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Analysis of 160 real-world BEV : why the WLTP undermines user acceptance and how it should be adjusted for electric vehicles
Publikationstyp
Conference Presentation
Date Issued
2023-09
Sprache
English
Citation
European Transport Conference (2023)
Contribution to Conference
Publisher Link
The range of battery electric vehicles (BEV) remains one of the central barriers against the adoption of the technology. Potential users often fear the relatively low range - compared to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEV) - to limit the personal mobility behavior. This phenomenon is often referred to as “range anxiety” (Krishna 2021; Pevec et al., 2020). Additionally, the performance of BEV under varying conditions, such as winter temperatures, is perceived as unstable, which leads to a lack of trust (Krishna, 2021; Buhmann, 2023). The current WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure) standard to calculate a vehicle’s range is measured in a test box at +23°C (European Union, 2018) and can therefore not serve as reference for the performance in winter or low-temperature periods. Still, buyers use the WLTP value as their main guidance and are disappointed when the BEV fails to meet expectations. Recent media coverage of the example on Tesla Inc. claimed that complaints on the range were the number one issue adopters have, which urged the company to install a service unit solely focused on suppressing such complaints (Stecklow, 2023). Another example is South Korea's antitrust regulator imposing a 2.2 billion dollars fine on Tesla Inc. for misleading promises of their vehicle's range under low temperatures (Reuters, 2023).
This study aims to investigate the relation of actual BEV ranges to the ambient temperature and summer and winter seasons, as well as to the range given in the vehicle specifications. The findings seek to contribute to the understanding of BEV performances under real conditions. The underlying data set is one of the largest currently existing, consisting of 159 BEV and 5 different models which were used during the “Hamburg – Wirtschaft am Strom” project within three years by real companies. The results show the correlation between changes in BEV range and ambient temperatures as well as their significance. The study suggests an innovative approach for adjusting the WLTP. With regard to seasonal local conditions and the observed optimal operating point for BEV, meaningful range values for customers could be established.
This study aims to investigate the relation of actual BEV ranges to the ambient temperature and summer and winter seasons, as well as to the range given in the vehicle specifications. The findings seek to contribute to the understanding of BEV performances under real conditions. The underlying data set is one of the largest currently existing, consisting of 159 BEV and 5 different models which were used during the “Hamburg – Wirtschaft am Strom” project within three years by real companies. The results show the correlation between changes in BEV range and ambient temperatures as well as their significance. The study suggests an innovative approach for adjusting the WLTP. With regard to seasonal local conditions and the observed optimal operating point for BEV, meaningful range values for customers could be established.
DDC Class
380: Commerce, Communications, Transport