge.

Throughout the duration of the test, the cars remained connected to each other and were monitored by the satellite monitoring system Lojack, who recorded the speed in real time, the position on the road and other useful information to compare the data.

Cars that participated in the test

The ten cars chosen for this autonomy test recently released on the market and represent different alternatives on the scene of zero -emission vehicles. Here they are :

Results in terms of autonomy

On the autonomy side, the cars of our test have covered distances between 289 and 436 km. The BMW i7, the car that has traveled the most distance before falling to 5 % battery, made 6.4 laps, By taking advantage of a battery with a real capacity of 101.7 kWh.

As you can imagine, the larger the battery, the greater the covered distance. The differences from the announced WLTP mileage are between 16 and 31 %.

The Mercedes EQE

The closest to the official figures was the MG4 which, with 61.7 kWh of actual capacity, held 357 km (5.2 laps of GRA) against 450 announced. But overall, whatever the model, the real autonomy was approximately 25 % lower than that declared.

Model	Autonomy (From 100% to 5%)	GRA towers	WLTP autonomy	Differences with WLTP (%)	Actual battery capacity
BMW i7	436 km	6.4	625 km	-27%	101.7 kWh
MERCEDES EQE	423 km	6.2	639 km	-30%	90.6 kWh
Polestar 2	395 km	5.8	551 km	-24%	75 kWh
Skoda Enyaq Coupé RS	368 km	5.4	505 km	-23%	77 kWh
MG 4	357 km	5.2	450 km	-16%	61.7 kWh
Kia E-Niro	347 km	5.1	463 km	-21%	64.8 kWh
Smart #1	328 km	4.8	440 km	-22%	64 kWh
Volkswagen ID.Buzz	300 km	4.4	423 km	-25%	77 kWh
Renault Megane E-Tech	295 km	4.3	450 km	-31%	55 kWh
Aiways U5	289 km	4.2	410 km	-26%	60 kWh

Results in terms of efficiency

Autonomy was generally proportional to the battery capacity. But what about general efficiency ? It is obvious that different variables must be taken into account on this point.

A car with more energy can easily cover more distance, but it is also necessary to measure the amount of energy consumed to cover a given distance, in order to make a more precise evaluation.

Again, the MG4 was the most efficient: 16.4 kWh/100 km, a performance due to its size and relatively low weight. On the podium, we also find the Renault Megane e-tech, second with 17.7 kWh/100 km, and the Kia E-Niro, with 17.8 kWh/100 km. In the last positions, as one could imagine, were the heaviest and most bulky cars. The Mercedes Eqe, the BMW I7 and the Volkswagen ID.Buzz, the “minivan” of the Wolfsburg firm, do not go below the 24.4 kWh/100 km.

Between the two, many cars have recorded similar values. The Polestar 2 has positively surprised, appearing among the best with an average consumption of 18 kWh/100 km, with the Megane e-tech and the Kia E-Niro. A little further, we find the smart #1, the Aaways U5 and the Skoda Enyaq Coupé RS.

Model	Gra consumption	Power	Weight	Actual battery capacity
MG 4	16.4 kWh/100 km	204 CV	1,685 kg	61.7 kWh
Renault Megane E-Tech	17.7 kWh/100 km	218 CV	1,636 kg	55 kWh
Kia E-Niro	17.8 kWh/100 km	204 CV	1,682 kg	64.8 kWh
Polestar 2	18 kWh/100 km	231 CV	1,994 kg	75 kWh
Smart #1	18.5 kWh/100 km	272 CV	1,788 kg	64 kWh
Aiways U5	19.7 kWh/100 km	204 CV	1,770 kg	60 kWh
Skoda Enyaq Coupé RS	19.9 kWh/100 km	299 CV	2,178 kg	77 kWh
MERCEDES EQE	20.4 kWh/100 km	292 CV	2,310 kg	90.6 kWh
BMW i7	22.2 kWh/100 km	544 CV	2,640 kg	101.7 kWh
Volkswagen ID.Buzz	24.4 kWh/100 km	204 CV	2,402 kg	77 kWh

Costs

Better efficiency is synonymous with lower expenses at equal distance. Thus, the MG4 appears to be the car with which it is the most economical to travel. Browse 100 km at the wheel will cost you 5.75 euros, starting from a base of a subscription of 0.35 euros/kWh, like those offered in the charging stations of Plenitude-bell (our technical partner). By recharging at home, the price climbs to 8.70 euros.

The Skoda Enyaq Coupé RS on the grade

The map of the Grande Rérité Anulare

In contrast, to cover the same distance, it will cost you much more by choosing a car with a high consumption: 7.12/10.79 euros for the Mercedes EQE; 7.75/11.74 euros for the BMW I7 and 8.53/12.91 euros for the Volkswagen ID.Buzz.

Model	Cost for 100 km (terminal)	Cost for a Tour du Gra (terminal)	Cost for 100 km (home)	Cost for a tour of the GRA (domicile)	Selling price
MG 4	€ 5.75	€ 3.92	€ 8.70	€ 5.93	33,990 €
Renault Megane E-Tech	€ 6.19	€ 4.22	€ 9.38	€ 6.40	42,300 €
Kia E-Niro	€ 6.22	€ 4.24	€ 9.41	€ 6.42	€ 42,700
Polestar 2	€ 6.31	€ 4.30	9.55 €	€ 6.51	€ 55,700
Smart #1	€ 6.49	€ 4.43	€ 9.83	€ 6.70	40,650 €
Aiways U5	€ 6.90	€ 4.71	€ 10.45	€ 7.13	€ 47,000
Skoda Enyaq Coupé RS	€ 6.96	€ 4.75	10.54 €	€ 7.19	€ 64,950
MERCEDES EQE	€ 7.12	€ 4.86	€ 10.79	€ 7.36	81,256 €
BMW i7	€ 7.75	€ 5.29	€ 11.74	€ 8.00	150,400 €
Volkswagen ID.Buzz	€ 8.53	€ 5.81	€ 12.91	€ 8.80	€ 66,000

* Price of 0.35 €/KWH with the Plenitude-Becharge BE Electric 500 subscription

Conclusion

Let’s start with a figure. The MG 4 is at a rate of 33,990 euros, the BMW i7 with that of 150,400 euros: almost 4.5 times more. Why focus on this Huge price difference ? To explain that with this test devoted to autonomy and efficiency, we do not want to make a comparison in the strict sense, but to offer some information on the different models, which can be useful when we Conside the purchaset of an electric car.

It is important to understand how the technical characteristics – and therefore the weight, the power, the size and the type of vehicle – influence the variables of autonomy and yield, in order to make its purchase knowing. It will then be consistent with your budget and your mobility needs.

Autonomy of electric cars

Electric car manufacturers embellish their data on battery life and charging power. Our test on 20 models proves it.

Autonomy is at the heart of the concerns of electro-automatists. As proof, the latter is one of the main criteria for choosing an electric car. It is then necessary to rely on the data of the manufacturers. And that’s the rub. The reason ? There is a substantial difference between the announced value and reality: up to 33.4 % difference (for the Volkswagen Id.4 299 CH GTX), according to our measurements (read table below) ! What have a bad surprise in a long journey. The fault of an approval protocol (WLTP) which does not reflect the real conditions of use, as shown by the results of our tests carried out on 20 vehicles.

Recharge power • deceptive values

The load power constitutes the other major communication axis of manufacturers. It conditions the speed of “filling” in the battery, therefore the duration of the essential stops to make the “full” electricity. But beware, the value indicated can be misleading, because the load is never done all the time as possible. Recharge a battery is like filling a drink. First, we open the tap in large in order to enjoy a good flow, then we reduce the net of water as you go to the brim. Otherwise ? Otherwise, it overflows.

During the charge of a Renault Megane e-tech (absent from the table), we measured a maximum power of 121 kilowatts (kW) when the battery is empty. This then decreases regularly. When the battery is loaded at 10 % of its capacity, the power has already dropped by about 10 kW. Then it falls at 90 kW after 10 minutes, 65 kW after 20 minutes and only 55 kW after 30 minutes. Our surveys also prove that brands embellish their figures. In our example, the maximum power is announced at 130 kW.

Read

• Batteries of electric cars • A flat sector
• Electric cars load • the tax credit is extended
• Electric car • Race to take

Electric cars with a large autonomy and eligible for the ecological bonus

If cars offering the greatest autonomy are often the most expensive, there are however alternatives eligible for the ecological bonus of € 5,000, and capable of bringing you far with more than 400 km of WLTP autonomy.

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To replace the main vehicle of your home, you should turn to vehicles capable of covering good distances, especially outside the city centers. For this, we will obviously target cars eligible for ecological bonus as a priority, allowing the bill to be lowered by € 5000.

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MG4, 450 km from € 33,990

Citroën Friend Tonic Best Price: 9.98 €

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Impossible not to mention the small compact crossover of the Sino-British brand MG MOTORS. The MG4 landed in our countries recently, but is already a great success. Unsurprisingly, its particularly aggressive price greatly helps it since for € 33,990, in Comfort finish, the compact offers 450 km of WLTP autonomy thanks to its 204 horsepower engine and its 64 kWh battery. In addition, the fast charge up up to 140 kW allows it to calmly approach motorway journeys. The Luxury Autonomy Extent version represents an excellent alternative for those who would like to see far thanks to its 77 kWh battery and its 520 km WLTP, great services for a car billed 40,490 €.

For 2000 € more, the MG4 engages in Luxury finish, increasing the allocation of a heat pump, 360 ° cameras and a route planner, in addition to comfort and aesthetics features.

MG4 Comfort 64 kWh: and the worst (for competition) is that it is funny to drive

After a first convincing handling, we made our measurements and tested the MG4 for several days. If it is not p.

Tesla Model 3

Citroën Friend Tonic Best Price: 9.98 €

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The most affordable car of the American manufacturer is unsurprisingly in this selection. In the basic propulsion version, it is displayed at € 41,990 for a 491 km WLTP autonomy, but the most interesting version is the unpublished large propulsion autonomy, mixing large battery and “small” engine to get the 620 km Wltp. The latter remains quite difficult to find. Impossible to configure it as you see fit, but the quality/price ratio of this large sedan displayed at € 45,990 in the best cases in fact a must on which must be decided quickly before exhaustion of stocks.

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Obviously, high -end services, the big template of this spacious sedan and the Tesla ecosystem with the integrated quality planner and the network of superchargers, will facilitate a first contact with the electric.

Tesla Model 3 Standard plus 2021: electric car of all superlatives

Should we still present Tesla and its Model 3, the best-selling electric sedan in the world. The standard basic version plus, vintage.

Cupra Born Vz XL

Citroën Friend Tonic Best Price: 9.98 €

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Sold from € 46,990, this VZ XL version stands out from the basic model by its engine growing up to 230 horsepower (against 204 horsepower) and its large 77 kWh battery allowing it to claim 550 km WLTP. This compact GTI way comes to hunt on the land of the Megane e-tech of Renault, arguing more sportiness and autonomy for a price always below the mark of € 47,000, which allows you to benefit from the maximum ecological bonus.

Quite confidential, the Cupra Born is still in the shadow of its sister, the Volkswagen ID.3, with which she shares many elements. However, its quality/price ratio with this big battery make it a must if you are looking for a pretty compact to transport the whole family.

Cupra Born: an Iberian who does not lack spice

Although sharing the same platform and the 58 kWh battery, the Cupra Born differs from its Germaine cousin, the Volkswagen ID.3.

Volvo Ex30

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The small Swedish crossover signs the Volvo offensive on the electric mid -range. Displayed from € 37,500 in Start finish, it is necessary to add € 4,200 to enjoy the configuration to an engine and battery of 69 kWh, bringing the total to € 41,700. Too bad the upper finishes (more and ultra) with this battery exceed the fateful bar of € 47,000, but Volvo still offers a relevant alternative.

Still quite confidential, the Volvo Ex30 Single Motor Extended Range represents a good proposal for those looking for a premium compact capable of venturing on the highway; Especially since with 272 horsepower and Google Automotive to plan the recharges, the ex30 becomes very interesting.

For people in search of a more spacious car, Volvo offers its XC40, more welcoming for families, but at € 46,990 in an essential finish, the SUV ignores pleasure options today essential to the ‘Set parking assistance (radar and camera).

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