Electric cars with the best range 2026
If you need an electric car capable of going the distance here’s our pick of the models out there with the best possible range
Words by: Dan Trent
Additional words by: Eleanor Greaves
Last updated on 3 July 2026 | 0 min read
Once you live with an electric car you quickly realise concerns about range and how long you’ll be standing around waiting to charge soon look a lot less scary. Saying that, range remains a key factor when comparing which electric car to buy.
Even if you don’t always need those miles ‘in the tank’ it’s nice to have the reassurance that if you wanted to go the distance the car will too. Which is why range remains one of the first figures you’ll see manufacturers quote when promoting their electric cars, and why it remains an important comparison when choosing between them. But not the only one.
While it may be tempting to think bigger is better when it comes to electric car batteries this adds cost and weight, means longer charging times and could see you spending more on electricity, especially when using public chargers. So, have a good think about how much range you really need, rather than how much you think you might want!
Having said all that if range still is your primary consideration here are some of the cars to take your furthest between charges.
A quick disclaimer first – the figures you see here are the official ‘best case’ ones manufacturers publish off the back of independently verified testing, and may be much more optimistic than what your car will actually do out there in the real world. Click here to skip to our explainer at the bottom of the article for more on this!
Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+
There are various tricks you can use to make an electric car go further between charges. A big battery obviously helps, as does reducing the drain on it from running air-con and other comfort features through the use of heat pumps and other efficiency boosting kit. For the EQS saloon Mercedes takes a more dramatic approach, with a fixation on aerodynamic efficiency to make the EQS cut through the air with the minimum of effort. A recent round of updates to the battery and a slight refresh in the design means the single-motor EQS 450+ has a 542-mile official range underlining just how effective the saloon’s slippery shape is.
BMW i7
BMW has recently given the 7 Series the 'Neue Klasse' treatment with a refreshed look and new tech. While a plug-in hybrid is also available, the the i7 version is arguably the most impressive with its range of around 450 miles between charges for the all-wheel drive 50 xDrive version.
BMW iX3 50 xDrive
The BMW iX3 sets a whole new standard for premium electric SUVs. Not only is it brimming with tech, but with a claimed range of up to 500 miles between charges it aims to banish range anxiety for good. While it perhaps won't go quite that far in the real world, the iX3 put in a solid effort when Rory Reid and Alex Legouix put it through a range test where it managed a respectable 429 miles on a single charge. This impressive range, together with its comfort and family-friendly practicality, make the iX3 an excellent all-rounder which is why it claimed the YouTube Director award at our Drivers' Choice Awards 2026.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
Like the Mercedes EQS, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is designed to cut through the air as cleanly as possible to the benefit of range above all else. The happy by-product being it looks rather cool and distinctive as a result. And it must work, because even with a middling-sized 77kWh battery the Ioniq 6 has an official range of 338 miles. If range is your priority the single-motor, rear-wheel drive version is the one you want. In all cases the Ioniq 6 can be topped up quickly using powerful public charging point, so as well as going a long way between stops you won’t have to plug in for very long when you do.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD
Above-average range combined with the fantastic Supercharger network make long-distance driving with a Tesla about as painless as it’s possible to be in an electric car. An official maximum range of well over 400 miles for the Model 3 Long Range AWD is all very impressive on paper, while in practice you can get where you want to with a succession of shorter, quicker top-ups at Superchargers, as suggested by the car’s nav. All of which means high-mileage drivers in a hurry can depend on a Tesla to get them to where they need to be without any time wasted. It's no surprise that its been voted the Best Electric Car for Long Distances at our Drivers' Choice Awards 2026 while the Supercharger network took home the award for Best Public Charging Point 2026.
Volkswagen ID7 Pro S Match
The Volkswagen ID.7 comes with the choice of two body types: a swooping saloon-like hatchback or a more practical estate. Unlike many flashy SUVs the ID. 7 takes a more understated approach to design and its sleek shape helps it to maximise efficiency and all-electric range. The hatchback version has an official range of up to 434 miles on a single charge and provides enough space to transport the whole family in comfort while the Tourer estate version foregoes a tiny bit of range for the larger boot space. Autotrader's very own Editorial Director, Erin Baker enjoyed putting an ID.7 Tourer through its paces on long-term test. On one occasion her test car managed a 399-mile drive from Kent to Wales on without needing to top-up using the public charging network.
Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor
We admire Polestar for its clean, fuss-free approach to electrified driving. This comes across in everything, from the look of the car to the clear and logical way it shows the information about the different models so you can prioritise price, range or performance as required. The latter has increased across the board thanks to improved battery and motor tech, the single-motor rear-wheel drive version claims to do a fraction over 400 miles on a sigle charge which is more than 50 miles further than you’ll get out of a twin-motor Performance Pack car.
Volvo EX60
BMW threw down the gauntlet with the iX3, but Volvo rose to the challenge by bringing us the EX60 which provides Scandi chic and a super smooth driving experience packaged up in a mid-size electric SUV. While the range-topping version has an official range of up to 503 miles it is unlikely to go quite that far if you use its 680 horsepower to the full. However, Volvo's latest battery technology will allow you to add up to 211 miles in just 10 minutes at DC fast chargers, so you shouldn't need to spend too much time recharging on the go. The EX60 is clever enough to understand your driving style and charging patterns to optimise for range and efficiency, plus being a Volvo its packed with all the latest safety features you'd hope to find. If you currently drive an XC60 and are looking to make the switch to an EV you'll be right at home in the EX60.
Mercedes CLA
The new CLA is the first vehicle to use Mercedes’ all-new electric car platform and high-tech ‘MB.OS’ software designed to improve the car as it ages. The electric range is what makes the CLA so remarkable, this EV can run for a claimed 483 miles on one charge out performing any Tesla, Polestar or BYD. It managed a commendable 434 miles on a single charge in the real-world when Rory and Alex tested it against the BMW iX3 proving the CLA has the potential to reduce running costs with some drivers being able to go weeks without charging, minimising any range anxiety you may have. For some extra piece of mind the Mercedes offer a three-year warranty as standard and battery cover for up to eight years or 100,000 miles.
Electric car range – how does it work?
How do I calculate my range?
Manufacturers use various ways to calculate efficiency, which is to say how far each kWh of energy in the battery will get you. For British drivers raised on ‘miles per gallon’ in combustion cars the easiest to get your head round is the equivalent miles per kWh. So, if your car has a 100kWh battery and has efficiency of three miles per kWh your range should, in theory, be 100kWh multiplied by three, or 300 miles. Some cars use the metric measurement of kWh per 100km, while Tesla and others use Wh/mile. Some, but not all, let you choose your units and way of measuring them in the car’s settings so find the one that works best for you, and get ready to dust off those mental arithmetic skills!
Claimed range versus real-world range
As above, if you know the size of the battery you can then calculate the best-case efficiency figure and compare that to what you get in the real world. It’s unlikely to match those listed by the manufacturer, because those figures are calculated in a laboratory test, not on the road. You also have to accept maximum range is, in some ways, a theoretical number because it’s based on how far the car would go on a full battery driven until the car comes to a stop with a fully discharged battery, which you obviously won’t be doing in real life. This can be frustrating, given the usable, real-world range can sometimes be as little as two thirds of that claimed. The one saving grace is that these official figures are at least measured to the same standard, so you have a sense of the relative performance of different vehicles in these controlled environments.
Which models are best for range?
Generally lower-slung, saloon or hatchback models are more efficient and better for range than taller crossover or SUV type vehicles though this isn’t always the case. Once you’ve honed your selection it’s worth checking the small print and comparing models in more detail if range is your primary consideration. On the whole single-motor models are more efficient than their heavier, more powerful, performance-oriented twin-motor equivalents, though this isn’t always the case. Other features like heat pumps that may only be available as cost options or offered on higher trim levels can also play a part. Many manufacturer websites let you drill down into the direct comparisons between different models alongside each other, so use this facility where offered and make sure you look at the technical information as well as the more general features. And beware blingy options that may look good but severely impact your range!
How do I maximise my range?
The state of your battery before you start your journey also plays a big part, so where possible leave it plugged in to your home charger (if you’re lucky enough to have one) and pre-set your departure time so the car can ‘pre-condition’ and get the battery up to working temperature using power from the grid rather than wasting range. This can also warm or cool the car according to the ambient temperatures, and can often be controlled remotely from your phone via the car’s app. If you have a regular journey like a commute you can also programme in your usual departure times so your car is warmed through and ready to go before you jump in each morning. With the car up to temperature you’ll get the best efficiency from your battery and also keep the air-con or climate control on without it impacting the range too badly. Back to top
