It doesn’t matter what automobile producers say, vary nervousness continues to be typically current when driving electrical automobiles, particularly when you’re new to EV motoring. Fortunately, the utmost claimed vary of some EVs has now crossed the 400-mile barrier, which is the equal to driving from London to Edinburgh on a single cost – a drive that may take greater than 9 hours.

Earlier than you embark on a trans-continental EV journey, it’s value remembering that the real-world vary is usually decrease than what producers declare – and decrease than the figures produced by the WLTP take a look at cycle, too. However driving between 250 and 300 miles on a single cost is now completely doable for a lot of new EVs.

What’s extra, not all the automobiles featured listed below are luxurious rides with six-figure worth tags. Whereas there are fairly a number of entries from premium German producers, Tesla, Peugeot and Polestar all now show EVs with 300 and even 400 miles of claimed vary are falling inside attain of extra drivers than ever.

As an alternative of rating our favourites, these EVs are listed so as of vary, with the very best first. That method, you may see which automobile goes farthest, then resolve whether or not you want each mile doable or if the right stability between vary, worth, dimension, consolation and efficiency may be struck.

How we examined

Each automobile featured on this article has been pushed by an Unbiased motoring critic. These drives final for a lot of miles and canopy varied varieties of roads, from city and metropolis driving to sweeping nation roads and motorways too.

We’ll borrow a automobile for a number of days to essentially familiarize yourself with it, which means we will put a producer’s vary claims to the take a look at in the true world, finishing lots of of miles and maintaining a watchful eye on how an EV’s vary and effectivity are affected by highway, driving fashion, ambient temperature and extra.

This round-up options the electrical automobiles with the longest vary, as quoted by their producers as of October 2024. These quoted ranges largely come from the WLTP testing customary. However as you may see, an enormous vary isn’t all the time sufficient to earn an EV an amazing rating from our specialists. Our scoring takes under consideration all elements of the automobile, from its worth and high quality, to its driving dynamics, practicality, efficiency and know-how.

The very best long-range EVs in 2024

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Unbiased score: 6/10

The Mercedes EQS is the present long-range EV champion, with a most claimed vary of 481 miles. That’s sufficient stamina to drive from London to Edinburgh – a drive that usually takes round eight hours – in a single cost, and with sufficient juice left to discover a charger at your vacation spot. At the least that’s the declare; as ever with electrical automobiles, pace and driving fashion, in addition to ambient temperature and battery situation, all have an impact. Fairly actually, your mileage could range.

The EQE achieves this enormous vary due to its equally massive 107.8 kWh battery, whereas a most cost price of 200 kW means it’ll replenish from 10 to 80 p.c in about an hour. That’s not as speedy as some automobiles with quicker charging and smaller batteries, however an hour’s relaxation sounds fairly interesting after 300 or 400 miles on the highway.

Learn our full Mercedes EQS evaluation

Sadly, whereas the EQS is a variety champion, the remainder of the automobile isn’t good. It’s full of tech, however we discovered it isn’t fairly in the identical league because the internally-combusted Mercedes S-Class, which betters its electrical sibling when it comes to general high quality, rear seat consolation and passenger isolation from the skin world. We additionally assume the MBW i7 is a extra convincing electrical luxurious saloon, even when it could actually’t match the flagship Mercedes EV on vary alone.

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Unbiased score: 8/10

The brand new single-motor variant of the Polestar 3 can journey a claimed 438 miles on a cost, giving it the second-longest vary of any EV on sale within the UK at present. It has the identical massive, 111 kWh battery as its dual-motor siblings, however makes do with much less energy (though nonetheless an sufficient 295 bhp, plus a 0-62 mph time of seven.8 seconds).

Learn our full Polestar 3 evaluation

All three variants of the Polestar 3 have a powerful most cost price of 250 kW, and when related to an equally highly effective cost they’ll fill from 10 to 80 p.c in half-hour, or from zero to full in 11 hours utilizing a house charger.

Inside, the Polestar’s minimalism inside incorporates a 14.5-inch touchscreen that runs Google’s Android Automotive system, full with built-in Google Maps and Google Assistant, plus Spotify too. The Polestar 3’s sound system is among the greatest we’ve ever skilled, due to its compatibility with Dolby Atmos encompass sound.

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Unbiased score: 8/10

It may not have the outright longest vary of any EV on sale at present, however the Volkswagen ID.7’s claimed 436 miles of vary earns it second place – and, extra importantly, it scores 8/10 in comparison with the 6/10 for the longed-legged Mercedes EQS.

We predict that is one of the best EV Volkswagen at the moment makes. It isn’t fairly a rival for the Tesla Mannequin 3, largely due to the worth, however in some ways the VW looks like a miniature Mercedes, given the consolation on supply.

Learn our full Volkswagen ID.7 evaluation

The ID. 7 can be a transparent indication that Volkswagen – eventually – is on the precise path relating to EVs. It might be boring to take a look at, however its skills are fortunately greater than pores and skin deep.

There are two different areas the place the ID. 7 actually stands out, in addition to the vary, and so they each come beneath the heading of consolation. There may be a great deal of area within the again seats, whereas the trip is really limo-like – it feels extra like a Mercedes than many Mercedes fashions do as of late.

The tech rely is nice, too, however one space VW nonetheless falls behind is on the usability of its touchscreen – even within the ID. 7 it’s nonetheless not adequate.

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Unbiased score: 10/10

The Tesla Mannequin 3 may simply be one of the best electrical automobile on sale within the UK at present. And now, due to a brand new variant launching8 October 2024, it now has one of many longest ranges of any EV too.

The Mannequin 3 gained a brand new member in October, within the type of the Lengthy Vary Rear-Wheel Drive, which slots between the entry-level automobile (rear-drive, smaller battery) and the pre-existing long-range variant with all-wheel-drive. By combing the larger battery with the much less highly effective single-motor drivetrain, Tesla now affords a Mannequin 3 able to a claimed 436 miles on a cost, which ties for second place in our long-range league desk.

Learn our full Tesla Mannequin 3 evaluation

The Mannequin 3 additionally expenses shortly, at as much as 170 kW, and naturally it has entry to the incredible Supercharger community, which gives a quick, dependable charging service – and infrequently at a less expensive price than different networks. It’s a superb package deal, particularly once you issue within the Mannequin 3’s tech options, effectivity and the spacious five-seat cabin.

Negatives? We want Tesla wouldn’t match illogical steering wheel buttons as a substitute of stalks for the symptoms and wipers, however that’s actually about it. Study your method round these inconveniences, and the Mannequin 3 is an outstanding electrical automobile – and now it has an enormous vary, too.

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Unbiased score: 8/10

A glossy and modern-looking EV saloon with an enormous vary of over 400 miles and robust effectivity, the Mercedes EQE goes additional than lots of its key rivals. The EQE backs this up with glorious long-distance consolation and a high-tech inside that feels as futuristic because the automobile seems to be.

We’ve spent lots of time within the EQE and coated many extra-long motorways journeys to place the big, 96kWh battery to the take a look at, and we’ve by no means been disillusioned. The intelligent infotainment can be notably spectacular, due to its connectivity and ‘self-learning’ personalisation options, and the top-spec Burmester stereo impresses too.

Learn our full Mercedes EQE evaluation

Add related such additional options although, and the Mercedes EQE can shortly get costly. We’re additionally postpone a bit of by how the glossy roofline eats into rear headroom, the small boot and some areas of sub-optimal high quality contained in the cabin. Total although, that is a powerful electrical govt saloon with a incredible vary and many tech.

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Unbiased score: 8/10

Peugeot is proof that not all long-legged EVs are costly govt saloons from Germany. The e-3008 begins at about £45,000 and has a variety of as much as 422 miles when you go for the bigger 98 kWh battery pack due out in early 2025. Even the common batter, with its 73 kWh capability and 327 miles of vary, is spectacular for the worth.

Pair all that with a quick most cost price of 170 kW, and you’ll see why the fashionable household SUV is a agency favorite amongst our group of roadtesters. The Peugeot additionally wows with a first-rate inside that has a design much more distinctive than the outside, and it has loads of onboard tech too.

Learn our full Peugeot e-3008 evaluation

One other plus level is how the battery may be charged from 20 to 80 p.c in as little as half-hour from a high-speed public charger, and that the e-3008 feels snug and protected on the highway, due to loads of driver help tech working within the background.

Our solely main gripe is how a warmth pump, which helps save battery power in chilly climate, isn’t customary and as a substitute prices an additional £700. We might additionally wish to see a bit extra space within the rear seats.

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Unbiased score: 9/10

Porsche’s first electrical automobile, the Taycan, got here out of the blocks like a rocketship again in 2019, however within the half-decade since its most vary was overtaken by a lot of the competitors. Not so any extra, as a facelift revealed in 2024 introduced extra energy, faster charging and, most significantly, much more vary.

In its most long-legged guise the Taycan now has a claimed vary of some 421 miles. It additionally expenses extra shortly than simply about some other automobile on sale, with a most price of 320kW. Discover a highly effective sufficient charger and the Taycan will fill its enormous, 105kWh battery from 10 to 80 p.c in simply 18 minutes.

Learn our full Porsche Taycan evaluation

We additionally love the way in which the Taycan seems to be and the way it nonetheless drives like a Porsche, regardless of the shortage of an engine. The 2-speed gearbox provides it extra character than the single-gear transmissions of different EVs, and new for this mannequin is a trick suspension system. Known as Porsche Energetic Trip, it leans into corners and tilts the automobile forwards barely when accelerating, then backwards throughout braking to assist maintain it completely stage. It’s witchcraft, however it works.

If you would like most efficiency, the Turbo GT variant has a variety nearer to 350 miles, however manages to launch itself to 62 mph in simply 2.2 seconds.

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Unbiased score: 8/10

It’s Peugeot once more, and this time not solely do we’ve an EV with a large vary, however it’s a seven-seater too, making it a fairly uncommon factor. We have been significantly impressed by the e-5008 once we drove it, due to its trendy design and fascinating but high-quality inside that felt spacious throughout all three rows, but with out the automobile seeming huge to drive.

For now the automobile can solely be purchased with the smaller 73kWh battery, which is nice for about 310 miles. However quickly the larger 96kWh mannequin will likely be obtainable and –  though it takes the automobile as much as a relatively un-Peugeot-like £52,000 – that’ll be the one with over 400 miles of vary.

Learn our full Peugeot e-5008 evaluation

We additionally like how the automobile expenses pretty shortly, with a most price of 160kW, and the way it comes with lots of package as customary. It’s a straightforward automobile to make use of, regardless of the marginally funky inside design, and we will see it slotting neatly into the lives of an amazing many households who want greater than 5 seats.

It’s dear for a Peugeot, and particularly in comparison with the hybrid model of the 5008. But when a long-range EV with seven seats is what you want, that is undoubtedly the automobile to purchase.

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Unbiased score: 7/10

Identical to the Porsche Taycan, the Polestar 2 is one other EV that arrived a number of years in the past and acquired a mid-life facelift that bumped up the vary. On this case we’re speaking a claimed 406 miles from the Swedish EV (once you spec the bigger 82kWh battery pack) and a most cost price of 205kW.

That isn’t fairly on par with some rivals, however it’s nonetheless fairly fast and means the battery can fill from 10 to 80 p.c in as little as 28 minutes.

Learn our full Polestar 2 evaluation

In addition to the massive vary, we additionally just like the Polestar 2 for its elegant styling, partaking drive and infotainment system. The automobile runs Android Automotive, which suggests there’s native help for Google Maps (which is aware of how a lot battery you’ve gotten left and the place cost stations are), Google Assistant, the Play retailer and Spotify. Apple CarPlay can be there for iPhone customers, and the remainder of the person interface is among the many greatest we’ve utilized in any EV to this point.

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Unbiased score: 8/10

Polestar’s first full-size SUV, the three shares its underpinnings with the brand new Volvo EX90, which suggests the identical enormous battery capability of 111 kWh. For the Polestar that interprets right into a claimed vary of 403 miles, though naturally that can range relying on how the automobile is pushed and the ambient temperature.

Learn our full Polestar 3 evaluation

As with different Polestars, the three affords a sporty drive that can please eager drivers however leads to a firmer trip than some patrons may anticipate from an opulent SUV. The twin-motor variant is correctly fast, however our choose of the bunch is the single-motor automobile, because it has the longest vary and nonetheless affords loads of efficiency.

Just like the Polestar 2, the three advantages from a clear and tidy infotainment system constructed on Google’s Android Automotive. We like how Google Maps and Google Assistant are each tightly built-in, however the 3’s lack of bodily mirror controls is a ache, since you must dive into the touchscreen as a substitute. Regardless, it is a trendy, high-quality SUV that drives nicely, has a great deal of area within the cabin (though it’s not obtainable as a seven-seater) and an enormous vary.

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Unbiased score: 6/10

The Mercedes EQS SUV is an ultra-luxurious EV with a incredible vary and virtually unrivalled refinement. Nonetheless, it’s costly and really massive for UK roads.

It ought to come as no shock that this automobile has a wide array, given the large 118 kWh battery pack lurking in its ground. It additionally expenses shortly too, due to a most price of 200 kW, and Mercedes’ onboard tech is among the many greatest.

Learn our full Mercedes EQS SUV evaluation

That stated, we can’t stress sufficient fairly how massive this automobile is. At over 5 metres lengthy and two metres huge, it is just too massive for some UK roads – be careful for these London width restrictors, and good look in a multi-storey automobile park. It’s additionally extraordinarily heavy, at virtually 3.1 tonnes (not a typo), and this does take the sting off each its straight-line efficiency and drive dynamics.

If luxurious is what you need although, and also you’re assured it’ll match into your life (if not essentially your storage), then when it comes to luxurious there’s little that may beat it.

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Unbiased score: 8/10

Porsche’s second all-electric automobile, the Macan is a mid-size SUV with the sporty eagerness and sense of high quality you’d anticipate from the German model. It has an enormous battery, expenses in a short time and guarantees first rate power effectivity for a claimed vary of virtually 400 miles. Remember although, that stat is for the least highly effective, entry-level automobile with a single motor. It’s nonetheless a pleasing factor to drive, hitting 62 mph in 5.7 seconds, however trades typical Porsche efficiency for its lengthy vary.

There are three different Macan fashions to choose from (with extra doubtless nonetheless to come back), however whereas these supply extra energy – far more in Turbo guise – they can not match the bottom mannequin’s vary.

Learn our full Porsche Macan evaluation

All variations of the Macan profit from a high-quality inside with a beautiful driving place, high-quality switchgear and a way that Porsche has actually thought of how its automobiles ought to function. The infotainment system works nicely and we’re massive followers of the bodily switches for adjusting the cabin temperature and fan pace, as a substitute of a touchscreen.

If you would like a high-quality electrical SUV that isn’t too huge, but drives with poise and precision, doesn’t intimidate by attempting to look too futuristic, and has an amazing vary, the Macan is tough to disregard.

Verdict: Finest long-range electrical automobiles

It’d come as a shock to potential EV patrons that at present’s automobiles can journey over 400 miles on a cost. It looks like no time in any respect since 200 miles was an actual achievement, however double that’s now doable. At the least in idea.

The ranges quoted by producers have a tendency to make use of the WLTP testing customary. Whereas they’re a useful solution to evaluate one automobile with one other (like how one can evaluate the miles per gallon of two petrol automobiles), an EV’s potential to truly hit that vary will rely on many elements. These embody how the automobile is pushed and what the roads are like. Ambient temperature is a significant factor too, since colder climate has a destructive impact on battery life.

With that in thoughts, the longest-range EV you should purchase at present (in September 2024), is the Mercedes EQS, with a whopping claimed vary of 481 miles. Nevertheless it’s the Volkswagen ID.7, which has a claimed vary of 436 miles, that scores extra extremely in our books. It’s one of the best electrical automobile Volkswagen makes proper now, and at £51,550 it’s considerably cheaper than the Mercedes.

Lengthy-range electrical automobile FAQs

Can electrical automobiles actually go so far as they declare?

It’s greatest to take a look at the claimed vary (or effectivity) of an electrical automobile as you do the MPG determine of a petroleum of diesel car. In each circumstances, these figures are calculated utilizing strict testing protocols which intention to copy real-world utilization, however can’t account for each eventuality. As an alternative, they’re greatest used to check one automobile with one other.

In our expertise, we’ve generally crushed the claimed effectivity when driving an EV at a average, regular pace, however seen decrease effectivity figures when driving at greater speeds for lengthy durations of time. So, whereas some EVs can certainly journey for between 300 and 400 miles between expenses, they will’t all hit their claimed most vary when pushed at a gradual 70 mph for hours on finish.

Is electrical automobile vary affected by chilly climate?

Sure. Identical to the lithium-ion batteries of your smartphone, laptop computer and digital camera, the battery packs of electrical automobiles carry out much less nicely when they’re chilly. To assist mitigate towards this, it’s all the time greatest to pre-heat your EV whereas it’s nonetheless plugged into the charger at house. That method, the battery and cabin will likely be heat earlier than you set off; this may make you extra snug and enhance the effectivity of the battery in the course of the first few miles, so it doesn’t have to make use of its personal power reserves to heat up.

The best way to enhance electrical automobile vary

In case you’re frightened in regards to the vary of your EV, there are some things you are able to do to assist eke a number of extra miles out of the battery. Reducing your pace can take advantage of distinction, together with switching the automobile to its least highly effective mode, typically referred to as Eco. This makes the accelerator pedal much less responsive and helps you employ much less power, and likewise typically reduces the facility of the air-con system. On that notice, some EVs have a driver-only mode for the local weather management, the place solely your facet of the cabin is heated or cooled once you’re the one occupant.

Does wheel dimension have an effect on electrical automobile vary?

Sure. Bigger wheels can have a destructive have an effect on on most vary, however normally solely by a handful of miles. Generally producers even state a unique most vary for 2 automobiles which might be an identical, aside from the scale of their wheels.