Testing EV
performance
in the real
world
rivusgroup.co.uk
DRIVEN TO KEEP YOU MOVING
Contents
04 | Introduction
05 | Testing
08 | Findings
09 | Conclusions
10 | Key Lessons
12 | About Rivus
16 | Evolve with Rivus
16 | Get in touch
rivusgroup.co.uk
Introduction
This report explores the true performance
of electric vehicles (EVs) compared to the
original equipment manufacturer (OEM)
stated performance. Through a series of
real-world tests, we examine how different
conditions, such as route type, payload
and power setting, affect the total range
of one full charge.
Our findings suggest the day-to-day performance
of an EV in a fleet setting differs from the
performance stated by OEMs. Therefore, these
discrepancies should be considered when
planning and managing the switch to an EV fleet.
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Testing EV performance in the real world
Testing
During design and
manufacture, vehicles
undergo rigorous
testing to ensure they
are safe, efficient and
aesthetically pleasing.
And this is no different
for EVs.
However, the tests conducted by manufacturers are
often done in pristine conditions. They don’t consider
the day-to-day driving factors that can affect the
performance of the vehicle over time. While this poses
a problem for all vehicles, it’s particularly difficult for EV
drivers to know the actual performance of their vehicle
due to EV technology being a relatively new concept
and the constant development of EV technology.
At Rivus, we want to help our customers understand
the capabilities of EVs in fleet management. Ultimately
helping them choose suitable vehicles for their needs
and allowing them to plan for every eventuality on the
road. So, we carry out extensive real-world testing of
EVs to ensure our customers understand the actual
performance of their vehicles.
All our tests are carried out by a team of engineers
with a wealth of experience in the world of EVs. The
standardised EV test examines vehicles over 4 weeks
on 3 different test routes totalling 36 tests per vehicle.
However, customised testing can be carried out if your
business has specialist requirements, such as testing for
vehicle towing.
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5
Significant factors that can affect EV’s
true performance include:
• Geography – Where you are can significantly
affect the performance of EVs. Not only does it
dictate access to charging infrastructure, but
the state of local roads and factors like steep
inclines can use the battery power faster than a
flat, straight road.
Why do we test?
The reason why
it’s vital to test
EVs beyond OEM
testing can be split
into two categories:
performance and
insights.
True performance
EV performance is affected by many external
factors. This means factors like where you’re
driving or what you’re delivering can make the
EV’s true performance stray from the OEM’s stated
performance.
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• Climate – The climate you drive in also impacts
how long a charge lasts for your EV. For example,
if you live in a cold climate, you will be using the
heating systems more, which drains the battery.
Likewise, you’re more likely to use the A/C in
hot climates, which also uses up battery power,
meaning fewer miles out of every charge.
• Duty Cycle – Duty cycle defines how much
a vehicle is used in terms of operating cycles
and total miles. The duty cycle of a vehicle can
impact its performance, making it differ from the
OEM stated performance.
• Vehicle Payload – The weight of the load an EV
is carrying can affect the vehicle’s performance,
resulting in fewer miles per charge.
All these factors mean the mileage you actually get
out of your EV will be different to the mileage OEMs
see in their tests. Therefore, it’s crucial to carry out
real-world testing in order to understand the actual
total cost of ownership (TCO) of an EV.
It’s also important to note that no two EVs perform
the same. This means different manufacturers and
models will perform differently under the same test,
which should be taken into consideration when
choosing your vehicles.
Better insights for customers
As a result of more accurate data from real-world
testing, our customers have full transparency
into how the switch to EVs will impact their fleet
operations. With this information, you can make
plans for a smooth transition as you understand the
capabilities of your fleet from day one.
This also helps build confidence in EV technology
for both those who will be managing fleet
operations and the drivers operating the vehicle
day-to-day. With internal buy-in like this, it will be
much easier to ensure the transition to an EV fleet
is a success.
Knowing EVs’ true performance and TCO will also
allow fleet managers to plan for any obstacles
before the fleet is dispatched, such as charging
infrastructure locations along the routes. This
means less chance for anything to go wrong en
route, therefore minimising vehicle off-road time.
Finally, these accurate real-world insights will help
you understand the capabilities of different EV
makes and models. As a result, you can directly
compare your options and choose the best
vehicle to suit your specific needs and ensure your
fleet is tailored to your business for streamlined
operations.
Testing EV performance in the real world
How we test
All vehicles are given to Rivus directly from the OEM and are tested for 4 weeks.
Urban
Before the test starts, the vehicle is inspected to ensure they are roadworthy
and there are no issues that will impact the test results.
At the start of each test, we ensure the vehicle is fully charged. An indication of
the ambient temperature is also taken, and vehicles are weighed to measure
their load accurately.*
Telematics and onboard computers are used for testing to ensure results are as
accurate as possible. We test vehicles under several conditions:
• Power setting – Eco, Normal and Power mode where possible.
• Payload – Kerb weight with the driver and at full payload where possible.
• Ancillaries – All ancillaries off and all ancillaries on.
• Towing – With and without towing where available.
• Roof furniture – With and without roof where available.
Extra Urban
Combined
• Routes – Urban, extra-urban and combined.
Each test is carried out by an experienced member of our team to ensure a
high-quality level of testing. The same driver is used for each vehicle across all
routes and conditions. This helps to deliver consistency in terms of driver skill,
habits, speed and route.
*Note: the vehicle’s payload is constant throughout the entire test, which may
not be consistent with delivery vehicles, such as LCVs, that reduce payload as
items are delivered. If this is the case for your vehicle, there will be a positive
effect on the range.
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Findings
Testing conditions
Testing so far
8
vehicles in testing
8
more vehicles to
be tested soon
206
tests completed
Summary Mileage
143
OEM stated range
136
maximum tested range
Miles per kWh
3.4
maximum mile per kWh
8
1.9
minimum mile per kWh
76
minimum tested range
6342 60
miles covered
days of testing
up to
up to
reduction on payload
reduction on
power setting
up to
up to
reduction on ancillaries
reduction on roof furniture
17.4% 24%
25% 12.5%
Testing EV performance in the real world
Conclusions
Real-life EV performance differs from OEM specs
Our testing data conclusively suggests that
operational requirements impact the performance
of an EV, resulting in fewer miles per charge
compared to the OEM stated range.
The discrepancies found during testing must be
taken into consideration when choosing EVs for
your fleet. As operational requirements have such
a significant effect on the range of an EV, it’s
recommended to test the vehicle for your specific
requirements before deployment.
This will allow your business to make informed
decisions about transitioning to EVs and allow
accurate planning once EVs are in use.
How payload affects performance
In this test, we saw a 14.7%-17.4% reduction in the
total range at maximum payload. This suggests
that when an extra payload is added to an EV,
the total range of one charge is lower than when
there’s no additional payload.
rivusgroup.co.uk
In the fleet industry, it’s rare for a vehicle to be
carrying no additional payload; therefore, the
extra weight your vehicles will be carrying should
always be considered when estimating TCO and
planning routes.
How power setting affects performance
Our testing has found that power setting had a
significant impact on the range of an EV. Power
mode resulted in the most battery depletion of all
the power settings, reducing the range by 24%.
On the other hand, Eco mode resulted in a much
lower reduction in range.
Based on the results of this test, we recommend
drivers refrain from using Power mode for the
most efficient use of battery power and instead
use Normal or Eco mode. This will allow your
drivers to get more miles out of each charge,
helping to save on charging costs and minimising
vehicle off-road time.
How ancillaries affect performance
During our tests, we examined the use of ancillaries
during driving, including heaters, air conditioning
(A/C), the radio and USB ports. We found the use of
this equipment had a negative effect on the range
of the EVs tested, reducing the range by up to 25%.
While the effect of ancillary use has a significant
impact on range, this equipment is associated with
driver comfort and satisfaction, such as listening
to the radio on the road. Plus, if your drivers use a
mobile phone or another rechargeable device for
their work, they will be required to use the USB ports
from time to time.
The impact of heating and A/C on range suggests
the climate your drivers operate in also indirectly
impacts the performance of the EV.
All these factors make the use of ancillaries
unavoidable, so the performance reduction must
be considered in EV fleet management. However, it
should be noted that the use of ancillaries impacts
the performance of petrol and diesel vehicles too.
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Key lessons
TCO for EVs is affected by many factors
The key takeaway from the testing is that many
factors affect the TCO of an EV fleet. And that
the impacts of these factors aren’t as clear cut
as the standard 20% range reduction from OEM
recommendations.
Plus, each factor has a different impact on the
vehicle, and different models are impacted
differently by the same factor.
For this reason, to understand the true TCO
for your EV, it must be tested under real-world
conditions. With this information, your business
can accurately understand how EVs will perform
daily, resulting in more effective planning and
efficient operations. Ultimately this helps to
minimise downtime for your fleet and reduce
wasted costs.
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Deployment of vehicles
After choosing to go electric, it’s not as simple
as deploying the vehicle immediately after
purchase. As the testing shows, many factors
affect the performance of an EV, and drivers
must be aware of these factors in order to
drive efficiently.
Due to this, we recommend a good EV handover
and comprehensive training for drivers before
they take to the road and periodically over their
career. This will reduce the risk of human error
while driving and ensure your business gets the
most out of its EVs.
Testing EV performance in the real world
Charging infrastructure
There’s no one size fits all
As many fleet managers are aware, finding EV
charging points along planned routes isn’t always
as straightforward as finding refuelling stations for
petrol and diesel vehicles. And with EVs currently
requiring more frequent recharging, it’s essential
to consider the charging infrastructure while
route planning.
Arguably the most important lesson we can
take from real-world testing is that no single
EV manufacturer or model is suitable for every
business or even every driver. Each vehicle tested
performed differently under each condition despite
efforts to keep tests as consistent as possible.
That being said, there are currently EV charging
stations at nearly 16,000 locations across the
UK, with more being installed every week. With
more charging points being installed and the
development of EV technology, this issue will
become less complex over time.
This suggests every EV has its strengths and
weaknesses that make it suitable for different uses.
These discrepancies highlight the importance of
vehicle procurement and taking the time to fully
understand your options in order to get your EV
fleet right from step one.
Understanding the performance of your EV fleet
through testing in real-world conditions allows
you to know when a vehicle will need to be
recharged. This means you know how far your
drivers can realistically travel on one charge and
plan in recharging stops at appropriate times
and locations.
Basing route plans on real data will help your
business estimate travel times more accurately and
prevent breakdowns due to low charge, ultimately
making fleet operations more efficient.
rivusgroup.co.uk
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About Rivus
Rivus is an award-winning fleet
management company with
over 100 years of experience in
the fleet industry.
We are Rivus.
We’re driven to
keep you moving.
What we do
Our extensive knowledge allows us to manage
fleets big and small at every stage of their lifecycle,
from procurement to disposal. Our innovative spirit
and flexible practices enable us to tailor fleet
solutions to meet the needs of almost any business,
whether they use cars, LCVs, HGVs, specialist plant
equipment, EVs, or a blend of all vehicle types.
Our services range from funding, acquisition design
and build to compliance, accident management,
and service maintenance and repairs (SMR). We
also have an extensive network of garages across
the UK to ensure we’re on hand to help, no matter
where you are.
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Testing EV performance in the real world
About EV as a Service (EVaaS)
The world of fleet management is constantly
advancing and evolving, and it can be challenging
for businesses to keep up.
With the future of driving becoming electric, we’re
here to help you navigate these changes. To meet
environmental targets and reduce carbon footprint
while keeping costs low and efficiency high, we
keep your business moving towards its goals.
With EVaaS, we are your single service provider for
everything EV. From strategic input to the nuts and
bolts, you can have the consistent flexible service
you’re looking for from one trusted provider.
Ultimately, we’re here to steer you in the right
direction, helping you define a transition strategy
to suit you now and in the future.
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How we can
help you move
to a cleaner,
greener future.
Consultancy & Planning
Electric Fleet Trials
Unsure about how an electric vehicle could be used
within your fleet? We can provide you with a range
of commercial EVs to evaluate and test before
making the switch. Our innovative use of data
and technology means you can understand all
the performance metrics relevant to your business
before committing to the switch.
Vehicle Procurement
Our EV consultancy service helps to make your
journey to EV as smooth as possible. We guide you
on which vehicles can be transitioned to electric
and help you understand the real TCO based on
your operations. We’ll even develop a roadmap
with you that guarantees a hassle-free deployment
of EVs to your drivers.
Whether you want to purchase your EVs outright or
are wondering whether leasing or renting might be
right for you, we will help you decide on the best
funding route for your business. We will steer you
through the entire vehicle acquisition, design and
build process, ensuring you take advantage of any
available Government EV funding or grants along
the way.
Test and Conversion
Performance Analytics
Our tests have shown that there can be a big
difference between what manufacturers say
their EVs can do and the actual range you’ll
get based on how your specific fleet operates.
We have tested most e-LCVs across a range of
driving conditions and payloads so we can ensure
you make informed decisions. Add to that our
engineering team’s experience in designing and
building EVs for commercial use, and you can be
confident you’ll get electric vehicles that are right
for your business.
Through our innovative use of technology, we
collect extensive vehicle performance data.
We then interrogate and interpret the raw data to
produce meaningful dashboards and reports that
focus on your job allocations, driver performance,
charging strategies and more. This means you
get rich insights into how EVs are performing
specifically to your business and fleet operations.
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In-Life Services
Driver Engagement and Training
Vehicle Lifecycle Management
Whether you want to manage your fleet admin inhouse or would prefer to hand it all over to us, we
can help with managing your EV administration. We
can help with MID and P11D reporting, fines, driver
risk management, service bookings for all your SMR
needs and much more.
We know it can seem daunting to any driver
when they are handed the keys to a new vehicle,
especially if they are not used to driving an EV.
As your vehicle approaches the end of your fleet
life cycle, we can manage your EVs’ disposal and
replacement process. Whether you own the asset
or have leased it with Rivus, we will take care of
everything for you.
Service, Maintenance & Repair (SMR)
We have one of the largest garage networks in
the UK, with 80 in-house workshops, access to
over 500 Rivus-approved garages and over 50
mobile technicians nationally. All our garages have
specialist EV technicians on-site and are equipped
with the necessary tools, charging and safety
equipment to take care of all your EV SMR needs.
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So we’ve developed a Driver Engagement package
that starts before they even receive their new
electric vehicle. Our comprehensive skills and
knowledge training ensures swapping to an EV is
easy and safe for your employees.
Charging Infrastructure
Whether you need to access vehicle charging
infrastructure at home, at work, on the public
network or a blend across all methods, we will help
you understand your requirements and provide
you with all the data and reporting to capture
your actual cost of charging, as well as options to
reimburse your drivers.
rivusgroup.co.uk
Evolve
with Rivus
As your business evolves
and you adapt to
new technologies and
ways of working, the
experts at Rivus have
your fleet and mobility
requirements covered.
Get in touch
Customer Services
0800 028 4387
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm
Saturday, 8am - 1pm
EV Experts
rivusgroup.co.uk/electric
evhelp@rivusfleetsolutions.com
Our services are enjoyed by many of the UK’s
biggest and most well-known fleet operators who
are already utilising our electric transformation
knowledge and experience.
Whether you are just considering electric vehicles
or if you have already started your EV transition,
Rivus are here to support you.
INTELLIGENT
CONSULTANCY
SERVICE, MAINTENANCE
& REPAIR
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CONVERSION
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2620 Kings Court, The Crescent, Birmingham Business Park, Solihull B37 7YE
VAT number 330 7302 43