The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) says the latest real-world driving range data for electric vehicles (EVs) demonstrates they can easily meet the daily transport needs of Australians, while supporting domestic manufacturing opportunities and reducing air pollution.
The comments follow the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) release of battery range testing for five EV models, EVC revealed in a news release.
EVC Head of Legal, Policy and Advocacy Aman Gaur welcomed the AAA’s findings, saying they provide clarity for motorists considering the switch to an EV.
“These results give confidence that EVs have more than enough range for everyday Australians,” Gaur said. “The average Australian drives 33km per day. This means that an EV with a range of 350km can be driven for more than 10 days before needing to be charged.”
Gaur noted that variations between laboratory and real-world range are not unique to EVs. “All cars, including petrol and diesel cars, often present different results in the lab compared to real-world conditions,” he said.
“Laboratory testing occurs in controlled conditions, while real-world driving throws in all sorts of variables such as traffic flows, hills, rough roads, weather, extra passenger or luggage weight, and the unique driving styles of motorists.”
Highlighting the role of manufacturing in delivering vehicles that meet these standards, Gaur said electric vehicle manufacturers are operating within regulatory frameworks when advertising test results.
“Given the unpredictable nature of driving needs, it’s inherently challenging for manufacturers to provide real-world estimates. That’s why electric vehicle manufacturers are following the rules and advertising the test results that are required by law.”
The AAA’s Real-World Testing Program has also found that 77 per cent of internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicles use more fuel in real-world conditions than in laboratory tests, and one in five exceed noxious emissions limits set for lab testing.
“Unlike petrol and diesel cars which guzzle more fuel and pollute more than advertised, battery electric vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions and aren’t dependent on foreign-owned fossil fuels,” Gaur said.
“Range anxiety remains a major perceived barrier to switching to an EV. But the growing rollout of public chargers and the availability of real-world range data all help to ease those concerns.”
According to the EVC, drivers who switch to EVs often find that initial range concerns dissipate quickly.
“Just as they’re used to monitoring a fuel gauge, EV drivers quickly adapt to tracking battery levels and charging at home or on the go,” Mr Gaur said. “In fact, EV drivers often have greater awareness of their vehicle’s range, with real-time updates and recalculations constantly displayed on the dashboard.”
The EVC also noted that laboratory range figures for the BYD Atto 3 are based on a different testing method compared to the other vehicles in the AAA’s report.
Using the same test, the range variation would be only 12 per cent – about half the reported result.
EVC stated most EV manufacturers now use the more realistic Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) range when advertising their vehicles.
