Five Popular Electric Vehicles Fall Short of Their Official Driving Range, Study Finds

An electric vehicle that consumes about 33.7 kWh to travel 100 miles uses roughly the same amount of energy as about 0.8 gallons of gasoline. In theory, that level of efficiency represents a reasonable benchmark. But according to a recent study by Consumer Reports, many electric vehicles perform worse on real highways than buyers might expect. The findings were reported by TheStreet.

“Consumers need to understand how much real-world range they’re getting for their money,” said Alex Knizek. “If your battery runs out on the highway, you might have to call a tow truck, which can be both inconvenient and expensive.”

How the Tests Were Conducted

For this report, Consumer Reports conducted highway range tests using fully charged vehicles driven at a steady 68 mph until the battery was depleted. Test drivers continued driving even after the vehicle’s display showed zero remaining range, stopping only when the vehicle could no longer move under its own power.

Electric Vehicles That Fell Short of EPA Range Estimates

Below are several vehicles tested by Consumer Reports that did not reach their official EPA-rated driving range, according to the organization’s highway testing.

Chevrolet Silverado EV
Model tested: 2024 Silverado EV RST AWD, 24-inch wheels
EPA-rated range: 493 miles
Consumer Reports highway range: 472 miles
Difference: 21 miles

Tesla Model S
Model tested: 2021 Model S Long Range AWD, 19-inch wheels
EPA-rated range: 410 miles
Consumer Reports highway range: 366 miles
Difference: 44 miles

Rivian R1S
Model tested: 2025 R1S Dual Max AWD, 22-inch wheels
EPA-rated range: 410 miles
Consumer Reports highway range: 358 miles
Difference: 52 miles

Lucid Air
Model tested: 2023 Air Touring AWD, 20-inch wheels
EPA-rated range: 396 miles
Consumer Reports highway range: 343 miles
Difference: 53 miles

Ford F-150 Lightning
Model tested: 2022 F-150 Lightning Lariat Extended Range AWD, 20-inch wheels
EPA-rated range: 320 miles
Consumer Reports highway range: 270 miles
Difference: 50 miles

Why the Gap Matters

While these differences may not seem dramatic at first glance, they can become important during long-distance travel. Highway driving typically drains EV batteries faster than city driving, especially at higher speeds.

For drivers relying on official EPA numbers when planning road trips, real-world range differences can mean more frequent charging stops—or in extreme cases, the need for roadside assistance.