Is CLTC Range Accurate?
2 Answers
CLTC range accuracy refers to the discrepancy between the actual driving range and the labeled range. CLTC range principle: Under CLTC conditions without air conditioning, the CLTC test extends the total duration of a single test to 1800 seconds, including 674 seconds of low-speed conditions, 693 seconds of medium-speed conditions, and 433 seconds of high-speed conditions. Additionally, the maximum speed set in the CLTC test is 114km/h, which is lower than the 120km/h in the NEDC test. Reasons why the actual range does not meet the labeled results: Since the test is conducted without air conditioning, while actual driving inevitably requires its use. Moreover, the test cannot fully simulate real-world stop-and-go traffic conditions, where the average speed is often lower. Additionally, various variable conditions can cause test results to differ from actual outcomes, such as differences in road friction coefficients, among others.
I think the CLTC range has limited reference value, as many domestic EV startups are now using this figure for promotion. When I drive an electric car in northern winters, the official CLTC range is 600 km, but in reality, with the heater on and driving on highways, it barely reaches 400 km. The test conditions are too idealized: a constant 25°C without air conditioning, simulating urban driving at a steady speed. Real-world driving is never this comfortable—especially in traffic jams or on highways, the battery drains rapidly. If the vehicle's three-electric management system is poor, the range shrinks even more drastically. I suggest owners simply multiply the official range by 70% to estimate the real-world range, so they have a clearer expectation.
