Electric Cars Lose Range at Speed: Car and Driver Test Results.

Electric vehicle owners face major challenges on highways due to high speeds creating significant aerodynamic drag. This complicates energy recovery through regenerative braking if the driver does not encounter traffic. The experts from Car and Driver conducted a test to determine the impact of high speeds on electric vehicle range.

The Car and Driver team traveled a test track with four speed intervals: 56 km/h, 89 km/h, 120 km/h, and 150 km/h. Participants included the Lucid Air Pure and Kia EV9 electric vehicles, as well as the Subaru Forester internal combustion engine vehicle.

To determine the maximum range at each speed, the built-in telematics of the vehicles was used.

Experiment Results

Real-world electric vehicle range can differ significantly from the combined EPA maximum range estimates published after laboratory testing.

For example, the Lucid Air Pure must travel at an average speed of 79 km/h to achieve the stated range of 660 km. The Kia EV9 has a range estimate of 407 km at an average speed of 114 km/h. The range of the Subaru Forester decreases significantly with increasing speed, but its overall performance remains high compared to electric vehicles.

This news discusses the impact of high speeds on electric vehicle range. The team of specialists conducted research with four speed intervals, revealing important aspects for electric vehicle owners. The details uncovered may be useful for those interested in motorsport and the use of green technologies.