Electric car driving range figures can be misleading, but the government’s fix is still years away

Two different testing standards for electric vehicle (EV) driving range means some buyers are being misinformed in showrooms, but Australia’s solution will not come into full force until mid-2028.

Until recently, all new electric cars need to apply an “Energy Consumption” label – as per Australian Design Rule (ADR) 81/02 – that details efficiency measured in watt-hours (Wh) per kilometre and maximum driving range.

And nowhere on the current Australian label does it state which test is being used to ascertain results.

This means that buyers comparing cars in showrooms could see the NEDC driving-range number – often much larger than the WLTP figure – and make their buying decision based on incomparable information.

For example, the 2025 Tesla Model 3 Performance wears an “Energy Consumption” sticker with a 167Wh/km and 528km driving range figures, whereas the BYD Seal Performance boasts 164Wh/km and 580km numbers respectively.

However, the Tesla is tested to the truer-to-life WLTP standard, while the BYD uses lab-condition NEDC figures.

To the layperson, the sticker would indicate the BYD as the more efficient EV with longer range, but the Seal Performance’s driving range drops to 520km when tested on the WLTP standard comparable to the Tesla.

Some brands such as Kia, Polestar, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Toyota, Ford, and the aforementioned Tesla, that have their all-electric models launch in Europe first – or sold in a similar timeframe to Australia – will opt for the single WLTP test that can be applied to both markets.

However, other marques that may launch their cars in Australia first, such as BYD, MG, and Leapmotor, may use the more generous NEDC figure to advertise range on some models.

Drive understands some manufacturers will still opt for displaying the WLTP figure even when the NEDC result is available as the former can significantly close the gap between what is advertised and what is achievable in the real world, curtailing buyer dissatisfaction with their new EV.

Europe dropped NEDC new-vehicle testing in September 2017, and now mandates all new vehicles be tested on the WLTP standard.

However, Australia will not enact that change until July 2026 – nearly nine years after Europe – with all-new models to be tested on WLTP standards, which also includes fuel-economy figures for petrol and hybrid vehicles.

The change in testing criteria has come alongside the government updating its ADR from 81/02 to 81/03 from 18 November, 2025, which now aligns with Euro 6d requirements used in Europe.

Manufacturers can still opt for the more lenient NEDC-based test to derive energy consumption and driving range figures for the windscreen sticker found in showrooms for existing EVs and models launched before 1 July, 2026 – further sowing confusion for consumers.

From 1 July, 2028 however, all vehicles in Australia will need to adhere to WLTP ratings, meaning current models like the aforementioned BYD Seal Performance can still use its more generous driving range figure for another few years.

A spokesperson for the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport, and the Arts told Drive: “New cars from existing models imported before 1 July 2028 can use New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) or WLTP figures on their labels.

“This includes new models released between now and July 2026 that are required to comply with Euro 6d standards,” the spokesperson said.

“The new ADR applies to all passenger and commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, regardless of fuel type.

“This means new electric and plug-in hybrid models approved for sale after 1 July 2026, and new units of existing models imported from 1 July 2028, will not be able to put NEDC range figures on their labels.”

But until the changes come through, or it is clearer for buyers which test is being used to determine energy consumption and driving range numbers, customers will need to be diligent about picking the right EV to suit their needs.

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Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.

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