LEUVEN, BELGIUM – Addressing the common concerns of electric vehicle (EV) drivers, Green NCAP’s recent comprehensive study sheds light on the real-world performance of electric cars, focusing on issues such as range anxiety, charging time, and cold weather effects.
Beyond just environmental scores, the evaluation examines how well models like the Dacia Spring, Hyundai Inster, and Volkswagen ID.4 fare under conditions like freezing temperatures and the demand for rapid charging.
The findings also include a comparison with a traditional vehicle, the SEAT Ibiza, highlighting differences in driving experience, especially in cold climates, and emphasizing the importance of choosing a vehicle that aligns with one’s driving habits.
Cold Weather and Electric Vehicle Range
Potential EV buyers often worry about reduced range in cold weather. Green NCAP’s ‘Cold Winter Performance’ tests, conducted at -7°C (19°F), address this concern, showing varying results among different models.
The Dacia Spring, with its 27.6 kWh battery and 979 kg weight, is ideal for short trips, with a warm weather range of 180 km, dropping to 133 km in the cold. On motorways, its range further decreases to 119 km in cold conditions, earning it a ‘Poor’ rating for range.
Conversely, the Hyundai Inster, equipped with a 49.0 kWh battery and weighing 1412 kg, fares better with a 322 km range in warm conditions, rated as ‘Adequate,’ and 219 km in cold weather. However, its motorway range also diminishes, reaching 199 km in cold weather, which is rated as ‘Poor.’
The VW ID.4, with a 52.0 kWh battery and weighing 1987 kg, offers a 304 km range in warm weather, dropping to 196 km in cold conditions. Despite a significant reduction, it remains practical for daily use, receiving an ‘Adequate’ rating for consumption and range.
Heating and its Impact on EV Range
Heating is a significant energy draw in EVs. The Dacia Spring uses a PTC heater, but it struggles to warm the cabin efficiently, offering minimal range benefits from pre-warming while plugged in.
The Hyundai Inster, with a PTC heater and heat pump, warms the cabin slowly but includes features like remotely activated front seat heating, which conserves battery power.
The VW ID.4 stands out by quickly heating the cabin, boosting its range by 46 km in cold weather mixed trips and 79 km in urban driving, helping to mitigate range loss.
Evaluating Fast Charging Capabilities
All three EVs are rated ‘Adequate’ for fast charging. The Dacia Spring, with a maximum DC power of 34 kW, takes 40 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%, making it more suitable for short distances despite its V2L capability.
The Hyundai Inster charges faster, reaching 80% in about 31 minutes at a peak power of 81 kW, making it better for longer journeys.
The VW ID.4, with a peak charging power of 155 kW, completes the same charge in about 27 minutes, despite lacking V2L functionality, making it a versatile option for longer trips.
Comparing with Conventional Vehicles
For context, the SEAT Ibiza 1.0 MPI, a conventional small family car, was also tested. Its fuel consumption is rated ‘Good,’ with 6.0 l/100 km in warm weather and 6.4 l/100 km in cold weather, using engine waste heat for the cabin, unlike EVs.
Environmental Impact Assessment
Green NCAP also evaluates the lifetime environmental impact. The Dacia Spring achieved a perfect five-star rating with 100% overall score, aided by its lightweight and small battery, resulting in low CO2 emissions of 90 g/km.
The Hyundai Inster follows closely with a five-star rating and 114 g/km CO2 emissions, while the heavier VW ID.4 receives a four-and-a-half-star rating, with higher emissions at 130 g/km.
Green NCAP’s testing goes far beyond the official figures to give consumers a true picture of what daily life with a vehicle would be like.Our test results clearly show that the ‘Driver Experience’ – especially during winter – is quite variable among electric cars. While the Dacia Spring is a spectacular achievement in overall environmental terms, its short range and slow charging limit its suitability to drivers who only need to make local journeys.
Whereas the Hyundai Inster and VW ID.4 provide more robust, if not flawless, solutions for longer trips and driving in cold weather. Manufacturers must continue to optimise heating systems and charging speeds to fully address consumer anxieties and make the transition to electric mobility seamless for everyone.
Dr. Aleksandar Damyanov, Technical Manager Green NCAP
Original Story at www.thenewsmarket.com