Does a large battery automatically ensure a large range?
The electric Ariya probably does not do what Nissan dreamed of. With just over 1,000 Dutch units sold so far, the Ariya is not yet a permanent fixture on the streets. And while it certainly has something to offer with an 87 kWh battery pack. At least, in theory. In this article we look at its range in practice.
Extra sad for Nissan is that the new Renault Scenic has been crowned Car of the Year 2024. This car uses the same technology as the Ariya and, unlike the more compact Megane E-Tech Electric, is also available with a large 87 kWh battery. The largest battery you can get in this electric Megane, with 63 kWh capacity, is the smallest for the Ariya. In this article we look at both the version with a large battery and the ‘entry level’ with 63 kWh net capacity. Moreover, Nissan has adjusted the price of the Ariya downwards to such an extent that even the model with the largest battery pack now falls under the SEPP subsidy scheme. Maybe that will ensure that we see him on the road more often.
Range Nissan Ariya 87 kWh
To get a good idea of the range, we look at both our own tests and practical values that users report in their Nissan Ariya reviews. The (net) 87 kWh version is best represented there. In our double test against the Hyundai Ioniq 5, this car scored a consumption of 17.9 kWh/100 km, which represents a driving range of up to 486 kilometers.
If we add that average to the practical values of users, the number is slightly lower: 468 km. This includes a consumption of 18.7 kWh/100 km. However, users do note that consumption in summer and winter differs considerably, as the next rider indicates. “The Ariya takes 22 kWh/100 km in winter. In summer 17 kWh/100 km.” This is a four-wheel drive Ariya e-4ORCE 87 kWh Evolve. Another fact: “It takes 27.5 kWh/100 km with the caravan behind it, which weighs 1300 kilos.” A quick calculation shows that the cake is completely gone after 316 kilometers.
Not everyone will want to use the Ariya as a caravan tractor, but the car is ideally suited for the highway. The next rider indicates how far you can drive before you have to stop. “I regularly had the cruise control set to 130 and that meant about 23 kWh/100km at about 23 degrees Celsius. With a capacity of 87 kWh, that means just under 400 km, which is fine. After more than three hours you have to take a break.”
And that’s how far you can get with 63 kWh
We have less data on the Ariya with a 63 kWh battery, but it is interesting to also discuss this basic version. Below the line we see a slightly lower average consumption, 18.1 kWh/100 km, which provides an average range of 349 kilometers. We cannot rule out that the 141 kg lower vehicle weight accounts for this difference.
A rider who scores slightly better than average has not yet gained any experience in the winter. He writes: “After driving almost 10,000 km, the average consumption is 17.2 kWh per 100 km. I am curious what the consumption will be in the colder period.” Another rider helps him on his way. “Winter consumption rises to 21 kWh/100 km or even slightly above. With a calm driving style there is around 300 km of driving range, but under unfavorable conditions sometimes 250 km.” It will not be due to the driving style of this driver, because he regularly reports a consumption of 15 kWh/100 km in the summer. Good for a range of 420 kilometers.
Want to know more about electric driving in practice? Look atherean overview of more than 25 electric cars and their actual range.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl