When you’re spending upwards of $100,000 on an electric vehicle, expectations are naturally high. You anticipate blistering acceleration, a cabin dripping with luxury, and cutting-edge technology. But what about range? Does a hefty price tag guarantee you’ll be able to drive further on a single charge? Carwow recently sought to answer this question by pitting three high-performance EVs against each other in a real-world range test. The contenders? The Tesla Model S Plaid, the Audi RS E-Tron GT Performance, and the Lotus Emeya R. The results, as you’ll see, were quite revealing.
Carwow’s test involved taking the Tesla Model S Plaid, Audi RS E-Tron GT Performance, and Lotus Emeya R – all boasting over 900 horsepower and near 100 kWh batteries – and driving them until their batteries were completely depleted. The crucial detail? All three EVs were driven in Sport mode. This decision, while perhaps not reflective of typical driving habits, provides valuable insight into how these performance-oriented vehicles behave when pushed to their limits. It’s important to note that the Lucid Air Sapphire, another contender in the high-performance EV space, was not included in this particular test.
Before diving into the results, it’s worth noting the manufacturer-claimed range figures. The Tesla Model S Plaid boasts an EPA-estimated range of 348 miles (WLTP: 373 miles), while the Audi RS E-Tron GT Performance is rated at 278 miles (EPA) and 364 miles (WLTP). The Lotus Emeya R, lacking an EPA rating, carries a WLTP range of 301 miles, which, using a rough 30% conversion factor between WLTP and EPA, would translate to a theoretical EPA range of around 210 miles. These figures serve as a benchmark against which the real-world performance can be compared.
The test took place on UK highways with an ambient temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). The results? None of the EVs lived up to their advertised range figures. The Lotus Emeya R was the first to tap out, managing a mere 193.5 miles with an energy efficiency of 2.2 miles/kWh. The Audi RS E-Tron GT Performance fared somewhat better, traveling 258 miles and averaging 2.6 miles/kWh. Surprisingly, the Tesla Model S Plaid, despite being the oldest and arguably “least expensive” of the trio, emerged as the range king, clocking in at 295 miles with an efficiency of 3.2 miles/kWh.
| Vehicle | Actual Range (Miles) | Efficiency (Miles/kWh) | EPA Estimated Range (Miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus Emeya R | 193.5 | 2.2 | ~210 (Estimated) |
| Audi RS E-Tron GT Performance | 258 | 2.6 | 278 |
| Tesla Model S Plaid | 295 | 3.2 | 348 |
It’s crucial to remember that this test was conducted in Sport mode, which prioritizes performance over efficiency. A more conservative driving mode would likely yield different results, potentially bringing the EVs closer to their advertised ranges. However, the test highlights the impact of driving style on EV range, particularly in performance-oriented models. Just as with internal combustion engines, aggressive driving significantly reduces fuel (or in this case, electricity) economy.
