Understanding WLTP

Reflecting real-life driving scenarios

Understanding WLTP

Reflecting real-life driving scenarios

We know what you’re thinking – 317 miles sounds impressive, but how far can the AION V get me on a single charge really? The short answer is, on average, 317 miles. The longer answer is below.

What is WLTP?

These days, you know the stated driving range of an electric vehicle is one you can trust because it’s measured using the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure – more commonly known as the WLTP. This is a standard that every manufacturer aligns to, allowing you to reliably compare one car against another.

WLTP was introduced in 2017 to standardise global testing procedure to reflect real-life driving scenarios. The WLTP driving cycle is based on four phases with different average speeds: low, medium, high and extra-high. Each phase includes different amounts and degrees of acceleration, braking and stopping, all to simulate everyday driving and real-world conditions.

What’s the ‘combined range’?

The ‘combined’ range merges the data from these four phases in a way that mimics an average, typical journey, mixing open-road driving and the stop-start of urban driving. What you get is the most realistic representation of day-to-day driving – as such, this combined figure is the one that matters.

What if my journey is not ‘typical’?

Whether petrol, diesel or electric, the energy used by a car depends on how it is driven. Speed, load, driving style, air con use, and so on, all play a role in moving the dial above or below a model’s combined figure. There are a lot of different factors at play, but what the WLTP combined figure tries to do is approximate an average realistic driving scenario. For example, driving aggressively on a motorway – rapid acceleration and sharp braking – will use up more energy and mean fewer miles from a full charge. Or, in winter months, energy-reliant features such as heated seats and demisting can also drain the battery more quickly. On the other hand, because EVs recover energy through regenerative braking and use less power at lower speeds, the WLTP ‘city’ range for urban driving conditions is significantly higher than the combined figure. So, while the WLTP tests show that the AION V can do up to 317 miles of combined driving, you may be able to achieve a higher range if you stick to city driving.

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The values stated are based on Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). For battery electric vehicles (BEV) the range figures are obtained from tests conducted with a fully charged battery.

BEVs require connection to a mains electricity supply to recharge the battery. WLTP figures are provided for comparison between vehicles tested to the same standard only. They may not reflect real-world driving results. Actual range and energy consumption will vary depending on factors including but not limited to the battery’s state of charge, selected vehicle specification and optional equipment, use of after-market accessories, driving style, environmental and weather conditions, and vehicle load.

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