A range figure means nothing without a method attached. This page documents exactly how we produce the numbers in our reviews so you can compare them with each other, and challenge them if they look wrong.
- We buy or rent every car we test. We do not accept payment for reviews.
- Every car runs the same mixed route at the same target speeds.
- We report consumption in kWh per 100 km, because range depends on battery size.
- Charging tests run from a low state of charge on a known-good high power charger.
The route
Our standard loop mixes urban, rural and motorway driving in fixed proportions, repeated in both directions to cancel out elevation and wind. Motorway sections are driven at the posted limit using cruise control wherever traffic allows. Climate control is set to a fixed cabin temperature rather than switched off.
What we measure
We record energy consumed from the car’s own trip computer and, where possible, cross-check against energy delivered at the charger. Reporting consumption rather than range lets you calculate range for any state of charge you plan to use.
| Metric | How it is measured | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Consumption | kWh per 100 km over the full loop | Comparable across cars of any battery size |
| Motorway consumption | The motorway segment alone | The number that decides long trips |
| 10 to 80 per cent time | Single uninterrupted DC session | More useful than peak power |
| Charging curve | Power logged against state of charge | Shows where the taper begins |
Charging tests
Charging runs start from a low state of charge with the battery preconditioned where the car supports it, on a high power charger we have verified as working, with no vehicle in the paired stall wherever possible. We record power at intervals across the session and publish the curve alongside the headline time.
Ambient temperature, tyre pressures and the charger used are listed with every test. A range figure without conditions attached is not a measurement.
What we do not do
We do not hypermile. We do not switch the climate control off to inflate a number. We do not publish a manufacturer’s range claim as if it were our own result. Where we cannot complete a test properly, we say so rather than estimating.
Corrections
If we get something wrong we correct it in place and note the change at the foot of the article. If you believe a figure is inaccurate, contact us with the detail and we will re-test where it is practical to do so.
Frequently asked questions
Do you accept payment for reviews?
No. We do not accept payment for reviews or for positive coverage, and advertisers never see coverage before publication. Where a manufacturer supplies a vehicle for testing, that is disclosed in the article.
Why do you publish consumption instead of range?
Because consumption in kWh per 100 km is comparable across cars with different battery sizes, and it lets you calculate range for whatever state of charge you actually plan to use.
How do I report an error in a test?
Email the article link and the specific figure you are disputing. We correct errors in place, note the change at the foot of the article, and re-test where that is practical.
