The advances in EV battery technology and efficiency means that many electric cars are travelling further than on a single charge.
Range anxiety used to be a big barrier to customers making the switch to battery-powered machines, but even the smallest and most affordable models are capable of 200 miles or so between top-ups. Spend more (quite a lot more) and the distance you’ll travel before you have to plug in can rise to more than 500 miles.
However, while these figures are eye-catching, it’s worth bearing in mind that they are the official numbers generated by the cars submitted to the very prescriptive WLTP testing process. While this is meant to give a more realistic simulation of real world driving it’s still an assessment that’s carried out under laboratory conditions. Once out in the wild and subjected to different terrains, routes and driving styles, many EVs struggle to come anywhere near to matching these promised figures.
As a result, our sister site What Car? puts every electric car through a range test. Conducted on the road and under realistic conditions, it aims to deliver a far more accurate indication of the range you can expect to achieve when driving day-to-day. So, here are the ten EVs with the longest range that it has tested to date.
1. Hyundai Kona Electric, 259 miles
Leading the charge at the moment is the Hyundai Kona Electric, which returned a very respectable 259 miles on a single charge. What makes this figure particularly impressive is that it was delivered by a car that’s one of the most affordable on this list.
Prices rises and the abolition of the Government’s Plug-in grant means the Korea machine isn’t as cheap as it was, but with the larger 64kWh battery weighs in at just under £38,000. This is mated to a 201bhp motor for smooth and brisk acceleration, while DC charging at up to 100kW means the battery can be replenished from 10 to 80% in under 50 minutes.
Eager performance aside, the Kona isn’t much fun to drive, but it's composed and capable enough. Moreover, its blend of price, generous it count, lengthy five-year warranty and fashionable SUV-inspired styling means it continues to fly out of showrooms.
2. Jaguar I-Pace, 253 miles
As the first European carmaker to release a premium model to challenge the likes of Tesla, Jaguar beat its closest rivals to the punch, while also setting a high bar for them to follow. It is a true driver’s car that happens to be powered by electricity, with impressive amounts of acceleration and the kind of handling you expect from the brand.
With a 90kWh battery powering its twin electric motors, the I-Pace achieves a real-world range of 253 miles. That narrowly puts it into second place behind the Kona Electric, but with support for faster DC rapid charging, it may spend less time plugged into a compatible charging point to regain any lost range.
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do not forget diesel and petrol would be 2p per mile
Ev's are benefiting unfairly from no duty and 5% vat compared to approx 58 p litre duty and 20% vat on diesel and petrol so without that fuel would be approc 27p per litre ie £1.23 per gallon 2p to 3p per mile and withoout the horrendous cost penalty associated with ev's approx £15k more expensive and high depreciation,never mind the 500kg extra weight,like towing a laden trailer behind you. Only company drivers gain as no benefit in kind from this month,all private buyers would be stupid to buy one just now 5 to 10 years time when solid state arrrives and costs are on a par with combustion engined cars I may alter my view.All ev's on the market now will be obsolete when these solid state systems arrive with reduced weight,cost and increased range and shorter charge times.the Toyota hybrids look a good alternative in the meantime.
Cobblers- you could then say
Cobblers- you could then say that about any new and forthcoming battery tech thats just coming along. There is always something better coming around the corner, doesnt mean you stop buying the best tech available right now. Unless its Nuclear fusion which we have been promised for most peoples lifetimes and has never emerged
You do come with some anti BEV rubbish sometimes Kid. Solid state in 5 years will make current cars obsolete, what rubbish. 15k more expensive, really, a Leaf at 27k what equivalent is 13k that can do over 200mpg and get to 60 in under 8 seconds. As to 500kg, look at the weight of the model 3 compared to merc c class.
As to private bev's being stupid, well I think that says more about you.
Ski Kid, you could also say ICE drivers have got off lighty, after 100 years 100,000's of pedestians and fellow drivers have been had their live ended prematurely, just spend some time on research done by WHO no less.
Solid state, in 5 years, you're in lala land. And even it it happened in 15 years time why would it make your battery Tesla obsolete. Your grasping straws with your anti BEV views.
To get a real idea of the
To get a real idea of the ranges, visit Harrys Garage on youtube and it will give you an insight into why Harrys mind was changed when he trialed a Model 3 and was stunned by its ease of charging and usage. Ipace and Audi dont even come in the running
While it's true that mileage
While it's true that mileage may wary but the "we show you what you can expect from an in real world "it's not really credible with EVs like the Model 3 with abysmal range (211mi) and the i-pace with too good to be true range (253.
The proof is that we have actual real world and real range test like what Carwow that drove few EVs until empty battery on highway and UK winter condition (lights and heater on) the model 3 LR achieved 270miles and the i-pace 223.
Another real word test made by the Norvegian Automobile Federation tested 20 EV's in their highway,city and mountain passes during winter with snow and ice and even in those unfavourable conditions then the model 3 still managed to achieve a respectable 251 miles with the ipace trailing behind at 207miles.