Study on the Necessity of Real-World Driving Tests for Passenger Electric Vehicles

Numerous studies are currently focused on improving the performance and efficiency of electric vehicles (EVs). This research aims to evaluate the necessity for a practical testing methodology to simulate real-world driving scenarios by comparing the driving range measured on a chassis dynamometer with the ranges observed under various actual driving conditions. Tests were conducted on the chassis dynamometer using the multi-cycle test (MCT) mode, employing the urban dynamometer driving schedule (UDDS) and the highway fuel economy driving test (HWFET). Subsequently, we assessed the energy efficiency of three routes compliant with the real-driving emissions-light duty vehicles (RDE-LDV) regulations under real-world driving conditions. Our findings revealed disparities in energy efficiency ranging from 10.8 to 22.9% when driving on the same route and up to 29.3% when driving on different routes. This study highlights the importance of tailoring information provision, such as certification tests, to each country’s environmental context.