2019-11-07 09:45
The first question most people have when a new electric car comes out is how much range it has. ‘Range anxiety’ is a phrase often thrown around to describe the fear EV owners could face when driving their electric car with a level of remaining battery charge that may not get them to their destination. As a result, there’s a certain kudos attached to the electric cars with the longest range as well as a valuable competitive advantage manifested as electric car buyers are attracted to them. If you’re wondering which electric car has the longest range, you can find out below.
Manufacturers have quickly realised the importance of range to existing petrol or diesel car owners and now some electric cars can travel just as far on a single charge as an internal combustion engined (ICE) equivalent can manage on a full tank - all the while producing zero emissions at a cheaper running cost to the owner. The fact that most drivers will very rarely travel the kind of distances in a single day that would deplete a modern electric car’s battery is seen as less important than the need to reassure motorists considering the switch to the new technology.
There’s no doubt that the UK’s charging infrastructure still remains a stumbling block for electric cars and their owners. Charging points are increasing in number across the country and charging times are dropping but the chargers that there are are still often in use compounding the fact that recharging an EV is still noticeably slower than filling up a petrol or diesel vehicle.
With increasing investment from the Government and charging infrastructure providers to improve EV charging options coupled with the appeal of emission-free motoring and cheaper running costs than ICE vehicles, electric cars are more appealing than ever. Manufacturers too are in a race to develop enhanced batteries and electric car technology that will increase the range available in electric cars to the point that range anxiety will become a thing of the past.
If you’re tempted to join the EV revolution but are still feeling pangs of doubt where the range of electric cars is concerned, we’re here to help. Below you’ll find the top ten longest range electric cars on sale right now. The figures shown below are all derived from the WLTP efficiency test, which is designed to be more representative of the range drivers will actually achieve in the real world than the old NEDC test.
The 10 longest range electric cars on sale now
10. Renault ZOE - 245 miles
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The Renault ZOE’s diminutive size helps it achieve an impressive 245-mile range and thanks to a starting price of under £22,000 (before any Government grant), the ZOE is one of the cheapest electric cars on sale. You’ll have to pay more for the longer range ‘R135’ 52kWh battery version, but if you rack up lots of miles it’ll be worth it. There’s always the option of leasing the battery too, which could afford you entry into EV ownership on the cheap.
9. Audi e-tron - 248 miles
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The luxury electric SUV segment has proven a popular route for some manufacturers like Mercedes, Jaguar and Audi to launch their first fully electric cars. Audi’s e-tron is a good first attempt and it’s compatible with 150kW chargers so charging speeds will be impressively quick - if you can find one.
At over £70,000 the e-tron isn’t cheap, but there are some futuristic options available such as virtual wing mirrors and Audi’s virtual cockpit. The 248-mile range from the 95kWh battery is admirable for a car of the size and weight, as is the level of refinement.
8. Mercedes EQC - 259 miles
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With up to 259 miles available on a single charge, the EQC edges the Audi e-tron in terms of range in this list, but in most other departments they’re evenly matched.
The EQC utilises a highly modified version of the GLC platform, so while it may be Mercedes’ first electric car under the ‘EQ’ electric family, it still features a tried and tested chassis. The interior will also be familiar to existing Mercedes owners with the excellent MBUX infotainment carried over.
7. Hyundai Kona Electric - 279 miles
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The Kona Electric is so in demand it sold out in its first year of sale in the UK. Offering up 279 miles of range in the 64kWh version, the Kona should dismiss any notion of range anxiety.
With a family-friendly and practical SUV body, the Kona Electric is surprisingly good to drive. A 201bhp electric motor shared with the Kia e-Niro propels the car from 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds and thanks to a chassis that was designed for electrification, it has a surprising amount of grip and agility.
6. Kia Soul EV - 280 miles
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The Kia Soul EV benefits from the same 64kWh battery used in the Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona Electric. As a result, this all-electric crossover has a range of 280 miles.
The Soul EV is cheaper than its e-Niro sibling and while it’s slightly smaller, there’s no doubt it’s more characterful. There’s plenty of tech on board too, giving the Soul EV a more premium feel than its rather plasticky predecessors.
5. Kia e-Niro - 282 miles
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The 2019 Auto Express Affordable Electric Car of the Year award went to the Kia e-Niro thanks to winning combination of practicality, performance and affordability. It may use the same powertrain as the Kia Soul EV and Kona Electric, but the e-Niro is more fun to drive than either and offers a 451-litre boot.
Refinement in the e-Niro is excellent and so is visibility. The e-Niro is a comfortable place to be in while you eat-up motorway miles - a real possibility thanks to its 282-mile range and 100kWh charging capacity.
4. Jaguar I-Pace - 292 miles
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A revelation when it was launched, the Jaguar I-Pace took the motoring world by storm and surprised many with its slightly optimistic 298-mile (now 292) range.
The 90kWh battery may be smaller than the one found the Audi e-tron, but the I-Pace can coax out a few more miles thanks to a lighter body. This also helps make the I-Pace genuinely fun to drive with Jaguar’s first ever production EV firing itself from 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds.
The modern, angular exterior design will be enough to tempt buyers and on the inside they won’t be disappointed as the I-Pace has a high tech interior which feels well-built and full of quality materials to justify its high price.
3. Tesla Model X Long Range - 314 miles
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Despite having a hefty SUV body and seating for seven, the Tesla Model X can return up to 315 miles from its 100kWh battery on a single charge.
Only the Model X Long Range version is capable of this range with the ‘Performance’ model dropping to 301 miles. It’s not as if you sacrifice performance in the Long Range model though as 0-62mph is dealt with in 4.4 seconds. Of course, if you make use of the performance often, the range can decrease significantly. The low centre of gravity thanks to the battery placement means the Model X hides its weight in the corners too, even if the steering is a little vague.
2. Tesla Model 3 Long Range - 348 miles
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The Tesla Model 3 was one of the most eagerly anticipated cars ever to hit the market, as it was billed as Tesla’s affordable electric car. In reality, while the standard version starts from a not insignificant £38,500, the ‘Long Range’ version is even more expensive at £47,000.
Many will excuse the price tag as the Model 3 offers so much alongside its impressive range. A 0-62mph time of 4.4 seconds in the Long Range model is enough to shame some serious sports cars and it also handles brilliantly for a practical family saloon.
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Tesla foregos Apple CarPlay and Android Auto but its in-house system works just as well and generally the infotainment system is intuitive. We liked the Model 3 so much that it won the 2019 Auto Express Premium Electric Car of the Year Award.
1. Tesla Model S Long Range - 379 miles
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Tesla’s Model S helped to cement the brand’s place in the electric car market. With a headline range figure of 379 miles available from its 100kWh battery, the Model S is an appealing buy not just against other EVs, but internal combustion engine rivals like the Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte as well. The impressive range is helped by the slippery drag coefficient of the Model S, which numbers just 0.23.
A 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds is well into supercar territory and there’s plenty of grip too, thanks to the low positioning of the battery and all-wheel drive. Tesla’s Autopilot remains one of the best semi-autonomous systems out there and while minimalist, the interior as a whole still looks modern.
What's your favourite electric car? Let us know in the comments below...
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