What is the actual range of the Changan Benben e-star?
2 Answers
The Changan Benben e-star has a range of 301km under NEDC conditions and is equipped with a ternary lithium battery with a capacity of 322Wh. NEDC Range: Many electric vehicles use the term "NEDC range" in their promotional materials. NEDC stands for "New European Driving Cycle" and can also be referred to as the "New European Test Cycle." NEDC is Europe's range testing standard, and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology adopts a similar testing standard when evaluating the comprehensive range of pure electric vehicles. Testing: The NEDC testing method is relatively straightforward. The vehicle is placed on a test bench, with a blower in front to simulate airflow corresponding to the current speed. The rollers in contact with the tires have motors to simulate resistance under different driving conditions. It's also important to note that while the NEDC range often doesn't reflect the actual range, it remains an important reference data point.
I've been driving this Changan Benben e-star for almost two years now, and it's most practical for my daily urban commute. The advertised range is 301 km, but the real-world performance varies by scenario. In summer with AC on and two passengers, it runs about 260 km before the battery drops to 10%. Winter consumption is worse, especially with heating below freezing - range plummets to just over 200 km. The most efficient is spring/autumn without AC, maintaining 60 km/h on provincial highways, where it can genuinely exceed 280 km. I'd advise new EV owners not to fixate on official figures - keeping 30 km reserve for charging is wiser. Maintaining tire pressure at 2.5 bar and avoiding sudden acceleration helps stabilize range significantly.
