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With public charging infrastructure still in its developmental phase, the distance an electric car can travel on a full battery is one of the key factors to consider before buying one.
The good news is that the range of electric cars has improved dramatically in recent years, making them practical transport for all types of journey – especially if you can charge at home. But which EVs will go furthest on a charge?
To find out, we've delved through the spec sheets to unearth the 12 electric cars with the longest range, according to official test results or manufacturer claims. For this list, we've only included cars that are on sale or that are coming soon but have had their specifications confirmed (that means no one-off concepts). And this is a global list, so cars might not be offered in every market.
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Lucid Air - 516 miles
American start-up Lucid launched its flagship Air saloon in 2020 as a rival to the Tesla Model S – and in Grand Touring trim it offers a staggering 516 miles of range based on the US EPA testing cycle.
The mega mileage is achieved thanks to its huge 118kWh battery pack, which features 900V technology allowing the Air to be charged at up to 300kW. That means you can plug in and add 300 miles of range in around 20 minutes.
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Pleasingly, the interior is good news, too. It's well appointed and feels upmarket, with a nice balance of touchscreens and refined materials.
But that huge range comes at a price, with the Grand Touring model starting from $125,600 (£101,000).
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Audi A6 E-tron - 466 miles
Revealed in 2024, the electric replacement for the current A6 is an aerodynamically-optimised rival to the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE.
The range-topping Sportback model, with its 94.9kWh (usable) battery pack, promises a range of 466 miles, which is more than the official figures for the equivalent i5 (356 miles) and EQE (388 miles).
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Key to achieving those figures is, of course, the battery pack, which has been designed specifically for the PPE platform - developed by Audi and Porsche - and comprises 12 modules and 180 cells.
In total, two powertrains will be offered. Performance-badged entry-level cars get a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor that puts out 362bhp for a 0-62mph time of 5.4sec, while the hot, four-wheel drive S6 adds another motor on the front axle for a combined output of 496bhp in normal operation. Using the launch control function temporarily boosts it to 543bhp, cutting its 0-62mph time to 3.9sec.
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Mercedes EQS 450+ AMG Line - 442 miles
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is the German brand's luxury electric car and, in 450+ AMG Line trim, delivers a whopping 442 miles of range between charges.
Packed full of tech and offering excellent comfort throughout, the EQS is a commendable EV that is also excellent to drive.
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Its 107.8kWh battery is capable of charging at 200kW, so if you can get your hands on a charger able to to achieve such speeds you can recharge the EQS up to 80% in just over half an hour.
When charging at home using a 7kWh wallbox device expect an inflated charging time of over 15 hours. The EQS does come at a premium though: prices start from £112,610.
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Volkswagen ID 7 Pro S - 436 miles
The ID 7 is Volkswagen’s new flagship saloon – and it’s already off to a great start thanks to its brilliant 436-mile range.
Sitting on the same MEB electric platform as the ID 4, the ID 7 uses a large 86kWh battery and can be charged at up to 200kW. This should allow for a 10-80% boost in around 30 minutes.
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Switch to the inside and the ID 7 does its best to deliver a premium feeling cabin, although it's still not on the same level of quality as the BMW i4. And the haptic buttons are a little annoying to operate, too.
The ID 7 is priced from £51,550, which puts it just above the Long Range Tesla Model 3 in terms of price.
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Porsche Taycan - 421 miles
Porsche decided to give its brilliant electric performance saloon a sizeable overhaul at the beginning of this year, with the Taycan gaining more power, range and efficiency.
Range has improved dramatically across all models, but its the Battery Performance Plus model which stands out the most. It gets a larger 105kWh battery pack, which promises a range of up to 421 miles.
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Porsche has also improved charging capabilities. Battery Performance Plus models can accept speeds of up to 320kW, which means a 10-80% charge should take less than 20 minutes.
The Taycan starts from £86,500, but if you want the additional range then you'll have to pay more than £90,000 for the Battery Performance plus variant.
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Tesla Model 3 - 421 miles
The American brand has given its best-selling saloon a number of updates for 2024, with the Long Range model now capable of covering up to a whopping 421 miles on single charge. If you opt for the smart-looking 19in wheels though, the range drops to a still impressive 390 miles.
Two version form the Model 3 line-up: you can have the Standard Range (318 miles) which costs from £39,990, or the Long Range which is priced from £49,990.
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As part of its most recent updates, Tesla has given its acclaimed EV an interior makeover, which now features more upmarket, soft-touch materials. And you get loads of excellent useable tech and access to Tesla’s unrivalled Supercharger network.
Using a 120kW charging point you can charge the Model 3 from 10%-80% in just over 30 minutes.
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Polestar 2 - 406 miles
The Swedish brand's popular saloon has received a host of new upgrades for 2024 and offers a range of up to 406 miles.
Equipped with a 82kWh battery, the Long range Single motor variant can travel up to 30 miles more than the BMW i4 eDrive40.
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Alongside the hike in range, the Polestar 2 features a new front-end inspired by the firm's new flagship 3 SUV, which is due to arrive next year.
Prices for the updated 2 start at £48,950 for the Long Range Single Motor version.
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Tesla Model S - 405 miles
Tesla has finally given its flagship electric saloon a major update, with the mile-munching EV gaining a refreshed exterior look and an improved interior.
The range is still up to 405 miles, but the firm has tweaked the construction and cooling of its 100kWh battery to improve efficiency by almost 10%.
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Plug the Model S into a 250kW Tesla Supercharger and you can boost the battery from 10-90% in just under 40 minutes. Average efficiency is good too, with the Model S hovering around the 3.1mpkWh mark.
Rather frustratingly, the Model S is only offered in left-hand drive in the UK. You get used to it but it will be a deal breaker for some. Prices start from £93,480 but with options you’re likely to nudge over the £100,000 mark.
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Mercedes EQS SUV - 404 miles
The new Audi Q8 e-tron and BMW iX rival was unveiled in 2022 as the German brand’s new luxury electric flagship SUV, and sits on the same Electric Vehicle Platform (EVA) architecture as the EQS and EQE saloon.
With a 118kWh battery onboard, the EQS SUV can travel up to 404 miles between charges – and if you can find a rapid charger with an output of 200kW you can charge it from 10-80% in 31 minutes.
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It’s packed full of technology, too, with the EQS SUV featuring the brand’s Hyperscreen which spans the entire dashboard. And that’s to air suspension, the SUV soaks up the bumps with aplomb – and there’s minimal road noise.
All of this does come at a cost: £129,470 to be precise. That’s about £10,000 more than a top-spec BMW iX and that can do 382 miles between charges.
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Mercedes EQE - 388 miles
It might be the shorter-range sibling of the car maker’s flagship EQS saloon, but with a range of up to 388 miles, the EQE is a highly recommendable EV.
The executive electric saloon can charge from 10-80% in around 32 minutes thanks to its rapid charging capabilities - peak charging rate is lesser than that of the EQS at 170kW.
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And while it doesn’t carry the flagship status of the EQS, the EQE still gets the same tech features, with the radical Hyperscreen available as an option.
Prices for the Mercedes EQE start from £68,810.
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BMW i7 - 387 miles
The German car brand’s flagship electric luxury saloon only launched last year and made an immediate name for itself thanks to a notable range figure of 387 miles.
And such an impressive range isn’t the only attribute worthy of praise, as the new i7 features a suite of innovative tech systems, including a 31.3 inch cinema screen for rear passengers.
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Charging is made less of a chore thanks to its 195kW maximum charging capabilities, meaning a 10-80% charge should take just over 30 minutes.
Such a luxury EV comes at a premium however, with the i7 starting from £100,205.
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BMW iX - 383 miles
BMW’s boldly styled iX is the German brand's latest EV and delivers an admirable 383 miles of range between charges. Step inside the iX and you are greeted with classy-looking recycled plastics, sustainably sourced wood, swish upholstered seats and more tech onboard than your local branch of Currys.
There are more positives too when it comes to charging the iX. Using a DC CCS rapid charger you can replenish the 105.2kWh battery in around half an hour. But if you’re looking to charge the iX overnight then be warned - it would take 16 hours to recharge the EV using a domestic 7kWh charger.
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The range king of the iX line-up is the xDrive 50, which is available in M Sport trim only.
It's not cheap however, with the 108kWh xDrive 50 costing from £102,755. While the long range will impress everyone, the kidney grille may prove more divisive.
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Polestar 3 - 379 miles
The Volvo spin-off brand revealed its performance-oriented SUV late last year, with the 3 set to offer a range of up to 379 miles.
The BMW iX rival is priced from £79,900 price tag and majors on sustainability, with Polestar aiming to build the sporty SUV in a ‘responsible’ manner.
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The 3 can be charged at 250kW, allowing for a 10-80% charge in just 30 minutes. Polestar’s second battery electric vehicle also boasts an array of technological features, including LiDAR driver assistance systems.
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Renault Scenic - 379 miles
The Scenic returned late last year as a midsize crossover, ditching the MPV styling of previous generations for a more SUV-like design. The new Scenic E-Tech is available with either a 60kWh battery or a larger 87kWh pack.
The latter offers up to 379 miles of range and real-world efficiency of 3.5mpkWh, which is good for a car of this size and weight.
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The 87kWh version can only be charged at speeds of up to 150kW, which means a 10-80% charge takes just under 40 minutes.
Prices for the bigger battery car start from £40,995, which makes it cheaper than a Tesla Model Y Long Range, and it will go further on a charge.
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Lotus Eletre - 373 miles
The Hethel-based brand’s first bespoke electric car offers a commendable 373 miles range from a large 112kWh battery and rear-wheel-drive motor.
Not only is the Eletre Lotus’s first electric car, it is also the car maker’s first SUV, with the new model featuring an innovative aerodynamically focused exterior design.
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The 450kW SUV is priced from £89,500, becoming the first car to launch after Chinese car giant Geely took over the British marque.
Lotus says the Eletre can be charged at up to 350kW, allowing for a 10-80% charge in around 20 minutes.