Polestar 2 tops big EV summer real life range test

The debate surrounding electric vehicles often centers on range anxiety – the fear of running out of battery power before reaching a charging station. While manufacturers provide estimated ranges, real-world performance often differs greatly from those. A recent test pitted 12 different EV models against each other in a highway range test aiming to shed some extra light on that.

Conducted in the UK under ideal summer conditions, the test included driving each vehicle until the battery was fully depleted.

Leading the pack was the Polestar 2, achieving 536 km on a single charge. This performance fell short 18% of its officially claimed range of 653 km, but it was the longest distance covered during the test, demonstrating that Polestar really upped its game with the refresh of the model. The first, you might remember, didn’t do so well in our test.

Hot on its heels was the new Renault Scenic E-Tech, covering a remarkable 518 km. Its actual range missed the official figure of 610 km by over 15%.

The Kia EV9 was a big surprise – in every meaning of the word “big.” This huge seven-seater managed to cover 505 km before running out of juice, coming quite close to its claimed 562 km of range. This proves that even big EVs can deliver substantial range, making them suitable for long-distance travel.

Obviously, vehicles equipped with larger battery packs, like the EV9, did well in the test but their heavy weight meant they aren’t the most efficient ones. That category was topped by Tesla Model 3, with efficiency of 6 km/kWh.

It’s worth noting that these results were obtained under optimal conditions. Real-world driving experiences will likely yield slightly lower ranges due to factors like terrain, weather, the use of accessories such as air conditioning, and of course driving style. Nevertheless, the experiment serves as a powerful testament to the advancements in EV technology. Range anxiety is becoming less of a concern as EVs consistently demonstrate their ability to cover significant distances on a single charge.

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