The longest-range EVs on sale in 2023

► Longest-range electric cars ranked
► Includes cars from Tesla, Mercedes and BMW
► All of these EVs can travel at least 300 miles

Range. It’s become the most important consideration when buying an EV – and the longest range electric cars 2023 are finally delivering realistic distances on one charge.

The ability to cover long distances without stopping to plug in is crucial to making EVs viable, especially when trying to pull people away from the convenience of combustion power and two-minute fuel stops. The UK’s charging infrastructure has a lot of catching up to do, too.

Whether or not drivers really need a car that can travel more than 300 miles on a full battery is a different matter entirely. There are plenty of electric car owners that only need their cars for pottering around their home town – so they can get away with a cheap-and-cheerful short-range EV that can be easily charged up at home, such as the Honda E.

At present, if you need to travel any sort of great distance in any sort of comfort, you’ll need to get behind the wheel of a big diesel saloon or SUV – but the times are changing. When 2035 rolls around, and combustion-engined cars are outlawed in the UK entirely, new car buyers will need to rely on electric cars to cover long distances.

Fortunately, the best EVs on the market offer enough range to satisfy that demand already – and manufacturers are promising even more from their next-generation electric cars. Mercedes, for example, has already revealed the Vision EQXX concept car which drove more than 1000km (621 miles) on a single charge in April 2022, making it one of the longest-range electric cars on the road. Granted, it’s still a technical showcase rather than a proper production car, but it shows that electric vehicle drivers can be free of range anxiety.

Read on for our run-down of the longest-range electric cars on sale today. We haven’t included any cars that are still yet to be revealed, although there are a few upcoming vehicles that will muscle their way onto this list in the very near future, such as the upcoming pure-electric replacement for the BMW 7 Series.

10. Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor

• 335-mile range (WLTP)
• From £44,990

Polestar 2 Lease Deals VIEW OFFER



If the BMW iX occupies the most extreme end of the EV styling spectrum, then the Polestar 2 is the polar opposite. Volvo’s spin-off brand’s first full EV is a sophisticated looking car from every angle – and its interior feels modern and fresh. The company might now be under Chinese ownership, but the car’s character is still defiantly Swedish.

The most basic version of the Polestar 2 is priced from £40,900. It comes with a 64kWh battery that offers a maximum range of 275 miles. However, the 78kWh Long Range model is only another £3,000 – and we’d say that’s worth the money for the convenience alone, as it boosts the car’s range to 335 miles.

Single-motor versions produce 221bhp and can sprint from 0–62mph in 7.4secs. The dual-motor variant costs an extra £6,000 over the base-model – but it produces 402bhp, which slashes the EV’s 0–62mph time to 4.7 seconds. Because of the power-hungry drivetrain, it’s only available with the larger battery pack.

12. Kia EV6

• 328-mile range (WLTP)
• From £44,195

Using the same dedicated platform as popular Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia’s EV6 is a full-sized SUV. It’s distinctively stylish, though it is probably bigger than the photos suggest. Nonetheless, the car doesn’t feel as heavy as it is. The EV6 performance is brisk and easy, once you’re familiar with the EV6’s proportions.

There’s only one battery size with the Kia EV6, 77.4kWh, which delivers a range of up to 328 miles. This is only reduced with the all-wheel drive (AWD) variant, which takes around 20 miles off that figure. Rear-wheel drive gives a 6.2-second 0-62mph figure. AWD takes a second off that figure. Whichever you opt for, the EV6 won’t keep you hanging about.

High-end gadgetry smothers the cabin (in a good way), though may prove offputting to some but physical dials have multiple functions and mean the cabin isn’t an entire digitisation exercise. Comfortable and roomy, this hugely capable marque is worthy of shortlist consideration for long-range EV buyers.

11. Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor

• 335-mile range (WLTP)
• From £44,990

Polestar 2 Lease Deals VIEW OFFER

If the BMW iX occupies the most extreme end of the EV styling spectrum, then the Polestar 2 is the polar opposite. Volvo’s spin-off brand’s first full EV is a sophisticated looking car from every angle – and its interior feels modern and fresh. The company might now be under Chinese ownership, but the car’s character is still defiantly Swedish.

The most basic version of the Polestar 2 is priced from £40,900. It comes with a 64kWh battery that offers a maximum range of 275 miles. However, the 78kWh Long Range model is only another £3,000 – and we’d say that’s worth the money for the convenience alone, as it boosts the car’s range to 335 miles.

Single-motor versions produce 221bhp and can sprint from 0–62mph in 7.4secs. The dual-motor variant costs an extra £6,000 over the base-model – but it produces 402bhp, which slashes the EV’s 0–62mph time to 4.7 seconds. Because of the power-hungry drivetrain, it’s only available with the larger battery pack.

10. Volkswagen ID.3 Tour

• 340-mile range (WLTP)
• From £36,195

Volkswagen sells many versions of the ID.3 – but the Tour is the one to go for if you value a long range above all else. Its 77kWh battery pack can store enough juice for a range of 340 miles, which puts it well ahead of its competitors and only slightly behind Tesla. It’ll also get from 0–62mph in 7.9 seconds, which isn’t bad for a family hatchback.

Before Volkswagen got slapped upside the head by parts shortages, the ID.3 had one of the broadest model line-ups of any electric car on sale. The entry-level Life model was available with 45kWh battery that has a maximum range of 217 miles, and there was an optional 58kWh unit available to boost range to 263 miles.

The same larger battery delivered 260 miles in the middling ID.3 Family model and 258 miles in the range-topping ID.3 Max. Once Volkswagen (like almost every other manufacturer at the minute) has sorted out its supply chain, we expect these models will return to the ID.3’s line-up. For now, it’s the 58kWh Life model or nothing.

9. Tesla Model X

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Tesla isn’t just cornering the sporty electric car market – the brand recently gave the Model X a major update to allow its seven-seat SUV to compete with the Mercedes EQB. The range figures are still estimates for the time being (and we haven’t had word yet on UK pricing), but the company has a habit of defying the odds and delivering its promises.

For the time being, the cheaper Dual Motor variant has an estimated range of 348 miles, a 0–60mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. Tesla says the flagship Model X Plaid can travel 333 miles between charging stops, sprint from 0–60mph in 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 163mph. The SUV’s range figures will likely change once the Model X passes through WLTP homologation, though.

8. Tesla Model 3 Long Range

• 360-mile range (WLTP)
• From £48,490

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The Tesla Model 3 is somewhat of a sensation. It was the second best-selling car of 2021, lagging only behind the Vauxhall Corsa – and, having sampled the whole range, we’ve been forced to give in to the hype and agree with the masses. It really is that good.

The most basic version will set you back £48,490, and it has a maximum range of 278 miles, a 0–60mph time of 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 140mph. Unsurprisingly, the middling Long Range version is the one to go for if you need to travel long distances – it’s priced from £57,490 and can travel 360 miles between charging stops.

The Model 3 Performance starts from £61,490. It has a range of 352 miles, a top speed of 162mph and a 0–60mph time of 3.1 seconds – or 0.1 seconds quicker than a McLaren F1. Just bear in mind, if you’re also using this article as a price guide, Tesla’s prices change like the weather. For all we know, the Model 3 could cost £100,000 tomorrow.

7. BMW i4

• 365-mile range (WLTP)
• From £53,480

The BMW i4 is a pure-electric four-door gran coupe with a similar footprint to the 3 Series. Two versions were released when it was launched in the summer of 2021 – an entry-level eDrive40 model and the performance-focused M50.

The former has the longest range of the two. Its 81kWh battery pack can power the car for 365 miles, while its single electric motor mounted on the rear axle produces 335bhp. That’s enough for a 0–62mph time of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 118mph.

These performance figures look great on paper – but that’s before you learn about the M50. It adds a second motor on the front axle which boosts power to a mighty 537bhp and cuts the saloons 0–62mph time down to a supercar-rivalling 3.9 seconds. Now for the bad parts. Prices start from £65,795 and the extra strain on the battery slashes the i4’s maximum range down to as little as 258 miles. It’s also not as agile as an M3 or M4 due to the extra weight.

6. Hyundai Ioniq 6

• 379-mile range (WLTP)
• From £45,000

The second born of Hyundai’s Ioniq EV family brood, the Ioniq 6 takes on a sleeker shape, the Korean car maker say is reminiscent of 1930s streamliners. There’s method in moulding this design style; the lower drag co-efficient helps deliver almost 400 miles of range.

With the 800V charging architecture, as seen in the Kia EV6 and Porsche Taycan, enabling 350W power delivery, an 10-80 per cent charge is achieved in 18 minutes. On a 50kW charger, the entire battery could be replenished in as little as 90 minutes. Speaking of battery sizes, the entry-level models get a 53kWh bad boy, with rear-wheel drive. Long Range versions carry a 77.4kWh effort, and can be scoped with all-wheel drive.

Spacious and a pleasure to drive, the relaxing vibe to the Ioniq 6 and its lower price point of £45,000 (when compared with others on this list) could prove the popularity of Hyundai’s 2023 offering.

5. Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range

• 379-mile range (WLTP)
• From £50,030

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Ignore the contentious badge. We know it’s not a proper Mustang too. Just focus on Ford’s effort in the EV space – the company has managed to screw as much range from its electric SUV as BMW did from the iX (below) for around half the price. Granted, the Mach-E is much slower than the iX, but the point still stands.

Prices for the Mustang Mach-E start from around £50,000 in the UK – but for that, you get a 70kWh battery pack and a single electric motor which offer a maximum range of 273 miles. The larger 91kWh paired with the same powertrain bumps the price up to £56,080, which we think is a small price to pay for an extra 100 miles of range.

Ford also offers an all-wheel-drive version of the Mach-E, priced from £65,080. However, the extra motor trims range down to 246 miles for the smaller battery or 335 miles for the larger unit. The flagship Mach-E GT starts from £72,830 and has a range of 310 miles.

4. BMW iX xDrive 50 Sport

• 380-mile range (WLTP)
• From £107,305

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BMW’s design language has been somewhat of a controversial topic of late – and nowhere is that more evident than on the new iX SUV. The combination of slim headlights and stout grille makes it look part ninja, part beaver – and it’s hard to imagine that the same company conceived the i8 just a few years previously. But we digress.

The iX will be BMW’s most expensive electric vehicle until the i7 saloon hit UK roads in December 2022. For the money, you get a leather lined interior, bags of clever technology and a very potent powertrain. The flagship xDrive50 model’s two electric motors have a combined output of 516bhp, which is enough for a 0–62mph time of 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 124mph.

Its 106.3kWh battery pack is also one of the largest ever installed in an EV – and it can store enough power for a maximum range of 380 miles. When you need to stop, 195kW charging ability means you can add 93 miles of range in 10 minutes at a suitable fast rapid charger.

3. Mercedes EQE

• 385-mile range
• From £73,450

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The Mercedes EQE is a deeply impressive car. It has a comfortable interior, loads of technology and the third-best maximum range of any new electric car you can buy in the UK today. In essence, it’s a pure-electric version of the traditional E-Class saloon (and a slightly shrunken version of the company’s flagship EQS saloon).

It isn’t the most exciting car in the world to the drive – if you’re looking for something sporty, consider the BMW i4 instead. But it’s easy to cover miles in and, when you do need to stop, charge times are pretty rapid. Mercedes says it’ll take on 155 miles of range in just 15 minutes when connected to a 170kW DC charger.

The standard EQE 300 only has 242bhp, which means it isn’t particularly fast. However, Mercedes also offers an AMG 53-badged model with a whopping 616bhp and a 0–62mph time of 3.5 seconds. The downside? Prices for the faster model start from £113,855. Ouch.

2. Tesla Model S

• 405-mile range
• From £95,980

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For almost a decade, the Tesla Model S has been the undisputed EV range king – and even though the car is about to celebrate its tenth birthday, it’s still taking a place on the podium. There is a caveat though, as Tesla’s UK website quotes US specs of an updated version of the EV that won’t arrive here until the end of 2022 at the earliest.

The good news is that WLTP range estimates tend to be even longer than those produced by the stricter EPA test cycle, so that 405-mile figure could end up being even higher once the revised Tesla Model S becomes available to UK buyers.

Tesla also offers the performance-focused Model S Plaid, which has an EPA range of 396 miles – but, again, that figure could change once it passes through WLTP homologation. There were also plans for an ever longer-range Model S Plaid+, which Tesla said would have been able to cover more than 520 miles – but it has since been removed from the company’s website, with boss Elon Musk saying the regular Model S Plaid is good enough.

1. Mercedes EQS 450+

• 453-mile range (WLTP)
• From £102,160

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The Mercedes EQS is the electric equivalent of the S-Class and, as a luxury limousine, its target audience wouldn’t be best impressed if they had to spend half their day parked up at a seedy service station waiting for the battery to recharge. Luckily, the EQS has a very long wheelbase, and Mercedes has filled that space with a whopping 107.8kWh battery.

That’s the largest car battery on sale today – and it provides a maximum range of more than 450 miles. But that’s only if you treat the throttle with care. Do the opposite and you’ll coax some surprising performance from the EQS’s electric powertrain. 0–62mph takes 6.2 seconds, which is plenty enough poke to sweep past the dawdling riff-raff on the motorway.

The EQS is very good to drive and its interior is exquisite, but the almost six-figure starting price (top-of-the-range Exclusive Luxury models cost £113,995) means this isn’t a car for the masses. Keep an eye out for the EQE saloon later this year – that won’t need quite the same financial power to acquire and it’s set to achieve 410 miles of range.

How can I eke out the most range from my EV?

A research study from Kia UK and Motiv8, an independent automotive training organisation, in December 2022 published results showing that, whatever model you drive, the way you drive can impact the range of your electric car significantly.

Since the cost of public charging, particularly when using rapid chargers, is also getting more expensive.

David Taylor, director at Motiv8 International said, ‘The results speak for themselves; by changing simple inputs, drivers can easily optimise their vehicle’s efficiency and go further on a charge, save on recharging costs and reducing their energy use.’

‘Easy techniques that anyone can apply to save money, as well as reduce demand on the national grid. With the average driver travelling 311 miles to visit friends and family, now is the perfect time to follow Kia’s tips and start saving…With the average home charge costing around 3p/kWh and public rapid charging at around 7p/kWh, it is easy to see where savings can be made. If you take the average improvement in the Kia study and extrapolate that over the UK average of 9,435 electric miles a year, an EV driver could save between £220 and £500 per annum.’

EV drivers might be interested to learn that even without previous experience, adapting their driving style can improve range by as much as a third. The study suggested the following techniques, (which wouldn’t hurt fuel drivers either):

1. Go easy with the gas – The torquey response of an EV puts a smile on your face, but it comes at the price of range.
2. Lighten the load – Unused roof boxes steal range. Unload any unnecessary clutter.
3. Maintain momentum – Careful route planning to avoid jams will remove the start/stop nature congestion brings. Anticipating the road ahead also enables best regenerating braking opportunities.
4. Slow down – Cutting speed from 60 mph to 50 mph can improve efficiency by up to 15% and in bad weather, no other driver is judging you.

Further reading on electric cars