Longest range electric cars 2023
Ready to go electric but worry about running out of charge? Check out the best electric cars that can cover more than 300 miles per charge
Electric cars are being developed at quite some pace - to the point that there is now a decent selection of models with a range of at least 300 miles from a full charge. Only a few years ago achieving half this would be considered impressive. While some of these long-range models are relatively pricey, more and more brands are able to offer battery-powered cars with great range for prices within touching distance of regular petrol and diesel equivalents.
It is worth remembering that official ranges need to be taken as best-case scenarios. Much like with fuel economy figures for fossil fuel-powered cars, the actual value achieved in the real world will be lower. While cars that burn fuel are normally more efficient when cruising 50mph to 70mph and much less economical in stop/start driving, the reverse is true of electric cars. This is because clever 'regenerative braking' can simultaneously slow an electric car down and put some charge back into the battery, which boosts how far you can go.
When considering electric car batteries, it's worth becoming familiar with ‘kWh’ figures. These are effectively a measure of the size of a battery and the larger the number the greater the range a car should have. Also, electric cars can be very quick, with many regular-looking electric cars being able to accelerate faster than a number of sports cars. Driving fast and accelerating quickly will use charge like it is going out of fashion, though. It is the car equivalent of streaming a film on your phone, at full volume and at maximum brightness.
Below are eight of the best cars with a minimum range of 300 miles. Most models are relatively large and so suitable for family life. This is partly due to the batteries required for long ranges being too large to fit into a small car. All of the models below are available to order online, with prices starting from approximately £40,000.
1. BMW iX
Our pick BMW iX xDrive50
Maximum range 381 miles
Used deals from £52,000
Let’s start with the elephant in the room - the styling of the BMW iX. Some think it is a modern-day beauty while others are decidedly less positive. Whichever side of the fence you stand, there is no arguing that this electric BMW is striking, so it's a great option if you want your car to stand out. The interior design is much less divisive with large digital displays helping to create an ultra-modern vibe. The screens are very functional, as they are used to show everything from vehicle speed to charging information.
Maximum range is dependent on which battery pack the BMW iX comes with, as there are two options. For a range of at least 300 miles, the 105.2kWh battery pack is a must, as this is claimed to be capable of powering the car for up to 380 miles. This larger battery pack is only available on more expensive xDrive50 M Sport models.
2. Skoda Enyaq
Our pick Skoda Enyaq iV 80
Maximum range 339 miles
Used deals from £26,544
If you are shopping for an electric car that can easily act as everyday family transport without costing the earth, then the Skoda Enyaq iV is one of the best options available. There are two battery options to choose from, which Skoda names the ‘iV 60’ and the ‘iV 80’. In 80 guise the official range is up to 339 miles, but even four-wheel-drive versions promise 317 miles.
Other perks to the Enyaq include its practicality and excellent crash test safety rating. In addition, its cabin is large enough for a family of five plus there's tech such as a reversing camera, a large 13-inch touchscreen media system and a heated steering wheel all available.
You may wonder why you’d want a heated steering wheel but trust us, your hands will thank you when it's cold. As for safety, iV 80 models come with a host of tech designed to help drivers avoid collisions, such as lane assist, which works to stop drivers accidentally veering out of their lane.
3. Tesla Model S
Our pick Tesla Model S Long Range
Maximum range 405 miles
Used deals Limited stock
It would be fair to say the Tesla Model S is the original long-range electric car as it has been available for more than a decade. Over that time Tesla has seemingly continuously developed and updated its Model S, including steadily increasing the maximum range through software tweaks and the introduction of larger batteries. These regular improvements can make it confusing when searching for a used Model S, as there are so many similar but different models to choose from.
Generally speaking, you will need to find a model with a ‘P’ number of at least 85. Tesla included ‘P’ numbers on cars up until a few years ago, and the higher the number the larger the battery pack. More recently names like ‘Long Range’ have become favoured by the American car maker. Tesla recently launched an updated Model S which is claimed to have a range of just over 400 miles per charge - a hugely impressive figure which is greater than the range of many petrol cars.
To make long-distance journeys easier, Tesla has established its own charging network - which it continues to grow globally. No other car manufacturer has been able to do this as successfully and it is real a perk of driving a Tesla. The company's chargers in the UK are reserved for Tesla drivers only. However, the electric car maker is exploring opening its charging ports to other makes and models.
4. Ford Mustang Mach-E
Our pick Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD Extended Range
Maximum range 372 miles
Used deals from £23,600
With ‘Mustang’ in its name, some might expect the Mach-E to be a sports car with a powerful petrol engine but this is not the case. Instead, the electric Ford is practical enough to be used as family transport with a whisper-quiet electric motor powering it down the road. The Mach-E is enjoyable to drive as it is capable of nipping around corners well - long-range electric cars are typically very heavy due to the large battery packs needed, so it is common for them to feel cumbersome when cornering on faster roads.
With a range of up to 379 miles per charge, the Mustang Mach-E can compete with the best electric cars for range. To get a model with this headline figure you will need to find a RWD (rear-wheel-drive) Mach-E with the 98kWh battery, which is referred to as the ‘Extended Range’ battery pack. If you would like the extra grip all-wheel-drive provides, there is an ‘AWD’ version but this has a slightly shorter range of 335 miles.
5. Tesla Model 3
Our pick Tesla Model 3 Long Range
Maximum range 374 miles
Used deals from £21,489
The Model 3 is the smaller sibling to the Model S mentioned above but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the best electric cars around in its own right. Firstly there is the range, which in ‘Long Range’ guise is up to 375 miles. Then there is the performance; high-performance versions of the Model 3 can accelerate to 60mph faster than most sports cars. If we are being honest, it is not the speed of the Model 3 that really sells it, but how easy it is to live with.
The interior is trademark Tesla in that it is minimalist and stylish. There is plenty of space for four adults and more boot space than you will find in a Volkswagen Golf. The Model 3 is helped by having two boots (a main one at the back and a smaller one at the front) but even so, the room available for cargo is plentiful for a car of this size. Most electric cars aren’t suitable for towing, however Tesla does offer a ‘towing package’, which amongst other things means trailers of up to 750kg that do not have their own brakes can be safely hauled.
6. Volkswagen ID.3
Our pick Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S Tour
Maximum range 336 miles
Used deals from £17,858
Think of the VW ID.3 as an electric Golf and you have a pretty good idea of what the ID.3 is like. What we mean by this is that the ID.3 feels like a well-made car that comes with decent levels of equipment and is relatively good value. We also think it looks quite smart although beauty is in the eye of the beholder. As for suspension, VW has done a great job in engineering the ID.3 to soak up most of the bumps and lumps that are found on UK roads.
As for range, there are three battery packs to choose from, but it is only the 77kWh version that can comfortably crack the 300-mile mark during official tests. At the time of writing, VW had paused production of 77kWh models citing the global semiconductor shortage as the reason why. There are still some second-hand models to choose from plus plenty of 58kWh models with an official range of up to 263 miles, so if that's enough range for you, you should have greater choice of ID.3s.
7. Tesla Model X
Our pick Tesla Model X Long Range
Maximum range 348 miles
Used deals Limited stock
Yet another Tesla, this time the larger Model X. There are a number of different seating arrangements available with the X, including five, six and seven-seater variants. The first two rows of seats offer lots of space but the last row is best saved for children - something which is common with many seven-seater cars. Something that is not common with other cars with seven seats is how fast the Model X is. All we will say is that even this supersized Tesla is faster than some sports cars, should you set off quickly from the lights.
It is ‘Dual Motor’ models that promise the longest range, with up to 348 miles claimed to be possible, based on US testing. Although this kind of distance is impressive, many find the upwards-opening Falcon rear doors to be the party-piece of the Model X. These are electronically opening doors that fold up and out of the way, finishing in a position that looks a little like bird wings - hence the name. Aside from looking striking, this actually makes access to the rear seats really easy - great for loading older people or babies.
8. Audi Q4 e-tron
Our pick Audi Q4 e-tron 40
Maximum range 322 miles
Used deals from £34,100
Audi is part of the same company as Volkswagen. We mention this to highlight that these seemingly separate brands are connected, so it is no surprise that they share technology with one another. In the case of the Q4 e-tron it is the battery pack, as the model with the longest range comes with a 77kWh battery (just like the ID.3). With an official range of 316 miles, the Audi promises to have enough charge to deal with most of life’s journeys.
In terms of price, the Audi occupies a space between less expensive models like the Skoda Enyaq and costly high-end models like the Porsche Taycan. All things considered, the Audi seems good value, especially considering its high-quality interior. The large touchscreen media system in the middle of the dashboard is excellent, with sharp graphics, quick response times and the option of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.
*Representative PCP finance - Ford Fiesta:
48 monthly payments of £192
Deposit: £0
Mileage limit: 8,000 per year
Optional final payment to buy car: £2,923
Total amount payable to buy car: £11,926
Total cost of credit: £2,426
Amount borrowed: £9,500
APR: 9.9%
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