Electric cars are becoming an increasingly popular option for drivers who’re conscious about the impact they’re having on the environment. And while critics of the past might have cited a lack of range in their batteries, things are quite different in 2021.
Cars are now built with distance in mind – without compromising on their overall performance and environmental impact. But just how far can some of the best electric cars travel on a single charge?
To find the answer to that question, check out our comparison tool. We’ve taken data from some of the best electric cars on the market to find out which can take you furthest on just one battery recharge.
For those of you who want to learn a little more about electric cars in general, read on to get a better understanding of just how this exciting new way to travel is slowly becoming the norm for British roads. The future is well and truly here.
Chapter 1.
What you need to know about electric cars
It may be that you’re interested in trying out an electric car yourself, but just haven’t found the courage to take that leap of faith. If that’s you – or even if you’re just interested to find out more about this unique breed of vehicle – here are some of the most important things you should know.
Electric car statistics - How the world is adapting
While electric cars may have once seemed like an unrealistic and impractical way to travel, the technological advancements made throughout the 21st Century have meant that the prevalence of this type of vehicle on the road has soared.
The drivers of the world have seen the merits of electric alternatives, with more people seeming to place a focus on sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives.
The numbers strongly support that, with exponential growth demonstrated on a consistent basis on electric vehicle sales since 2013. Figures from Virta show that, with the exception of 2019, the global electric market saw a rise of at least 43% in growth every year until 2020.
The full numbers showed:
The drop in growth to just 9% in 2019 may have initially implied a declining interest in electric vehicles. In reality, it was the combination of the industry’s hugely successful 2018 and the first throws of the COVID-19 pandemic in China, which triggered this sudden slide. As we enter 2021 and beyond, the numbers appear to be back on track.
The total number of electric cars on the road sailed to as high as 10 million, which was itself a 41% rise on the figure at the end of the previous year (and up significantly from just 1.2 million at the end of 2015).
Across the globe, powerhouses like China, the US and most of Europe have all begun to adopt this new and more sustainable form of transport. IEA highlighted in their 2021 Global EV Outlook how each of these regions has readily adopted electric, with the numbers showing:
USA
295,000
China
1.2m
Europe
1.4m
(new vehicles registered)
Within Europe, Germany and the United Kingdom are amongst the leading names in terms of the pure number of vehicles being registered. The Germans saw an increase of 395,000, while UK numbers increased by 176,000.
But it is in Scandinavia where the concept of electric transport has been most readily adopted. The three leading countries for the percentage of new car sales being electric across the globe were:
Norway
75%
Iceland
50%
Sweden
30%
(of new cars are electric)
Perhaps most encouragingly of all for the market is the news that both plug-in and pure electric battery options have seen significant and continued growth. Numbers of registrations for both across the past five years show:
Scroll to view »
Right now, everything is pointing towards an electric takeover at some point in the next decade.
The future of electric cars and the road
With the 2030 ban on selling petrol and diesel cars set to come into effect in the not-too-distant future, electric cars currently stand as the most viable alternative. But just how is this shift to a more sustainable form of transport going to translate on British roads?
Some of the most impactful changes we could see include:
Widescale electric vehicle (EV) adoption
One of the most common features of a largely electric future will be a steady and continued rise in the number of battery and plug-in powered cars we see on roads. In truth, as our figures have shown, this is something that is happening as we speak.
Charging points
The need to regularly stop and charge a car might seem like a hassle, but, with a higher percentage of EVs on the road, accommodations will be made to ensure there is an ample supply of charging points. Once again, this is something which has seen a rapid rise in recent years. Between just 2016 and June of 2021, numbers have increased from roughly 6,000 to just under 25,000 in the UK.
Synergy with other technology
This continued popularity and growth is sure to open up new avenues of opportunity for tech industries. Driverless cars are perhaps the most intriguing prospect – with this technology relying heavily on the need for electrical automation.
Smart motorways
While this is still something of a pipe dream right now, provisions have been put in place to start thinking about a self-charging smart motorway. This would eliminate the need to constantly stop and recharge a car, with vehicles being constantly topped up as they travel.
Sustainability rates of electric cars
Even the most staunch supporter of traditional internal combustion engines (ICE) can’t deny the environmental advantages an electric car offers. In fact, the numbers show that just one electric car can save as much as 1.5 metric tonnes of CO2 across a year when compared to a combustion engine. To put that in perspective, that’s as many as four return flights from London to Barcelona.
But what other environmental benefits does driving an electric car offer?
Recycled products
Some (although not all) electric cars have parts and fittings which are made from exclusively recycled materials. This is more commonly the case with their internal features (like seats, trims and dashboards).
Health benefits
With fewer exhaust emissions to the surrounding air that you breath and contribute to climate change, you and those around you are bound to naturally benefit from a cleaner, healthier environment.
Efficiency
An electric car can use as much as 90% of energy generated to become motion energy. By comparison, a combustion engine will average roughly 20-30%. This efficiency means less goes to waste.
Heightened vehicle safety
While it’s often overlooked, the nature of an electric car’s construction means it is inherently safer. They benefit from a number of design features which makes the car less of a risk. Those include:
A lower centre of gravity (reducing the chances of rolling over)
A much lower risk of fires and explosions
A tougher body structure, to make them more durable in a collision
To find out how far you can go on a single charge, please rotate your device.
Back to article
How far can you go on a single charge?
Please select your car:
Tesla Model 3
Range
258 miles
Price
£42,500 (RRP)
Power
241-449 BHP
Choose colour:
Nissan Leaf
Range
239 miles
Price
£29,790 (RRP)
Power
147-213 BHP
Choose colour:
Vauxhall Corsa-e
Range
209 miles
Price
£28,885 (RRP)
Power
134 BHP
Choose colour:
Hyundai Kona
Range
278 miles
Price
£27,950 (RRP)
Power
113-276 BHP
Choose colour:
Battery Life
100%
How far can you go on a single charge?
Start scrolling to begin your journey and discover key facts along the way.
Press the right pedal to begin your journey and discover key facts along the way.
Back to car selection Back to articleTesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3
Nissan Leaf
Nissan Leaf
Nissan Leaf
Nissan Leaf
Vauxhall Corsa-e
Vauxhall Corsa-e
Vauxhall Corsa-e
Vauxhall Corsa-e
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Kona
0miles
50miles
Fact one
The performance you get with the Model 3 is nothing short of extraordinary. The entry-level Standard Plus has one electric motor - and rear-wheel drive - and can cover the 0-62mph sprint in a sports car-rivalling 5.3 seconds.
The Lear regenerates electricity and puts it back into the battery when you lift off the accelerator, and you can also control the level of regeneration. At the highest level, this acts like a brake - Nissan calls it the e-Pedal - and means that 90% of the time you can drive the Leaf using one pedal.
Switch to Sport mode and the Corsa-e sprints from 0-31mph in 2.8 seconds. Charging is hassle-free. Rock up to a rapid-charge station and you can charge the battery from 0-80% in 30 minutes.
The Kona comes with a decent amount of standard safety equipment, including plenty of airbags, lane-keep assist, hill-hold and hill-decent control, and driver fatigue monitoring.
100miles
Fact two
The Model 3 has the Autopilot semi-autonomous driving function that Tesla is famous for. This includes the ability to steer, accelerate and brake the car automatically to help avoid a collision, while there are also collision warning and blind spot monitoring functions.
Nissan as a brand has a decent and improving reputation for reliability, sitting in fourth place in JD Power's 2019 Vehicle Dependability Study, which ranks manufacturers based on performance.
There are lots of luxurious touches to enjoy, including optional three-setting heated seats and heated steering wheel.
All but the most basic version of the Kona comes with some manner of infotainment touch-screen in the mmiddle of the dashboard for audio, navigation (where fitted) and controlling your phone via Bluetooth.
150miles
Fact three
Thanks in part to its low-slung electric powertrain, the Model 3 is very well packaged. Legroom in particular is very impressive, with more than you get in conventionally powered rivals.
Several cutting-edge safety technologies are included on all cars, including automatic emergency braking, which will intervene if you don't react to an impending accident.
Active Lane Keep Assist offered on the Corsa-e for the first time uses cameras and radar technology to stop you drifting out of your lane.
The Kona is competitively priced against its rivals, whice are plentiful and include the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Seat Arona and plenty more.
200miles
No need for range anxiety
Charging your car is much simpler than it used to be. There are now a plethora of charging points all across the UK. In fact, Zap-Map report that there are:
42,787CONNECTORS
24,908DEVICES
15,797LOCATIONS
665LAST 30 DAYS
258miles
278miles
209miles
239miles
Time to recharge
Back to car selection Back to articleChapter 2.
How far can you go on a single charge?
It used to be that electric vehicles were criticised because of their battery life. In the 2020s, things are very different – with some cars even able to go as far on one charge as an average-sized fuel tank.
But just how far can they go? Use our interactive tool to work out how far each of the electric cars we’ve focused on can travel after just one full charge.
| Car | Range | Price | Power | Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tesla Model 3 | 258 miles | £42,500 (RRP) | 241-449 BHP | The performance you get with the Model 3 is nothing short of extraordinary. The entry-level Standard Plus has one electric motor - and rear-wheel drive - and can cover the 0-62mph sprint in a sports car-rivalling 5.3 seconds. The Model 3 has the Autopilot semi-autonomous driving function that Tesla is famous for. This includes the ability to steer, accelerate and brake the car automatically to help avoid a collision, while there are also collision warning and blind spot monitoring functions. Thanks in part to its low-slung electric powertrain, the Model 3 is very well packaged. Legroom in particular is very impressive, with more than you get in conventionally powered rivals. |
Nissan Leaf | 239 miles | £29,790 (RRP) | 147-213 BHP | The Lear regenerates electricity and puts it back into the battery when you lift off the accelerator, and you can also control the level of regeneration. At the highest level, this acts like a brake - Nissan calls it the e-Pedal - and means that 90% of the time you can drive the Leaf using one pedal. Nissan as a brand has a decent and improving reputation for reliability, sitting in fourth place in JD Power's 2019 Vehicle Dependability Study, which ranks manufacturers based on performance. Several cutting-edge safety technologies are included on all cars, including automatic emergency braking, which will intervene if you don't react to an impending accident. |
Vauxhall Corsa-e | 209 miles | £28,885 (RRP) | 134 BHP | Switch to Sport mode and the Corsa-e sprints from 0-31mph in 2.8 seconds. Charging is hassle-free. Rock up to a rapid-charge station and you can charge the battery from 0-80% in 30 minutes. There are lots of luxurious touches to enjoy, including optional three-setting heated seats and heated steering wheel. Active Lane Keep Assist offered on the Corsa-e for the first time uses cameras and radar technology to stop you drifting out of your lane. |
Hyundai Kona | 278 miles | £27,950 (RRP) | 113-276 BHP | The Kona comes with a decent amount of standard safety equipment, including plenty of airbags, lane-keep assist, hill-hold and hill-decent control, and driver fatigue monitoring. All but the most basic version of the Kona comes with some manner of infotainment touch-screen in the mmiddle of the dashboard for audio, navigation (where fitted) and controlling your phone via Bluetooth. The Kona is competitively priced against its rivals, whice are plentiful and include the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Seat Arona and plenty more. |
No need for range anxiety
Charging your car is much simpler than it used to be. There are now a plethora of charging points all across the UK. In fact, Zap-Map report that there are:
42,787
CONNECTORS
24,908
DEVICES
15,797
LOCATIONS
665
LAST 30 DAYS
The future of electric cars and the road
As you can see, you’ll get quite far on just the one charge these days. But there are ways to ensure you really get the maximum out of your car. Try these handy tips:
Clear out the clutter
The more your car weighs, the more power it uses up when travelling. It shouldn’t be too difficult to empty your boot, or even think about removing things like the roof rack (assuming it isn’t being regularly used).
Slow your speed
The quicker you go, the more power a battery tends to burn through. While we wouldn’t advise driving too slowly, even a few mph below what you’re accustomed to could make a world of difference over a long journey.
Keep the car cool
Just like with any smart device, the battery in your car will perform better if it isn’t overheating. Open the windows, and try to allow as much heat to escape as possible. Also remember that any features you’re using, such as (ironically) air conditioning, will also drain your power.
Make sure to keep all of these in mind if you want to go as far as possible on just one charge.
Chapter 3.
Planning for a long distance journey
Now that you better appreciate the range of your electric car, it’s time to put that battery to use. Heading away on a road trip is always rewarding – and an increasingly popular option in the age of COVID-19. Let’s explore everything you need to keep in mind when hitting the open road.
Charging your electric car
While this is a lot easier to manage than in the past, some consideration still needs to be made when planning out the battery management of your car. Follow this handy advice to ensure you aren’t caught out when you travel:
Work out range
You’ll need to work out exactly what its maximum range of travel is. This gives you a good idea of exactly how far you can expect to go on a single charge. This first step is crucial in calculating your entire journey, so don’t skip it.
Locate charging points
Once you know exactly what your range is, you can start mapping out when and where you’re going to need to recharge your vehicle. Handy tools like Zap Map make this a lot easier than it used to be. Take a note of where these are along your journey.
Don’t risk it
Just because your car has the potential to travel 200 miles without needing a recharge, doesn’t mean you should wait until then to find a point. Always give yourself a 20-30 mile window to charge, before your battery starts reaching critical level.
Leave on a full battery
Start things off on the right foot by leaving home with a fully charged battery. This will prevent you from having to stop at an early stage of your journey, allowing you to get fully into the swing of your trip before your range starts to become an issue.
Packing essential items
No matter where you’re going, there are a handful of essential items which make any road trip much easier. Whether it’s to keep you on course, or just to provide some home comforts, these are amongst the most important to keep in mind for your trip:
A first aid kit
Fingers crossed you won’t need it, but having a medical kit is always a smart idea when on the road. A cut, allergic reaction or any other kind of mishap could be quickly solved by dipping into your supplies.
Portable charger packs
These have become a must-have for any long trip away since smart devices became more prevalent. They provide that peace of mind needed when you’re away from the car and suddenly find your phone dying.
A map
It sounds a little outlandish in the age of technology to bother taking a physical map with you – but you never know what the journey might hold in store. Poor GPS signal or a faulty charger might mean a map is your last hope for getting somewhere on time.
Hand sanitiser
While these have always been a useful thing to carry, the necessity for sterilising hand gels has been highlighted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you find yourself touching anything dirty (or even just sneezing into your hands), these are a great way to kill any unwanted bacteria you might have picked up.
Staying awake and alert
Safety on the road is paramount, whether you’re driving for five minutes or five hours. The key to lowering your chances of causing an accident is to make sure you’re as alert as possible every time you get behind the wheel. Here are some of the most important and effective ways of doing just that:
A good night’s sleep
Nothing beats getting a full night of rest when it comes to feeling awake and alert. Having the chance to refresh and recharge is why we sleep in the first place – so make sure to always get enough by going to bed at a reasonable time the night before a long journey.
Shifts
If you’re lucky enough to be on the journey with another driver, make sure to take it in turns behind the wheel. This will give you both the much-needed time to relax and not have to worry about concentrating on the task at hand.
Take breaks
Whether you’re sharing shifts or not, it’s also wise to take regular breaks. The Highway Code recommends stopping for at least 15 minutes every two hours as a guideline. Your body will know when it’s time to take a little break.
Top tips for a long trip with a young family
Keeping little ones entertained can be a challenge at the best of times, let alone on long car trips. Thankfully, you’re not the first to experience this hurdle. Here are some of the most tried-and-tested methods to keep the kids satisfied while you drive:
Travel games
While you won’t want to bring anything too elaborate, some simple games could help keep the kids distracted, and make the time pass quicker. Whether it’s a classic game of I spy, or licence plate bingo, there are loads of low-maintenance options which will keep everyone occupied.
Snacks
An empty stomach is a recipe for disaster on a long trip – no matter how old you are. Take healthy snacks with you (such as fruit or vegetables) to hand out when tummies start to rumble. You’d be surprised how quickly this can settle the little ones down.
Books and toys
Both of these are fantastic options to distract passengers with. Depending on their age (or even just their mood) both books and smaller toys are a really effective way to keep attention glued to things other than how long the trip might be taking.
Think about space
This is one to keep in mind before you head off. Depending on how many people are going to be in the car, make sure there’s ample room for everyone to relax and spread out if they need to. Being caught up in cramped conditions for an extended period of time won’t help anybody’s mood.
Chapter 4.
Useful links
We’ve covered a lot in this guide, but there might still be more you want to know about the power and range of an electric car. Check out these handy links to find out more about the range, reliability and resilience of electric.
-
Edie discuss the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars, which is set to come into effect from 2030
![arrow]()
-
If you’re new to driving an electric car, be sure to read up on the safest way to do so – courtesy of Electrical Safety First
![arrow]()
-
The Government offers a number of grants for people who own an electric car. Find out if you can take advantage of any of them
![arrow]()
