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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
Entertainment
Berlin - London - Asharq Al-Awsat

Beethoven’s Music Increases EV Range

The logo of Kia Motors is seen on a wheel of its Carnival car at the India Auto Expo 2020 in Greater Noida, India, February 5, 2020. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis/File Photo

Listening to a Beethoven symphony instead of dance music, or hip-hop while on the move could possibly increase the range of your electric car and improve its energy efficiency, according to tests recently carried out on behalf of one manufacturer.

South Korean manufacturer Kia is backing this unusual claim with the results of trials in which various types of music were played on the sound system of a Kia EV6 electric, reported the German News Agency (dpa).

According to Kia’s trial, playing Beethoven's "Symphony No.9" inside an electric vehicle (EV) made it more efficient. By contrast, the Weeknd’s high-energy smash hit "Blinding Lights" had a negative effect on the battery.

Kia’s study was conducted by Dr. Duncan Williams, a lecturer at the British University of Salford’s School of Science, Engineering and Environment.

"What we found from only two days of testing was that music really can have a dramatic influence on the real-world driving range of an electric vehicle," said Williams.

Kia’s playlist consisted of Tycho (Awake), Adele (Hello), The Weeknd (Blinding Lights), Anna Meredith (Nautilus), Kanye West (Fade) and Beethoven's Symphony No.9. It seems those taking part drove up to four times more efficiently when listening to Beethoven than other songs.

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