Toyota bZ4X – Short range on the bZ4X: Toyota responds to the criticism

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(Elbil24): Recently, Elbil24 carried out our consumption and range tests of the Toyota bZ4X, a test which gave an unexpected result in the form of a very short range. We have subsequently been in contact with both Toyota Norway and Toyota Motor Europe, which in turn have been in dialogue with Toyota in Japan.

At the bottom of the case you will find an official statement in its entirety.

Range peeler for Toyoya bZ4X

The test car

By way of clarification, we can add that the test car used, the actual car, was an Executive with 18-inch wheels. It has a WLTP range of 459 kilometers, to be exact.

Based on equipment, wheels and weight, almost every single car has its own WLTP figure, although Toyota uses “up to 470 kilometers” in communication, but this does not apply to the Executive edition.

Based on this, the test car has a stated WLTP consumption of 1.63 kWh/mile.

Respects the results

Toyota respects both the test and the results, but naturally has some input which they believe can explain some of the missing range, if we can call it that.

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The whole mystery surrounding the range began when, before the test, we switched on the heater with the car’s air conditioning. This resulted in a dramatic cut in estimated range, from 407 kilometers stated in the instruments, to 297 kilometers. In ECO position, this was adjusted up to 314 kilometres.

Toyota does agree that you must be able to use the air conditioning during normal driving, and this is the “cheapest” setting of the air conditioning in terms of energy consumption. Toyota still sees turning off the air conditioning as an option when you need extra range to reach the nearest charging point without running out of fuel.

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“Invisible” buffer at the bottom

Toyota also has the following information to provide in relation to the range:

After you have reached 0 kilometers in the instruments, there will still be a buffer at the bottom that can be used. They have included this to simulate how fossil cars work, with a kind of reserve tank.

On a perfect day, this buffer will be up to 8.2 per cent, but on a cold winter’s day quite a bit less. Toyota has not come up with a figure for how far they estimate to be able to get with this buffer, nor how many kWh you have at your disposal, as it will be variable.

They are nevertheless clear that this buffer is so large that it will affect the range in a positive direction.

Calculating a result is rarely correct, but theoretically a buffer of 8.2 per cent would give us an additional 3 miles of range, if the consumption had been the same as for the rest of the trip. We would then end up with 348 kilometers as a result in our range test.

From our side, we must add that all electric cars have such a buffer, but Toyota believes that theirs is larger than normal.

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Have shared results with Toyota

As of now, Toyota has no plans to change the methods for displaying range, and they are still clear that they want to use a buffer outside the specified range. As of today, they have no comments on the fact that it will cost a ten-mile range to set the air conditioning even on the first button, other than that they believe they have created a solution that is effective for the car.

At the same time, Toyota admits to being in a learning phase, and will constantly seek information that can contribute to creating better products. To give Toyota an indication of what the industry standard is, we have shared our range measurements from around 15 of Toyota’s competitors.

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This is what Elbil24 thinks

Elbil24 would like to clarify that we have never accused Toyota of spreading lies. However, we have said that we miss an honesty about actual consumption and range, and an openness about net battery capacity, something Toyota does not want to communicate. Of course, lack of transparency is not the same as lying.

Adding a buffer that is larger than the competitors’ is naturally Toyota’s choice. However, we do not agree that it is correct to communicate the remaining amount of energy in this way. Because after the instruments stop showing the remaining range, you are left to your own devices, and in practice drive blind as far as range is concerned.

Every owner of the car would prefer to avoid this, and anything that might lie as a buffer at the bottom is strictly speaking not usable, other than in emergencies. It is therefore the range shown by the instruments that becomes the car’s actual perceived range.

The fact that in the old days there was a backup solution for fossil cars was due to the fact that analogue instruments were used to show the results of what a mechanical sieve in the tank thought was the correct remaining content. This left room for large margins of error, and the manufacturers had to secure themselves with a large buffer.

The same does not apply today. An electric car can in practice show exact numbers and measurements, which Toyota’s very precise display of both range and consumption are good examples of. Most other manufacturers then also choose to use the option of providing more precise information to the driver all the way to the bottom, and we currently do not know of any other supplier that uses the same philosophy as Toyota in stating the range.

In any case, Toyota has to do what they think is right here, and the customers have to choose whether they like it or not.

We are not supposed to be judges of a car manufacturer’s choices and methods, but we test the final product and report. Should the mentioned buffer give an additional range of 3 miles, then as I said, we have a new theoretical range of 348 kilometers, but even this constitutes by a good margin the largest discrepancy between stated and actual range that we have ever tested under the prevailing temperature- and driving conditions.

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Will do more tests

Elbil24 has agreed with Toyota that we will set up a new test where we will possibly bring several cars to do various tests, also including this range. Toyota will also be involved when the test is carried out, among other things to learn from what is being done. In any case, it is our test procedures that must be used.

The continuation of this saga will therefore be that Elbil24 will carry out new tests with representatives from Toyota present. The procedures will be as we have always done them, but with a few more cars, where some also drive until they stop.

We do not expect any significant change in the result, but can confirm what we have already done several times, and that we will end up with concrete figures, including the buffer.

Therefore, stay tuned and be enlightened.

Toyota has made an official statement in connection with our range test, and we have chosen to attach this statement in its entirety: