The long-awaited German EV has received the necessary certificates in the United States – but unexpectedly turned out even more range-impaired than the Nissan Leaf.
In its cheapest stock guise, the Leaf offers 225 miles (363 kilometers) of all-electric range. Measured in accordance with the same EPA test protocol, the Taycan Turbo falls behind it with only 201 miles (323 kilometers).
The EPA driving range measurement standard is considered to be one of the best all-rounder metrics for EVs. It takes plenty of different factors in consideration, producing an average value based on urban driving, highway driving, driving in +95ºF heat with the air conditioner on (+35ºC), driving in -20ºF cold with the heating on (-6.6ºC), and so on. The second most popular metrics – WLTP – is widely used in Europe, but fails to consider such nuances as the test environment temperature. No wonder the two produce drastically different results.
The Taycan Turbo, with its 680 PS (671 hp, or 500 kW) of engine power, boasts a respectable 450 kilometers (280 miles) of WLTP-rated range in Europe, but falls short with just 323 km (201 mi) in the States.
Porsche has already denied the results of the test and contracted California-based independent company AMCI Testing for another try. Curiously enough, AMCI did indeed come up with a drastically different number: 275 miles (442 kilometers) of range, EPA-rated. Magic?
Hardly, given that the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus is perhaps the world’s only car to have consistent driving range specifications between the two standards. Its WLTP mileage amounts to 250 mi (402 km), and the EPA number comes very close with 252 mi (406 km). Even then, it is possible that Tesla sells its Model 3 Standard Range Plus with differing battery sizes in Europe and the USA. The company does not disclose the battery capacity of its cars.