Which is more accurate, CLTC or NEDC range?

[GenesisDella]

CLTC range is more accurate. Compared to NEDC, CLTC includes a wider range of road condition information: urban conditions, suburban conditions, and highway conditions, with a cycle time of 1800s. The differences between the two are as follows: NEDC: The NEDC range test standard is not only outdated but also significantly differs from actual road conditions in China compared to Europe. As a result, the same car might achieve 500 km in NEDC testing, but consumers may only get 400 km or even less in real-world usage. Under conditions like highway driving or using air conditioning, the range could be even shorter. CLTC: CLTC was developed under the leadership of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, with industry experts from the China Automotive Technology and Research Center spending three years on research and development. The test standard was derived from data covering 41 representative cities, nearly 4000 vehicle models, and over 30 million kilometers. Directly speaking, the CLTC conditions cover a broader and more comprehensive range, with a longer duration.

[Joe]

I drive quite a lot, especially during rush hours in the city when traffic is heavy, and the advertised range often falls far short of the actual performance. When I was buying a car, I paid attention to the NEDC, which is an old European standard that tends to give higher numbers because it simulates steady-speed driving in a lab, without accounting for traffic jams. Nowadays, new cars use CLTC, a standard designed in China that includes more realistic acceleration, deceleration, and stops at traffic lights, making it somewhat more accurate than NEDC. But honestly, neither is perfect. In real driving conditions—like using air conditioning, climbing hills, or driving at high speeds—the range still takes a hit, typically falling short by 10%-20% on average. I think when choosing a car, it’s better not to rely solely on the advertised numbers. Checking user reviews or test-driving the car under real conditions is more reliable, since road conditions and personal driving habits have a big impact. Over time, you’ll get a feel for how the car performs.

[Ryan]

As an enthusiast who enjoys studying automotive technology, let me talk about the differences between CLTC and NEDC. The NEDC test is based on outdated standards from the last century, with an overly idealized cycle process—such as a high proportion of constant-speed driving—while ignoring common Chinese road conditions like traffic jams and frequent starts and stops, leading to inflated range results. CLTC, being relatively newer, incorporates urban congestion segments and short-duration acceleration tailored to Chinese road characteristics, making its figures more aligned with real-world driving tests. In terms of accuracy, CLTC is somewhat better as it accounts for real-world environmental variables. However, all tests are conducted in laboratories and exclude factors like energy consumption from heating in cold weather or air conditioning use at high speeds, which often affect actual range. My suggestion is to reference multiple testing standards—WLTP, for example, is closer to reality—but CLTC represents progress for domestic vehicles. Don’t rely entirely on the numbers; practicing gentle driving habits can save a significant amount of energy.

[McKathryn]

Having worked in auto repair shops for over a decade, I often hear car owners complain about reduced range. NEDC is the old European standard - lab-tested numbers look impressive but are inflated in reality, possibly only achieving 80% in city driving. CLTC is China's newer version that simulates local conditions like hard braking and low-speed driving, making it slightly more accurate than NEDC. But remember, no testing standard is precise enough because real-world factors abound: underinflated tires, aging batteries, or AC usage can all cause range to fall short. Best to check battery health during maintenance and avoid sudden acceleration while driving to get closer to the claimed range.