EV range anxiety is quickly becoming less of a worry, as some of the newest electric cars can now go more than 400 miles on a single charge, based on official tests using the WLTP standard.
In fact, every one of the 12 cars mentioned in this article has an official range of at least 390 miles, and many can even go more than 400 or 450 miles between charges.
That’s far enough to drive from London to Edinburgh without needing to stop for a charge – and even if you do, the fast-charging ability of some of these electric vehicles means you can get back up to 80 percent charge in less than 20 minutes.
And these cars aren’t only the most expensive models with high price tags. Among the electric vehicles that can go 400 miles or more are two Peugeots, a Volkswagen, a Tesla, and two models from Polestar. Several of these long-distance options cost less than £50,000 and even under £45,000.
Before heading off on a long trip across countries in an electric car, it’s important to keep in mind that the range in real driving conditions is often lower than what the manufacturers say – and lower than the numbers from the WLTP test, too.
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Even so, driving between 250 and 300 miles on one charge is now completely doable for many of the new electric vehicles, even if you’re driving at 70 mph the entire way on the motorway.
Rather than ranking them by preference, these cars are listed by range from highest to lowest. That way, you can check which one goes the farthest, then decide whether you need every extra mile or if you’d rather find the best mix of range, cost, size, comfort, and how the car drives.
Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+
The Mercedes EQS is the current leader when it comes to long-distance electric vehicles, with a top claimed range of 481 miles. That’s enough energy to go from London to Edinburgh – which usually takes about eight hours – without stopping to recharge, and still have some power left to find a charger when you get there.
At least that’s what’s claimed; as with all electric cars, how far you actually go depends on things like speed, driving style, the temperature outside, and the condition of the battery. So really, your actual range might change.
The EQS gets this impressive range because of its large 107.8 kWh battery, and it can charge at a top speed of 200 kW. This means it can go from 10 to 80 percent charge in about an hour. That’s not as quick as some cars that charge faster with smaller batteries, but after driving 300 or 400 miles, taking an hour to rest doesn’t sound so bad.
Still, even though the EQS leads in range, it’s not perfect in every way. It has a lot of technology, but we think it doesn’t quite match the Mercedes S-Class that runs on petrol or diesel, which is better when it comes to build quality, how comfortable the back seats are, and how well passengers are kept away from outside noise.
We also believe the BMW i7 is a more convincing electric luxury car, even though it can’t beat the top-range Mercedes EV when it comes to how far it can go.
Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor
The new single-motor version of the Polestar 3 can go a claimed 438 miles on one charge, making it the second-longest range electric vehicle you can buy in the UK right now. It uses the same large 111 kWh battery as the dual-motor versions but has less power. Still, it offers a solid 295 bhp and can go from 0 to 62 mph in 7.8 seconds.
All three versions of the Polestar 3 can charge at a maximum rate of 250 kW. When plugged into a charger that supports this speed, they can go from 10 to 80 percent charge in 30 minutes, or from completely empty to full in 11 hours when using a home charger.
Inside, the Polestar 3 has a simple and clean design, with a 14.5-inch touchscreen that runs on Google’s Android Automotive system. It comes with built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Spotify. The sound system is among the best we’ve heard, especially thanks to its support for Dolby Atmos surround sound.
Volkswagen ID.7 Pro S Match
This car doesn’t have the longest range of all electric vehicles on the market today, but the Volkswagen ID.7 still offers a claimed 436 miles, putting it close to the top. What’s more, it earned a score of 8/10 compared to the 6/10 for the long-range Mercedes EQS.
We believe this is the best electric car that Volkswagen makes at the moment. It’s not quite a competitor to the Tesla Model 3, mainly because of the price, but in many ways it feels like a smaller version of a Mercedes, especially when it comes to comfort.
The ID.7 clearly shows that Volkswagen is finally doing well with electric vehicles. While it may not be very exciting to look at, it has many strengths beneath the surface.
Aside from its strong range, the ID.7 really shines in two areas that both relate to comfort. There is lots of space in the back seats, and the ride quality is very smooth – it actually feels more like a Mercedes than some real Mercedes models.
The technology is impressive as well, though one area where Volkswagen still needs to improve is how user-friendly its touchscreen is – even in the ID.7, it still doesn’t work as well as it should.
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 might be the best electric car you can buy in the UK right now. And now, with a new version launched on 8 October 2024, it has one of the longest ranges of any electric car too.
This new version is called the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive. It fits between the base model (which has rear-wheel drive and a smaller battery) and the older long-range version that has all-wheel drive. By using the bigger battery along with a less powerful single-motor setup, Tesla now offers a Model 3 that can go a claimed 436 miles on a single charge. This puts it in second place on our long-range list.
The Model 3 can charge fast too, with a speed of up to 170 kW. It also works with Tesla’s Supercharger network, which gives quick, reliable charging and usually costs less than other charging services. It’s a great all-round option, especially when you include the car’s smart features, how efficient it is, and the roomy five-seat interior.
Any downsides? We wish Tesla hadn’t used confusing steering wheel buttons instead of proper stalks for things like the indicators and wipers, but that’s pretty much the only issue. If you get used to that setup, the Model 3 is an excellent electric car – and now it can go a really long way between charges.
Mercedes-Benz EQE 350+
This is a stylish, modern electric saloon with a big range of more than 400 miles and strong energy efficiency. The Mercedes EQE can go farther than many of its main competitors. It’s also very comfortable for long drives and has a high-tech interior that looks just as advanced as the outside of the car.
We’ve spent a lot of time driving the EQE and tested it on long motorway trips to see how the 96 kWh battery performs – and it has never let us down. The smart infotainment system is especially good, with helpful features like connectivity and settings that adapt to your preferences. The top-level Burmester sound system is great too.
However, if you start adding on extra features, the price of the EQE can rise quickly. We’re also a bit disappointed that the sloping roofline reduces headroom in the back, and the boot is small. There are a few parts inside that don’t feel quite up to the same standard as the rest of the car. Still, this is a strong electric luxury saloon with a great range and lots of modern tech.
Peugeot e-3008
Peugeot shows that not every long-range electric car has to be a pricey executive saloon from Germany. The e-3008 starts at around £45,000 and can travel up to 422 miles if you choose the larger 98 kWh battery pack, which is expected in early 2025. Even the standard battery, with 73 kWh and a range of 327 miles, offers a lot for the price.
Add to that a quick top charging speed of 170 kW, and it’s easy to see why this stylish family SUV is a favourite with our road testing team. The Peugeot has an impressive interior design that stands out even more than the outside, and it comes with plenty of built-in tech.
Another good thing is how the battery can be charged from 20 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes using a high-speed public charger. The e-3008 feels safe and smooth to drive, thanks to lots of helpful driving assistance systems working quietly in the background.
Our main complaint is that the heat pump – which helps save battery life in cold weather – isn’t included as standard and costs an extra £700. We’d also prefer a bit more space for passengers in the back seats.
Polestar 2
Like the Porsche Taycan, the Polestar 2 is an electric car that came out a few years ago and recently got a mid-life update that increased its range. With the larger 82kWh battery, the Swedish EV now claims to offer up to 406 miles of range. It can also charge at a maximum rate of 205kW.
That charging speed isn’t the fastest among competitors, but it’s still quite good and allows the battery to go from 10 to 80 percent in around 28 minutes.
Besides the long range, the Polestar 2 stands out for its stylish design, fun driving experience, and easy-to-use infotainment system. The car uses Android Automotive, which includes built-in Google Maps (that can check your battery level and find charging stations), Google Assistant, the Play Store, and Spotify. iPhone users can use Apple CarPlay, and the rest of the system is one of the most user-friendly we’ve seen in any electric vehicle so far.
Porsche Taycan
The Taycan was Porsche’s first electric car and made a big impact when it launched in 2019. But over time, other electric cars began to offer more range. That changed in 2024, when a new version was introduced with more power, faster charging, and, most importantly, much more range.
In its longest-range version, the Taycan now has a claimed range of around 421 miles. It can also charge faster than almost any other electric car, with a maximum charging speed of 320 kW. If you find a strong enough charger, the Taycan can go from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes, even with its large 105 kWh battery.
We really like how the Taycan looks and how it still feels like a true Porsche to drive, even without a petrol engine. Its two-speed gearbox gives it more personality than other electric cars with just one gear, and this updated version has a clever suspension system. It’s called Porsche Active Ride, and it leans into turns, tilts forward when you speed up, and shifts backward when braking to keep the car steady. It feels like magic, but it really works.
If you’re after the highest performance, the Turbo GT version has a shorter range of about 350 miles, but it can go from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.2 seconds.
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
The Mercedes EQS SUV is a very luxurious electric car with a great range and comfort that’s hard to match. However, it is very expensive and quite large for driving on UK roads.
It’s no surprise that this car can go far, since it has a huge 118 kWh battery stored underneath. It can also charge quickly, with a top charging speed of 200 kW. Mercedes has also packed it with some of the best technology you’ll find in a car.
That being said, we can’t say enough about just how big this car really is. It’s more than five metres long and two metres wide, which makes it too large for some roads in the UK – watch out for width restrictions in London, and be prepared for tight squeezes in multi-storey car parks. It’s also extremely heavy, nearly 3.1 tonnes (yes, really), and that weight does affect both how fast it feels and how it handles.
But if comfort and luxury are your top priorities, and you’re sure this car fits your lifestyle (even if not your garage), then there aren’t many that can match it when it comes to feeling premium.
Porsche Macan
The Macan is Porsche’s second electric car, and it’s a mid-size SUV that feels sporty and well-built, just like you’d expect from this brand. It comes with a large battery, charges very fast, and offers good energy efficiency, giving a claimed range of nearly 400 miles. Keep in mind that this number applies to the entry-level version, which has one motor and less power. It’s still enjoyable to drive, getting from 0 to 62 mph in 5.7 seconds, but it focuses more on range than speed.
There are three more versions of the Macan to choose from (and probably more on the way). These offer more power – especially the Turbo version – but they don’t have the same range as the basic model.
Every version of the Macan has a high-quality interior, a great driving position, and controls that feel solid and well-designed. Porsche clearly put a lot of thought into how this car should work. The infotainment system works well, and we really like the physical buttons for adjusting temperature and fan speed instead of using a screen.
If you’re looking for a well-made electric SUV that isn’t too big, feels nice to drive, doesn’t try too hard to seem high-tech, and still has an excellent range, the Macan is a great choice.
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People thinking about buying an electric car might be surprised to learn that today’s models can go over 400 or even 450 miles on a single charge. It wasn’t long ago that reaching 200 miles felt like a big deal, but now going twice that distance is possible. At least in theory.
The ranges shared by car makers usually follow the WLTP testing method. These numbers are useful for comparing different electric cars (just like comparing fuel economy between petrol cars), but whether an electric car can actually reach that range depends on several things. These include how the car is driven and the type of roads it’s on. The temperature outside matters a lot too, as cold weather can reduce battery performance.
With all that in mind, the electric car with the longest claimed range you can buy right now (as of September 2024) is the Mercedes EQS, with an impressive claimed range of 481 miles.
But the Volkswagen ID.7, with a claimed range of 436 miles, gets a higher rating from us. We think it’s the best electric car that Volkswagen has built so far, and at a price of £51,550, it’s much more affordable than the Mercedes.
