Every EV listing quotes a range figure. That figure is not the range you will get. Here is what it actually means and how to calculate what you will really experience.
What WLTP range is
WLTP Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure is a standardised laboratory test.
It measures range under specific controlled conditions a set temperature, a set speed profile, no extreme weather, a new battery at full capacity.
It is the official figure manufacturers publish and dealers quote.
It is not a lie. It is a lab result. Real driving is not a lab.
Why real-world range is lower
Motorway speeds use more energy than the test profile aerodynamic drag increases sharply with speed.
Cold weather reduces battery efficiency and requires cabin heating, which on an EV draws directly from the main battery. Hills, headwinds, heavy loads, and air conditioning all add to energy consumption.
The result: real-world range is typically 75–85% of WLTP in normal UK conditions. At motorway speeds in cold weather with heating running, it can be 65–75% of WLTP.
On a used EV - apply SoH too
A used EV has a battery below 100% state of health. A battery at 85% SoH delivers 85% of original capacity and therefore 85% of original range.
To get a realistic range figure for any used EV, apply both adjustments.
Conservative planning formula: WLTP range × SoH × 0.70
This gives a figure to test against your longest regular journey not the average day, but the most demanding one.
The factors that matter most
Speed affects range more than any other single factor. Driving at 60mph rather than 70mph on a motorway can meaningfully extend range. Temperature is the second biggest cold weather and cabin heating together can reduce range by 20–30% compared to mild conditions.
Tyre pressure and driving style make a smaller but real difference.
