SAE J2688-2020 PDF

Full title and description

SAE J2688-2020 — Test Procedure for Battery Electric Vehicle Cold Performance and Range Measurement Using the SAE J1634 Driving Schedules (Procedure for measuring electric vehicle range and energy consumption under cold ambient conditions).

Abstract

SAE J2688-2020 specifies procedures and conditions for measuring the cold-temperature performance and range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The document defines ambient temperature conditioning, preconditioning, test sequences using established driving schedules, and requirements for instrumentation and data reporting so that results are repeatable and comparable across laboratories and manufacturers when assessing the impact of low temperatures on vehicle range and energy consumption.

General information

• Status: Published standard
• Publication date: 2020
• Publisher: SAE International
• ICS / categories: 43.020 (Road vehicles engineering) / Automotive testing and energy consumption
• Edition / version: 2020 edition
• Number of pages: Approximately 20–40 pages (typical for SAE test procedure documents)

Scope

This standard defines a repeatable laboratory or controlled-environment test method to quantify the effects of cold ambient temperatures on the driving range and energy consumption of battery electric vehicles. It covers ambient and vehicle conditioning, required instrumentation, specific drive schedule execution (aligned with SAE J1634 driving schedules), data collection, and reporting formats to ensure comparable results. It is intended for passenger cars and light-duty BEVs and may be used for regulatory support, consumer information, research, and development.

Key topics and requirements

• Definitions of cold test ambient temperature ranges and conditioning procedures for vehicle and battery state-of-charge before tests.
• Preconditioning steps including soak times, thermal stabilization, and charger usage to reach specified starting conditions.
• Specification of driving schedules to be used (based on SAE J1634 cycles) and tolerances for speed, grade, and ambient influences.
• Instrumentation and measurement requirements for vehicle energy flow, battery temperature, cabin load, and environmental monitoring.
• Procedures for measuring and reporting range, energy consumption, and observed degradations relative to reference (e.g., moderate temperature) tests.
• Data recording formats and required metadata to permit result comparison and repeatability across test facilities.

Typical use and users

Engineers in vehicle development and testing, certification bodies, test laboratories, regulatory agencies, and researchers use SAE J2688-2020 to assess BEV cold-weather range and performance. Manufacturers apply it for product development, validation, and consumer claims; independent labs use it for benchmarking and comparative testing; regulators and consumer information programs use standardized procedures to inform policy and public guidance.

Related standards

Related documents include SAE J1634 (Electric Vehicle Energy Consumption and Range Test Procedure), SAE J1711 (Electric Vehicle Energy Consumption Measurement), ISO and IEC standards on battery testing and safety, and regional vehicle test procedures for electric range and environmental conditioning used by regulatory agencies.

Keywords

electric vehicle, BEV, cold performance, range test, driving schedule, SAE J2688, SAE J1634, battery conditioning, energy consumption, test procedure

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: SAE J2688-2020 is a test procedure that describes how to measure the effect of cold ambient conditions on the range and energy consumption of battery electric vehicles using standardized driving schedules and controlled conditioning.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers ambient and vehicle conditioning for cold tests, preconditioning and soak times, the execution of specified driving schedules (aligned to SAE J1634), instrumentation requirements, data collection, and reporting to yield repeatable and comparable cold-range measurements.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Vehicle manufacturers, test laboratories, certification bodies, regulators, and researchers who need standardized methods to evaluate BEV performance in cold temperatures.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document is the 2020 edition. Users should check with SAE International for any amendments or later revisions to confirm whether a newer edition or supplement exists.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. It is related to other SAE test procedures for electric vehicle energy consumption and range, notably SAE J1634, and complements standards covering battery testing and vehicle-level measurement methods.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include electric vehicle, cold performance, range test, driving schedule, battery conditioning, energy consumption, SAE J2688, SAE J1634.