Are you being fooled by your electric car's range? There could be a difference of up to 22%.

If you're thinking about buying an electric car, the range figures advertised by manufacturers may not be as realistic as they seem. The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has issued a serious warning, estimating that the declared range of an electric vehicle is, on average, 15% higher than the actual range, and can reach differences of up to 22% for some models.

This practice, although legal under the WLTP approval protocol, generates significant consumer distrust and could hinder the expansion of electric cars in Spain.

The OCU study, which analyzed the range of 31 electric vehicle brands, reveals that this discrepancy is due to the fact that the international WLTP protocol itself allows manufacturers to use consumption measurements under ideal conditions, at 23°C, the most favorable temperature in the cycle, and without taking into account the energy losses inherent in the charging process.

For example, some electric models advertise a range of 376 kilometers, but the figure calculated by the OCU, based on approved consumption and the actual capacity of its battery, is 328 kilometers: a difference of 48 kilometers, or 15% more than the actual range.

Given this situation, the OCU (Spanish Automobile Industry Association) demands greater transparency from car manufacturers. The organization requests that complete vehicle consumption data be used according to the WLTP protocol, without any "makeup" that artificially improves the figure. Beyond this, the OCU insists on a key demand for drivers: that car manufacturers report the range measured specifically on the highway cycle. This is the smallest figure, but crucial and most useful for consumers when planning long trips outside their home town.

In addition to range transparency, the OCU emphasizes that, to truly promote sustainable mobility, a substantial improvement in charging infrastructure is essential. The organization calls for the widespread installation of both slow and affordable chargers on public roads (essential for the 9 million motorists without their own garage) and fast charging points on major highways, vital for long-distance travel.

Finally, the OCU also sends a clear message to the government, urging it to improve the management of the Moves Plan grants. The organization demands that these subsidies be automated and deducted directly at the time of vehicle purchase, thus avoiding the long waits of months that discourage many buyers. "Sustainability cannot be an exclusive privilege for a few," concludes the OCU, calling for measures that democratize access to electric vehicles.