© ADAC
Tests by the German Automobile Club (ADAC) show that many electric cars can keep driving for 15–20km even after their battery displays 0%, offering drivers an unexpected safety buffer against range anxiety.
A familiar scenario: only a few per cent of battery remain, and the question looms – will it be enough to reach the nearest charging point?
What many don't realise is that some electric cars have a "hidden reserve". The German Automobile Club (ADAC) recently tested six fully electric models, namely BYD Seal, Nio EL6, Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y, Volvo EX40, and VW ID.3, to evaluate how they behave once the battery shows 0%. The good news: the dreaded breakdown tends to happen later than expected.
Different warnings for "low battery"
The results show that manufacturers don't all define "low battery" the same way. The moment the dashboard displays a warning can vary significantly. For example, a Volkswagen ID.3 alerts its driver once the charge drops below 20%. By contrast, in a Volvo EX40 the warning doesn't appear until just 7% – a bit late if you've been distracted.
When only a handful of kilometres remain, electric vehicles can do something combustion cars never could: they reduce performance to stretch the last bit of range. Again, the behaviour differs from brand to brand.
The BYD Seal cuts its power and top speed at 6% battery, while the Volvo EX40 and Tesla Model Y deliver full performance until the final single per cent. The Nio EL6 doesn't limit output until the gauge already reads 0%. Even at 0%, these vehicles can still drive on. Unlike a smartphone that dies the moment it hits zero, EVs are designed with a small emergency buffer, allowing drivers to tap into the very last electrons left in the pack.
Up to 20 extra kilometres
This safety net can add between 15 and 20km of additional range, enough to save a motorist who thought they were stranded. In ADAC's tests, the BYD Seal managed 18km, the Tesla Model Y 20km, and the Volvo EX40 even 21km. The Volkswagen ID.3 delivered 15km.
Of course, these results were achieved under ideal conditions, in warm weather, so the real figure depends on driving style, speed, and climate. And once you've dipped into that reserve, unless you're truly close to a charging station, it's safer to pull over and park rather than risk breaking down on the motorway, which can also earn you a fine.
Tips for squeezing out a few more kilometres
When the battery is low, there are a few tricks to stretch your range: switch on Eco mode, turn off heating or air conditioning, drive smoothly, make use of regenerative braking and, above all, plan your next charge more carefully.
© ADAC
