Range anxiety remains a significant concern for prospective EV buyers, with the discrepancy between advertised and actual vehicle range often being a point of contention. However, Out of Specs Reviews aims to alleviate these worries by rigorously testing the real-world range of nearly every new electric vehicle that hits the market.
As outlined on their official website, their testing protocol is meticulously designed to mirror real-life conditions as closely as possible. Each vehicle is charged to full at a DC fast charger, set to its most efficient driving mode, maintains climate control between 68 to 72 degrees using as eco-friendly settings possible, and keeps a consistent GPS-verified speed of 70mph. They try to avoid as much traffic as possible on their chosen route, stretching from I-25 in Wellington, CO, to Cheyenne, WY, and then east on I-80 into Nebraska. The test involves a turnaround at approximately 55% battery life, with the use of frontage roads to deplete the battery completely, aiming to reach a DC fast charger at zero percent.
Something new this time around was Kyle Conner of Out of Spec Reviews using a Rivian R1T towing a diesel generator equipped with a small DC fast charger to provide a boost to vehicles after they ran out of charge, ensuring they could make it to a DC fast charging station once the test was completed. Conducted in temperatures ranging from 48 to 68 degrees, these conditions could influence the test’s outcome slightly, underpinning the commitment to testing in real-world scenarios.
This particular test, the most extensive range review conducted by Out of Spec to date, featured four electric trucks. The Ford F-150 Lightning, equipped with a 131kWh Extended Range battery with an advertised 320-mile range, was one of the contenders. The Chevy Silverado EV, in the 4WT trim with a whopping 215kWh battery rated at 450 miles was also used in this test.
Next in the lineup was a Rivian R1T Dual-Motor with a 135kWh battery claiming a 352-mile range, and it’s worth mentioning that this was a different Rivian from the one Kyle used for towing the generator. Finally, the tri-motor Cybertruck, or “Cyberbeast”, with 35-inch all-terrain tires, a 123kWh battery, and an advertised 301-mile range, rounded out the lineup.
The results were quite interesting, to say the least. The F-150 Lightning fell short of expectations, managing only 282 miles against its 320-mile claim. The Rivian R1T performed well, stopping at 345 miles, closely aligning with its advertised range. The Silverado EV was definitely the standout in this test, achieving an impressive 434 miles, slightly below its claim but remarkable nonetheless, largely attributed to its substantial battery size. The Cybertruck exceeded predictions, delivering 304 miles, surpassing Tesla’s advertised range.
These findings provide valuable insights for potential buyers, addressing potential range concerns for those who may be interested in purchasing any of these electric trucks. However, it’s important to note the Silverado EV tested is exclusively available for fleet purchase and is not offered to the general consumer market at the moment.
For those interested in a deeper dive, the full video review, spanning two hours and fifteen minutes, is linked below, offering an extensive look into the testing process.
