Tesla and Kia’s EV range claims fall short in independent evaluations.

Independent testing has revealed that several popular electric vehicles (EVs) did not meet their claimed driving ranges in real-world conditions. This includes the Tesla Model Y, Model 3, and Kia EV6, with one vehicle notably showing a significant 23 percent reduction in range.

The Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) Real-World Testing Program has shared the outcomes of its energy consumption and range tests on five EVs, representing the program’s inaugural evaluation of fully electric models. Regrettably, all tested vehicles did not perform as expected compared to their lab results, including three well-known models available in the U.S.: the 2024 Tesla Model 3, 2024 Tesla Model Y, and 2022 Kia EV6. The Tesla Model 3 registered some of the most noticeable discrepancies, achieving only 441 km (274 miles) compared to its laboratory-tested range of 513 km (318.8 miles)—a 14 percent drop. The Model Y also underperformed, with a range of 490 km (304.5 miles) instead of the claimed 533 km (331.2 miles), reflecting an eight percent reduction. Similarly, the Kia EV6 traveled 484 km (300.7 miles) in the AAA’s tests, which was also an eight percent underperformance from its anticipated 528 km (328.1 miles).

The AAA further evaluated the 2023 BYD Atto 3 and 2024 Smart #3, finding that the latter achieved the closest alignment to its advertised range among all tested EVs. The Smart #3’s real-world range was 432 km (268.4 miles), just five percent lower than the claimed 455 km (282.7 miles). In contrast, the Atto 3 exhibited the largest gap, with a real-world range of 369 km (229.3 miles), 23 percent lower than its lab-tested figure of 480 km (298.3 miles). While neither vehicle is currently available in the U.S., the Atto 3 holds the position of the fifth best-selling EV in Australia.

Fortunately, there were some positive highlights regarding energy consumption across the five EVs. The Tesla Model Y performed slightly better than its lab results, consuming one percent less energy at 167 Wh/km rather than 169 Wh/km. However, the other four vehicles fell short, consuming more energy than indicated in their lab tests. The Kia EV6 used one percent more, the Tesla Model 3 six percent more, and the Smart #3 four percent more. Most strikingly, the Atto 3’s energy consumption was a significant 21 percent higher than anticipated, a notable factor alongside its 23 percent lower range.

AAA indicates that their program tested these vehicles on a 93 km (57.8 miles) circuit in Geelong, Victoria, from March to May, under varying conditions including damp and dry weather and temperatures from 17 to 25°C (62 to 77°F). “The Real-World Testing Program employs stringent protocols based on European regulations to ensure reliable results and minimize the impact of variables such as driving style and traffic conditions,” stated AAA. Funded by the Australian government, the program emerged in response to the 2015 Dieselgate emissions scandal, launching in 2023 with the ambition to assess 200 vehicles over four years, measuring their performance against claimed standards. Of the 114 internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicles tested to date, about one in five has exceeded emissions limits, and 75 percent have surpassed laboratory fuel consumption figures.