How Far Will an Electric Car Travel?

A new era of motoring has dawned. The vehicles of tomorrow are already here, silently cruising our streets without so much as a whiff of exhaust. But how far can an electric car go? Will it get you where you need to go on a single charge, can you really get the kind of distance promised by the makers, and what can you do to make it go further? Read our handy guide to electric car mileage, check out the electric car range comparison between five of the most popular models and find out which is the longest range electric car on UK roads.

How far will an electric car travel?

Tesla Model S

Tesla is probably the first name to spring to mind when you mention electric cars, and its Model S is a flagship for the whole concept. It comes in two versions with the Performance going from 0 to 60 in a ludicrous 2.3 seconds. The slightly cheaper Long Range version has almost-as-stunning performance and a luxurious interior. It also has the distinction of being the longest range electric car currently on sale, managing 379 miles on a single charge, according to WLPT tests. Tesla also claims the second and third-longest ranges in the electric car scene, with the Model 3 (348 miles) and Model X (314 miles) respectively.

BMW i34

BMW i3

The BMW i3 blazed a trail for desirable electric cars and its design, handling and powertrain still make it a Beemer worthy of the name (albeit a quiet one). Its 193-mile range is just starting to trail some of the competition though. If you need more and you’re not a purist about the whole EV thing, you can get a range extender – a petrol unit that acts as a generator.

Kia e-Niro

Kia e-Niro

The 282-mile range of the Kia e-Niro is just 10 miles less than that of the breathtaking Jaguar I-PACE, but it costs a bit over half the price when new. It’s tricked out with all kinds of modern features and delivers hot-hatch performance too. For drivers looking to travel a long distance between charges, there’s plenty of value to be found here.

White Nissan Leaf Exterior

Nissan Leaf

Nissan spearheaded the electric car revolution with the Leaf, which has been around for more than a decade now. It relies on its practicality, value and smart styling to hold its own against the clutch of challengers that have stepped up in recent years. The standard version will get you up to 168 miles between charges, while the e+ will get you up to 239.

Blue RENAULT ZOE

Renault Zoe

If you’re looking for a small electric hatchback that’s nippy around town, the Renault Zoe has much to offer. It’s competitively priced, with low running costs, a decent suite of features and a subtle sense of style. A reboot in 2020 increased the range to 245 miles, a game-changing distance for a car of this size.

How far will an electric car travel?

How realistic are these ranges?

The WLTP figures given here were generated using the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure that was introduced in 2017. It’s based on real-driving data and aims to better match on-road performance than the old, theory-based NEDC test. The consensus is that these figures are more realistic than they used to be (and certainly more realistic than the claimed figures of some manufacturers – Tesla claims 412 miles for the Model S, for example). However, laboratory tests can never truly replicate real-world driving, and whether you can get close to these figures depends to a large extent on where and how you drive the car.

How can I maximise the range of an electric car?

How can I maximise the range of an electric car?

There are a few tricks you can employ to eke out the miles between charges. Resist the temptation to burn away from the lights (easier said than done in the Teslas). Drive slowly – once you get above about 10 mph you’ll use more energy the faster you go. Keep your foot off the brake pedal as much as possible, and use regenerative braking to decelerate, so as to minimise energy consumption. Plan your route to avoid climbing hills. Lastly, roll down the window when it’s hot – not running the air con will save energy that can be converted to extra miles. View the pros and cons of electric power in our expert advice covering all you need to know about electric cars.

These days there are EVs out there for all kinds of buyers, and ranges are increasing all the time. Take a look at our guide to buying an electric car then browse Gumtree’s listings of electric cars for sale to find the one that meets your needs.


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