Real-World Testing Shows EVs Fall Short of Advertised Driving Range

The Chinese BYD Atto 3 performed worst of the five models tested, a 23 percent gap between its actual performance and lab tests.

The BYD ATTO 3 from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD is pictured at the 2025 Bangkok International Motor Show at the Impact Arena convention venue in Bangkok, Thailand on March 24, 2025. Chanakarn Laosarakham/AFP via Getty Images

The first batch of electric vehicle (EV) tests under the Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) Real-World Testing Program has revealed a notable gap between advertised and actual driving distance.

Five EV models were tested to see how far they could travel on a battery charge, and all recorded shorter driving ranges compared to lab tests—with real-world results falling short by 5 percent and a substantial 23 percent.