Here’s a shocking truth: no electric vehicle (EV) in Australia has lived up to its claimed range on a single charge—but one brand came remarkably close. If you’ve ever wondered whether EVs truly deliver on their promises, you’re not alone. Independent road tests reveal a surprising gap between what manufacturers advertise and what drivers actually experience. But here’s where it gets controversial: while some EVs fall drastically short, others are nearly hitting the mark, leaving consumers to question the reliability of these claims.
Electric vehicles are falling short of their advertised range, according to the Australian Automobile Association’s latest findings. In their $14 million Real-World Testing Program, the association put several EVs to the test on a 93km track in Geelong, Victoria, covering urban, rural, and motorway conditions. The results? Not a single model met its promised range—though Tesla’s Model Y SUV came within just 16km of its claimed 466km on a single charge, earning it the top spot among EVs tested so far.
At the other end of the spectrum, the MG4 electric hatchback delivered the most disappointing performance, falling 124km short of its 405km goal—a staggering 31% shortfall. The Kia EV3 and Smart #1 also missed their targets by 11% (67km) and 13% (53km), respectively. And this is the part most people miss: these discrepancies aren’t isolated incidents. Previous tests of 131 internal combustion and hybrid vehicles found that 76% consumed more fuel than advertised, suggesting a broader industry trend of overpromising and underdelivering.
Michael Bradley, the association’s managing director, emphasizes the importance of these real-world tests for consumers. “These results give buyers an independent, clear picture of what to expect from an EV’s battery range,” he explains. “It’s about setting realistic expectations and helping drivers make informed decisions without the fear of running out of charge.”
The program, launched in 2023 with federal government funding, has already tested 140 vehicles out of a planned 200. Its origins trace back to the 2015 Volkswagen scandal, where the automaker was caught using software to manipulate emissions during lab tests—a stark reminder of why real-world testing matters.
But here’s the bold question: Are manufacturers intentionally inflating EV range claims, or is there a disconnect between lab conditions and real-world driving? Let’s spark a conversation. Do you think these findings will impact your decision to switch to an EV? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this electrifying debate!
