Top 10 Electric Cars with the Longest Range in 2024
A guide exploring which electric car has the best range in the UK and comparing the ten longest range electric vehicles (EVs) currently available.
Last updated: Apr 24, 2024 • 8 min read
Summary
The Mercedes-Benz EQS saloon has an unbeatable range of up to 452 miles, making it currently the electric car with the longest range that you can purchase in the UK.
Finding an electric car with the best range
As the uptake in EVs continues to rise, more people are set on finding and purchasing an electric car with the best range. But is more always necessary?
The typical car drives roughly 127 miles per week, while the average range of an electric car is around 236 miles. You should weigh up the cost of purchasing an electric car with a long range (at a higher cost) vs the benefit to your day-to-day life. A low to mid-range EV may just be enough for your needs.
Whether you choose a 300-mile electric car, go beyond the 400-mile range mark, or opt for an EV with an average range, the public charging network in the UK makes it fairly easy for you to top up your battery. More than 32,500 public charging locations are available – that’s up 47% in just one year since early 2023.
Top 10 electric cars with the longest range in the UK
Gone are the days of 300-mile range electric cars being the longest range money could buy. Today, there are several EVs available on the UK market that go beyond the 400-mile mark. We’ve crunched the numbers to create an electric car range comparison of the top 10 EVs by range.
Top 10 electric car range list from highest to lowest:
Mercedes-Benz EQS Saloon (452 miles)
Fisker Ocean Extreme (440 miles)
Polestar 2 (406 miles)
Porsche Taycan 4S (399 miles)
Tesla Model S (394 miles)
Polestar 3 (392 miles)
Tesla Model 3 Long Range (390 miles)
BMW i7 (387 miles)
Volkswagen ID.7 Pro Match (384 miles)
BMW iX (382 miles)
1. Mercedes-Benz EQS Saloon (452 miles)
The Mercedes-Benz EQS saloon is currently the electric car with the longest range available in the UK. It has an unbeatable range of 452 miles on a single charge. That’s technically enough to take you from London to Manchester and back without a single charging stop.
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a high-end electric car that comes at an equally high price, starting from £129,470. The model is also available as an SUV, which offers more space but less range.
2. Fisker Ocean Extreme (440 miles)
Fisker is a US-based electric carmaker that offers three SUV models in its Ocean series. The Ocean Sport is the entry-level model with a respectable range of 237 miles, followed by the Ocean One with 379 miles, and the Ocean Extreme at a whopping 440 miles.
The two electric motors in the Fisker Ocean Extreme provide all-wheel drive, and the big boot space offers plenty of room, making it a very stylish and practical family car. Prices for the Ocean Extreme start from £57,900.
3. Polestar 2 (406 miles)
The updated Polestar 2 has a 406-mile range – that’s the third longest range for any electric car currently available in the UK. Offering a top infotainment system and the choice between rear- or all-wheel drive, prices for the Polestar 2 start from £44,950.
4. Porsche Taycan 4S (399 miles)
The Porsche Taycan 4S is a joy to drive and will let you go up to 399 miles on a single charge when opting for the Performance Battery Plus. It has everything you’d expect from an electric sports car, including rapid charging of up to 270kW, all-wheel drive and outstanding design on the inside and outside.
This sports car isn’t cheap, but that is expected from a manufacturer like Porsche. The Taycan 4S starts from £95,900 and costs more with the battery upgrade that allows you to hit that near 400-mile range.
5. Tesla Model S (394 miles)
Tesla’s Model S is the manufacturer’s top-range saloon. The electric car is available in various configurations, offering a 394-mile range with dual motor all-wheel drive. It comes with all the tech you expect from Tesla and is compatible with rapid charging of up to 250kW. You can purchase the Model S from £93,480.
The Tesla Model S is not to be confused with the Model S Plaid, which trades some of its range for more speed. One downside of the Model S for UK drivers is that the electric car is currently only available as a left-hand drive.
6. Polestar 3 (392 miles)
The Polestar 3 is the flagship SUV offering from the Swedish carmaker. It’s a spacious ride with plenty of legroom for passengers and a modern, minimalist interior. According to Polestar, this EV “drives like a sports car” and can take you up to 392 miles on just one full charge.
The Polestar 3’s dual motor all-wheel drive, sizable range and stylish appearance will set you back at least £75,900 for the base model.
7. Tesla Model 3 Long Range (390 miles)
The carmaker’s more affordable saloon model, the Tesla Model 3, had a recent refresh, and the Long Range configuration is claimed to cover an impressive 390 miles on just a single charge. Like the Model S, it comes with a dual motor all-wheel drive and rapid charging of up to 250kW.
Prices for the Tesla Model 3 Long Range start at £49,000, while the Model 3 base model is available from £39,000.
8. BMW i7 (387 miles)
The BMW i7 is a premium electric car with prices starting from £101,765. For this price, you get a range of up to 387 miles and luxurious interiors. There are also some unique features in the BMW i7, such as a top-quality sound system and touchscreens integrated into rear doors for infotainment controls. Is it worth the £100k+ price tag? Well, that’s for you to decide.
9. Volkswagen ID.7 Pro Match (384 miles)
The only VW making this top 10 is the Volkswagen ID.7 in the Pro Match edition. It’s one of the more affordable electric cars with a long range in this comparison, starting from £55,870.
The ID.7 Pro Match has a maximum range of 384 miles according to Volkswagen. That’s almost identical to the range of the BMW i7 which costs nearly twice as much.
This mid-range electric car comes with a lot less fancy features and extras than pricier competitors on this list, offering good value for money to anyone looking to maximise their range on a smaller but still sizeable budget.
10. BMW iX xDrive50 (382 miles)
Last but not least, another all-electric car from the BMW i range is the iX. It’s a luxury SUV featuring 5G connectivity, advanced infotainment and air suspension for a comfortable driving experience. The cabin offers plenty of room for passengers and a lot of storage space in the boot.
The BMW iX is available in three different models, with the xDrive50 providing up to 382 miles on a single charge. Prices for the iX start from £70,985.
Real-world electric car range vs WLTP
The manufacturer’s reported range and the real-world electric car range that can be achieved typically differ. The World Harmonised Light Test Procedure (WLPT) is a standardised way of testing and determining an EV’s range in specific conditions. For this test, an electric car will travel in warm temperatures at an average speed of 28.8 mph, starting from 100% state of charge and going all the way down to 0%.
When you’re driving in the real world, an EV will likely achieve less miles than stated in the WLTP range. You’re more likely to use your battery between 20% and 80%. Plus, several factors can impact an electric car’s range, including the weather, your driving habits, road conditions, and overall weight.
Tips for maximising electric car range
Adopt good driving habits
The way you drive can greatly affect your electric car’s range. Fast acceleration, driving at the top of the speed limit and long journeys on motorways and A roads will generally result in a lower range.
Instead, try to accelerate gently, avoid hitting the top of the speed limit (unless needed) and use regenerative braking to repurpose energy will help you get closer to your WLPT range.
Curb your energy usage
Turning the A/C all the way up will eat into your range. Equally, heating your cabin and seats to the extent that you have to take off layers of clothes is wasteful. So when you can, avoid excessive heating or cooling to save energy.
If you have to pre-condition your electric car during colder months to bring the battery up to temperature for better efficiency, make sure your EV is plugged into your home charger. You’ll use up energy, but you won’t drain your battery just to warm up your vehicle this way.
Do regular maintenance
Checking your tyre pressure, especially when temperatures and seasons change, should be on your to-do list. Low pressure can lead to more rolling resistance, which in turn makes your electric car more inefficient.
For more tips on how to optimise the range of your electric car, read our guide.