China’s world-record EV test identifies range king in brutal winters

China recently conducted the world’s largest-scale winter electric vehicle (EV) test in Inner Mongolia, involving 67 EVs subjected to extreme cold temperatures ranging from 14°F to -13°F. This comprehensive evaluation, recognized by Guinness World Records, assessed seven critical performance areas including driving range, energy consumption, fast-charging, cabin heating, emergency braking, acceleration, and off-road capability. The test featured a diverse cross-section of China’s EV market, from compact hatchbacks to full-size SUVs, reflecting various price points and consumer needs. In the winter range evaluation, a compact EV from Xpeng led the field by retaining 53.9% of its rated range under harsh cold conditions, followed by BYD’s Yangwang U7 at 51.8% and the Zeekr 001 at 49.6%. The Tesla Model Y ranked 31st with 35.2%, highlighting challenges faced by some popular models in extreme cold. Energy efficiency results favored smaller, lighter vehicles