Quick answer
Key takeaways
- WLTP is a lab figure for the car when new, real driving returns less.
- Cold weather and motorway speeds are the biggest real-world range killers.
- A used EV also loses range as its battery degrades with age and mileage.
- Judge a used EV on its expected range now, not the original WLTP number.
WLTP range vs real-world range
The headline range on almost every EV advert is the WLTP figure, a standardised lab test for the car when new. It's useful for comparing models on a like-for-like basis, but it's measured in mild conditions at gentle speeds, so real driving almost always returns less. A rough rule of thumb is to knock 15-30% off the WLTP number for everyday use, and more in winter.
How much less is real-world range?
| Conditions | Typical range vs WLTP |
|---|---|
| Mild weather, mixed roads | ~80-90% |
| Motorway cruising (70mph) | ~70-80% |
| Cold winter driving | ~60-75% |
| Cold + motorway combined | ~55-70% |
So a car with a 250-mile WLTP figure might do around 200 miles in mixed use, and closer to 150 on a cold motorway run. That's before any battery ageing.
Why a used EV goes less far than the advert
A used EV faces the same weather-and-speed penalties as a new one, plus one more: battery degradation. As the pack ages and covers miles it loses a little capacity, so a five-year-old car advertised at its original WLTP range will deliver noticeably less. Our guide to why EVs lose range covers the causes in detail.
How much range do you actually need?
Most drivers cover far fewer miles a day than they think, the average UK car does around 20 miles a day. If you can charge at home, even a car with a real-world 130-150 miles handles daily life easily and only needs planning for longer trips. Be honest about your longest regular journey in winter, then buy a car whose expected range nowcomfortably covers it.
How to check the real range of a used EV
The Used EV Check reports the expected real-world range now versus when the car was new, modelled from real-world data for the specific vehicle, alongside a degradation estimate and the warranty remaining. It replaces the optimistic brochure figure with a realistic one for the car in front of you, before you drive out to see it. Range data is powered by ClearWatt.
Range and battery-health figures are estimates modelled from real-world data and are shown for the specific vehicle in the Used EV Check. Range data is powered by ClearWatt. A battery-health grade is shown where a manufacturer test record exists, it is a comparative grade, not a measured state-of-health percentage.
Check a used EV before you buy
Enter a registration to see a used EV's battery health, real-world range now vs when new and remaining battery warranty, an instant report for £9.99.
Frequently asked questions
Is WLTP range accurate for real driving?+
How much range does a used EV lose in winter?+
How do I find the real-world range of a specific used EV?+
Does a bigger battery always mean more usable range?+
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