One of the most confusing things on any EV spec sheet is range, because the same car can be advertised at 700 km in China, 600 km in Europe and 480 km in the United States — all true, all measured differently. The figure depends entirely on which test cycle was used. Here is what CLTC, WLTP, EPA and NEDC mean and how to read past the marketing.
Why test cycles exist
Range is not a fixed property of a car — it changes with speed, temperature, terrain and how you drive. To let buyers compare cars fairly, regulators run each model on a standardised laboratory cycle: a fixed pattern of speeds and stops on a rolling road. The catch is that different regions use different cycles, and some are far gentler (and so more optimistic) than others.
The four cycles, from most to least optimistic
- NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) — the oldest and most generous. Largely retired in Europe but still quoted on some older Chinese cars. Treat it as a best-case lab number.
- CLTC (China Light-duty Test Cycle) — the standard on almost every Chinese EV we review. It involves low average speeds and gentle acceleration, so figures look high. Real-world range is typically 25–35% lower.
- WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) — the European standard, noticeably tougher and closer to reality. Expect to lose roughly 10–20% in real driving.
- EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) — the strictest mainstream cycle, with higher speeds and a tougher adjustment. EPA figures are usually the closest to what you will actually see.
A rough translation guide
When you see a big CLTC number, a quick sanity check is to multiply by about 0.7–0.75 for a realistic mixed-driving estimate. As a rule of thumb the same car lands roughly at: CLTC 100% → WLTP ~85% → EPA ~75% → real-world motorway driving lower still. So a 700 km CLTC EV is more like a 500–530 km car on a real cross-country run.
What actually drains range
- Speed: aerodynamic drag rises sharply above 100 km/h — motorway driving is the biggest range killer.
- Cold: a cold battery holds less energy and cabin heating draws power. Winter range can drop 20–30%.
- Climate and load: heating, air-con, roof racks and heavy loads all cost range.
- Driving style: hard acceleration wastes energy that smooth driving and regenerative braking would recover.
How to compare cars fairly
Only compare range figures measured on the same cycle — never a CLTC number against an EPA one. Better still, look at efficiency in kWh/100 km alongside battery size in kWh: a car that uses less energy per kilometre will go further on the same battery and cost less to run, whatever the headline cycle says. When we list a CLTC range on a review, read it as the lab ceiling, not the number on your dashboard.
The takeaway
A range figure is only meaningful with its cycle attached. CLTC is optimistic, WLTP is moderate, EPA is realistic, and your own driving sets the truth. Knowing the conversions turns an impressive-sounding spec into a number you can actually plan a journey around.
