EV range drops sharply in electric vehicles when driving at highway speed, and new testing shows just how quickly that range disappears.
Tests show that electric vehicles lose a large chunk of range when jumping from 55 mph to 75 mph.
Some models saw losses of more than 100 miles.
These aren’t small variations, and at higher speeds, the numbers shift in ways that can affect real-world planning.
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The 20 mph difference that matters
The test took place on a closed track to remove outside variables like wind, traffic, and elevation.
A Lucid Air and a Kia EV9 were driven at four steady speeds: 35, 55, 75, and 95 mph.
The most dramatic changes to EV range came between 55 mph and 75 mph.
The Lucid Air dropped from 378 miles to 290 miles across that 20 mph increase, an 88-mile drop.
The Kia EV9 lost 109 miles over the same speed change, going from 339 to 230 miles.
That is close to a third of its EV range disappearing in one jump. The EV9’s taller body likely played a role, as boxier electric vehicles deal with more wind resistance at highway speed.
The Lucid Air, with its sleeker shape, retained more range but still saw a clear decline.
To compare, a Subaru Forester running on gas was included in the test.
It lost only 44 miles between the same two speeds.
Combustion engines benefit from gearing that can keep them efficient at high speed, while electric vehicles usually rely on a single-speed setup that struggles to adapt.
Why EV range isn’t what the label says
Official EV range figures from the EPA are based on a blend of city and highway cycles.
These numbers do not reflect extended driving at highway speed.
According to this test, the Lucid Air would need to travel at just 47 mph to match its official 419-mile EPA rating.
Even its EPA highway number of 410 miles only held up at around 49 mph.
The Kia EV9 lined up more closely with its sticker. Its 280-mile EPA combined range was accurate at 66 mph.
Its highway rating of 253 miles matched driving at about 71 mph.
That is more realistic for actual road use, but still lower than the 75 mph target used in this comparison.
Anyone planning long-distance trips in electric vehicles will need to factor in how speed affects performance.
The drop in EV range between 55 mph and 75 mph was consistent across both test vehicles.
These results show that highway speed can be one of the biggest drains on electric vehicle efficiency, and that advertised figures may only tell part of the story.
The post Experts test what effect going from 55mph to 75mph has on an EV’s range appeared first on Supercar Blondie.
