Currently reading: The longest-range electric cars

EVs that can break the 300-mile barrier are growing in number – as are those that can crack 400 miles

Price, comfort, charging speeds and other criteria are all taken into account when buying an electric car, but in most cases, it's the range of an EV that has the greatest influence. 

Indeed, many EV users don’t want to be caught out by range anxiety or worry about charging via the public network. Early battery-electric offerings couldn’t travel very far on a charge, and public infrastructure was scarce. 

Cast your mind back to 2010 and the Nissan Leaf hatchback could only manage around 100 miles and took more than eight hours to charge at home. 

Nowadays the outlook is far more promising, with electric superminis at the cheaper end of the spectrum capable of travelling up to 200 miles on a charge, if not more. 

Faster charging speeds and an ever-growing public charging speeds means that electric cars are not only more usable from a range perspective, but also easier to top-up on the move. 

Pleasingly, there’s a plethora of newfangled EVs that can match the range of most petrol and diesel cars when it comes to range. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of the 10 longest-range electric cars on sale in the UK based on their official WLTP figure. 

Real-world results will vary and you are unlikely to achieve these figures unless you drive gently, in warm weather, or know a thing or two about hypermiling.

The longest-range electric car on sale in the UK is the BMW iX3 with an impressive 500-mile range. Curious about the rest? Let’s get into it.

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    Range: 500 miles

    BMW’s revolutionary new iX3 offers the longest range of any electric car on sale today, and is claimed to travel up to 500 miles on a charge. 

    Getting in requires a touch more effort than with some electric SUVs, due to a noticeably wide sill. This is a result of longitudinal reinforcement structures integrated beneath the doors, these aluminium elements giving the battery additional crash protection.

    The iX3 marks the beginning of a bold new era of technology, drivability and most notably, design, as the electric SUV is the first of BMW’s Neue Klasse models. 

    Powering the iX3 is a new 108kWh nickelmanganese-cobalt (NMC) battery, which uses cylindrical cells as opposed to modules to boost range, efficiency and charging speeds. 

    And thanks to the iX3 platform’s 800V electric architecture, it’s claimed to handle charging speeds of up to 400kW – find a device with such an output and you’ll be able to add 217 miles of range in just 10 minutes. 

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    French brand's segment-bending flagship goes after Audi and BMW with plush cabin and 466-mile range

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      Range: 484 miles

      Mercedes sleek new EV has all the hallmarks of being a game-changer in the electric car sphere. Not only does it have an impressive range of up to 484 miles, it's also relatively affordable, too, with prices starting from £45,615. 

      The only similarly sized car that gets close to the CLA's efficiency is the Tesla Model 3, which in Long Range RWD guise is rated for 4.6mpkWh. Not quite as good, but the the Model 3 has been around for a while.

      It’s therefore similarly priced to the Long Range rear-driven Tesla Model 3, but can travel an extra 18 miles on a charge. It’s also very efficient, achieving 4.8mpkWh in mixed driving environments, which translates to a real-world range of over 400 miles – and you can charge it at up to 320kW, which means you should be able to top-up from 10-80% in as little as 22 minutes.  

      Factor in the CLA’s smooth powertrain and controlled, well-isolated ride and you have a modern looking EV that’s not only good to drive, but efficient and affordable to boot. 

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      Range: 481 miles

      The Mercedes-Benz EQS boasts the longest range of any EV on sale in the UK today, delivering 481 miles from its enormous 118kWh battery. 

      It is capable of more than 300 motorway miles on a charge, even in wintry conditions.

      It's helped significantly by its impressive drag coefficient of 0.20, which makes it the slipperiest car currently in production. 

      Even if you do somehow manage to drain the battery in one go, you won’t have to wait long to fill it back up again: it can accept charging speeds of up to 200kW, so a 10-80% top-up will take just half an hour. 

      The only real downside is that a new one will set you back more than £100,000… 

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      4. DS No8

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      Range: 466 miles

      The DS No8 is primed to be one of the longest-legged electric cars on sale when it arrives later this year. 

      Materially and visually, the No8's cockpit feels almost every inch the credible premium contender, with plush, tactile trimmings.

      All powertrain and battery combinations offer well over 300 miles of range, while the biggest battery option, a huge 97.2kWh unit, is capable of a claimed 466 miles. 

      That's the biggest offering from a Stellantis EV so far and will put the French SUV comfortably into the top five for the longest-range EVs on sale in the UK.

      It's also capable of charging at speeds of up to 160kW, meaning little time will be spent on charging forecourts. 

      The No8 makes 276bhp in front-wheel-drive guise, while a powerful 345bhp model with two motors tops the range, capable of hitting 0-62mph in 7.8sec. 

      Read our DS No8 review

      https://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/longest electric car range Tesla Model 3
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      Range: 466 miles

      Tesla’s incredibly popular compact saloon gained a substantial update in 2024, receiving sleeker styling, an updated interior and efficiency updates. 

      Even in its cheapest, lowliest form, this Tesla blends competitive saloon car practicality, striking performance and reasonable handling dynamism.

      The American EV brand has certainly delivered on its promises, with the Model 3 now offering 466 miles of range in Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive guise. 

      In addition to that long range, you get some serious performance. The aforementioned variant gets 351bhp for a 0-62mph time of 4.9sec, which is enough to challenge most sports cars

      Regardless of which specification you choose, the Model 3 will always officially offer you more than 350 miles of range, and with that power and a 594-litre boot, what else could you ask for? Maybe some physical buttons… 

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      Range: 463 miles

      The A6's impressive on-paper range of 463 miles eclipses that of the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE.

      The range-topping S6 would be a peachy car to live with: properly muscular, brimming with tech, seriously refined and comfortable.

      In classic A6 fashion, drivers can choose between saloon and estate bodystyles, although the latter does sacrifice 26 miles of range, as it's slightly less aerodynamic.

      The line-up opens with the 362bhp rear-motor model and is topped by the sporty S6 E-tron, which gets 543bhp.

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        Range: 443 miles

        Mercedes is on a bit of a roll when it comes to EV technology, and its latest electric model joins its ranks as another mile-munching SUV that can travel up to 443 miles on a charge.

        Like the new CLA, the GLC 400 4Matic gets 800V electric architecture and a peak charging speed of 330kW, allowing you to boost its large 94kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery from 10-80% in 22 minutes. 

        A direct rival to the BMW iX3, the new GLC is proportionally similar to the ICE GLC, and sports the German brand's new – and vast – illuminated grille. Equally enormous is the GLC’s driver display and infotainment screen, which spans the length of the dash and comes in at 39.1in. 

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        Range: 438 miles

        Swedish EV brand Polestar’s smart-looking new SUV comes with some seriously impressive stats.

        It's an easy car to like principally because it looks and feels like nothing else, in a class of cars that can seem rather samey

        It carries a massive 111kWh battery that, in combination with a single rear-mounted motor, offers a range of 438 miles. 

        It has plenty of muscle too, with 295bhp and 361lb ft of torque available, propelling it from 0-62mph in 7.8sec - enough to challenge most other vehicles on the road today. 

        Genuinely fun to drive, the 3 is one of the best-handling cars in the class. And the most important aspects of its drivetrain are adjustable, including its supple air suspension, steering weight and power delivery, so you can truly make the driving experience your own. 

        https://images.cdn.autocar.co.uk/longest-range electric cars VW ID7
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        Range: 436 miles

        Effectively the new-age, electric equivalent to the popular Passat, the ID 7 serves as a statement of intent for Volkswagen’s next generation of EVs.

        The ID 7 is arguably the most rounded package in the class.

        It introduces the company's new, more efficient ‘AP550’ rear motor, which brings a boost to efficiency.

        With the largest-available battery (in the Pro S model), it will afford 436 miles and charge as fast as 200kW.

        Even the entry-level Match model offers 381 miles, although the sporty GTX drops slightly to 365 miles. 

        There’s also an estate version, called the ID 7 Tourer, which trades nine miles of range for greater practicality. It has a whopping 1714 litres of boot space with the rear seats folded down.

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        Range: 435 miles

        Peugeot's latest-generation 3008 has morphed into an SUV-coupé to better differentiate it from the rest of the French brand's line-up. 

        During our testing, it recorded a quieter 50mph cruise than the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Polestar 2.

        It’s the first car based on Peugeot parent company Stellantis’s new STLA Medium platform, which places a high priority on energy efficiency, and that means there’s ample space for a huge 97kWh battery. 

        The e-3008 is capable of yielding 4.5mpkWh, so cars with the 98kWh battery pack can do 435 miles on a single charge. Charging rates are capped at 160kW, though, which isn’t best in class.

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        Range: 429 miles

        Mercedes' mid-sized electric saloon is one of its rangiest EVs, with figures starting from 342 miles.

        In seeking to beat Tesla at its own game, it ends up leaving quite a bit to chance.

        One specification stands out from the rest: the EQE 350+ Sport Edition, which offers a range of 429 miles. 

        In addition, it can accept charging speeds of up to 170kW and has decent all-round performance figures. 

        Power and torque stand at 290bhp and 416lb ft, propelling the EQE from 0-62mph in a hot-hatch-esque 6.5sec. 

        HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST LONG-RANGE ELECTRIC CAR

        Choosing the best long-range electric car means you’ll need to consider various factors such as price, charging speeds and efficiency. You also need to know what size of car you need and if a larger car like an SUV would better meet your requirements. 

        Here’s what to look for:

        Driving range

        Why it matters: this determines how far an electric car will go and how useful it will be to you.

        • This is about whether you actually need a car with a range of over 400 miles. Such EVs are generally dearer so evaluate your mileage and how you will use the car day-to-day. 
        • Remember that the official range of an electric car differs from its real-world figure. 
        • Consider if you’ll use your electric car for longer journeys and if you’ll need fast charging capabilities to lower waiting times.
        • Efficiency is just as important as range. The more efficient your EV is, the less it will cost to run. 

        Charging speed

        Why it matters: how quickly an electric car will charge influences how long you’ll have to wait for the battery to be replenished. 

        • You won’t need to plan as much if you have a long range EV, but it’s worth knowing where your next charger is and how fast its DC output will be. 
        • Home charging is the most effective and cheapest way of charging your electric car.
        • For longer journeys you might need to use the public network to top-up the battery. How fast your EV will charge is determined by its peak charging speed and overall output of the charger. 

        Price and budget

        Why it matters: you don’t want to overspend on an electric car, especially if there’s another model available that will better suit your needs. 

        • EVs are more expensive than their ICE-powered counterparts, and long-range electric cars, which have larger batteries and are typically available from premium brands, can cost more to buy. 
        • That said, electric cars have much lower running and maintenance costs, particularly if you’re charging it at home using a wallbox charger. 
        • Test drive a variety of cars before you make the final decision. It’s also worth considering servicing plans and warranties to help keep running costs down. 

        HOW WE TESTED AND SELECTED

        This list of the electric cars with the longest range has been curated using WLTP test results. They will differ from real-world driving conditions. 

        FAQs

        What is an electric car?

        An electric vehicle (EV) is one powered solely by electricity. It therefore produces zero emissions while on the move. Energy is sent to a motor or motors by large lithium battery, usually mounted beneath the vehicle floor, which can be charged at home or at a public charging station. 

        Which EV has the longest range? 

        The Mercedes-Benz EQS saloon is the EV on sale in the UK with the longest range. The brand claims a range of 481 miles on a single charge, although you might struggle to achieve that figure in the real world. 

        What affects the range of an electric car?

        The range of an electric car depends on several factors, including battery size, your driving style, efficiency, the weight of the vehicle and the outside temperature. Running the climate control or other high-energy functions will also heavily impact your driving range. EVs are particularly impacted by external temperatures, running more efficiently in the summer and less efficiently in the winter. 

        Which car brands produce long-range electric cars?

        More and more car brands are building long-range EVs every year. Mercedes has been in the game a while with the EQS and EQE saloons, while Volkswagen's ID 7 is also a good option for those after an electric estate. Electric SUVs are growing in number too, with brands including Volvo and Polestar matching ranges offered by brands including Tesla. 

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        Sam Phillips

        Sam Phillips
        Title: Staff Writer

        Sam joined the Autocar team in summer 2024 and has been a contributor since 2021. He is tasked with writing used reviews and first drives as well as updating top 10s and evergreen content on the Autocar website. 

        He previously led sister-title Move Electric, which covers the entire spectrum of electric vehicles, from cars to boats – and even trucks. He is an expert in new car news, used cars, electric cars, microbility, classic cars and motorsport. 

        Sam graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2021 with a BA in Journalism. In his final year he produced an in-depth feature on the automotive industry’s transition to electric cars and interviewed a number of leading experts to assess our readiness for the impending ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars.

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        Bar room lawyer 2 July 2025

        I hadn't realised this is a recycled article from 3 or 4 years go when I posted below 10 minutes ago.

        Anyway. here is my real world figures for the only two cars in the household, both are electric & generally 99% of time charged at home at 9p/kWh (Octopus Go)

        1 Mercedes EQA300 does 18,000 miles a year, range 220 miles in winter, 270 in summer. Longest round trip for 50 weks of the year is 121 miles. Yesterday, 320 mile round trip, set off 70% charged, 20 minute charge to 80% capacity at motorway services, got home with 20 miles remaining. Overall 3.3p mile.

        2 Mazda MX30 does 6,000 miles a year (115 week) range 130 miles, not a problem, charge at home once a week. Overall 4.1p mile.

        Charging time, irrelevant. Either car takes 1 minute to plug in and 1 minute to unplug, charge times set for 00:30 & 05:30 am. That means the cars charge whilst people are sleeping & we have never needed to charge both cars at the same time.

         

        Both cars bought 2 years old so someone else took a hit on the initial depreciation.

         
        Peter Cavellini 16 October 2025
        Bar room lawyer wrote:

        I hadn't realised this is a recycled article from 3 or 4 years go when I posted below 10 minutes ago.

        Anyway. here is my real world figures for the only two cars in the household, both are electric & generally 99% of time charged at home at 9p/kWh (Octopus Go)

        1 Mercedes EQA300 does 18,000 miles a year, range 220 miles in winter, 270 in summer. Longest round trip for 50 weks of the year is 121 miles. Yesterday, 320 mile round trip, set off 70% charged, 20 minute charge to 80% capacity at motorway services, got home with 20 miles remaining. Overall 3.3p mile.

        2 Mazda MX30 does 6,000 miles a year (115 week) range 130 miles, not a problem, charge at home once a week. Overall 4.1p mile.

        Charging time, irrelevant. Either car takes 1 minute to plug in and 1 minute to unplug, charge times set for 00:30 & 05:30 am. That means the cars charge whilst people are sleeping & we have never needed to charge both cars at the same time.

         

        Both cars bought 2 years old so someone else took a hit on the initial depreciation.

         

        Great, but I assume you live in an well populated area where there will be plenty of opportunities to charge up,but what about the other extreme where your nearest metropolis is an hour away,ok get a charger installed mahatma does that involve for the installer assuming you can get one to agree to do in the what is to them the back of beyond,and at the moment EV take up is rising thanks only to the Government chipping in on the discount to buy, yes I get EV range isn't the anxiety it once was, but infrastructure is, wondering if when you get to or dur your journey if there will be a suitable charging point and stopping for 20 minutes? Erm I fat enough witho the coffee n cake excuse while waiting for the car to charge as opposed to ten minutes for an ICE car,ok you could still by stuff while wait to pay, so EV seems to be for now the in option for future transport,but it's not always best in some areas of the wherever you live.

        Jane0scot 15 May 2025

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        Landie 15 January 2025

        486 miles - Don't make me laugh...

        My 19 year old Brabus mapped Mercedes Ben E320 Cdi, (all be it with the factory fitted long range tank), would easy do 1100+ on fast motorway work and only take 15 mins to fill up when empty.

        When an electric car can match that, I may consider buying one?

        xxxx 15 May 2025

        WOW, because it's so important to do day to day travelling for 18 hours from London to Aberdeen AND back again without stopping for even a comfort break.