Remember, it was last July: Reuters accused Tesla of falsifying the software that indicates the electric range of its cars, to promise better performance to its users and convince the most reluctant to go electric. Because over charging time, autonomy is the main distinguishing point for electric cars: some manufacturers would be overly optimistic about the autonomy that their models indicate.

This is evidenced by a study by SAE International conducted among 21 car manufacturers autonomy is on average 12.5% ​​lower than promised. At Tesla, this indicator was even increased to 26%! Fake or not one should never blindly trust the autonomy indicated on the instrument panel, as it is usually based on laboratory tests and ideal conditions. This means that in real-world conditions the actual range varies from one extreme to the other. Several factors can affect the range of the electric vehicle, in particular:

Weather situation

Extreme temperatures, hot or cold, reduce battery life. The same goes for usage air conditioning or heating who shoot at them.

Driving style

Aggressive driving with sharp acceleration and braking may reduce autonomy. Smoother, more attentive driving helps save energyAND “Eco” driving modes available for most modern electric vehicles can help you adopt a more energy-efficient style.

Road type

Unlike the thermal model, an electric car consumes more on the highway than in the city : electron injection is much more at high speed, so several manufacturers recommend adopting maximum speed from 110 to 120 km/hrather than approaching 130 km/h.

Charging and discharging the battery

Battery charge status, battery temperature, and age affect its energy efficiency and help reduce its autonomy over time.

Accessories and equipment

Use of electronic equipment, for example speakers, infotainment screen or on-board chargers for example, has a negative impact on remaining autonomy.

Weight and load

The more passengers or luggage loaded into the car, the more energy it will consumeshorter than term.

While the claimed autonomy is a good starting point to give you an idea, never rely on it completely. Take real-world driving conditions into account to gauge your range regularly review battery management systems that provide real-time information for the rest of the autonomy. This can help you plan your trip accordingly.

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