Three test cycles
Manufacturers publish range from standard laboratory tests. The test used changes the number a lot.
- CLTC is China's test. It is the most optimistic of the common cycles, so China-market brochures show the highest figures.
- WLTP is used in Europe and many export markets. It is more realistic than CLTC but still assumes mild temperatures and moderate speeds.
- EPA is the US test and is usually the most conservative.
When you compare two cars, compare like with like. A 600 km CLTC figure is roughly a 500 km WLTP figure.
Why Nigerian driving is different
Laboratory tests do not reflect a hot day in Lagos traffic with the air conditioning running. The main factors are:
- Heat and air conditioning. Cooling the cabin and the battery uses energy all the time, including when you are stationary.
- Traffic. Stop-start traffic is not always bad for an EV, because it recovers energy when slowing down, but long periods of idling with the air conditioning on reduce range.
- Highway speed. Energy use rises sharply above about 100 km/h.
- Load and tyres. Passengers, luggage and under-inflated tyres all reduce range.
How ElectriVic estimates range
We convert the official figure to a WLTP basis, then apply published factors for city, mixed and highway driving in Nigerian conditions. We round the result to the nearest 5 km and always show it as a range, not a single number.
These are estimates, not measurements. As Nigerian owners submit range reports, we will show their results alongside the estimate with the number of reports, and recalibrate the method. You can read the full method on our methodology page.