Cadillac Lyriq Surpasses EPA Combined Range Estimate by Nearly 20 Miles on the Highway

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The method used by the EPA to determine the range of electric vehicles does not always yield the most precise outcomes. The Cadillac Lyriq serves as a notable example of this. Recently, the State of Charge YouTube channel made an interesting discovery. They found that one of GM’s highly sought-after electric vehicles significantly outperforms the EPA’s estimates, exceeding them by approximately 20 miles. This feat is particularly remarkable because it was achieved not in a combined driving scenario, but exclusively on the highway at a speed of 70 miles per hour, where electric vehicles tend to be the least efficient.

The recently launched RWD Lyriq that was tested has a combined range rating of 312 miles on a single charge from its 102-kilowatt-hour battery. Electric vehicles generally exhibit greater efficiency in urban settings owing to factors such as regenerative braking and reduced aerodynamic drag. Conversely, their efficiency typically decreases substantially on highways. The EPA’s range rating is a culmination of these two sets of conditions, with the urban rating typically being higher and the highway rating lower. Despite this, the exact city/highway breakdown for the Lyriq by federal regulators remains undisclosed.

While traveling at 70 mph, the vehicle managed to cover 330 miles on a full charge and possibly could have gone even further by up to 10 miles. This achievement carries significant implications. If the Lyriq were predominantly used in urban areas, the effective range of the vehicle could potentially be considerably higher. The situation becomes even more intriguing from this point onwards.

The host of the channel, Tom, subjects all EVs featured on his channel to standardized testing on a specific segment of the New Jersey Turnpike, using standard HVAC settings for consistency. Upon completing hours of testing on the Lyriq, he scrutinizes the car’s internal consumption metrics to assess the energy expended. According to the Lyriq, it consumed a total of 103.2 kWh to cover the distance and an additional 1.5 kWh to operate the vehicle’s HVAC system. The cumulative energy consumption sums up to 104.7 kWh, which exceeds the energy the Lyriq’s battery is officially rated to deliver.

<em>State of Charge</em> <em>via YouTube</em>

This is feasible due to the unique nature of batteries compared to fuel tanks. Batteries do not possess a fixed amount of energy that must be fully utilized. When less current is drawn from a battery, whether it is a single cell or a large pack, the voltage drop slows down and the usable energy is effectively extended. Batteries are designed to supply a specific amount of power for a set time period. Straying below this rating can yield additional usage time, as demonstrated in Tom’s findings. By maintaining a consistent speed of 70 mph, the battery drew minimal current, allowing for a slight extension in usage. By examining the specifications of different individual battery cells, you can witness this phenomenon firsthand.

In essence, Tom’s testing not only elucidates the functioning of EVs but may also introduce additional complexities for some individuals when it comes to the technology. Ultimately, when dealing with highly efficient electric vehicles, driving habits play a more significant role in determining range than the vehicle itself. With sufficient effort, one could potentially achieve a range of 560 miles from a Chevy Bolt, for example.

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