Longest-range electric cars on sale 2026
Racking up mega miles? These are the long-range EVs to pick
The longest-range electric cars on sale can easily cover more than 400 miles in real world driving conditions. The very top models can pass the 500-mile mark in the official WLTP tests.
Below, we’ve rounded up the longest-range electric cars currently on the market. So, if you’re planning to do some serious distance in your new EV, these are the top models which should feature somewhere on your shortlist.
How are the longest range electric cars calculated?
The ranges quoted below are all recorded in the official WLTP efficiency test, which is designed to be more representative of the range drivers could expect to achieve in the real world than the old NEDC test was.
While the actual real-word range of these EVs will depend on a variety of factors, including driving style, road conditions and ambient temperature, the figures are a good guide to what you can expect.
Our road testing experts carry out regular independent EV range tests in real world conditions and while there are too many variables for these to be used for comparison purposes, they are a further useful guide to the kind of ranges possible in these cars on UK roads.
Compare the longest-range electric cars
The longest-range electric car currently on sale in the UK is the new BMW i3 with a maximum WLTP range of 566 miles.
The i3 is followed by the Mercedes EQS and BMW iX5 which have ranges of 542 miles and 528 miles respectively.
At the time of writing, the longest range production car in the world is the Lucid Air with its claimed 596-mile range, however as it is not currently on sale in the UK, it does not feature on this list.
| Rank | Model | Highest range, prices from | Maximum WLTP combined range |
| 1 | BMW i3 | £65,500 | 566 miles |
| 2 | Mercedes EQS | £105,000 | 542 miles |
| 3 | BMW iX5 | £90,305 | 528 miles |
| 4 | BMW iX4 | £66,075 | 514 miles |
| 5 | Volvo EX60 | £64,860 | 503 miles |
| 6 | BMW iX3 | £60,655 | 500 miles |
| 7 | Mercedes CLA | £43,250 | 480 miles |
| 8 | Audi A6 e-tron | £63,300 | 468 miles |
| =9 | DS No8 | £54,700 | 466 miles |
| =9 | Tesla Model 3 | £45,000 | 466 miles |
Below you’ll find the top 10 longest-range electric cars that you can currently buy in the UK, along with our expert road testers’ verdicts on every model. You can also use the links in the table above to jump to a specific model...
1. BMW i3 - 566 miles
- Variant: i3 xDrive50 M Sport
- Prices from £65,500
While the original BMW i3 was a futuristic EV supermini, the follow up is the electric incarnation of the BMW 3 Series running on the brand’s next generation Neue Klasse EV technology. The new i3 is a vital car for the German brand, it comes packed with the latest tech and boasts the longest range of any EV currently on sale.
The i3 goes head-to-head with the likes of the Tesla Model 3 and Mercedes C-Class Electric in the compact executive car class where the i3’s massive 566-mile range figure is a big point of differentiation. A dual motor 4x4 system with 462bhp is used and 400kW charging speeds mean it can add 248 miles of range to the 112kWh battery in a 10-minute charge.
The i3 also features a lot of the interior design themes already seen on the iX3 SUV. BMW has focused on recreating the high quality cabin environments and sharp driving experiences that have kept it near the top of the executive car class for decades, matching them to genuinely top tier EV technology.
2. Mercedes EQS - 542 miles
- Variant: EQS 450+ Premium
- Prices from: £104,540
When the Mercedes EQS first launched in 2021 its 441-mile range was impressive, but it took an update to launch it to a 511-mile EV range and the title of the longest range EV on sale. Not too long ago the EQS received another update and saw its range increase up to 542-miles. This figure propelled it to the very top of this list… that was until the BMW i3 came along to ruin Mercedes' party.
A lot of the credit must go to the giant 122kWh battery capacity with advanced chemistry and cell design. The EQS is also defined by its aerodynamic shape with a drag coefficient of just 0.20. The latest models have 800-volt architecture that allows charging speeds of up to 350kW at the right charger so you can plug-in for 10 minutes and gain just under 200 miles of range.
Of course, the EQS is a high end luxury saloon equivalent to the famous petrol Mercedes S-Class and prices starting from well over £100,000 reflect that. Even the base car has 362bhp and all models have a dual-motor powertrain for all-wheel drive. Optional steer-by-wire tech means there’s no physical connection between the steering and the wheels but it allows a super-tight turning circle for such a large car.
3. BMW iX5 - 528 miles
- Model: iX5 60 xDrive M Sport
- Prices from: £90,305
If you need any more proof that BMW is currently one of the car brands to beat when it comes to making long-range electric cars, say hello to the new iX5.
A 528-mile range will come courtesy of the iX5’s giant 141kWh battery pack, easily trouncing rivals like the new Porsche Cayenne or Mercedes EQE SUV, which have ranges of 399 miles and 372 miles respectively.
BMW claims the iX5 has a maximum charging speed of 460kW. The bad news is that you might struggle to find a charger in the UK which can recharge at this speed.
Talking of speed, the BMW iX5 easily has the performance to rival the likes of the Porsche Cayenne. This large SUV has up to 569bhp and a whopping 805Nm of torque, helping dispatch the 0-62mph sprint in just 4.6 seconds.
Inside, the iX5 utilises BMW’s new Panoramic i-Drive system which stretches the entire width of the dashboard. Being a family SUV, there’s oodles of space on offer inside too.
4. BMW iX4 - 514 miles
- Model: iX4 50 xDrive M Sport
- Prices from £66,075
BMW is right at the cutting edge of electric car range, as proven by the i3 and iX5 above. Not content with having three cars on this longest-range EVs list, the new iX4 is the latest model from the German brand to crack 500 miles on a single charge.
The longest range iX4 can officially travel up to 514 miles on a single charge thanks to the whopping 113kWh battery in the iX4 50 xDrive M Sport model.
When you eventually need to stop and charge, this variant of the iX4 has the capability of sucking in power at speeds of up to 400kW. Assuming you can find a charger quick enough in the UK, adding up to 240 miles of range takes just 10 minutes. To go from 10 to 80 per cent takes as little as 21 minutes.
5. Volvo EX60 - 503 miles
- Variant: EX60 P12
- Prices from: £64,860
Volvo has really got into its EV stride over the past few years, and the new Volvo EX60 is evidence of this. It’s also the electric car range champion within the Volvo line-up, boasting a whopping 503 miles of range on the official WLTP tests.
To get this official range, you’ll need to opt for the top-spec EX60 P12 model with its huge 117kWh battery pack. The P12 costs around £8,000 more than the entry-level P6 which has a range of 384 miles, or £3,000 extra over the 409-mile P10 model.
When it comes to topping the battery up, you shouldn’t be parked-up for too long thanks to a 370kW DC fast-charging capability. Volvo claims the P12 is capable of adding 210 miles of range in just 10 minutes when using a suitably fast charge point.
The EX60 should be very practical thanks to its clever packaging, spacious cabin and 523-litre boot space, bettering rivals like the BMW iX3.
6. BMW iX3 - 500 miles
- Variant: iX3 xDrive50
- Prices from £60,655
There’s currently a battle raging when it comes to the longest-range electric cars and the new BMW iX3 wants a piece of the action, cracking 500 miles WLTP from its chunky 108.7kWh battery pack. There’s even talk of a super-efficient 600-mile rear-wheel drive variant in the not-too-distant future.
As well as upping the brand’s EV game, the new iX3 also marks the debut of the Neue Klasse approach to design and engineering. As well as the distinctive design language, this also includes an 800-volt architecture beneath, which allows for seriously quick rapid charging at a rate of up to 400kW.
We’re pleased to report that this is still very much a BMW, though. Our drives in the iX3 so far have been more than enough to impress. This two-tonne SUV felt incredibly balanced through corners, had great all-round visibility and was a joy to drive. 463bhp and 645Nm of torque is more than enough for a spirited B-road blast, too.
7. Mercedes CLA - 480 miles
- Variant: CLA 250+ electric Sport
- Prices from £43,250
While many of Mercedes’ EVs have asked for many thousands of pounds in return for many hundreds of miles, the new Mercedes CLA is far more sensibly priced. The CLA is also a bit more compact than many of its zero-emission siblings, and acts as something of a replacement for the outgoing A-Class. In other words, this is easily one of the most accessible electric cars to wear the three-pointed star, even if it is a bit awkward to look at.
As is often the case, Mercedes has focused on comfort rather than driver engagement here, and rather than throwing you back into your seat whenever you go near the throttle, the CLA accelerates in a brisk yet calm manner. The silent powertrain contributes towards an excellent level of overall refinement, too.
Inside, the CLA offers its fair share of high quality materials and technology, which feels like a welcome return to form for the brand. However, we do have bad news for technophobes as the vast majority of the dashboard is dominated by twin 14- and 10.25-inch screens. If you’re willing to embrace touchscreen tech, our testers did find Merc’s software to be highly responsive and easy to fathom.
Latest Mercedes CLA Electric deals
8. Audi A6 e-tron - 468 miles
- Model: A6 e-tron Sportback Performance
- Prices from £63,300
It took a fair while for Audi to make its debut in the electric executive car market, but it would seem that this was time well spent because not only is the Audi A6 e-tron a very appealing package, it also has a very usable 468-mile range.
It’s not all about range, either, as the A6 e-tron in Performance guise offers a healthy dose of performance, too. If you’re in a particular hurry, the 0-62mph sprint is dealt with in 5.4 seconds thanks to 374bhp and 565Nm of torque.
Being an executive saloon, the A6 e-tron is indeed a comfortable EV to rack up motorway miles in. Inside, the cabin feels very well put together, and the on-board technology is some of the best we’ve seen on the current market.
Watch out for fingerprints, though, because there’s quite a lot of glossy black plastic around. If you’re a fan of driving to the tip, you can also opt for the A6 Avant e-tron estate car, but this does mean a slightly reduced battery range.
=9. DS No8 - 466 miles
- Variant: No.8 Long Range
- Prices from £54,700
While it’s been desperate to escape the shadow of its sister brand Citroen, DS hasn’t quite managed to take off as a major player in the UK. However, the DS No8 feels like a big step in a new direction.
It’s still a niche car, but our road testers couldn’t help but be swayed by its charms during testing, not to mention a long list of technical plus points. It’ll be that claimed battery range of 466 miles that’ll catch most potential buyers’ attention, though.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the decades, it’s that French luxury cars often set a very standard for ride comfort, and the DS No8 lives up to this tradition. Higher-spec models are fitted with road-scanning technology which feeds back to a set of adaptive dampers to prepare for incoming imperfections in the road — a system that’ll undoubtedly be working hard in the UK.
The DS No8 keeps its mass well under control, too, so the whole ride feels composed even when faced with a large bend. It’s no sports car, but it is a fully-fledged French luxobarge that’s deserving of your attention.
=9. Tesla Model 3 - 466 miles
- Model: Model 3 Long Range RWD
- Prices from £44,990
The Tesla Model 3 has been a stalwart of the electric executive car market since arriving in 2017, but its rivals were starting to creep ahead when it came to maximum battery range. Not to be outdone, Tesla responded with the Model 3 Long Range RWD, and this variant can cover up to 466 miles on the WLTP combined cycle.
The Model 3 has also proved itself to be highly efficient in the real world during our own testing. Access to all Tesla Superchargers is another perk of ownership, and will be particularly appealing for those who cover lots of motorway miles.
There’s plenty of the brand’s signature tech to be found on-board the Model 3, too, with the facelifted car featuring a 15.4-inch touchscreen, acoustic glass, quieter tyres and sound-deadening materials, which all help towards improving refinement. The performance on offer is also as mind-boggling as ever.
How we test the longest range electric cars
The list of the longest range EVs above is based on the official WLTP test performance of each model but we never blindly accept the official numbers here at Auto Express.
Our test team are constantly evaluating the real world range and efficiency of every electric car they test to give you a truer picture of the kind of range figures you can expect in day-to-day driving.
Real-world testing
Testing range in the real world where there are so many variables, from weather and traffic conditions to driving style, is fraught with difficulty but while the results should only be treated as a guide, they can be very enlightening.
Our 2026 cold weather EV range test included many of the long range EVs from the top 10 above. We tested cold weather charging speeds and range over a set route of mixed road types.
Our champion was the Mercedes CLA which managed a 303-mile real world range compared to its 484-mile WLTP range figure. The Tesla Model Y only managed 220 miles of its 314-mile official rating and the MG IM5 did 268 miles of its 441-mile WLTP range.
This kind of in-depth testing shows how much range and efficiency can vary from model to model against the official figures. And hopefully helps you make more informed decisions when buying a car.
How much EV battery range do you actually need?
Electric cars have evolved at an extraordinary rate over the past decade or so, and there’s no better illustration of that progress than remembering the original Nissan Leaf from 2011 could cover just 109 miles before it ran out of juice.
That meant you couldn’t drive it from London to Birmingham without desperately searching for a plug socket at least once. But these days the longest-range electric cars can cross entire countries and still have charge to spare.
Is a long-range electric car right for you?
Most people don’t need a car with a 400 or even 300-mile range if they have a short commute or can charge up at home whenever they need to, but there’s no denying range anxiety will be a factor in some potential electric car buyers’ choice.
A long range means drivers can tackle long journeys without needing to stop, while for others it simply means they don’t have to remember to charge their car as regularly.
Long-ranges can also just be a perk of having one of the very latest EVs in high-spec guise with a big battery, but we’d always advise buyers to think carefully about the amount of range they need rather than simply going for as much as they can afford.
Think about efficiency and charging speeds
If you can live quite comfortably with an electric car that has a shorter range, you can save on the purchase price and gain useful extra efficiency for lower running costs. Long range EVs tend to have larger batteries which are both expensive and heavy.
Cars like the Dacia Spring, Renault 5, Kia EV4 or Volkswagen ID.3 Neo might not appear on the list of the longest range EVs but they are affordable and efficient. Both on paper and in the real world, the cars just mentioned return well over 4 miles per kWh, meaning they could actually take you further per charge and for less money.
Charging speeds are important, too. If you regularly do mega miles, you’ll want a car that can charge quickly when using public rapid chargers. Remember though, public charging can be an expensive way to run an electric car. It's usually far cheaper to charge at home or at your destination.
Most EV owners will very rarely drive more than 300 miles in one go and may never need to use the full real-world range of one of these 500-mile electric cars. That being the case, considering a more affordable version could make sense.
Key updates
- November 2026: BMW i3, iX5 and iX4 join the list in first, third and fourth position respectively. DS No7, Mercedes C-Class Electric and BMW i7 leave the list. Updated buying advice section.
- July 2026: Updated WLTP figures added to Mercedes EQS saloon in first position. Mercedes C-Class Electric and BMW i7 slot in ninth and tenth position. Section added for long-range EVs coming soon.
- April 2026: Mercedes EQS facelift moved it from 5th to first. BMW i3 and DS No7 added. Mercedes GLC with EQ Technology and Polestar 3 pushed out of top 10.
Frequently Asked Questions
The new BMW i3 has the longest range of any new electric car at 566 miles.
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