Photo: motorandauto.com
A new study has shown that the main obstacle for electric-car drivers remains the real driving range, which drops significantly when travelling at high speeds. A series of tests conducted during the Eurocharge 2025 road tour demonstrated that speed is the key factor leading to a sharp decrease in battery efficiency.
During the tests, it was found that at a speed of 130 km/h, electric vehicles lose on average around 40% of their rated range.
This applies even to the most advanced models, such as the Porsche Macan EV and Audi A6 e-tron Quattro. In contrast, driving on secondary roads with a 90 km/h speed limit allows cars to achieve results much closer to their official WLTP ratings. The difference in real-world range turned out to be substantial: a car capable of covering 380 km in a moderate driving mode will not travel more than 220 km at 130 km/h.
Additional factors such as headwinds, the number of passengers and luggage also affect efficiency. In countries with more relaxed speed limits, such as Germany, EV drivers often have to make unplanned charging stops.
The vehicle’s electrical architecture also plays a separate role. Models with 800-volt systems, such as the Lucid Air, maintain consistently high range at 110 km/h. Meanwhile, EVs with conventional 400-volt systems, including the BMW i5, consume energy much faster during high-speed driving.
