The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is transforming the automotive market. For newcomers to electric driving, understanding how EVs perform in various conditions is crucial. This analysis examines the Skoda Elroq, a compact SUV pitched as an ideal first electric car, by putting it through a demanding real-world test: a long-distance motorway trip.
The Elroq was initially evaluated in urban settings like London suburbs. Here, its smooth low-speed handling and impressive energy efficiency were notable advantages. However, the true test of an EV lies in sustained high-speed driving, an area where many electric cars face challenges due to higher energy consumption and potential issues with noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).
To rigorously test the Elroq’s capabilities, a challenging road trip was undertaken. The journey began early at 4 a.m., heading to Crewe for the debut of Bentley’s EXP 15 concept car. This tight schedule meant relying on a pre-charged battery rather than public charging stations at the start.
The Elroq’s 82kWh battery pack was fully charged the night before, providing an impressive 343 miles of projected range on the digital display. The initial leg of the trip, navigating London’s strict 20mph zones, saw the range decrease steadily but at a manageable rate, keeping pace with the distance covered.
The critical phase arrived once reaching the motorway. Cruising at 70 mph, the Elroq’s efficiency plummeted significantly. The energy consumption jumped, causing the projected range to drop faster than the actual distance travelled. After just 110 miles on the motorway, the displayed range had fallen by 140 miles, and the efficiency dropped from a commendable 4.3 miles per kWh in city driving to a less impressive 3.4 miles per kWh.
Throughout the journey, the driver monitored the car’s projected range, specifically the ‘comfort buffer’ – the estimated energy left upon arrival at the destination. This exercise highlighted the importance of real-world range calculations, especially at highway speeds, which often differ significantly from optimistic city projections.
The Verdict: A Practical First EV?
The Skoda Elroq successfully handles the nuances of city driving, offering smooth and efficient electric motoring. However, the road trip demonstrates that its performance characteristics change substantially on the motorway. While not inherently flawed, the Elroq requires drivers to adapt their expectations.
This experience underscores a key point for EV adoption: understanding an electric car’s range and efficiency under different driving conditions is vital. The Elroq performs well in typical stop-start traffic but demands careful attention to projected range when planning longer journeys at higher speeds. It remains a sensible choice for many, but potential buyers should be aware of how its performance scales up for extended highway cruising
