Every carmaker shouts about an impressive WLTP range. Then you take your first proper motorway trip and discover it doesn’t go nearly as far. What’s going on?
Think of the WLTP drive cycle as a leisurely run across flat city streets and suburbia. You ease up to modest speeds, slow down again, and only nip onto a dual carriageway for a moment. Heating and air-con are off, the car’s barely loaded, and it’s a balmy 24°C. The wheels? Small rims with frugal summer tyres. Switch on anything that uses energy and your range shrinks.
WLTP isn’t a 130 km/h motorway stint; it’s a blend of city driving, A-roads and a mild bit of motorway. Hold a steady 130 km/h and your consumption can be up to 50% higher than the WLTP figure.
If your driving happens to mirror the WLTP cycle, you’ll hit the WLTP range without much fuss. Most of us don’t: we mix city traffic, motorways and country roads; we drive in winter near freezing; we carry extra passengers; and so on. In short, most drivers will see a range below the quoted WLTP value.
Optimistic as it is, WLTP is still useful. It lets you compare different cars on a like-for-like basis, which matters if range is a key buying factor. It also gives a rough steer on what you might expect in your own use. If your real‑world range is miles off, it could be a sign something’s up with the drivetrain.
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