A government-funded testing program by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has revealed that five popular electric vehicles (EVs) have driving ranges that are 5% to 23% lower than laboratory test results.

This testing was part of the Commonwealth-funded Real-World Testing Program, aimed at verifying whether EVs perform as advertised on a single battery charge.

Conducted on a 93-kilometer circuit in Geelong, Victoria, the tests followed strict European protocols to ensure repeatable results and minimize human factor impacts.

Aman Gaur from the Electric Vehicle Council noted that an EV with a 350 km range can last over 10 days for the average Australian driver, who drives about 33 km daily.

The Real-World Testing Program has previously focused on internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid vehicles, revealing that 77% of those vehicles exceeded their laboratory fuel consumption figures.

The AAA previously reported that 77% of petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles tested used more fuel than advertised, highlighting issues with laboratory testing accuracy.

Among the tested vehicles, the 2023 BYD Atto 3 showed the largest discrepancy, with a real-world range of 369 kilometers, which is 23% lower than the 480 kilometers claimed in lab tests.

Industry representatives acknowledged that laboratory tests, conducted under controlled conditions, may not accurately reflect real-world driving circumstances.

Michael Bradley, managing director of the AAA, emphasized the importance of these tests for helping consumers understand the real performance of EVs in the market.

In contrast, the 2024 Smart #3 performed best, achieving a real-world range of 432 kilometers, which is only 5% less than the manufacturer’s claim.

The 2022 Kia EV6 and the 2024 Tesla Model Y both showed an 8% reduction in driving range compared to their advertised figures, while the 2024 Tesla Model 3's range was 14% less than claimed.

Despite these discrepancies, AAA and industry representatives believe the findings can alleviate range anxiety for consumers considering EV purchases.