‘Range anxiety’ has become the number 1 sticking point for those thinking about switching from the combustion engine to the electric motor: so, which electric car has the longest range?
EV's and range anxiety
'Range' has become one of the most important metrics in the world of electric cars. This is because EVs have struggled, traditionally, to match the range offered by their combustion-engine counterparts.
'Range anxiety' remains a very real thing - the concern that a driver won't be able to reach their destination - or a charge point - before they run out of power.
We've helpfully taken a look at everything you need to know about electric vehicle range, to help eliminate some of these concerns.
Advancing EV battery technology
However, EV battery technology has advanced hugely over the last decade, with new models offering better and better range.
Many newer EVs allow for long trips on a single charge.
Longest range electric car UK: How far can you travel in an electric car on a single charge?
Most cars on the following list can get you from London to Berwick upon Tweed (339 miles) without having to visit a charge point at all (but only just).
A few would get you over the border - making it possible, in theory, to drive from London to Edinburgh on a single charge!
Electric cars with the longest range - UK
Interested to know what are the electric cars with the longest range in the UK?
Here we present a detailed electric car range comparison of the best electric cars available.
What follows are the top 10 longest range electric cars on the market today, all of which are, or soon will be, available to buy in the UK.
10. Skoda Enyaq iV 80x: 331 miles
First on our list of the top 10 electric cars in the Skoda Enyaq, Skoda’s first ever all electric SUV.
Enyaq models
Three models comprise the latest Enyaq line-up: the 60, with a 58kWh battery (253 miles); the 80, with a 77kWh battery (331 miles); and the 80x which comes with an additional motor and all-wheel-drive (312 miles).
It's also school-run friendly with three back seats, and dog-run friendly with a spacious boot.
Based on the mother brand's Volkswagen ID.4, the Enyaq iV harnesses the same powertrain and technologies (as does the Audi Q4 e-tron).
How much does a Skoda Enyaq cost?
At £ 34,880 - £ 46,555, it's reasonably priced for such an impressive bit of kit.
What range does the Skoda Enyaq iV have?
If you’re seeking 255-336 miles of official WLTP range, the Enyaq iV is superb value for money, and the 10th longest range EV on our list.
9. Polestar 2: 335 miles
How far can you travel on a single charge in a Polestar 2?
In theory, you could travel from London's Trafalgar Square to Edinburgh Castle on a single charge if you were in a Polestar 2.
The Polestar 2 design
Volvo's electrifying sister brand fuses design cues from the Swedish maker's older cars, with bold, futuristic styling that really catches the eye.
It's arguably the marque's first mainstream electric car, with multiple features that make it more than a match for established EV makers like Hyundai and Volkswagen.
The Polestar 2 comes with a choice of two engines: a Long range Single motor with Front Wheel Drive that delivers up to 335 miles of range (EPA), or a Long range Dual motor with All Wheel Drive, which has a range of 275 miles.
As we shall see, while technologically advanced, the Polestar 2 is some way off the longest range electric car in the UK.
8. Tesla Model X: 348 miles
Tesla owners perhaps suffer from 'range anxiety' less than other EV owners, thanks to the marque's excellent supercharger network. And that's a wonderful backup to have, even if Tesla's have always outstripped the EV market competition in terms of range.
The Tesla Model X
With a kerb weight of 2,500kg, the Model X only just about lays claim to the word 'car'.
It shares much with the Model S saloon, and is even available in the same configurations - the entry-level dual motor, all-wheel drive version, which boasts up to 348 miles driving range, or the top-end Plaid, which boasts a triad of motors producing 1,006bhp, and a still-decent range of 333 miles.
Beyond range, the Model X straddles the line between offbeat SUV and tech-laden family getabout.
It has space for seven folks. It even has the much-loved Falcon doors, which, while looking unnecessarily futuristic, open vertically in just 11 inches of horizontal space - which makes them hugely practical in tight spaces.
The Model X arguably falls down in a few areas: the looks department - it's not the handsomest of Elon-mobiles to date - and the price points: £90,980 for the entry-model and £110,980 for the Plaid.
7. BMW i4 eDrive40 Sport: 365 miles
At first glance you'd think the BMW i4 eDrive40 was simply a 4-Series Gran Coupe with an electric engine planted inside. However, if that was BMW's intention, it didn't quite work.
The BMW i4 eDrive40 design
First off there's the vast dashboard so adored by future-focussed EV lovers, and the traditional 4-Series floor and suspension have been replaced so they can fit around the electronic structure.
BMW vs Tesla and Polestar: Which is better?
With the i4 BMW is of course targeting the more-than-competent Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 electric vehicles - both flagship production models that are now just within the financial reach of middle class families in London, LA and Shanghai.
On this point, the i4 arguably offers the best value, with a rear-drive i4 eDrive40 starting at £52k, which delivers a 0-62 time of under six seconds.
How far can you travel on a single charge in a BMW i4 eDrive40?
The BMW i4 eDrive40 has a blistering range of 365 miles. That would get you from the Tower of London to mighty Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland, with 30 miles to play with (in theory).
Twin motor BMW i4 eDrive40
If a six-second 0-62 time seems a bit 'meh', don't worry, you can upgrade to a twin-motor i4 that achieves the same benchmark in only 3.9 seconds, but it will cost you £64K.
But this extra performance requires firmed up suspension, larger tyres and that extra motor - reducing the range to 'just' 318 miles.
You can win 'em all, even with an extra 12 grand.
6. Tesla Model 3 Long Range: 374 miles
Just a few years ago, Tesla's products appeared to be the preserve of the wealthy, harnessing technology that seemed a little too futuristic. And yet, in March 2022, the best -selling car in the UK was the Tesla Model Y - followed very closely by the Model 3.
It's Tesla's first (fairly) affordable entry-level car, and ushers in the electric revolution proper.
In Standard Range Plus configuration, the Model 3 starts at £40,990 and delivers a claimed 278 miles of range.
For additional driving range, you'll need to pick one of the two models above it - the 360-mile range "Long Range", or, with a little less range, the "Performance" version.
It should be noted that with the capability of accelerating from 0-60 mph in as little as 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 162mph, the Performance variant can outrun most supercars!
How much does a Tesla Model 3 EV cost?
Price-wise, the base-line cost seems to have crept up from the estimates of the early days, when Tesla aimed to sell Model 3s for around £35,000.
But £40K is still a good deal for this ground-breaking piece of kit, with its vast lithium battery under the floor (where it's less of a risk in a collision), freeing space for a front boot (or 'froot').
5. Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range RWD: 379 miles
"It doesn't look much like a Ford Mustang," you might point out when glimpsing Ford's first real electric SUV. And you'd be right.
But let's focus on the technicals first...
You can buy a 75kWh Standard Range, or a 98kWh Extended Range version, mated to either single (real wheel drive) or twin motor (four wheel drive).
How far can you travel in a Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range RWD on a single charge?
The most show-stopping factoid is that in souped-up guise it delivers a claimed range of 379 miles, which would get you from London to within 20 miles of Edinburgh (in theory).
At this point you might feel the need to find a service station for a deep fried Mars Bar and a 30-minute rapid charge.
How fast can a Ford Mustang Mach-E go?
The basic model endows the owner with 265bhp, while the top-spec GT option can reach 62mph from standstill in only 3.7 secs with its 480bhp powertrain.
The cheapest model, the RWD Mach-E, produces 265bhp - but only if you produce £41,330. At the other end, the GT model, which boasts a 0-62mph benchmark figure that beats the 5-litre Mustang coupe (3.7 vs 4.8 secs).
The Ford Mustang Mach-E design
On the downside, the interior is a bit of a hodge-podge of old and new, with material and build quality that remind us this is an American, not a European, car.
That might be forgivable if the entry-model price wasn't £40k.
And on a final point, it doesn't drive like any of its namesakes; this is not a V8 Mustang in any sense.
But it is competent and reviews suggest the claimed ranges are accurate.
4. BMW iX xDrive50: 380 miles
The BMW iX design
You might wonder if the nose design for the iX started out as a jokey scribble by one of BMW’s more jovial designers, and somehow got taken seriously by some 'forward thinking' marketing bod.
Aside from the slightly offensive front bit (which is incidentally covered in plastic that self-heals after a scratch), the interior is typically lounge-like, just like the i3's cabin. Think matte wood with LED graphic cut-outs and optional denim elements.
While it's bulky on the outside, you do get a lot of space inside.
What about the BMW iX's electric creds?
Initially you get to pick from two variants, both twin motor all-wheel-drives.
The xDrive40 has a 71kWh battery with 257 miles of range, while the xDrive50 boasts a 105.3kWh offering 380 miles of range. Yet to be released is the iX 60M, which will boast 600+bhp.
Overall it shows off much of BMW's latest tech, and is impressive enough - if you can forgive that nose.
3. Tesla Model S: 405 miles
In the world of EVs, a car that was launched ten years ago must surely be out-of-date?
Well, not the Model S, which feels as fresh and fun to drive now as it did a decade ago - and is still among the best range electric cars out there.
The Model S showed the automotive world that Elon Musk wasn’t messing about.
From the outside it's a fairly orthodox affair, but underneath is some amazing technology - even by today' standards.
A 100kWh battery pack powers two electric motors driving all four wheels, mated to a single transmission.
Tesla Model S acceleration capabilities
In terms of acceleration, the Model S has been proven to outperform McLarens, Porsches and Ferraris. Indeed, the fastest Model S variant, the Plaid, claims it can go from standstill to 60mph in under two seconds!
Tesla Model S range
In terms of range, the basic Model S claims 405 miles, while the Plaid offers 396 miles, which means it's still one of the longest range electric cars in the UK.
In real world driving, you can probably expect to get about 300 miles of range.
2. Mercedes EQS 450+ AMG Line: 453 miles
It's taken a while for the inventor of the motor car to really embrace pure-electric models - indeed, up until the EQS, the previous EV attempts were battery versions of existing models, rather than a proper BEV built from the ground up.
This S-Class-sized luxury saloon features a whopping 107.8kWh battery and boasts a vast wheelbase.
They've finally turned their attention to electric tech, and they intend to occupy the upper echelons of the format.
What range does the Mercedes EQS have?
The headline-grabbing 453 miles (which could get from the English to the Scottish capitals without ever worrying you'll run out of juice) is available with the single motor setup.
With two motors (EQS 580 4Matic), the range falls to a still-decent 420 miles.
At time of writing, the Mercedes Benz EQS is the highest range electric car available in the UK.
Soon to come is the 700bhp+ AMG EQS, which will do battle with the Tesla Model S Plaid and the Porsche Panamera Turbo S - all of which will be leaving most petrol-driven supercars in the proverbial dust.
1. Lucid Air Dream Edition R: 520 miles
The longest range EV to feature on our list is the Lucid Air Dream Edition R.
Fronted by British automobile veteran Peter Rawlinson, the Lucid Air Dream Edition R is yet another Silicon Valley brainchild created to take on the likes of Tesla's Model S and the Mercedes S-Class.
In fact, the big three German limo makers - Audi, BMW and Mercedes - are all in the Air's firing line, thanks to Lucid placing huge emphasis on luxury as well as ground-breaking electric technology.
What is the Lucid Air Dream EV’s Range?
Most eye-catching of all the Air's specs is its range: with up to 520 miles, it's akin to a tanked-up old diesel, ready for a steady burn up the A1.
The line up includes five power outputs.
The entry-level 480bhp Air Pure is capable of 406 miles on a single charge, while the top-of-the-line Dream Edition R or Dream Edition P, with its 933bhp engine, gives you the headline 520 miles of range - making it the longest range electric car on the planet.
And let's not forget that this vast, palatial beast has a 0-60mph time of just 2.5 seconds.
Can I buy a Lucid Air EV in the UK?
The Lucid Air is not currently available in the UK, but the firm says it plans to start European deliveries this year. When it does, it will be the best range electric car in the UK.
Looking for a more affordable electric vehicle?
Then take a look at the top 10 cheapest EVs available in the UK.
Or maybe an electric van is more suitable for your needs?
Still have range anxiety?
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