How EV Range Numbers Work — and Why They Vary
WLTP, EPA, CLTC — three tests, three answers for the same car. Here is how to translate between them and what real-world range actually depends on.
Every range figure you see is the result of a standardized test cycle, and not all cycles are equally optimistic. CLTC (China) tends to produce the highest numbers, WLTP (Europe) sits in the middle, and EPA (United States) is usually the most conservative.
Quick conversion rules
- A WLTP figure is typically 10–15% higher than the same car's EPA range.
- A CLTC figure can be 20–35% higher than EPA for the same vehicle.
- Highway-heavy driving cuts real-world range; city driving with regen often beats the rating.
What actually moves your range
Speed dominates: aerodynamic drag grows with the square of velocity, so going from 100 to 130 km/h can cost 15–20% of range. Cold weather is the second-biggest factor — batteries deliver less power when cold and cabin heating draws real energy, though heat pumps recover much of it. Third is payload and wheel choice.
Sources
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