Car manufacturers claim a large driving range for their EVs, but the daily reality is often disappointing. This practical test shows how far you really get with your EV, at a maximum speed of 130 km/h. With us you can drive after 7 pm on many roads, in Germany it is allowed during the day, and harder is also allowed on some parts. Our colleagues from AutoBild entered the autobahn with twelve EVs and set the speed at 130.
There are more and more on our roads and there is nothing wrong with that. We are talking about electric cars, which are gaining popularity. However, we always notice that the increase in the range is unfortunately not going so smoothly. The driving range is an important aspect. It no longer surprises anyone that you can commute back and forth to work with an electric car and then recharge at night for the next day. But what if you have to take a trip abroad? Or a holiday trip to the mountains or the sunny south? Then it is annoying if you are forced to stop every 200 kilometers to recharge the battery. We sent twelve current EV models onto the highway and saw how long they last at a speed of 130 km/h. They all had to work, from the rather sparsely motorized Opel Combo-e Life to the luxurious powerhouse Audi RS E-tron GT. We can already reveal one thing: the results are surprising. Sometimes in a positive way, sometimes in a negative way.
Porsche Taycan 4S (Performance Battery Plus)
No EV is better suited for the highway. Not only can you drive it fast (top speed 250 km/h). The 93.4 kWh Performance Battery Plus Battery with an additional cost of €6,044 also provides fast charging with 270 kW (otherwise 225 kW). According to Porsche, the range is a maximum of 365 kilometers.
Power: 420 kW/571 hp
Empty weight: 2,220 kg
Battery capacity: 83.7/93.4 kWh
Price: €95,244 (Performance Battery Plus)
Range at 130 km/h: 352 km
Audi RS E-tron GT
The technical brother of the Taycan impresses not only with brutal performance (0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, top 250 km/h), but also with comfort and class. The Audi is heavier, stronger and more expensive than the Porsche, but uses the same battery and charging technology. Ideally, charging the battery should only take about 20 minutes.
Power: 440 kW/598 hp
Empty weight: 2,345 kg
Battery capacity: 83.7/93.4 kWh
Price: €148,455
Range at 130 km/h: 367 km
BMW iX xDrive50
What an impressive beast! The 2.5-tonner shoots to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, springs like a sedan and drives almost silently. On the highway, the car only needs to be charged after 434 kilometers and at a suitable charging station, the battery is 80 percent charged with 195 kW in 39 minutes.
Power: 385 kW/523 hp
Empty weight: 2,510 kg
Battery capacity: 105.2/111.5 kWh
Price: €105,516
Range at 130 km/h: 434 km
Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD
With the clever combination of a large battery, four-wheel drive and sufficient power (the top model delivers 487 hp), the Mustang still gets 367 kilometers in one go. The large battery charges with a maximum of 150 kW (otherwise 115 kW). It takes 45 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent.
Power: 258 kW/351 hp
Empty weight: 2,182 kg
Battery capacity: 88/98.7 kWh
Price: €67,640
Range at 130 km/h: 367 km
Kia e-Soul (204 hp)
If you don’t press the accelerator too deeply, you get a range of almost 400 kilometers, but at a speed of 130 km/h that is less than 300 kilometers. However, the small crossover is easy to drive and manoeuvrable. Fast charging with 80 to 100 kW is possible. From 0 to 80 percent it takes 54 minutes.
Power: 150 kW/204 hp
Empty weight: 1,682 kg
Battery capacity: 64 kWh
Price: €36,525
Range at 130 km/h: 280 km
Kia EV6 AWD
The sporty-lined Korean drives just as sporty. The charging performance should also be there. With 350 kW, 18 minutes is enough to recharge the battery to 80 percent. The range is only average, that could have been better.
Power: 239 kW / 325 hp
Empty weight: 2,015 kg
Battery capacity: 77.4 kWh
Price: €51.995
Range at 130 km: 305 km
Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic
Silent luxury, with a high level of performance. The electric top model from Mercedes-Benz seduces with power and prestige. This includes the comfort level and the range, which of all test participants is greatest on the highway. Thanks to the charging capacity of 200 kW, the enormous 108 kWh battery of almost 700 kilograms can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 31 minutes.
Power: 385 kW/523 hp
Empty weight: 2,582 kg
Battery capacity: 107.8 kWh
Price: €154,949
Range at 130 km/h: 444 km
Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD
Cool design and plenty of space characterize the brother of the Kia EV6, the comfortable chassis guarantees relaxed travel. Unfortunately, at 130 km/h, only a distance of 300 kilometers is possible. The 350 kW charging is in any case just as fast as with the Kia, namely 10-80 percent in 18 minutes.
Power: 225 kW/305 hp
Empty weight: 2.020 kg
Battery capacity: 72.6 kWh
Price: €54,500
Range at 130 km/h: 290 km
Opel Zafira-e Life M
The almost five meter long Zafira-e has to make do with 136 hp. With a speed of 130 km/h, the battery is quickly empty – then you drive the Opel at full throttle. One thing is clear: this car belongs in an urban environment. Charging is possible with a power of up to 100 kW.
Power: 100 kW/136 hp
Empty weight: 2,140 kg
Battery capacity: 75 kWh
Price: €53.711
Range at 130 km/h: 250 km
Mercedes Benz EQV 300
The EQV can carry up to 4,630 liters of luggage and weighs 3.5 tons. The power of 204 hp is at most adequate and at 140 km/h (optional 160) km/h the cake is over. Also, this model does not even get 300 kilometers on the highway – not ideal for families. Fast charging is possible with 110 kW.
Power: 150 kW/204 hp
Empty weight: 2,635 kg
Battery capacity: 90/100 kWh
Price: €73,314
Range 130 km/h: 273 km
Skoda Enyaq iV 80
The Enyaq has a family-friendly layout and is pleasant to drive, but its 316 km highway range isn’t very suitable for long journeys. Thanks to a 125 kW charger, the battery of the Czech can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in about 35 minutes. The charging time for a wallbox with 11 kW is 8 hours.
Power: 150 kW/204 hp
Empty weight: 2,090 kg
Battery capacity: 77/82 kWh
Price: €50,690
Range at 130 km/h: 316 km
Volkswagen ID4 GTX
The brother of the Enyaq, in this case with four-wheel drive and almost 300 hp, is more agile and sporty. The battery and charging technology, on the other hand, do not differ. It is therefore surprising that the VW only gets a little further on the highway. One possible explanation: the weather conditions.
Power: 220 kW/299 hp
Empty weight: 2,224 kg
Battery capacity: 77/82 kWh
Price: €52,990
Range at 130 km/h: 332 km
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl