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The WLTP and it predecessors NEDC and the various EPA test cycles are intended to model average driving behaviour. Their primary purpose is to estimate the emissions of ICE vehicles, on which various taxes are levied. Their secondary purpose is to estimate the average fuel/energy consumption as a cost guide for consumers.
The key word here is "average". The WLTP test cycle is heavily weighted towards urban & suburban driving, with only a small proportion of highway driving (briefly up to 130kph = 81mph), but the overall average speed excluding stops is only 33mph. This may well be an accurate representation of the average use of the average car, and indeed it may give a valid estimate of the average energy consumption of an EV in average day-to-day use. However, that figure is of little interest to an EV owner, as the energy costs are so small. In terms of range, it doesn't really matter whether you need to charge your car every 8 days or every 7 days in average pottering-about or short commute usage.
The only times that range is an issue for an EV owner are, by definition, not average drives. They will be long trips on highways/motorways, at sustained high speeds, with some lower-speed driving at each end of the trip and for eg congestion en route.
What the EV industry needs is a new standard test cycle, designed to measure the RANGE of an EV in "journey" mode. Measured data of kW-hr per mile at various steady speeds would be a start; but these will be optimistic compared with "real" driving conditions and the losses associated with varying speeds.
Perhaps JLR/Merc/Audi/Porsche should get together and start the process of developing a European industry standard?
The key word here is "average". The WLTP test cycle is heavily weighted towards urban & suburban driving, with only a small proportion of highway driving (briefly up to 130kph = 81mph), but the overall average speed excluding stops is only 33mph. This may well be an accurate representation of the average use of the average car, and indeed it may give a valid estimate of the average energy consumption of an EV in average day-to-day use. However, that figure is of little interest to an EV owner, as the energy costs are so small. In terms of range, it doesn't really matter whether you need to charge your car every 8 days or every 7 days in average pottering-about or short commute usage.
The only times that range is an issue for an EV owner are, by definition, not average drives. They will be long trips on highways/motorways, at sustained high speeds, with some lower-speed driving at each end of the trip and for eg congestion en route.
What the EV industry needs is a new standard test cycle, designed to measure the RANGE of an EV in "journey" mode. Measured data of kW-hr per mile at various steady speeds would be a start; but these will be optimistic compared with "real" driving conditions and the losses associated with varying speeds.
Perhaps JLR/Merc/Audi/Porsche should get together and start the process of developing a European industry standard?