How Far Can Electric SUVs Go on a Single Charge?

TL;DR

The Polestar 4 outperformed other electric SUVs by achieving 333 miles on a single charge, which is 90% of its claimed range. The Porsche Macan came second, reaching 318 miles. Despite the high initial cost, the Polestar proved to be the most efficient in terms of range and value for money.

Transcript

I've got the very latest electric SUVs and they're the longest range versions of each model and I'm going to be driving them up north to see how far they can go on a single charge and see how close they get to the manufacturer's claimed range I'll also be seeing what exactly happens when they run out of electricity do they suddenly just like con ou... Read More

Key Insights

• The Polestar 4 achieved 333 miles, 90% of its claimed range, the highest among the tested cars.
• The Porsche Macan, with a 95 kWh battery, managed 318 miles, 82% of its claimed range.
• Tesla Model Y reached 294 miles, achieving 79% of its claimed range, with good energy efficiency.
• Ford Explorer covered 291 miles, 78% of its claimed range, showing similar efficiency to Tesla.
• Kia EV6 traveled 280 miles, 81% of its claimed range, with decent energy efficiency.
• Audi Q4 e-tron reached 268 miles, 79% of its claimed range, the lowest among the vehicles.
• The Skoda Kodiak, a diesel camera car, cost the same as the Polestar for a round trip but needed fewer refuels.
• Using public fast chargers for the Polestar would have increased the cost to £140, 50% more than the Skoda.

Questions & Answers

Q: How far can the Polestar 4 go on a single charge?

The Polestar 4 managed to travel 333 miles on a single charge, which is 90% of its claimed range of 372 miles. This made it the most efficient vehicle in the test, outperforming other electric SUVs in terms of real-world range.

Q: What was the performance of the Porsche Macan in the range test?

The Porsche Macan covered 318 miles, achieving 82% of its claimed range of 386 miles. Despite its high cost, it demonstrated excellent driving dynamics and comfort, making it a strong contender in the electric SUV segment.

Q: How did the Tesla Model Y perform in the range test?

The Tesla Model Y achieved 294 miles, reaching 79% of its claimed range of 373 miles. It showed good energy efficiency, with an average of 3.8 miles per kilowatt hour, making it a competitive option among electric SUVs.

Q: What was the real-world range of the Ford Explorer?

The Ford Explorer managed to cover 291 miles, which is 78% of its claimed range of 374 miles. It demonstrated similar energy efficiency to the Tesla Model Y, making it a viable option for long-distance travel.

Q: How did the Kia EV6 fare in the range test?

The Kia EV6 traveled 280 miles, achieving 81% of its claimed range of 347 miles. It showed decent energy efficiency, averaging 3.4 miles per kilowatt hour, positioning it competitively among the tested electric SUVs.

Q: What was the Audi Q4 e-tron's performance in the test?

The Audi Q4 e-tron reached 268 miles, achieving 79% of its claimed range of 336 miles. It was the least efficient among the tested vehicles, highlighting the gap between real-world performance and manufacturer claims.

Q: How did the Skoda Kodiak compare to electric SUVs in terms of cost?

The Skoda Kodiak, a diesel vehicle, cost £92 in fuel for the round trip, matching the Polestar's cost when using a home charger for the initial leg. However, using public fast chargers for the Polestar would have increased the cost to £140, 50% more than the Skoda.

Q: What impact does using public fast chargers have on cost?

Using public fast chargers significantly increases the cost of charging electric vehicles. In the case of the Polestar 4, relying on public fast chargers for both legs of the trip would have raised the total cost to £140, compared to £92 when using a home charger for the initial leg, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of home charging.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Polestar 4 led the test, achieving 90% of its 372-mile claimed range, covering 333 miles. Its efficiency and value for money were highlighted, making it a top choice among electric SUVs.

• The Porsche Macan followed closely with 318 miles, achieving 82% of its claimed range. Despite its higher cost, it demonstrated excellent driving dynamics and comfort.

• Tesla Model Y, Ford Explorer, and Kia EV6 showed competitive performance, with the Audi Q4 e-tron trailing. The test underscored the importance of real-world range over manufacturer claims.