Method of Performing a Road Network Search and System for Estimating a Cruising Range of a Vehicle

Various embodiments relate to a method of estimating a cruising range (15) of a vehicle. The method comprises performing a road network search. Digital map data (2) including a set of road segments (3, 3a-3j), each being associated with a hierarchy class and an elevation, is retrieved. A road segment-specific weighting factor is determined for the road segments (3, 3a-3j), the weighting factor being dependent on a distance of the specific road segment to a current location (1) of the vehicle and on the elevation of the specific road segment. The road segments (3, 3a-3j) are selectively discarded based on the weighting factor and the associated hierarchy class. The road network search expands route links for the road segments based on an associated energy consumption of the vehicle for travelling along the route links. The cruising range (15) is estimated based on a determined reachability of a plurality of the road segments.