New real-world test results for four electric vehicles have shown that they deliver a shorter driving range on the road than their official laboratory figures suggest. The latest findings come from the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) Real-World Testing Program, which now covers nine EV models.
According to the AAA, the new test results show real-world range gaps of between 3 per cent and 31 per cent. The Tesla Model Y 2025 performed closest to expectations, while the MG4 showed the largest shortfall.
AAA Managing Director Michael Bradley said the data helps buyers understand how EVs perform outside controlled testing environments.
“These results give consumers an independent indication of real-world battery range, which means they now know which cars perform as advertised and which do not,” he said.
“Giving consumers improved information about real-world driving range means buyers can worry less about running out of charge and make the switch to EVs with confidence.”
How the latest models performed
The Tesla Model Y 2025 recorded a real-world range of 450 km, which is just 3 percent (or 16 km) lower than its laboratory figure. The Kia EV3 2025 travelled 537 km on the test route, coming in 11 per cent under its official rating. Meanwhile, the Smart #1 2024 delivered 367 km of range, a 13 per cent reduction from its laboratory result. And the MG4 2023 showed the largest shortfall, covering 281 km in real-world conditions, which is 31 per cent less than the range on its mandated windscreen label.
Each of the four vehicles also used more energy on the road than indicated on their laboratory test results, except for the Tesla Model Y, which consumed slightly less.
Earlier results highlight consistent gaps
The AAA’s first tranche of EV results, released in August 2025, revealed similar discrepancies. The Tesla Model 3 delivered a real-world range 14 per cent below its official number, while the BYD Atto 3 fell short by 23 per cent. Other models, including the Kia EV6 and Smart #3, showed smaller but still notable differences, ranging between 5 per cent and 8 per cent.
Across all nine EVs tested so far, none have matched their official laboratory range once driven on public roads.
About the Real-World Testing Program
The program was created after the 2015 Volkswagen emissions scandal exposed how vehicles could be optimised to perform better in laboratory tests than in everyday driving. Backed by $14 million in Commonwealth funding, the program independently evaluates EVs, hybrids, and internal combustion vehicles.
Since launching in 2023, the AAA has tested 131 non-EV vehicles as well, finding that 76 per cent used more fuel on-road than in laboratory conditions.
All vehicles are tested on a 93-kilometre circuit around Geelong in Victoria, using tightly controlled protocols based on European regulations to ensure results are repeatable and not influenced by traffic or driving style. EV testing includes measuring both the energy consumed on the route and the energy required to recharge the vehicle from empty.
The AAA says the goal is to give buyers realistic expectations rather than discourage EV adoption.
“Consumers need accurate information,” Bradley said, “and these results are an important step in building confidence.”
Full results are available at www.realworld.org.au
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