A test drive with a newly electrified vehicle

Erik takes us along 

At Emoss, everything we do is about delivering reliable, powerful, and efficient electric powertrains. But before a vehicle leaves our workshop, it has to prove itself on the road. That’s where test driver Erik comes in. He takes every vehicle out for an extensive test drive—checking not just whether everything works, but how it works. 

“When a vehicle is still in development, I pay extra close attention to how it responds to what I do,” Erik explains. “Some things can still be fine-tuned in software, so it’s important that I can feel exactly what’s going on.” 

What we test during a drive

On a test drive like this, Erik assesses the complete driving experience. It goes far beyond simply accelerating or braking. Among other things, he looks at: 

• how smoothly the vehicle accelerates and regenerates 

• the performance of the heater and air conditioning 

• driver-assist functions such as hill assist, traction control, limit control, and cruise control 

• steering feel and shift points 

• safety systems such as lane departure warning 

• the operation of the quiet vehicle sounder 

• any warning lights or error messages on the dashboard 

• unusual noises that could indicate a calibration or installation issue 

“It’s about the full picture,” Erik says. “An electric powertrain feels different from a traditional engine. That’s why everything needs to be right—from the first meter to the last.”  

Pushing the limits to improve them 

Because this vehicle was still under development, Erik evaluated its behavior in different conditions with extra scrutiny. During the drive, for example, he noticed he was able to push past the speed limiter several times. “That obviously shouldn’t happen. We discuss findings like this with the team right away, then adjust the software. In this case, it was picked up immediately.” 

Performance at a low state of charge (SoC) is another key part of the test. How does the vehicle respond when the battery is nearly empty? Does the powertrain remain predictable—and powerful enough? These are crucial questions for the end user. 

Charging: just as important as driving

An electric powertrain is only truly complete when the charging process runs just as smoothly. That’s why Erik tests charging at different charging stations and under a range of conditions.

“We check whether charging starts straight away, whether the session stays stable, and whether the charging speed meets expectations. A vehicle shouldn’t just drive well—it should also charge reliably.”  

Why these test drives matter 

Every test drive delivers valuable insights. Sometimes it’s small details; sometimes it’s bigger optimizations. But it always helps us improve the final result. Thanks to Erik’s experience—and the team behind him—our vehicles aren’t just technically strong; they’re also pleasant and intuitive to use. 

“The best moment,” Erik says, “is when you can feel everything falls into place. That’s when you know: this vehicle is ready for the customer.”