Top 5 Electric Cars with the Longest Range

When choosing an electric car, people often focus on the size of the battery because they think that a larger battery means more range, similar to a larger fuel tank in conventional cars. While battery capacity is important, the power consumption of the electric motor also has an impact on range. Efficiency has improved and manufacturers are striving for more fuel-efficient electric cars, which requires a smaller, more cost-effective battery. 

In our blog post you will find electric cars that can take you the farthest on a single charge.

Don't know what WLTP is? Scroll down to the bottom of this blog post to find out.

With this car you can enjoy a long journey, stopping whenever you want a cup of coffee and not when your car battery is empty. The WLTP range of the Mercedes EQS 450 4MATIC is up to 739 km. As you already know, this is a little unrealistic. Therefore, it's better to look at the results of the ADAC test, which shows that you can drive up to 575 km with the Mercedes on a single charge. That could be a trip from Stuttgart to Hannover or from Vienna to Innsbruck, for example. These are of course only estimates, depending on how much heating, air conditioning or other energy consumers you will use when on the road. 

Yes, the initial cost of the Mercedes EQS 450 4MATIC is €117,426 (as of January 2024), but this investment seems to be well worth it. The vehicle can recharge up to 80% in 31 minutes at a fast DC charging station. Plus, you can top up the battery with, say, a 22 kW AC home wallbox, such as our go-e Charger Gemini or Gemini flex, as the Mercedes supports up to 22 kW 3-phase charging. You can also, of course, charge with AC power at public charging stations, but it’s going to cost more.

Source: Mercedes Benz

The next car on our list comes at more than half the price of the previous option, starting from €48.790 (as of January 2024). The range of the Polestar 2 is not significantly different from the Mercedes though. Its WLTP range is 655 km while according to ADAC, you can drive as far as 530 km on a single charge - those are decent figures. 

The Polestar 2 can go from 10 to 80% in just 34 minutes at a fast DC charging station. For those opting for AC charging, the Polestar 2 supports a maximum charging capacity of 11 kW through three-phased charging.

Source: Polestar

Currently, BMW offers a lineup of 6 fully electric car models, with the i7 xDrive60 Limousine boasting the longest range at 625 km, according to the WLTP test. Despite the ADAC test reporting a lower range of 545 km, it remains sufficient for extended journeys with minimal breaks.

Fast charging the car from 10 to 80% takes just 34 minutes at a DC charging station. Choose between home charging or using a public AC charging station, keeping in mind its 22 kW capacity with 3 phases. This means, the go-e Charger with 22 kW of charging power would be an optimal choice for home charging. The price of €114,800 (as of January 2024) for the i7 xDrive60 Limousine is not surprisingly high considering the brand.

Source: BMW

Tesla's much-anticipated Roadster, promising an impressive 1000 km range, has yet to materialise, but in the meantime, the Model 3 takes the lead in Tesla's long-range lineup. The WLTP test suggests 629 km on a single charge. In the meantime, the ADAC test revealed a more practical 415 km range.

Using a Tesla Supercharger or a fast DC charging station can provide you an additional 282 km in just 15 minutes. If you prefer to go gentle on your battery and charge at an AC public station or home wallbox, it’s good to know that Tesla’s AC charging power is limited to 11 kW with three phases. The starting price for the Model 3 stands at €43,990 (as of January 2024).

The Korean car manufacturer claims a WLTP range of up to 614 km, but ADAC testing establishes it at 555 km. The vehicle features an aerodynamic body and can reach a top speed of 185 km/h.

Choosing an electric car goes beyond range; charging speed matters too. And here the IONIQ 6 is the champion as it is considered one of the fastest charging cars in 2023.

You can charge the Hyundai IONIQ 6 at an AC station with a maximum power of 11 kW. It will take you just 18 minutes to charge it from 10 to 80% at an HPC charging station. The basic version of the IONIQ 6 starts at €44,290 (as of January 2024).

Now you have range estimates. But, as we've said before, these numbers are not exact. Here are the factors that can increase or decrease range as determined by WLTP, ADAC or any other tests:

• Driving habits: Aggressive driving—think rapid accelerations and abrupt stops—depletes the battery faster than cautious driving. Most electric cars require charging every few days, depending on usage.

• Driving speed: Pressing the accelerator on the highway is a great feeling, we get it. But higher speeds tend to increase energy consumption, potentially reducing your overall range compared to driving at slower, more moderate speeds.

• Car shape: Aerodynamics come into play here, as a streamlined shape can result in lower air resistance, positively impacting the car's energy efficiency. For instance, the Huyndai 6 with its "banana shape" has a great drag coefficient of 0.21.

• Car size: Larger vehicles, even if not heavier, pose a challenge due to increased mass, leading to higher energy consumption during acceleration and turns at higher speeds.

• Terrain: Driving uphill or on bumpy roads increases energy consumption, reducing the range.

• Weather: Cold days can decrease an EV's range due to energy needed to maintain temperature. Pre-heating the cabin and using heated seats can mitigate this.