Why Your EV Will Never Hit Its WLTP Range (And Why That’s OK)

Still think that WLTP is meant primarily to indicate range? Think again. 

It’s not about how far your car really goes but about how different models perform under the same test. Every vehicle follows the exact same procedure in identical conditions. That’s what makes WLTP perfect for fair comparisons of different models.

• WLTP replaced NEDC, and its results are about 22% less optimistic.

• The WLTP procedure is done under controlled conditions on a chassis dynamometer, not on public roads.

• Tests with more realistic range estimations exist.

WLTP stands for Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure. It is a test used to measure how much fuel and/or energy a car uses. The WLTP applies to all types of cars, including petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric. It provides data on fuel consumption, emissions and driving range.

For example, WLTP values for the Audi e-tron GT quattro look like this:

• Electric range: 380-384 miles

• Power consumption: 178.6-181.9 Wh/km

• CO₂ emissions: 0 g/km

• CO₂ class: A

Many EU countries require automotive retailers to display WLTP fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions in consumer communications. Germany has gone further. Since May 1, 2024, retailers in Germany must clearly show the so-called WLTP-based CO₂ labels that include energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and CO₂ costs*, both online during vehicle configuration and at the point of sale.

* Vehicle labels are required to show projected CO₂ costs over 10 years, assuming 15,000 km of annual driving. The projection is based on three CO₂ price trends: low, medium, and high.

WLTP pros:

• Allows comparing vehicles objectively

• A wide range of driving situations is tested

• Reflects real-world driving better than NEDC

WLTP cons:

• Actual range may be lower than WLTP suggests

• Extreme weather or steep roads aren't fully represented

• The switch from NEDC caused short-term confusion

To ensure all vehicles are tested fairly, the test is conducted in a controlled, repeatable way. The car doesn’t drive on a real road, but on a chassis dynamometer that simulates driving. The full cycle lasts about half an hour and covers nearly 20 miles. It’s split into four parts that mimic different types of driving:

• Low (urban) - up to 35 mph

• Medium (suburban) - up to 47 mph

• High (main roads) - up to 60 mph

• Extra high (highways) - up to 81 mph

Each part is a mix of speeding up, slowing down, cruising, idling, and shifting gears. This cycle, meant to make this simulation as close to reality as possible, is known as WLTC.

WLTC (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Cycle) is the driving pattern used in WLTP tests to imitate real-life driving. This includes stop-and-go traffic, steady cruising, and quick lane changes on the highway.

But despite all the efforts, the test conditions are still too perfect, and the results are too good to be true. The car isn’t driving over bumpy roads, dealing with strong winds, splashing through puddles after a sudden downpour, climbing hills, or facing extreme weather. For instance, while cold temperatures increase engine warm-up time, raising fuel use and emissions, hot weather can make air conditioning work harder, boosting energy consumption. That’s why WLTP often doesn’t reflect the real range. 

The actual distance electric cars can go on one charge can be up to ~30% lower in real-world tests (e.g. those by ADAC) than WLTP range test results. That’s because real-life driving includes traffic, varying weather, and different driving styles, all of which aren’t fully captured in controlled lab tests.

As you can see, the gap between WLTP values and real-life range isn’t always consistent. The reason is that cars behave differently on challenging roads. For instance, some handle bumps and rough surfaces with ease, while others struggle and use more energy just to keep up.

Since 1 April 2020, Vehicle Excise Duty and company car tax in Great Britain are based on WLTP CO₂ figures, replacing NEDC. As WLTP values are, in general, 10-20% higher, many vehicles now fall into higher tax bands, increasing costs for drivers.

Let’s assume a petrol car with:

Engine size: 1.6 litres

NEDC CO₂ emissions: 120 g/km

WLTP CO₂ emissions: 138 g/km (15% higher as per government analysis)

Base price of the car: £25,000 (net, before VAT)

Before April 1, 2020 — VED based on NEDC figures:

NEDC CO₂ emissions = 120 g/km

VED (first year rate) falls into the 111–130 g/km band = £170

From April 1, 2020 — VED based on WLTP figures:

WLTP CO₂ emissions = 138 g/km

VED (first year rate) now falls into the 131–150 g/km band = £220

NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) is an old way of testing cars in Europe before WLTP came along. The test ignored different factors such as vehicle load, varied speeds, and standardised temperatures, leading to unrealistic range and emission estimates.

Wait, wait, wait… When did WLTP take over from NEDC, and why? Let’s clear that up. It all started with the 2015 Dieselgate scandal. Remember when Volkswagen got caught cheating emissions tests? This showed how unreliable the old testing system was. Regulators had no choice but to create a tougher, more accurate method. Three years later, NEDC was replaced by WLTP. Vehicles tested under WLTP are rated as about 22% less fuel-efficient than under NEDC. 

EPA is the way they test electric cars in the U.S. to determine the range. Compared to WLTP, EPA numbers are usually a bit lower and often closer to what you’ll get driving every day. So if a car shows 500 miles on WLTP, it might be around 400 miles on EPA. 

Today, WLTP testing is mandatory for most light-duty vehicles. That includes:

• M1: passenger cars like sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs.

• N1: light commercial vehicles under 3.5 tonnes (≈ 7,716 lb).

• Some of the M2/N2 category: small buses or dual-purpose vehicles, also under 3.5 tonnes.

Heavy-duty vehicles over 3.5 tonnes (≈ 7,716 lb), low-volume or niche models, pre-registered cars from before WLTP, special-purpose vehicles, and modified cars are not subject to WLTP. 

• Heavy-duty vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. They aren’t tested under WLTP but still follow CO₂ standards using the VECTO tool.

• Small-volume manufacturers & niche model manufacturers can apply for relaxed testing rules.

• Cars already registered before WLTP took over in 2018 got a temporary pass during the transition.

• Special-purpose vehicles such as fire trucks, ambulances, off-road work vehicles, etc. 

Since 2018, WLTP testing has been mandatory across the EU and other UNECE Members. Japan adopted its own version in 2021. Singapore is phasing it in, with commercial vehicles since April 2023 and passenger cars starting January 2024.

The list of electric cars with the highest range includes the following models:

• Lucid Air - up to 597 miles

• Mercedes EQS Limousine - up to 506 miles

• Audi A6 Sportback e-tron - up to 468 miles

• Polestar 3 - up to 439 miles

• Tesla Model 3 - up to 436 miles

• BMW iX xDrive60 - up to 435 miles

• Volvo ES90 - up to 435 miles

Although WLTP figures aren't fully accurate, the list of electric cars with the highest real-world range is likely to include at least some of the vehicles, though possibly in a different order.

You can optimise the range to get close to the WLTP by making a few simple changes. Precondition your car while it’s still plugged in, especially in very high or low temperatures. Use Eco mode to save energy, and do not go too fast when towing.

• Make preconditioning your habit

Preheat the car in frosty winter weather or cool it down in scorching summer heat while it's still plugged in. This is the perfect way to increase range for those who charge at home with a wallbox like our go-e Charger. This means the vehicle won’t drain the battery to reach your preferred temperature level.

• Slow down when towing

If you're pulling a caravan or trailer with an electric car, speed makes a huge difference. Tests showed that energy use increased by 54% at 80 km/h, 79% at 90 km/h, and over 100% at 100 km/h. 

• Use Eco mode

Most EVs have an “Eco” mode. Use it to save energy by letting the car automatically lower power, limit A/C, and make acceleration smoother.

WLTP could be improved by testing in more diverse weather conditions, adding hills and rough roads, driving longer distances, and including more extreme hot and cold temperatures.

However, expanding WLTP to include diverse real-world conditions would require longer tests, more complex setups (like climate-controlled tracks or hilly terrain), and potentially multiple test runs per car. And that’s easier said than done. In fact, even now, manufacturers often reduce the number of available configurations, because every trim, optional pack, wheel size, engine, or battery version must be tested separately under WLTP. It significantly increases the time, cost, and complexity of vehicle launches.

…look for real-world tests! 

As you already know, WLTP is great for comparing the performance of different vehicles. It also gives you a useful point of reference when estimating range. However, if you're planning to travel beyond your usual home-work-supermarket-home routine on smooth roads, you'll probably want more realistic, hands-on numbers. Fortunately, there are places where you can find them. Independent organisations regularly test vehicles in real-world conditions and publish detailed reports.

• ADAC

The Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club conducts real-world vehicle tests. You can often find full overviews of recently launched vehicles on their website. ADAC tests cover fuel/kilowatt hour (kWh) consumption, emissions, braking performance, handling, and much more.

• AutoBild

This major German automotive magazine offers reviews that highlight differences between manufacturer claims and real-world figures, including city, highway, and mixed driving data. They don’t publish reports as often as ADAC, but you can be sure that the ones they published were actual tests and not just collecting data from other sources.

• ÖAMTC 

Austria’s largest automobile club runs independent vehicle tests and publishes comprehensive results quite frequently. It also supports its Norwegian partner club NAF in the world's largest electric vehicle test, the "El Prix," and shares the results on its website.