For a long time range anxiety has been quoted as one of the biggest barriers to drivers considering buying an electric car.
Early EVs were capable of covering pretty feeble distances before needing a charge, putting many people off.
However battery and motor technology has moved on a lot and many modern EVs can cover far more miles on a single charge than most drivers need on a daily, or even weekly, basis.
2021 saw several new cars easily break the 300-mile barrier and we’re now entering the realm of 400-mile-plus EVs.
For many people, especially those without a home charger, public infrastructure is more of a concern than maximum range but it’s reassuring to know you’ve got a big battery should your first choice of charger be out of action.
The market and technology are moving quickly and this year’s list already looks significantly different to last year’s. Undoubtedly that will change again as we move through 2022 but at the moment here are the 10 EVs with the longest range, including models from BMW, Tesla, Skoda, Polestar and Ford.
However battery and motor technology has moved on a lot and many modern EVs can cover far more miles on a single charge than most drivers need on a daily, or even weekly, basis.
5. BMW i4 – 365 miles
The i4 is the EV for buyers looking for an electric 3 Series. Based on the ICE-powered 4 Series platform it’s a relatively conventional saloon that feels a lot like the German firm’s existing range of cars. It doesn’t have the more futuristic touches of the iX and is slightly held back by having to use an ICE platform but it looks great, drives brilliantly and in £51,905 eDrive 40 spec will cover up to 365 miles.
6. Tesla Model 3 – 360 miles
A direct rival to the i4, the Model 3 has set new sales records for Tesla in the UK and Europe as buyers are swayed by the firm’s most affordable model yet. Unlike the i4, it’s a ground-up EV so benefits from a simplified platform and Tesla’s minimalist approach to interiors - which won’t be for everyone. It also benefits from the firm’s expertise in battery and motor tech and in dual-motor longe range guise will cover up to 360 miles (WLTP), with prices start at £49,990.
7. Tesla Model X – 348 miles
At the other end of the Tesla range is the Model X - the firm’s biggest, most expensive model. Like the Model S, you can put down a deposit on one of the seven-seat SUVs now via the Tesla website but there’s no indication of build or delivery times or how much it’ll cost. Expect prices to start at around £80,000.
8. Volkswagen ID.3 – 338 miles
If BMW’s i4 is the electric answer to the 3 Series, the VW ID.3 is the electric equivalent of the famous Golf. It’s a five-door family hatchback designed to be a mainstream big-selling model alongside the larger ID.4 and ID.5 crossovers. Prices start at £32,200 but for the longest range you’ll need the top-spec four-seat Tour version, which starts at £40,550.