Our Methodology

How We Test

We test EVs and e-mobility products the way you'll actually use them — real roads, real weather, real charging stops. No manufacturer-controlled test routes or pre-conditioned batteries.

Scoring Criteria

Every product receives a score from 0 to 10 based on weighted criteria. Here is exactly how we calculate it.

Range & Performance

30%

We run standardized range tests on highway and mixed routes, measuring real-world consumption in different weather conditions. Acceleration, braking, and handling are tested on track.

Charging Experience

25%

We test DC fast charging curves, home charging efficiency, and charging network reliability. Plug-and-charge, app experience, and billing transparency all factor in.

Value & Total Cost

25%

We calculate 5-year total cost of ownership including purchase price, charging costs, maintenance, insurance, and resale value estimates.

Tech & Comfort

20%

We evaluate infotainment systems, driver assistance features, interior quality, and cargo space. Software update cadence and OTA improvement track record matter.

Tools & Equipment

The tools we use to produce consistent, reproducible results.

  • OBD-II data logging with real-time consumption tracking
  • Standardized range test routes (highway, city, mixed)
  • DC fast charging curve analysis equipment
  • Climate-controlled test conditions (summer and winter)
  • Track testing for performance metrics

Independence Pledge

  • No sponsored rankings. Our scores are never influenced by advertising or affiliate relationships.
  • We buy everything ourselves. Products are purchased at retail price with our own funds. No vendor-supplied review units.
  • Affiliate transparency. We earn commissions from some links. This funds our testing but never affects our scores. Full disclosure.
  • Corrections policy. If we get something wrong, we update the article with a visible correction notice and date.

Update Cadence

Reviews are updated with each major OTA update. Range and charging data is refreshed seasonally. Pricing is verified monthly.

Every article shows its publish date and last update date. If a review is more than 6 months old without an update, we flag it as potentially outdated.

Our Testing Team

The people behind the scores.

Mike Thornton
Mike Thornton Editor-in-Chief ASE Certified EV Technician, former Car and Driver contributor, 200,000+ EV miles logged
Sofia Andersson
Sofia Andersson Staff Writer & E-Mobility Analyst Electrical engineering background, Level 2 EVSE installer certified, 5-time EV owner
Carlos Mendez
Carlos Mendez Contributing Automotive Engineer MS Mechanical Engineering, former Rivian battery engineer, 30+ technical publications