See all Motoring AdviceRange anxiety was, and in many cases still is, an issue for those considering an electric car, but as we all know, a great deal can change in the course of a year. That includes how far an electric vehicle (EV) can travel. Now we have a Mercedes capable of driving nearyl 770km between charges, for example. A range between 400- and 600km is rapidly becoming the norm.
If you are considering an EV and have so far been put off by range issues, then you should be pleasantly surprised by our list of the ten EVs available or coming to Ireland in 2023 with the greatest driving range.
Mercedes-Benz EQS: up to 768km
Not surprisingly, many of the EVs with the best range are larger models; after all, they have more space for batteries and can command a higher price. So, we start with the new Mercedes-Benz EQS, the first EV from the brand that has been designed and engineered to be electric from its inception. It is a four-door coupe in the style of the original Mercedes CLS, but with way more technology and a one-charge range of up to 768km. You can buy an EQS SUV now too, with seven seats but less range.
Volkswagen ID.7: up to 701km
The ID.7 hasn’t quite gone on sale yet, but it is arriving soon, and it will be the longest-ranged Volkswagen EV of them all thanks to a 85kWh battery pack that will give it a range of just over 700km. There’s also a standard 77kWh version with a healthy 636km range.
Mercedes EQE: up to 662km
The EQE is just like the bigger, more expensive EQS (it’s actually pretty hard to tell the two apart just by glancing at them) and thanks to its big 90kWh battery and low-slung bodywork, it’ll take you for more than 660km on one charge. We’ve driven the EQE from one end of the island to the other, and even at motorway speeds it’ll do 500km between charges. The taller SUV version is roomier, but less efficient.
BMW i7: up to 625km
BMW’s big luxury saloon wants to take on the Merc EQS, but it doesn’t have the range to do so, in spite of a massive battery. In fact, its official 625km range is pretty optimistic — 500km is more like it in real-world driving. That said, the i7 has its compensations as it’s more fun to drive than the EQS, and has a nicer interior, too.
BMW iX: up to 616km
The iX will always be controversial for having ‘that’ face, and it’s sure not the prettiest car around, but it does pack some serious range in its big 111kWh battery. Getting more than 600km out of a charge will require some skill, but 450-500km should be doable, and the iX is terrific to drive too, as all BMWs should be. The shorter-ranged, smaller-battery xDrive40 version is much more affordable but struggles to top 400km in daily driving.
Hyundai Ioniq 6: up to 614km
Is this the best all-round electric car currently on sale? Hyundai’s long, low and incredibly sleek Ioniq 6 looks dramatic on the road and that styling pays off on the motorway where it means that the car can slip easily through the air. Basically, the Ioniq 6 is like the Mercedes EQE, but for about half the price — a brilliant car.
Ford Mustang Mach-E: up to 610km
Ford’s first fully electric car is the Mustang Mach-E, which is arguably not really a Mustang at all, but it’s a whole new world so who are we to argue? What we do like is that it can travel up to 610km before needing to be plugged back in at the stables, and that’s quite impressive for the crossover model.
Tesla Model 3: up to 602km
Model 3 fans probably expected it to be higher up the list, but with a range of 602km it’s not the top dog anymore. Maybe the incoming new ‘Highland’ model will unleash more range, or maybe there’s some sort of over-the-air-update that Elon Musk will instigate by pressing a button on his laptop to stretch the battery ever-further.
Audi Q8 e-tron: up to 582km
Audi’s heavily updated e-tron quattro gains the Q8 badge (even though the regular petrol Q8, a totally different car, remains on sale) and a bigger battery too, pushing its official range to knocking on for 600km. However, that range is really hard to extract — most drivers will find they need to charge after as little as 400km.
Volvo C40 Recharge: up to 578km
Not only has the Volvo C40 been updated with a bigger 82kWh battery, but it has also switched from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive, which is apparently more efficient. You get a big jump in official range thanks to that, although the real-world range is likely to be closer to round 450km. A really pleasant car to drive, though, and of course being a Volvo, it’s hugely safe too.