You are standing in the showroom, looking at the sticker on the window of a shiny new electric vehicle (EV). It says: “Range: 450km (WLTP).”
You do the mental math. “Sydney to Port Macquarie is 390km. Easy. I can make that in one hit with 60km to spare.”
Stop.
That sticker is lying to you. Well, not lying, exactly—but it is telling you a very specific truth based on a laboratory test conducted at 23°C on a rolling road in Europe, at an average speed of just 46.5km/h.
Unless you plan on driving to Port Macquarie at 46km/h without the air-conditioner on, you are going to fall short.
Welcome to the reality of the “Highway Tax.”
At EV Evolution, we believe the cure for range anxiety isn’t a bigger battery; it’s better data. Recent independent tests from the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) have blown the lid off the difference between the sticker and the street. Here is what you need to know before you plan your first road trip.
🧪 The Lab vs. The Road: What the Data Says
The AAA’s Real-World Testing Program (funded by the Commonwealth Government) has been putting popular EVs through a rigorous Australian road loop to see how they stack up against their claims. The results, released in late 2024 and early 2025, are a wake-up call for new buyers.
The “Highway Tax” Exposed
The tests revealed significant shortfalls for some of Australia’s most popular models when driven in real-world conditions (a mix of urban, rural, and highway driving).
- MG4 (2023): The budget hero had a tough time.
- Sticker Claim: 405km
- Real World Result: 281km
- The Drop: -31%
- BYD Atto 3 (Premium 2023): A favourite among Aussie families.
- Sticker Claim: 480km
- Real World Result: 369km
- The Drop: -23%
- Tesla Model 3 RWD (2024): The benchmark sedan.
- Sticker Claim: 513km
- Real World Result: 441km
- The Drop: -14%
- Tesla Model Y Long Range (2024) / 2025 Model Y: The efficiency king.
- Sticker Claim: 533km / 466km (2025 base)
- Real World Result: 490km / 450km
- The Drop: -8% to -3%
The Takeaway: Not all EVs are created equal. Tesla’s engineering focus on aerodynamics and powertrain efficiency means their “sticker truth” is much closer to reality (losing only 3-14%) compared to others that might shed nearly a third of their range once they leave the city.
🛣️ Why 110km/h Kills Range
Why does this happen? It’s simple physics.
Aerodynamic Drag:
Resistance doesn’t increase linearly; it squares with speed. Driving at 110km/h requires significantly more energy than driving at 80km/h. In a petrol car, you might burn a bit more fuel. In an EV, you watch your battery percentage drop faster than you expect.
On a typical Australian highway run (Hume, Pacific, or Bruce Highway), you are maintaining 110km/h for hours. Add in:
- Coarse Chip Roads: Our rough Australian bitumen creates more rolling resistance than smooth European tarmac.
- Climate: Running the A/C in a 35°C summer can sap another 10-15% of range.
This combination creates the “Highway Tax”—a predictable efficiency penalty of roughly 20-25% off the WLTP figure for most non-Tesla EVs at highway speeds.
🧮 How to Calculate Your “Safe Touring Range”
So, how do you plan a trip without sweating bullets? Use the EV Evolution 10-80 Rule.
On a road trip, you rarely charge to 100% (it takes too long) and you never want to arrive with 0%. You typically operate between 10% and 80% state of charge.
The Formula:
- Take the WLTP Range.
- Subtract 20% for the “Highway Tax.”
- This gives you your “100% Highway Range.”
- Calculate 70% of that figure to find your comfortable “leg” between chargers.
Example: BYD Atto 3 (480km WLTP)
- Highway Tax (-20%): 480km – 96km = 384km (This is your real 100% highway range).
- Touring Leg (10-80%): 384km x 0.70 = ~270km.
The Verdict: If you are driving an Atto 3 from Sydney to Coffs Harbour, plan to stop every 250km – 270km to be safe, comfortable, and charge quickly. Don’t try to push for 400km.
🤖 Join the Evolution: Get the Real Numbers for Your Trip
Buying an EV is a big decision, and you shouldn’t have to do complex math in the dealership. Do you know the real-world highway range of a Kia EV6 vs a Polestar 2?
Don’t guess. Ask the expert.
At EV Evolution, we have fed the latest AAA test results and real-world highway consumption data into our AI-Powered Chatbot.
Ask the Chatbot today:
- “What is the real-world highway range of the MG4 Excite 64?”
- “Calculate the safe touring stops for a Tesla Model Y RWD from Melbourne to Adelaide.”
- “Which electric SUV under $60k has the best real-world range efficiency?”
About EV Evolution
EV Evolution is the leading online platform dedicated to Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts. We foster a vibrant community, delivering essential EV news and insights, and enhancing user engagement through our innovative, AI-powered chatbot for dynamic discussions. Our mission is to empower Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts by fostering a vibrant, AI-driven online community that connects, informs, and advances the nation’s electric vehicle landscape.
