Electric car range can plummet by up to 40% in winter, test reveals

What Car? conducts a Real Range test on the latest electric cars to see how they stack up against claims
Not only do all EVs miss their 'official' range figures, the average drop between summer and winter is 18%

Updated: 09:40 EDT, 6 January 2025

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It’s a pretty well-known fact that efficiency of batteries in electric cars can decline when temperatures plummet – but just how much will winter weather wipe off the claimed range of some of the most popular EVs?

Real-world tests reveal the best-case scenario will see range slashed by 16.5 per cent - and the worst results in two fifths of the quoted distance disappearing.

In fact, the ten electric cars worst affected shed between 80 and 132 miles of their official ranges.

This is according to What Car?’s biannual Real Range tests – one carried out in summer and another in winter - in which the latest EVs are driven until their batteries run completely flat to understand how close to their claimed figures they really get.

The aim is to understand the difference between the ‘official’ quoted ranges of EV models based on laboratory measurements and what drivers can really expect to achieve when driving normally on the road.

The automotive title has been testing EVs in this way for over three years. Of the near-60 cars that have undergone assessment, 30 models in showrooms currently have been tested in winter conditions.

We countdown the 10 that miss their claimed ranges by the biggest margins. And we explain how the tests are carried out as well as the reasons behind EVs being less efficient in winter months.

EVS THAT MISS THEIR OFFICIAL RANGES MOST IN WINTER

10. MG4 Long Range SE/Trophy: -30.2%

Year tested: 2023

Official range: 281m

Winter Real Range: 196m

Difference (m): -83m

The MG4 EV is a number of models that's been put though the Real Range test in both winter and summer conditions. While it was just 28 miles shy of its claim in summer, it was a whopping 83 miles short when tested in the colder of the two seasons

This version of the MG4 EV is one of a few models What Car? has tested both in winter and summer conditions.

In the warmer season, the range was 253 miles. That’s just 28 miles shy of the claimed 281-mile figure. However, when driven to a flat battery in the winter test, the range dropped by 83 miles to just 196 miles in total. That’s 30.2 per cent less than claimed.

9. Kia EV6 RWD GT-Line: -30.5%

Year tested: 2022

Official range: 328m

Winter Real Range: 228m

Difference (m): -100m

The Kia EV6 is another model that's been put through both summer and winter tests. The shortfall to the official range in the summer test was doubled when the same car was assessed in winter conditions

Like the MG4 EV, Kia’s svelte EV6 GT-Line has undertaken both What Car?’s summer and winter Real Range tests – and the difference is stark.

In the hotter of the two seasons, it ran out of battery after 278 miles. That’s a whopping 50 miles (15.2 per cent) short of its official 328-mile stat. But in winter, things get doubly worse, with the range dropping by 100 miles, which is down 30.5 per cent on the distance customers are led to believe their EV6s can take them on a full charge.

8. Audi Q4 e-tron 50 quattro S line: -30.7%

Year tested: 2022

Official range: 290m

Winter Real Range: 201m

Difference (m): -89m

The impact of winter conditions sees the official range of 290 miles shortened to just 201 miles when colder temperatures limit efficiency of the battery

What Car? tested the Audi Q4 e-tron in 2022 and since then there has been updates to the line-up, though the model remains largely unchanged.

The impact of winter conditions results in a maximum range of 201 miles starting with a fully recharged battery. This is 89 miles (-30.7 per cent) short of what the official range figure tells customers they'll get from this pricey Audi.

7. Renault Megane E-Tech Equilibre - 32.0%

Year tested: 2023

Official range: 275m

Winter Real Range: 187m

Difference (m): -88m

What Car? has tested two variants of Renault Megane's E-Tech family crossover. The Equilibre version - which has smaller wheels than the other model assessed - fell short of its claimed range figure by 32% when tested in winter conditions

Two versions of Renault's Megane E-Tech have been tested by What Car? and this one (fitted with smaller wheels) performed worst of the pair.

While Renault's official claimed range is 275 miles for this particular derivative with 18-inch alloys, the Real Range winter test found it could only cover 187 miles until the battery went flat. It means a third of the car's range disappears.

6. Jeep Avenger Summit: -33.2%

Year tested: 2024

Official range: 244m

Winter Real Range: 163m

Difference (m): -81m

What Car?s winter Real Range test found the battery only lasted for 163 miles before it ran out. That's 81 miles short of the official 244 miles quoted

One of the four models in the top 10 to have been tested in 2024, the Jeep Avenger is another EV to miss its official range by a third in winter conditions.

Owners might believe they can cover 244 miles between charges but the reality at this time of year is that the car's battery is only good enough for 163 miles. That's an 81-mile shortfall - the equivalent of driving from Liverpool to Sheffield.

5. Volkswagen ID 7 Pro Match (no heat pump): -33.7%

Year tested: 2024

Official range: 383m

Winter Real Range: 254m

Difference (m): -129m

While official stats quote 383 miles on a full charge for Volkswagen's ID.7 without a heat pump, winter conditions limit this to just 254. A second version with a heat pump was also tested and performed slightly better

Volkswagen's ID.7 is an executive saloon model that is designed to appeal to high-mileage reps looking for a flash - but green - vehicle with cheap company car tax benefits.

But for those looking to trot up and down the country might be alarmed to hear that the Pro Match version - without a heat pump - delivers 129 miles less than is claimed. While official stats quote 383 miles on a full charge, winter conditions limit this to just 254.

4. Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range RWD: -34.8%

Year tested: 2022

Official range: 379m

Winter Real Range: 247m

Difference (m): -132m

The Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range RWD scrubbed a staggering 132 miles off its claimed range when tested in winter conditions. That the equivalent of driving from Birmingham to Leeds

In terms of the biggest mileage difference in official and winter tested range, the Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range RWD performs worst of all.

It loses a staggering 132 miles of range when comparing the two tested results; the equivalent of driving from Birmingham to Leeds.

3. Lexus RZ 450e Takumi: -36.7%

Year tested: 2024

Official range: 251m

Winter Real Range: 159m

Difference (m): -92m

While drivers of Lexus' RZ luxury SUV are led to believe they can get up to 251 miles from their cars on a full charge, the reality in winter is that it will achieve just 159 miles, What Car? found

In the latest winter test results, Lexus' RZ fell well short of the official range claims customers will see on the Japanese brand's website and in brochures inside showrooms.

While drivers are told they can get up to 251 miles from this premium SUV, the reality in winter is that it will achieve just 159 miles. For a large family model like this a range of less than 160 miles might be too little for many buyers.

2. Lexus UX 300e Takumi: - 37.7%

Year tested: 2024

Official range: 273m

Winter Real Range: 170m

Difference (m): -103m

The Lexus UX's efficiency in colder conditions is severely hampered: a winter Real Range measurement of 170 miles is 103 short of the 273-mile claim

Another electric Lexus tested in the last 12 months is the UX 300e, which What Car? put through the winter test procedure in 2024. And it performed even worse than its bigger RZ sibling.

A winter Real Range measurement of 170 miles is 103 short of the 273-mile claim.

1. Fiat 500 42kWh Icon: -40.4%

Year tested: 2022

Official range: 198m

Winter Real Range: 118m

Difference (m): -80m

The Fiat 500 Electric tested had one of the shortest official ranges of all, yet still lost the greatest percentage of this when put through its paces in winter conditions

Of all the currently-on-sale electric cars subjected to What Car?'s winter Real Range test, the Fiat 500 has one of the shortest claimed ranges (only the Ora Funky Cat/03 has a shorter official range). However, it is this dinky city model that misses its quoted figures by the greatest percentage.

While 198 miles is what the official test puts to customers, in winter conditions they should only expect to see 118 miles from a full charge, essentially chopping two fifths off its claims.

HOW OTHER ELECTRIC CARS IN SHOWROOMS TODAY PERFORMED IN WHAT CAR?'S WINTER REAL RANGE TEST
MODEL (YEAR TESTED)	OFFICIAL RANGE	WHAT CAR? WINTER REAL RANGE	DIFFERENCE (M)	DIFFERENCE (%)
Skoda Enyaq iV 60 (2022)	249 miles	174 miles	-75 miles	-30.1%
Renault Megane E-Tech Techno (2023)	270 miles	189 miles	-81 miles	-30.0%
Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor Plus (2024)	331 miles	232 miles	-99 miles	-29.9%
Volkswagen ID 7 Pro Match with heat pump (2024)	381 miles	268 miles	-113 miles	-29.7%
MG 4 Extended Range Trophy (2024)	323 miles	227 miles	-96 miles	-29.7%
BYD Dolphin Design (2024)	265 miles	188 miles	-77 miles	-29.1%
Ora Funky Cat/03 First Edition (2023)	183 miles	130 miles	-53 miles	-29.0%
Cupra Born 58kWh V3 (2023)	255 miles	182 miles	-73 miles	-28.6%
BYD Seal Design (2024)	355 miles	255 miles	-100 miles	-28.2%
BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro	338 miles	253 miles	-85 miles	-25.1%
Tesla Model 3 Long Range (2024)	390 miles	293 miles	-97 miles	-24.9%
BMW iX3 M Sport Pro (2022)	282 miles	212 miles	-70 miles	-24.8%
Volkswagen ID Buzz Style (2023)	255 miles	192 miles	-63 miles	-24.7%
Jaguar I-Pace EV400 R-Dynamic HSE Black (2023)	261 miles	197 miles	-64 miles	-24.5%
BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport/M Sport Pro Pack (2024)	345 miles	261 miles	-84 miles	-24.3%
Porsche Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus (2022)	287 miles	224 miles	-63 miles	-22.0%
Genesis GV60 RWD Premium (2023)	321 miles	251 miles	-70 miles	-21.8%
Mercedes EQE 300 AMG Line Premium (2024)	365 miles	300 miles	-65 miles	-17.8%
Tesla Model Y Long Range (2023)	331 miles	272 miles	-59 miles	-17.8%
Nissan Ariya 87kWh Evolve (2023)	322 miles	269 miles	-53 miles	-16.5%
Source: What Car?

See the Real Range results for every electric car tested by What Car?

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How does What Car? test electric car Real Range?

Because it would be far too dangerous to deliberately run EVs out of charge on the public road, What Car? instead conducts its Real Range tests at the Horiba-MIRA proving ground in Warkwickshire.

Winter tests are usually conducted in late January to early February when temperatures are unlikely to rise above 10 degrees.

Each car follows a simple test route of roughly 19 miles, which includes 2.7 miles of simulated stop-start urban driving, 5.5 miles at a steady 50mph and 11 miles at a constant 70mph.

The rationale for the high percentage of high-speed cruising is that drivers who want to travel long distances in one hit are likely to be using the motorway network.

Every car is charged to 100 per cent and then left out in the open overnight, for roughly 14 hours in temperatures between 0 and 2 centigrade. The following morning, all of the EVs are plugged in again to make sure they are fully charged, before tyre pressure are checked, the climate control set to an equal temperature and headlights switched on.

Eco (or the closest equivalent) driving mode is used, and the cars are left in their default regenerative braking setting – if an ‘automatic’ or ‘adaptive’ mode is available, this is selected.

Each model is then driven repeatedly around the test route in convoy, with driver changes and a switch in running order at the end of each loop. This is carried out until the battery runs completely flat.

Temperature toll: Electric car range, battery performance, charging times and effectiveness of regenerative braking all decline when weather conditions turn colder

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Why do EV ranges fall more in winter?

It's firstly important to point out that manufacturers make clear that the official ranges quoted on their websites and marketing material are based on a consistent test every model sold in Europe is mandated to undertake to provide efficiency and economy data.

As with miles per gallon (mpg) figures quoted for petrol, diesel and hybrid cars, the official range measurement is for 'comparison purposes only' and not necessarily a true reflection of what can be achieved on the road.

Another salient note is that the efficiency of traditional combustion engine cars is also impacted by winter conditions.

A combination of engines taking longer to warm up to their optimal economical temperatures, as well as the additional use of interior heating, windscreen wipers and lights, can also reduce the miles per gallon figures achieved in warmer months.

However, given the importance that electric car owners should never run out of battery, experts argue that figures presented to buyers should be as realistic as possible.

Steve Huntingford, editor of What Car, told us: 'Our Real Range testing shows an average drop in the range of 18 per cent of pure electric models in winter versus summer conditions.'

Steve says this is due to colder weather having a 'detrimental effect on the efficiency of lithium-ion batteries'.

He explained: 'Models fitted with a heat pump, which helps to maintain the battery’s temperature, are affected less, but drivers of most EVs will need to plan to charge up more often in the winter months.'

Electric cars also do not generate much waste heat like vehicles with internal combustion engines, which use this to their advantage.

In a petrol or diesel car, waste heat produced by the engine is used to warm the vehicle cabin when the heater is turned on.

Drivetrains in EVs are generally between 75 and 90 per cent more efficient by comparison and the moving parts in the electric motors don't generate surplus heat.

That means drivers of electric cars will have to rely on the vehicle's heating system to get warm when they drive, thus sapping power from the battery and reducing range.

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