Winter's chilling grip exposes the true range of electric vehicles, as a Norwegian test reveals stark differences between claimed and actual performance in freezing temperatures. A group of 24 EVs, ranging from small to large, were put to the test in sub-zero conditions, with surprising results. While some vehicles barely lost any range, others saw drastic drops, highlighting the challenges of EV ownership in colder climates. The test, conducted by Motor magazine, aimed to measure the impact of bitter cold on real-world driving range, and the findings are eye-opening. The Lucid Air, with the highest WLTP range, only managed 520 km (323 miles) in the test, a 46% decrease from its claimed 960 km (596 miles). The Mercedes-Benz CLA, Audi A6, BMW iX, and Volvo ES90 all performed well, but their ranges still fell short of WLTP claims by 41% to 46%. On the other hand, the MG 6S EV and Hyundai Inster led the way, with only a 29% drop in range, achieving 345 km (214 miles) and 256 km (159 miles) respectively. The Opel Grandland, however, saw the steepest decline, losing 46% of its claimed range. This test highlights the importance of realistic range expectations in cold weather, and it's a crucial consideration for EV owners in colder regions.
