The Cold Truth: Electric Vehicles Face a Chilling Reality
In the latest edition of Norway's El Prix winter range test, a harsh surprise awaited: extreme cold conditions. Twenty-five electric vehicles (EVs) embarked on a journey, fully charged, to test their limits and determine how far they could go before needing a rescue.
The results? Well, let's just say it didn't go as smoothly as expected. None of the EVs managed to meet their advertised range figures, but the surprises didn't end there.
Norway's El Prix test is a true battleground for modern EVs, pushing them to their limits in the freezing Scandinavian winters. This year, with temperatures dropping to a record-breaking -24°F (-31°C), the challenge was even more intense.
Among the participants, the Lucid Air took the lead in terms of distance covered, but it also had the largest deviation from its official range figure. The Volvo EX90, Opel Grandland, and Suzuki eVitara faced similar setbacks.
The goal of this test is simple yet crucial: to understand the gap between official range estimates and real-world performance, especially when temperatures plummet. And this year's edition highlighted just how significant that gap can be.
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite the Lucid Air's impressive distance, it fell short of its advertised range by a whopping 46%. That's a massive difference! And it's not just the Lucid; even the mighty Tesla Model Y struggled, with a 40% drop in range.
However, the real surprise came from an unexpected source: China. The little-known MG 6S, an electric crossover, boasted the smallest difference between its real-world range and the WLTP estimate, at only 29%. That's an impressive achievement, especially when compared to the 46% recorded by the Lucid Air.
So, what does this mean for EV owners? Well, it's a reminder that extreme cold can significantly impact your vehicle's range. While EVs like the Lucid Air, Mercedes-Benz CLA, and Volvo EX90 can still offer impressive ranges in low temperatures, you should expect a substantial drop from the official figures.
Motor.no's El Prix range test is a biannual event, with a summer and winter edition, providing a comprehensive overview of EV performance in Norway's car market. And the winter edition's record holder? The Tesla Model S, which managed an impressive 330 miles (530 km) in 2023, a feat that the Lucid Air almost matched this year.
It's important to note that extreme cold affects all vehicles, not just EVs. Combustion engines also suffer, burning more fuel in colder temperatures. So, it's not just an EV problem; it's a universal challenge.
The El Prix Winter Range Test 2026 results speak for themselves. The table below highlights the range differences between official estimates and real-world performance:
El Prix Winter Range Test 2026
| Model | WLTP Range - miles (km) | Real-World Range - miles (km) | Difference |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lucid Air | 596 (960) | 323 (520) | -46% |
| Mercedes-Benz CLA | 440 (709) | 261 (421) | -41% |
| Audi A6 E-Tron | 405 (653) | 250 (402) | -38% |
| BMW iX | 398 (641) | 241 (388) | -39% |
| Volvo ES90 | 387 (624) | 231 (373) | -40% |
| Volvo EX90 | 379 (611) | 210 (339) | -45% |
| Tesla Model Y | 372 (600) | 223 (359) | -40% |
| Hyundai Ioniq 9 | 372 (600) | 230 (370) | -38% |
| Kia EV4 | 369 (594) | 242 (390) | -34% |
| Ford Capri | 348 (560) | 210 (339) | -39% |
| Xpeng X9 | 348 (560) | 224 (361) | -36% |
| Mazda 6e | 343 (552) | 216 (348) | -37% |
| Zeekr 7X | 336 (541) | 210 (338) | -38% |
| Smart #5 | 335 (540) | 212 (342) | -37% |
| Skoda Elroq | 325 (524) | 192 (309) | -41% |
| MG IM6 | 313 (505) | 218 (352) | -30% |
| MG 6S | 301 (485) | 214 (345) | -29% |
| Opel Grandland | 300 (484) | 162 (262) | -46% |
| Volkswagen ID. Buzz | 279 (449 km) | 141 (227 km) | -38% |
| Changan Deepal S05 | 276 (445) | 182 (293) | -34% |
| Voyah Courage | 273 (440) | 186 (300) | -32% |
| Suzuki eVitara | 245 (395) | 139 (224) | -43% |
| KGM Musso | 235 (379) | 163 (263) | -31% |
| Hyundai Inster | 223 (360) | 159 (256) | -29% |
So, what's your take on this? Do you think extreme cold is a deal-breaker for EV owners? Or is it a challenge that can be overcome with the right technology? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Remember, this is a friendly discussion, so let's keep it respectful and open-minded.
