Beware: EVs considerably short of the range number on the window sticker.

In a new paper published by SAE International, it uses Car and Driver’s real-world highway test data to show that electric vehicles underperform on… efficiency and range relative to the EPA figures by a much greater margin than internal-combustion vehicles.

While the latter typically meet or exceed the EPA-estimated highway fuel economy numbers, EVs tend to fall considerably short of the range number on the window sticker. The paper, written by Car and Driver’s testing director, Dave VanderWerp, and Gregory Pannone, was presented this week at SAE International’s annual WCX conference. It points to a need for revised testing and labeling standards for EVs moving forward.

“Basically we’ve taken a look at how vehicles perform relative to the values on the window sticker, looking at the difference between what the label says and what we actually see in our real-world highway test,” explained VanderWerp. “We see a big difference in that gap between gas-powered vehicles and the performance of EVs. The real question is: When first-time customers are buying EVs, are they going to be pleasantly surprised or disappointed by the range?”

On Car and Driver’s 75-mph highway test, more than 350 internal-combustion vehicles averaged 4.0 percent better fuel economy than what was stated on their labels. But the average range for an EV was 12.5 percent worse than the price sticker numbers.

EVs Based on Merits or Politics 

In the WSJ, James Freeman goes out on a limb with a prediction:

… ensuring e-car benefits are not overstated will not be the top priority of the Biden Environmental Protection Agency.