‘World’s largest EV range test’ sees Tesla dethroned by an automaker you may not know yet
On Wednesday, the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) completed its bi-annual El Prix event that tests the range of dozens of popular EVs from around the globe and various price brackets. While Tesla has dominated the last four years, 2024’s winter edition of the El Prix saw a newcomer not only deliver the most range in cold weather but also come closest to its advertised range.
The Norwegian Automobile Federation, or NAF, is the largest interest and consumer organization in the Nordic, with over 500,000 members – equivalent to roughly 25% of all vehicle owners in the country.
Twice a year alongside Motor, the NAF organizes a range test called the El Prix, described as the “world’s largest” – once in the winter and then again in the summer. Since 2020, Tesla EVs have dominated the bi-annual range tests, and this year’s winter El Prix saw the Model 3 as the clear favorite as it offered the most range on paper.
However, the 2024 lineup of 23 different EVs from around the world saw a newcomer steal the spotlight, with a range significantly less affected by the cold conditions compared to the other EVs.
HiPhi Z usurps Model 3 favorite in EV range test by 81 km
For the 2024 Winter El Prix, the NAF and Motor gathered a pool of 23 different EVs to track their range across Norway in temperatures between -2° and -10℃ (14° to 28℉) in addition to windy conditions.
In the morning, the EVs are fully charged and travel together on the same day, on the same route, under the same conditions for fairness. They are gathered up as they inevitably become depleted of range. Here’s the complete list of the contenders in this year’s winter EV range test, along with their results:
| Make/Model | Advertised Range (WLTP) | Consumption / 100 km | El Prix Winter Range | El Prix Winter Consumption / 100 km |
| Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback | 515 km (310 miles) |
22.4 kWh | 411.4 km (-20.1%) | 24.8 kWh (+10.4%) |
| BMW i5 (eDrive40) | 505 km (314 miles) |
18.7 kWh | 443.6 km (-12.2%) | 19.7 kWh (+5.3%) |
| BYD Dolphin | 427 km (265 miles) |
15.9 kWh | 339.2 km (-20.6%) | 171. kWh (+7.5%) |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 429 kim (267 miles) |
18.7 kWh | 337.5 km (-21.3%) | 23.9 kWh (+27.8%) |
| HiPhi Z | 555 km (345 miles) |
20.4 kWh | 522 km (-5.9%) | 24.32 kWh (+9.2%) |
| Hyundai IONIQ 6 | 614 km (382 miles) |
14.3 kWh | 467.8 km (-23.8%) | 16.3 kWh (+14%) |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | 454 km (282 miles) |
16.6 kWh | 341.3 km (-24.8%) | 18.3 kWh (+10.2%) |
| Jeep Avenger | 395 km (245 miles) |
15.7 kWh | 286 km (-27.6%) | 19.4 kWh (+23.6%) |
| Kia EV9 | 505 km (314 miles) |
22.8 kWh | 441.9 km (-12.5%) | 23 kWh (+0.9%) |
| Lotus Eletre | 530 km (329 miles) |
20.3 kWh | 464.6 km (-12.3%) | 24.8 kWh (+22.2%) |
| Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV | 491 km ( miles) |
21.5 kWh | 399 km (-18.7%) | 22.5 kWh (+4.7%) |
| MG4 Trophy Long Range | 520 km ( miles) |
16.5 kWh | 399.6 km (-23.2%) | 17.5 kWh (+6.1%) |
| NIO EL6 (ES6) | 529 km (305 miles) |
22.1 kWh | 456 km (-13.8%) | 19.8 kWh (-10.4%) |
| NIO ET5 | 560 km (348 miles) |
21.6 kWh | 481.4 km (-14%) | 19.4 kWh (-10.2%) |
| Nissan Ariya | 498 km (309 miles) |
20.4 kWh | 369.4 km (-25.8%) | 21.7 kWh (+6.4%) |
| Opel Astra | 413 km (257 miles) |
15.7 kWh | 296 km (-28.3%) | 17.4 kWh (+10.8%) |
| Peugeot E-308 | 409 km (254 miles) |
12.7 kWh | 297 km (-27.4%) | 17 kWh (+33.9%) |
| Polestar 2 Long Range | 614 km (382 miles) |
15.8 kWh | 430 km (-30%) | 18.5 kWh (+17.1%) |
| Tesla Model 3 | 629 km (397 miles) |
N/A | 441 km (-29.9%) | 18 kWh |
| Toyota bZ4X | 460 km (286 miles) |
16.2 kWh | 313.5 km (-31.8%) | 19.8 kWh (+22.2%) |
| Volkswagen ID.7 | 608 km (378 miles) |
14.4 kWh | 414 km (-31.9%) | 18.9 kWh (+31.2%) |
| XPeng G9 | 520 km (323 miles) |
21.3 kWh | 451.8 km (-13.1%) | 22.8 kWh (+7%) |
| Volvo C40 | 572 km (355 miles) |
17.5 kWh | 395 km (-30.9%) | 21.1 kWh (+20.6%) |
While other EVs led the pack in WLTP range and consumption on paper, the HiPhi Z out of China shined during the 2024 winter range test in total distance traveled on a single charge and had the lowest range loss compared to what its makers advertised.
Perhaps you haven’t heard of HiPhi yet, but maybe you need to check in with Electrek more because we’ve covered the young Chinese automaker several times in the past year, including the launch of the Z GT that dominated in Norway this week.
Despite having a 74 km less advertised range than the favored Tesla Model 3, The HiPhi Z bested the world’s best-selling electric sedan by a whopping 81 km (50.3 miles) in real-world winter testing.
Despite harsh winter conditions, a massive inhibitor to EV adoption in today’s market, the HiPhi Z came closest to achieving its advertised EV range during the test, missing the mark by a mere 6%. The next closest was the relatively new BMW i5, which finished 12.2% less than its advertised range.
The Model 3 missed its target by nearly 30%. The Lotus Eletre came in a close third behind the i5, closing out the podium for premium EVs alongside the HiPhi Z.
There is a lot of additional insight into the data from the NAF’s 2024 EV winter range test you can view here. We look forward to the organization’s summer version of the El Prix to see how all these EVs (and likely some newcomers) fare under warmer conditions. Stay tuned.
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The US Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $1.2 billion in financing to replace Puerto Rico’s fossil fuel plants with solar and battery storage through 2032.
The DOE’s Loan Programs Office announced two conditional commitments and one loan closing to power producers in Puerto Rico. Each supports a project contracted with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. The announcements include:
- The closing of a $584.5 million loan guarantee to subsidiaries of Convergent Energy to finance a 100 MW solar farm with a 55 MW (55 MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) in the municipality of Coamo and BESS installations in the municipalities of Caguas (25MW/100MWh), Peñuelas (100MW/400MWh), and Ponce (up to 100MW/400MWh)
- A conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $133.6 million to a subsidiary of Infinigen for a 32.1 MW solar farm with an integrated 14.45 MW (4.76 MWh) BESS, and a co-located standalone 50 MW (200 MWh) BESS expansion in the municipality of Yabucoa
- A conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $489.4 million to a subsidiary of Pattern Energy for three stand-alone BESS in the municipalities of Arecibo (50 MW/200 MWh), and Santa Isabel (50 MW /200 MWh and 80 MW/320 MW), and a 70 MW solar farm with an integrated BESS in the municipality of Arecibo.
If all are finalized, these projects would more than double LPO’s support for utility-scale solar generation and battery energy storage in Puerto Rico.
LPO provides low-cost financing and a rigorous due diligence process, making it a valuable resource for Puerto Rico as it works to rebuild an affordable, reliable, and clean energy system. As a result of reliance on imported fuel, the persistent threat of tropical storms, and underinvested infrastructure, Puerto Ricans today face average energy costs that are twice the US average – all while consuming only one-quarter of the energy of the US per capita.
LPO’s initial loan to a power producer in Puerto Rico, Project Marahu, closed in October 2024, and when complete will add more than 200 MW of solar and up to 285 MW of stand-alone energy storage to Puerto Rico’s grid.
Through its September 2023 partial loan guarantee to Project Hestia, LPO also supports virtual power plant (VPP)-ready rooftop solar and battery storage installations in Puerto Rico. As a nationwide project, Hestia’s sponsor is committed to at least 20% of installations under Project Hestia going to homeowners in Puerto Rico.
As part of its procurement plan, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority seeks to install 1,500 MW of battery storage and requires a minimum capacity of storage to be co-located with each utility-scale solar project. Energy storage systems currently online in Puerto Rico are being dispatched every day.
When including Marahu, LPO’s closed and conditionally committed financing supports over 100% of the capacity Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority aimed to procure under its initial request for energy storage project proposals, the first of six.
Read more: Cleantech investments to top fossil fuels for the first time in 2025
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Chevy just introduced new deals on the Equinox and Blazer EV models to make them even more affordable. With 0% interest and a new trade-in bonus, Chevy is offering over $5,000 in savings.
Chevy adds new Equinox and Blazer EV deals in January
Although the Chevy Equinox EV is already “the most affordable” EV in its class with over 315 miles range, it’s getting even cheaper.
Earlier this week, Chevy launched new deals on the 2024 Equinox and Blazer EV models. According to a note sent to dealers, viewed by CarsDirect, the electric SUVs are now available with 0% APR financing for 60 months. You can also choose from 0.9% AP for 72 months and 2.9% APR for 84 months.
This marks the best financing offer on Chevy’s newest EVs to date. The previous best rates were 0.9% APR for 60 months, 3.9% for 72 months, and 5.9% for the longer 84-month option.
On a 7-year $45,000 loan, online auto research firm CarsDirect estimates the new deals amount to around a $5,200 price cut. The lower APR rates are already offered on the Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup.
In addition, Chevy is offering a trade-in bonus of up to $3,000 on the Silverado EV and $1,000 on the electric Equinox and Blazer models. If you choose to lease, the bonus is cut in half: $1,500 for the Silverado and $500 for the electric SUVs.
Chevy’s new EV deals started on January 14 and run through March 3, 2025. The deals come as rivals like Hyundai and Ford recently launched new EV promotions.
On Thursday, Hyundai launched a new promo on the upgraded 2025 IONIQ 5, which includes monthly leases as low as $199 and a free ChargePoint home EV charger (or $400 charging credit). Meanwhile, Ford extended its “Power Promise” program earlier this month, which also includes a free home charger, among several other benefits.
The 2024 Chevy Equinox EV started at $41,900 with up to 315 miles range. Prices for the electric Chevy Blazer start at $43,690 with up to 279 miles range.
If you are ready to try out Chevy’s new electric SUVs for yourself, we’ve got you covered. You can use our links below to view offers on the Chevy Equinox, Silverado, and Blazer EV models near you.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss non-Tesla EVs getting Supercharger access, Cybertruck sales in the spotlight, Rivian getting some money from Biden, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET):
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