Chinese EV maker Li Auto’s updated i6 electric SUV covered 504 miles on a single charge during a livestreamed endurance test, exceeding its official Chinese driving-range rating despite carrying four occupants and running the air conditioning throughout the drive. 

The vehicle completed the test using a 96 kWh battery, with the automaker reporting energy consumption of 11.8 kWh per 62 miles. The result showcases Li Auto’s efforts to improve efficiency through its own battery-pack design, electric drive motors and silicon carbide power electronics, while shifting away from CATL as a battery supplier. 

However, the test took place entirely on urban roads in mild weather, conditions that favour EV efficiency and do not reflect typical highway driving or winter use.

Li Auto conducted the test around Lake Tai in China’s Yangtze River Delta, with temperatures ranging from 55°F to 68°F. The SUV carried four occupants, their luggage and an additional 110 pounds of equipment. The company also kept the air conditioning running during the 18-hour drive.

The route consisted entirely of urban roads with speed limits between approximately 25 and 50 mph. Those relatively low speeds, combined with mild temperatures, provided favorable conditions for maximizing range. EVs generally consume more energy at sustained highway speeds, while cold weather can reduce battery performance and increase heating demands.

During the livestream, the i6 covered 504 miles before its displayed state of charge reached 0%. Li Auto said the vehicle remained operational at that point, suggesting it might have traveled farther, although the company did not establish how much usable range remained, CarNewsChina reported .

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