Key Points
- The Tesla Model Y Long Range recorded 559km of real-world range, the longest result measured by the AAA program to date.
- The BYD Atto 3 Essential reached 328km in real-world testing, 5 per cent below its WLTP-rated range of 345km.
- None of the 20 electric vehicles tested by the AAA matched their advertised laboratory range under real-world conditions.
The Australian Automobile Association has released new results from its Real-World Testing Program, with data now covering two electric vehicles: the BYD Atto 3 Essential and the Tesla Model Y Long Range. The AAA has now assessed 20 battery electric vehicles under real-world Australian driving conditions.
None of the 20 EVs achieved their advertised laboratory range. The gap between laboratory and real-world figures ranged from 3 per cent to 31 per cent across the fleet.
EV range results
AAA Real-World Testing Program — EV results
Electric vehicle | WLTP range | Real-world range | Difference |
BYD Atto 3 Essential | 345km | 328km | -5% |
Tesla Model Y Long Range | 600km | 559km | -7% |
Note: The AAA published a 20 per cent shortfall for the BYD Atto 3 Essential, based on the NEDC-reported range of 410km. The NEDC is an older testing standard that consistently produces more optimistic figures than WLTP. The correct WLTP range for this vehicle is 345km, and on that basis the real-world shortfall is 5 per cent.
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BYD Atto 3 Essential
The BYD Atto 3 Essential recorded 328km of real-world range in AAA testing. Against its WLTP-rated range of 345km, the gap is 17km, approximately 5 per cent.
The AAA comparison used the NEDC-reported range of 410km, which produced a stated shortfall of 20 per cent. It appears the AAA used the figure BYD submitted when the Atto 3 was launched even though the industry has moved towards WLTP as the standard.
The WLTP figure is the standard most Australian buyers will encounter when researching new vehicles, and on that basis the real-world gap is materially smaller.
Tesla Model Y Long Range
The Tesla Model Y Long Range recorded 559km of real-world range, 7 per cent below its advertised 600km laboratory figure. This is the highest real-world range measured by the AAA program across all 20 electric vehicles tested.
Along with the Kia EV3 Air Long Range and the Kia EV5 Air Long Range, the Model Y Long Range is one of only three electric vehicles in the program to exceed 500km of real-world range.
About the testing program
The AAA's Real-World Testing Program was established following the 2015 Volkswagen emissions scandal, in which laboratory testing procedures were manipulated to understate real-world emissions. The program independently measures fuel consumption, energy use, and emissions under real-world Australian driving conditions.
The program is administered by the Australian Automobile Association and funded by the Commonwealth Government. Complete results for all tested vehicles are published at realworld.org.au.
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About the author
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
