Range anxiety has long been the main worry when it comes to electric cars.
In other words, how many miles you can drive before needing to recharge.
A few years ago, the longest range electric cars regularly topped out at a maximum range of 100 or 200 miles, but we've now reached a stage where most long range electric cars can keep going for up to 300 miles on a single charge without a care in the world.
But which electric cars will take you the furthest?
The Best Longest-Range EVs at a Glance
Discover the longest range electric cars at a snapshot, starting with the number top:
-
Mercedes EQS - up to 452 miles of range
-
Fisker Ocean - up to 440 miles of range
-
Polestar 2 - up to 406 miles of range
-
Tesla Model 3 - up to 391 miles of range
-
BMW i7 - up to 387 miles of range
-
BMW iX - up to 382 miles of range
-
Mercedes-Benz EQE - up to 380 miles of range
-
Polestar 3 - up to 379 miles of range
-
Renault Scenic E-Tech - up to 379 miles of range
-
Ford Mustang Mach E - up to 372 miles of range
All figures shown below are derived from the official WLTP efficiency test, which is more representative of the actual real-world range of these cars than the old NEDC test.
Which EV Car Has the Longest Range in the World?
Technically it's the Lucid Air, with a whopping 516 miles on a single charge.
Thing is: it's only available in the USA. Plus, the 516-mile figure comes from different official tests, so take that with a pinch of salt. The real-world range might be somewhat lower.
The good news is that company executives have hinted at an eventual UK launch.
Do You Need a Long Range?
First thing's first: ask yourself if you really need to travel hundreds of miles each week.
If not, then there's plenty of even cheaper EVs with lower range that'll probably get the job done.
After all, just like with a petrol or a diesel car, maybe you only need it for short local trips.
But if that's not you, then read on . . .
Do Electric Cars Lose Range Over Time?
Yes, actually.
Electric cars run on batteries, and batteries lose their effectiveness over time – just like in your TV remote.
But don't worry, you'll never lose a ton of range. At most, your car's range will become 20% less than it once was, which for a vehicle that goes at least 200 miles (as most electric cars do), is no big deal.
Even some of the earliest Nissan Leafs (which are now more than a decade old) still retain at least 80% of their original battery range.
Every car manufacturer warrants their electric car batteries against excessive loss of capacity, and with better thermal management and better battery technology in the near future, electric car batteries look set to last longer than ever before.
10. Ford Mustang Mach E - 372 miles
Yes, not what most of us might consider a Mustang, but it's got the badge, right? What matters most is Ford's effort in the EV market, with the company managing to make an electric SUV that covers the same ground as some of its competitors which cost twice as much. An impressive accomplishment, whichever way you look at it.
Sure, the use of that famous Mustang name may have divided opinion, but it's also inspired the Blue Oval brand to give this family-sized sporting SUV a level of charisma that its rivals obviously lack.
An all-wheel-drive version is available, too, but it gives you slightly less range at 341 miles (still good enough though, right?). There’s also a flagship Ford Mustang Mach-E GT, with an even lower range of 304 miles, but it does go from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds.
9. Renault Scenic E-Tech - 379 miles
The Renault Scenic began life as a MPV in the late 90s and early 2000s, but it was recently re-invented as an all-electric SUV/MPV, with the aim of going head-to-head with accomplished family-friendly EVs like the Tesla Model Y and the Hyundai IONIQ 5.
Of course, no Scenic is short on kit, with even the bog-standard Techno trim giving you 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, LED tail-lights and headlights, a heated steering wheel and heated seats, ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and a 12-inch central touchscreen. Meanwhile, apps like Google Maps come built-in, as do wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, plus numerous driver assistance and safety systems like blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
8. Polestar 3 - 379 miles
Polestar’s first SUV and only its 3rd model overall, if the Polestar 2 is anything to go by, the Polestar 3 should be cause for concern to the competition out there.
The Polestar 3 clearly takes aim at the premium end of the electric SUV world, with rivals like the Audi Q8 e-tron and the BMW iX dead in its sights. Sharing a platform with the 7-seater Volvo EX90, the Polestar 3 is fitted with a very large 107kWh battery pack. Polestar claims that this unit is good for up to 379 miles of on-road range, whilst the 250kW rapid charging capability means a 10-80% charge time of just 30 minutes.
Inside, the Polestar 3 gives you a generous helping of luxurious creature comforts. These include roof lighting, a panoramic glass roof, ambient lighting, soft-closing doors, a 360-degree parking camera, cabin air filtration, and heated rear seats to top things off.
7. Mercedes-Benz EQE - 380 miles
The younger brother to Mercedes’ range-topping EQS limo, this is the executive saloon that’s essentially the all-electric equivalent of the E-Class in the manufacturer's range. It makes use of the same EVA2 platform as the larger EQS, and its looks are every bit as uninspiring. That being said, the EQE is highly aerodynamic and accommodates a large 90kWh battery to allow for its 376-mile range.
The EQE’s 170kW maximum charging speed isn’t exactly top-of-the-range either, especially compared to rival models from Porsche and Audi. The infotainment system and other tech onboard is top notch, though poor visibility and a small boot are the things that go against this Mercedes.
6. BMW iX - 382 miles
BMW's flagship SUV, the iX gives you a 382-mile range that's not to be scoffed at. Its styling (the front grille in particular) might not be to everyone's liking, but there can be little argument when it comes to sheer performance on the road. Every BMW iX gives you a dual-motor setup for all-wheel drive, whilst the cabin inside is full of soft-touch materials, with a high level of quality evident throughout.
Two 14.5-inch curved screens are there to show off BMW’s latest iDrive system, which has to be one of the slickest infotainment systems on the market, with few rivals coming close to the iX’s level refinement level. Be soothed by comfort seats on a long journey, with each passenger also given a generous amount of space to enjoy.
5. BMW i7 - 387 miles
For the first time, BMW’s flagship executive vehicle is available with all-electric power. Unlike its Tesla Model S and Mercedes EQS rivals, the i7 shares its platform with a combustion-powered counterpart, the BMW 7 Series. But that doesn’t mean any shortcuts have been taken with the i7’s powertrain.
Keeping the i7 on the road is a huge 101.7kWh battery which BMW claims is good for up to 387 miles of range. They've been clever with the battery pack’s design, too. In order to prevent intrusion into the cabin space (an important part of any luxury car, you'll agree), they've made it super-thin. Meanwhile, 195kW maximum charging speeds make a 10-80% top-up achievable in as little as 34 minutes. A near-silent driving experience, high-quality materials and superb refinement mean that comfort can be found in abundance.
4. Tesla Model 3 - 391 miles
Tesla's cheapest model this may be, but that doesn't mean the range is also cheap. Every trim of the Tesla Model 3 gets you up to at least 300 miles on a single charge. Access to Tesla's Supercharger Network (free charging) is another perk that comes with leasing a Model 3. Very useful if you cover a lot of motorway miles.
Plenty of the brand's signature tech can be found on-board as well, with the updated 2023 model featuring a 15.4-inch touchscreen that’s the same size as before, but with more usable screen space. Meanwhile, quieter tyres, new acoustic glass and sound-deadening materials should help to improve refinement, while on-road performance is still mindboggling. For example, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range gets you from 0-62mph in a mere 4.4 seconds.
3. Polestar 2 - 406 miles
The Tesla Model 3's arch-rival, the Polestar 2 is another EV that helps show the rapid progression in technology that has gone on. Its earlier version had a reduced charge span of 341 miles, but thanks to a facelift and some mechanical updates beneath the hood, the Polestar 2 can now take you up to 406 miles before it runs out of juice.
2. Fisker Ocean - 440 miles
A relatively new kid on the block, California-based electric car manufacturer Fisker has a number of EVs in the works, but the first one to go to market is the Ocean. It's a stylish family SUV with some unique standout features, plus giving you a bucket-load worth of range to play with.
The car does come in different trim levels though, with the entry-level Ocean Sport giving you a lesser electric range of 273 miles, and the Ocean Ultra giving you 379 miles. It's the range-topping Ocean Extreme trim that gets you up to the 400 miles shown above. At least according to Fisker.
Enough range to cross the ocean. Or the roads, in this case.
1. Mercedes EQS - 452 miles
Topping out the list of longest range electric cars, the impressive range of 452 miles is even offered by the entry-level EQS 450+ trim.
This impressive range is delivered thanks to a gigantic 107.8kWh battery pack and a low drag co-efficient. It's slippery through the air and efficient at speed. The high-performance Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 version sacrifices a bit of that range for extra speed – with a staggering amount of power getting you from 0-62mph in less than four seconds, but now down to 348 miles and not 452 miles of range.
Other Ways to Increase Range – Hypermiling
Hyper what?
Hypermiling just refers to the various ways you can save fuel and get 'hyper' miles out of your car – in this case an electric car.
Whether it's petrol, diesel, or electric, the hypermiling fundamentals remain the same. Here's the main ones:
Remove unnecessary luggage: If your car is weighed down with lots of weight, it's going to have to work harder to keep moving, therefore eating into your battery range. So travel light.
Limit the use of electronics: Radio, air conditioning, cabin lights, heated seats . . . they all use fuel. So switch off Dizzee Rascal and give the heating a rest, eh?
Maintain your tyres: Your car might overcompensate for underinflated or overinflated tyres by using more fuel, so make sure you keep your tyres inflated to the ideal limit (which you'll usually find on a symbol in the inside of your door or in your vehicle handbook).
Regular battery charging: Similar to a mobile phone, you should try to keep it charged between 20-80%, rather than letting the battery get too low.
Smooth driving style: Rather than braking and accelerating quickly, push the pedals gently to avoid using more fuel. Also avoid erratic turns and movements with the steering wheel.
Will Electric Cars Ever Get to 500 Miles of Range?
Sure will.
We've already talked about the Lucid Air achieving that range, but thanks to rapidly advancing battery technology and electric motors, most everyday electric cars in the UK are also set to reach the 500-mile mark in the (hopefully) not so distant future.
What is the Cheapest Electric Car With the Longest Range?
In the UK electric car market, it might be the MG4 EV. is the MG4 EV. And you can't say you don't get your money's worth, with driving distances of up to 323 miles on a single charge. Probably no surprise then that it's been crowned Best Value Electric Car.
Summary
So there you have it, the top 10 longest range electric cars that you can pick up and lease today.
Why not make range anxiety a thing of the past?
FAQs
What electric car has the longest-range between charges?
The electric car with the longest range in-between charges is the Lucid Air, a fast-charging luxury electric car capable of up to 516 miles on a single charge, at least according to the manufacturer. However, the car isn't yet available in the UK, though there are plans to potentially introduce it.
Will electric cars ever get 500 mile range?
Electric vehicles will almost certainly achieve 500 miles. One already has (the Lucid Air), though most everyday EVs have yet to reach that figure. But seeing as EV batteries are developing at a quick pace, we're bound to see more and more models reaching the 500-mile kind of range in the not too distant future.