Kia and Hyundai over-stated new electric car ranges
Recalculated ranges are up to 21 miles less than before
HYUNDAI and Kia have announced revised ranges for some of their new pure-electric models, after errors were discovered in the original tests.
According to the Korean car makers, the mistakes occurred when the Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona Electric cars were being homologated to meet the WLTP emissions and electric range test rules that were introduced in September this year.
The independent organisation that oversaw the assessments “accidentally provided an incorrect testing methodology” when the cars were being put through the urban range calculation tests, according to a statement.
As electric cars use the least amount of energy in urban tests (which are designed to simulate driving conditions in towns and cities), this mistake had a knock-on effect in determining the “combined” totals that are cited by manufacturers as official ranges.
Now the ranges have been correctly calculated, Hyundai is quoting a range of 180 miles instead of the original 194 miles for the 39kW Kona Elecric, and 279 miles rather than 300 miles for the 64kW car. Kia is also reporting a similar drop for the e-Niro, with the new range of 282 miles being a 19 miles reduction on the total that was cited in September.
A Kia spokesperson confirmed to Driving.co.uk that the issue is isolated to the e-Niro, and won’t affect the upcoming all-electric Kia Soul (which is expected to use the same powertrain as the e-Niro).
In a separate sattement, Kia confirmed it will be notifying customers who have ordered an e-Niro about the discrepancy. Hyundai also revealed it is “follow[ing the situation] closely to arrive at a full explanation”.
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