What are the reasons for the exaggerated range of electric vehicles?
3 Answers
Electric vehicle range exaggeration is caused by: 1. Reduced battery capacity leading to shorter range; 2. Motor aging resulting in insufficient range; 3. Faulty electrical wiring or components; 4. Low tire pressure. Maintenance items for electric vehicles include: 1. Inspection of braking system, air conditioning system, charging system, and chassis components; 2. Body inspection; 3. Power battery system inspection; 4. Cooling system inspection; 5. Steering system inspection. The main components of an electric vehicle are: power battery, chassis, body, and electrical system. The power battery consists of battery modules, battery management system, thermal management system, and electrical & mechanical systems. The chassis comprises drive motor, control system, running gear, steering system, and braking & energy recovery system.
I frequently test electric vehicles and have found that the root cause of overstated range lies in testing standards that don't reflect real-world conditions. Standards like WLTP use idealized lab cycles, ignoring everyday driving factors like sudden acceleration, hard braking, and variable speeds. At highway speeds, aerodynamic drag increases exponentially, causing power consumption to skyrocket. Temperature has a major impact - battery efficiency drops by 40% at freezing temperatures, and using cabin heating makes matters worse. Air conditioning and audio systems are hidden power drains too, especially prolonged AC use in summer. Additional weight and underinflated tires increase resistance, while poor vehicle conditions like battery aging further reduce actual range. I always recommend checking real-world test data from apps rather than trusting manufacturer claims completely - real-world range is typically 15-25% lower than advertised.
After commuting with an electric car for two years, I've personally experienced frequent range shrinkage. The reasons vary: when in a hurry, aggressive acceleration drains the battery rapidly; driving over 110 km/h on highways increases wind resistance, consuming power quickly; turning on the AC, especially in extreme heat or cold, can slash the range by 30%. Frequent start-stop in city traffic wastes more energy, and the battery performs poorly in low temperatures. Heavy loads, like a full trunk during family trips, consume extra power. I usually track with an OBD scanner and find the actual mileage is always at least 20 km shorter than the car's display. Now, I've learned to start gently, maintain steady speeds, and preheat the battery, which has significantly reduced my range anxiety.
