When talking about the electric cars with the longest ranges, it's easy to forget that we’ve come a long way since the original Nissan Leaf first went on sale. When that car was introduced in 2011, it could only do 109 miles before the battery ran dry. Today, the longest range electric cars can manage more than 400 miles between charges.
Granted, the best electric cars aren’t necessarily the ones with the longest ranges, because not everyone needs an EV that’ll go from London to Edinburgh in a single long-distance motorway sitting. However, having a generous maximum range figure under your belt is a good way to stave off the range anxiety that puts so many off electric motoring, especially when the UK charging network is so short of rapid chargers.
It’s important to remember here that we’re talking about official WLTP figures range figures when quoting numbers. These are obtained from laboratory tests, the conditions of which can often be all-but-impossible to replicate in the real world. That means you should never rely on actually getting your car’s maximum figure, especially if you’re driving at motorway speeds or in cold conditions, neither of which electric cars like. However, WLTP tests do at least provide a level playing field for comparison, and so they’re a good indicator of which cars will give you the most range. Here’s our rundown of the electric cars on sale today with the longest ranges.
Electric Cars with the Longest Range 2024
- 1. Mercedes-Benz EQS - 452 miles
- 2. Fisker Ocean - 440 miles
- 3. Polestar 2 - 406 miles
- 4. Tesla Model S - 394 miles
- 5. Tesla Model 3 - 390 miles
- 6. BMW i7 - 387 miles
- =7. BMW iX - 383 miles
- =7. Volkswagen ID.7 - 383 miles
- 9. Mercedes-Benz EQE - 380 miles
- =10. Polestar 3 - 379 miles
- =10. Renault Scenic E-Tech - 379 miles
1. Mercedes-Benz EQS: 452 miles
The S-Class limousine has long been the car that Mercedes has used to showcase its latest technology and innovation, so it’s no surprise that its all-electric alternative, the EQS, is packing some pretty game-changing tech of its own. Most notable is the vast 107.8kWh battery pack that - along with the car’s sleek, aerodynamic shape - gives the entry-level EQS 450+ model a stonking range of 452 miles, the longest of any EV currently on sale. That’s not where the tech and innovation stops, either. The EQS can be specified with the optional ‘Hyperscreen’ infotainment system, which basically turns to entire dashboard into one massive touchscreen, which smartphone lovers will absolutely adore. If you prefer something with a more fashionable look, you could opt for the EQS SUV instead, but its bulkier shape means a shorter range of up to 404 miles.
Mercedes-Benz EQS Review
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2. Fisker Ocean: 440 miles
The Fisker Ocean may not yet be a common sight on UK roads, but with a maximum WLTP claimed 440 miles of range miles from the range-topping Extreme model, you can expect it to become one in no time at all. That’s thanks to a battery pack with a whopping 106.5kWh of usable capacity, and the fact that it has 557bhp and twin-motor all-wheel drive won’t do its appeal any harm, either. This smart family SUV - in a similar vein to the Ford Mustang Mach-E or Skoda Enyaq iV - is available to order now, and is just one of a range of brand new electric vehicles on the way from this Californian company. Looks like Tesla is facing some pretty stiff competition from its own backyard.
3. Polestar 2: 406 miles
The Polestar 2 hatchback has been with us for quite a while now, but 2023 saw a facelift that brought tweaked styling, enhanced kit levels and - critically, for the purposes of this article - big improvements in drivetrain tech. The Long Range Single Motor version used to have a maximum official battery range of 341 miles, but the changes have seen that figure increase to over 400. They’ve also seen the single electric motor switch axles, switching the car from being front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive, which is pretty unheard of. The new RWD powertrain should, in theory, make it more enjoyable to drive, but in truth the Polestar 2 is still geared more towards comfort than fun.
Polestar 2 Review
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4. Tesla Model S: 394 miles
While many still see mainstream EVs as a fairly newfangled thing, it feels like the Tesla Model S has been around forever. This big executive saloon cemented the American firm’s place at the top table of electric motoring as soon as the first one rolled off the production line in 2012, and thanks to periodic changes and upgrades, it’s still going strong. The latest of these upgrades hit the UK in 2023, and meant that the Long Range dual-motor variant could now cover 394 miles on a single charge, as well as being capable of blitzing the 0-62mph dash in just 3.1 seconds (yes, the Plaid version is even faster, but range is reduced). Do bear in mind, however, that it can only be had in left-hand-drive form these days.
Tesla Model S Review
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5. Tesla Model 3: 390 miles
If the Model S was the car that earned Tesla a seat at the top table of electric motoring, the Model 3 was the car that hogged all the other seats to make sure that nobody else could sit down. Its popularity may have since been surpassed by the fashionable Model Y SUV, but Tesla’s compact saloon has sold in huge numbers over the years, arguably making the American firm the powerhouse it is today. And that’s no surprise, really, when it’s Tesla’s most affordable - and thus, most attainable - car. It also helps that every single version can travel upwards of 300 miles on a full charge, while the Long Range model referenced here can manage almost 400.
Tesla Model 3 Review
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6. BMW i7: 387 miles
The huge nostrils on the regular BMW 7 Series look fairly ludicrous already, but the huge grille design seems even more ludicrous on the i7 - the all-electric version of the 7 Series - given that there’s no combustion engine to cool. Don’t be put off by those ‘challenging’ looks, though, because they conceal a car of massive talent. Comfort and refinement are exemplary, which is super-important in a luxury limo, as are capacious passenger space and sense-of-occasion quality, both of which are boxes the i7 also has well and truly ticked. For the proper rear-seat limo experience, add the 31-inch 8K Theatre Screen option.
BMW i7 Review
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=7. BMW iX: 383 miles
If the i7’s looks are ‘challenging’, then we’re not sure a word has been invented that could adequately describe the awkward proportions and fussy detailing of the iX. But again, those Ugly-Duckling looks shouldn’t put you off what is a deeply impressive electric SUV. The cabin is spacious and gorgeously-trimmed, and it also packs one of the slickest infotainment systems fitted to any car of any sort. It’s also great to drive, with supreme comfort and refinement, and all of the three versions give strong performance. It’s the mid-spec xDrive50 (there’s also the eDrive40 and M60) we’re namechecking here, though, because this is the one with the 383-mile driving range.
BMW iX Review
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=7. Volkswagen ID.7: 383 miles
A few years back, Volkswagen made a big song-and-dance about its first all-electric model, the ID.3 hatchback, saying it was as important to the company as the Beetle or Golf. However, that car - along with most of VW’s ID electric models since - has been met with a rather lukewarm reception. The ID.Buzz marked a turning point, receiving rave reviews, and it looks as though the ID.7 will continue that upward trend. This all-electric replacement for the Passat executive saloon has a spacious, high-quality cabin, excellent comfort and refinement and a brilliant safety rating, all of which will be very appealing to family car buyers. It also has an impressive range of 383 miles between charges, and a version with an even bigger battery will come along later to take that figure to more than 430 miles.
Volkswagen ID.7 Review
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9. Mercedes-Benz EQE: 380 miles
It’s a second entry on our list for Mercedes, this time in the form of the EQE, which is essentially the electric alternative to the E-Class saloon. It shares a platform with the EQS that sits on top of this list, but it has a slightly smaller battery at 90kWh. Nevertheless, it’s still capable of a very impressive 376 miles between charges due to its aerodynamic coupe-like shape and good thermal efficiency. Ride comfort and refinement are both deeply impressive, while the cabin is roomy, luxuriously trimmed and brimming with tech.
Mercedes-Benz EQE Review
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=10. Polestar 3: 379 miles
A second entry from Polestar, too, and from the company’s second all-electric car. This large luxury SUV, which shares its platform with the seven-seat Volvo EX90, takes on premium rivals such as the Audi Q8 E-Tron, BMW iX and Tesla Model X. It certainly has the range to compete thanks to its massive 107kWh battery pack, and even better, it supports rapid charging of up to 250kW, meaning that whopping battery can be topped up 10-80% in just half an hour at a sufficiently powerful charging point. Expect bags of safety equipment and luxury gadgetry, including the cutting-edge Android Automotive infotainment system.
Polestar 3 Preview
=10. Renault Scenic E-Tech: 379 miles
Renault has kept itself busy recently by reimagining nameplates from its past as all-electric cars, and hot on the heels of the Renault Megane E-Tech (and in advance of the forthcoming Renault 5) comes the Renault Scenic E-Tech. Once a genre-defining MPV, the Scenic has now - predictably - adopted SUV looks to make it more fashionable for families with an eye for flair. It also comes with lots of luxury and safety equipment, and undercuts the price tag of key rivals such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Tesla Model Y in price by a significant margin. That impressive range comes courtesy of the large 87kWh battery, although it should be noted that performance is more modest than with many rival EVs.
Note: Figures accurate at the time of publication, but are subject to regular change and so should be checked independently.