ECOBEST Challenge, organized annually by AUTOBEST, is the original European independent real traffic test of mainstream EVs that reveals their true green credentials. It remains the only test of its kind with a transparent, neutral and balanced approach. The event aims to provide clear information about electric vehicles and to raise public awareness about the benefits of transitioning to environmentally friendly motoring.
The ECOBEST Challenge 2025 takes place between May 26th – 28th, 2025, in Vairano, Italy.
Ecobest Challenge 2025, now in its 6th edition, further exemplifies AUTOBEST’s unwavering commitment to showcasing the genuine green credentials of mainstream electric vehicles.
As the first independent European real-world traffic test of its kind, this event underscores our dedication to providing transparent and credible information to the 665 million car users across Europe that AUTOBEST serves.
The 2025 edition of the ECOBEST Challenge has been certified for the third year in row by leading French certification experts Bureau Veritas. This provides global recognition of the genuine, comprehensive, consistent and innovative methodology employed in testing electric vehicles (EVs) in real traffic conditions and assessing their green credentials in an unbiased manner.
In 2023, Bureau Veritas certified ECOBEST Challenge for the first time after a very detailed analysis of the testing methodology. This was refined over many years of measuring the green credentials of EVs based on criteria pioneered by the AUTOBEST organization.
This year, Italian car bible Quattrorote again supports the event as technical partner. It marks the fourth year of a successful partnership.
From May 26th – 28th, the sixth edition of the Ecobest Challenge 2025 will see 15 leading electric vehicles from renowned manufacturers tested:
The ECOBEST Challenge rules allow only popular EVs to be tested. They must have a standard basic price of 65,000 Euros, before any tax or any state support for green cars.
Key international media are invited to test-drive vehicles across a mixed variety of roads, from motorways to urban settings, in Quattroruote, Vairano. This guarantees that outcomes are supported by unparalleled transparency and unwavering reliability.
Testing will occur on diverse terrain and traffic conditions to ensure the most accurate and realistic test results. ‘Normal’ mode will be used on roads and motorways, and ‘Eco’ mode while running in the city. Every model will be driven until full battery depletion.
Test drivers are coming from different countries of Europe, fulfilling the AUTOBEST proprietary concept ‘human random factor’, which is coming very close to the ideal average European motorist. They will be encouraged to apply their typical real-life driving styles and to use the onboard technologies, such as the air-con, sound systems, navigation systems, and other connected technologies. Drivers will rotate cars every 25 kilometers to prevent driving style bias.
“Last year we pioneered the first rankings on no less than seven criteria, representing the results of unbiased measurements, showing a diversity of hierarchies pending on the criteria. This approach is unique in the world of electromobility, and we will continue to measure the most efficient EV car, the biggest strategic reserve after the battery is showing zero range on the cluster, the smallest loss in energy charging, the best ratio between the real range and WLTP range and more. ECOBEST Challenge continues to serve all the car users of Europe and beyond. It is going to offer – as always – ‘real life, real traffic, true figures’ for our new EV’s in Europe. Finally, with a line-up of 15 models in the ECOBEST Challenge, this year edition is probably the best selection we ever had.” – Dan Vardie, Founder & Chairman of AUTOBEST and the creator of ECOBEST Challenge.
“Once again, the ECOBEST Challenge 2025 shows that electric cars are improving steadily, as we can see from the technical specs of the cars in tests. But several challenges are being faced, starting with the charging infrastructure and related costs. The ECOBEST Challenge gives the most comprehensive perspective on the real green credentials of the cars and the efficiency of cars and charging process. At Quattroruote, we carry out tests every day on our track in Vairano, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. A great achievement that is part of an even broader tradition: we have been testing cars for 70 years now. At Quattroruote, we are very proud to partner with the European AUTOBEST independent media organization for such a unique and meaningful project for the 650 million cars users of Europe.” – Alessio Viola, Editor in Chief of Quattroruote and AUTOBEST Jury Vice President, in charge of the ECOBEST Challenge project.
The results of the measurements, and the proprietary ECOBEST Challenge 2025 indexes, will be announced in an online press conference following the event.
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About AUTOBEST
The AUTOBEST organisation was created in 2001 with the revolutionary concept of finding the ‘Best Buy Car’ available on the European market.
The AUTOBEST jury members represents 32+1 European countries (Russia remains suspended for the time being), making it the largest independent motoring jury in Europe – and in the world, by the number of represented countries. The AUTOBEST jury pays close attention to the automotive industry’s efforts. Investments, new automotive job opportunities, funds for green cars and technologies, the support for different regions of Europe and more are all carefully checked by the jury. New in-car technologies and connectivity are also increasingly under scrutiny by the expert jury of motoring professionals.
Contact: pr@autobest.org
