How far? The longest-range electric cars revealed

General Guides  Low Emission Vehicles 

You know the score. Talking about electric cars, one of the first questions is invariably about range. They don't go far enough for some, they never have and never will. But how far can electric cars travel on a single charge?

We have found the top 10 longest range EVs, and the answers may surprise you. Considering the electric car market only launched around 12 years ago, this is still very much a powertrain in its infancy - the internal combustion engine has had well over a century of development for cars after all.

In the early 2010s, you'd be lucky if an electric car covered more than 50 miles in winter. Now though? Well, let's say that things have moved on considerably. Here are the electric cars that will go furthest on a single charge.





BMW i4 - 365 miles

History will likely prove that the i4 is one of BMW's most important cars in its history. The BMW 3 Series has led the compact executive saloon sector for decades, and in recent years has been backed up by the 4 Series Gran Coupe for those that want a sleeker look to their saloon. But company car drivers looking for an electric equivalent were left with little choice other than Tesla.

Step-forward the i4. It's a BMW 3 Series(ish) with an electric motor, and a huge range in the eDrive40 version. Capable of covering more than 360 miles on a charge, yet with high levels of performance even in the mid-spec model offering the headline range, it's an electric-executive saloon that drives just as a BMW should… brilliantly.





Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV - 366 miles

The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is, as you may have guessed, an SUV version of the EQS all-electric flagship from the Stuttgart manufacturer. Without wanting to give away any spoilers, the EQS features later in this list, so it should come as little surprise that the same powertrain in this luxury SUV should still offer a long driving range, even in a bulkier package.

The Mercedes EQS 450 4MATIC SUV packs in the tech, and weighs in at more than 2.7 tonnes. But despite that weight, it's still capable of covering almost 370 miles on a charge, thanks to a colossal 120kWh battery pack.





Ford Mustang Mach-E - 372 miles

Ford's Mustang for an electric age - don't worry, the classic Mustang muscle car isn't dead - has a variety of versions on offer, from more affordable shorter range models to a high-power GT performance halo model. The one that gets on to this list however is the Mustang Mach-E Extended Range RWD.

Almost every manufacturer here is a premium brand, but Ford is one of the two that isn't, managing to mix with the big boys on an equal footing. Providing pace and a 370+ mile range in a family SUV shape, it's a blue-collar challenger if you will; Ford's speciality for decades.





Tesla Model 3 - 374 miles

It would be shocking if Tesla wasn't represented in this list, and the Model 3 delivers for the American firm. Currently offering two cars on sale in the UK, the Model Y manages a very respectable 331 miles, but the Model 3 - in Long Range configuration - achieves 374 miles on a single charge.

The saloon is the most popular electric car in the UK, available in Standard Range, Long Range, and Performance configurations, which are quick to drive and fast to charge no matter which one is picked.





Polestar 3 - 379 miles

If you thought the specification levels of the Tesla Model 3 above kept things simple, Polestar goes even further. The 3 is… you guessed it, the third car the Swedish company has released. A large premium SUV that shares plenty of parts with the forthcoming Volvo XC90, the Polestar 3 achieves almost 380 miles on a charge in Long Range Dual Motor configuration.

It boasts all the hardware required for advanced driver assistance systems too, so as legislation is put in place around the world, the Polestar 3 will increasingly be able to drive itself, although considering Polestar is an electric performance brand, the 3 should be fun to pilot yourself.





BMW iX - 380 miles

The big BMW SUV is a direct competitor to the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV above, but manages to trim its German rival in one key area - range. The longest range version - the xDrive50 - achieves 380 miles on a charge. Countering the chunky SUV styling and weight is a 106kWh battery, which powers a pair of electric motors in this version, which makes it quick, too.





Hyundai IONIQ 6 - 382 miles

This is the second electric Hyundai to come along that looks very like a concept car, and for that the Korean company should be applauded. The Ioniq 5 looks very different to this Ioniq 6, but both are highly distinctive. They also share the same powertrains, with the rear-wheel drive 77.4kWh model here capable of covering more than 380 miles, thanks largely to its very aerodynamic fastback-saloon design. And if that range isn't enough to convince you, the IONIQ 6 will get from 10-80% in just 18 minutes on the fastest chargers.





BMW i7 - 387 miles

Hyundai is the last mass-market manufacturer to be found on this list, and now we're in the realm of the premium German brands. BMW's i7 takes bronze with a range almost reaching 390 miles on a charge, which is impressive considering the car in question is a flagship luxury saloon.

The third BMW to make it on to this list, the i7's huge range is achieved with a 101.7kWh battery, placed in the large space between the axles. It's a car intended to be driven in, rather than driven, with a rear comfort pack that has reclining seats and a 31-inch screen folding out of the roof.





Mercedes-Benz EQE - 388 miles

It says much about the aerodynamic efficiency of the EQE that it can achieve a range of almost 390 miles - further than the BMW i7 above - despite having a smaller battery. Still, everything is relative, since the 90kWh pack fitted to the EQE is still a monster in just about every other electric car.

Available as an SUV as well, it is the saloon here that makes the most of its powertrain, with two different versions able to achieve the headline range. Both the Mercedes EQE 300 and slightly more powerful EQE 350 quote the same distance, producing 245hp or 292hp respectively.





Mercedes-Benz EQS - 464 miles

The current long range champion - and by a considerable distance, if you'll excuse the pun - is the Mercedes-Benz EQS. Offering a range of more than 460 miles on a charge, it is the definition of a cross-continental electric cruiser. It will get from London to Frankfurt on a charge.

Mercedes-Benz currently has two flagship luxury saloons, one the legendary S Class, and the other, this EQS, the all-electric newcomer ready to take on the mantle. Bristling with technology and advanced electric powertrain systems, the most eye-catching feature is the Hyperscreen, a huge cabin-wide piece of glass, featuring three different screens for the driver, passenger, and central infotainment system.

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