NEDC vs WLTP: Reading Older EV Range Ratings Correctly

If you’re looking at an older EV listing, or a car sold in a market that still quotes NEDC, the range number is probably flattering. Here’s how to read it honestly.

Where NEDC came from

NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) dates back to the 1970s. It uses a short, smooth, low-speed lab routine that bears little resemblance to how people actually drive today. That’s why its figures sit so high.

Why WLTP replaced it

Europe retired NEDC in favour of WLTP because the newer cycle is longer, faster and more dynamic — closer to real conditions. WLTP still runs warm and optimistic, but it’s a meaningful step toward realism.

Converting NEDC to WLTP

The common approximation is WLTP = NEDC × 0.85, so a 500 km NEDC rating becomes roughly 425 km WLTP. Going the other way, NEDC = WLTP ÷ 0.85. Treat 0.85 as a rough rule of thumb, not a constant — the real NEDC-to-WLTP gap varies a lot by vehicle (research puts it roughly between 0.75 and 0.90), so expect ±10–15%.

The practical takeaway

Treat any NEDC figure as a best-case ceiling, not an expectation. If you can, convert it to WLTP and then to EPA-equivalent for the most grounded sense of real-world range before comparing it against newer listings.