The range of electric cars during road trips raises questions. We went on the field to gather exclusive data.
“Yeah, but if we turn on the AC in traffic jams, there will be no more range!” This is the kind of response that most electric car drivers can hear from those who have never driven one. As usual, electric cars are constantly plagued by a stream of prejudices. However, the reality is quite different. To address this issue, we ventured onto the A7 highway on a Saturday during a holiday crossover, and examined the dashboards of several cars we encountered along the way. Here are our exclusive figures!
Technical Reminder
As always, the range of electric cars remains a central concern. This is especially true during summer holiday departures, where most newcomers see a lack of range on highways and, conversely, the prospect of a certain breakdown due to the use of air conditioning in traffic jams. However, under these conditions, it should be noted that the consumption of an electric car, and therefore its range, is never as favorable as in our summer temperatures.
First and foremost, there is no need to worry about air conditioning systems. Unlike heating, AC is much more efficient. While heat production in an electric car requires energy-intensive resistance, whether the vehicle is equipped with a heat pump or not, the air conditioning system uses the compressor, which is the largest energy consumption component, far ahead of the various valves in the system. Therefore, during our various system measurements, we noted an electrical consumption ranging from 1 to 2 kWh in the first operating hour, where the system logically operates at full capacity, depending on the size of the car and its features (a panoramic roof can challenge the AC). Subsequently, the consumption is more moderate.
Furthermore, traffic conditions, with jams as endless as they are long, drastically reduce the speed of travel and therefore consumption. While consumption does indeed increase as speed increases, an electric car is more efficient at low speeds in traffic jams, or consumes nothing when idle, unlike a gasoline car. But what is the reality?
An average speed of 58 km/h
To summarize, we interviewed a total of 25 electric car drivers at rest areas as part of our field report during the annual crossover, asking them for the average speed recorded since their morning departure and the associated consumption. Interestingly, more than 75% of them were not able to spontaneously answer us as they are not interested in these data or do not know where to find them! Proof once again that consumption and/or range is not a concern for these users.
Ultimately, after paying attention to their dashboard, we recorded an average speed of only 58 km/h in these driving conditions. To put it into perspective, this is the average speed commonly observed on secondary roads. This aligns with Google Maps indications: based on our observations, when the highway shows a dark red color, the speed does not exceed 60 km/h.
In terms of consumption, we calculated an average of 14.1 kWh/100 km with AC running in the cars of all drivers interviewed. Specifically, we noted a consumption of 12.4 kWh/100 km with a Peugeot e-208, and 13.9 kWh/100 km with a Renault Megane e-Tech or a Mercedes EQE. Conversely, we found a consumption of 17.5 kWh/100 km with a Volkswagen ID.Buzz. As a reminder, we measured the German van at 32.7 kWh/100 km at a fixed speed of 130 km/h!
What’s the Range of our Volkswagen ID.7?
Establishing a representative consumption average is quite challenging due to driving conditions, driving styles, and the various features of the analyzed cars. At equivalent average speeds, slowdowns will be less demanding than traffic jams (with stop-and-go phases). Therefore, we recorded the data of our Volkswagen ID.7, provided for a long-term test this summer. Thus, at midday, in the congested north-south direction, we noted an average of 14.2 kWh/100 km for a speed of only 62 km/h. In these conditions, the German sedan would be capable of covering nearly 530 km before running out of charge!
By the end of the day, with traffic flow smoothing out in the late afternoon and the possibility to drive at speed limits, we observed a total consumption of 15.5 kWh/100 km, for an average speed of 71 km/h. Under these conditions, with a temperature of 35°C throughout the afternoon and the AC set permanently at 20°C (over 25°C inside according to our sensors), the sedan was able to easily complete the 480 km of our trip.
Range is Not an Issue on Holiday Road Trips
This field study is not intended to be an absolute truth. It depends on AC settings, outside temperatures, driving conditions, among other factors.
However, this average provides a fairly accurate idea of the actual average speeds on highways during a holiday exodus, and dispels prejudices that claim that AC under scorching sun sacrifices range. So, do not hesitate to switch on the AC on your holiday road trip, you will reach your destination, slowly but surely!