Realistic estimates of EV range based on extensive laboratory and field tests in Nordic climate conditions

Shortage of range is by far the greatest flaw in current electric vehicle technology. Furthermore, energy use is also highly dependent on duty cycles, driving conditions and traffic situation. Additionally, cabin heating in an EV will not be supported by energy losses as in an ICE-car. Therefore, actual range can differ substantially in real-life situations, and can be much shorter than the official figures given by the manufacturers. Project RekkEVidde is aiming at drafting a testing scheme to address EV driving in Nordic conditions, and produce realistic range estimates for the consumers to help them understand this raising technology and make successful purchase decisions. Both in-laboratory and field testing in actual winter weather conditions has been performed with almost all publicly available electric vehicles. The outcome of the project is a confirmation that in Nordic climate the adverse driving conditions and especially thermal management of the cabin for adequate driving comfort will seriously shorten the range. Therefore, additional testing to reflect this is definitely needed to complement the official regulatory test. However, it may not have to be very complex, as the testing workshop held in Northern Sweden proved. Already steady-speed driving with heater on and logging the cabin temperatures and energy consumption from the CAN-bus can provide valuable information on how the vehicle can perform in cold climate.