4K podcast about NAF's El Prix winter range test and why it's not accurate

The speaker introduces the Kia EV9 and discusses their upcoming range test, revealing that they are driving towards a location to test an electric truck from SCNAO. They emphasize the importance of discussing both summer and winter range tests by Nor (N), a prominent automotive organization in Norway, while also mentioning how comments from viewers have prompted them to speak out about these tests.

The speaker explains the Nor range test's setup, emphasizing that it involves multiple vehicles driven by different drivers on a specified route, reflecting on the contrasts between this method and their personal driving tests. They mention that Nor conducts biannual tests, which have gained significant public attention relative to their own individual tests.

The testing route begins in a garage in downtown Oslo and includes elements of city driving as well as longer stretches on the highway. The speaker notes that the elevation of the route can variably impact test results due to the altitude differences, which can favor certain vehicles during testing based on where they run out of charge.

A main criticism is presented regarding the lack of preconditioning of the vehicles being tested, which involves both preheating the cabin and battery. The speaker highlights how this can significantly affect electric vehicles' performance in different weather conditions, particularly in winter, and shares their own experience engaging with Nor about these test protocols.

The speaker critiques the driving conditions during the Nor test, expressing how the variety in drivers and external traffic conditions lead to significant variability in results. They highlight that real-world driving situations—such as slower drivers on the road—can skew outcome comparisons, making definitive conclusions about range challenging.

The speaker elaborates on the test protocol, mentioning that they drive each vehicle until its battery is depleted and that varying cabin temperature settings can also affect simulation results. They argue that the focus should remain on realistic operational conditions that the average consumer would experience.

Critiques continue as the speaker emphasizes the downsides of testing to complete depletion, suggesting that most drivers would not push their vehicle that far, and this method does not reflect real-world usage patterns. They also discuss the importance of accurately measuring consumption based on various factors, including vehicle weight and speed.

The speaker discusses their range test experience on battery performance over elevations and notes how various factors such as weight, temperature, and driving conditions can drastically alter perceived range outcomes during testing.

They suggest Nor could improve their testing methods by correcting for elevation differences, standardizing cabin settings across brands, and reconsidering how they report vehicles' performance, ensuring a more transparent and consumer-friendly methodology.