What range anxiety? Longest electric vehicle distances revealed

Increasing numbers of electric vehicles (EVs) are on British roads. But this is doing little to alleviate concerns among the unconverted about how far models can take them. 

In response to this, DriveElectric has unveiled a list of the best EVs available to UK drivers in terms of maximum journey distance on one charge. But, although the results will surprise many, costs of the best performing options may well prove prohibitive.

Top of the list is the Mercedes EQS 450+. Clocking in with a single charge range of 395miles, it clearly disproves the theory that EVs are likely to leave you stranded powerless after an hour on the move. However, at £102,160, it’s not cheap. 

Mercedes also took second place, with an EQS AMG 4MATIC+ offering an impressive 350miles per charge. The German giant also ranked in the top ten with its EQE 300 and EQE 350 (both claiming 320miles). Other manufacturers to feature include Lightyear, BMW, Tesla, Hyundai and Porsche. Take a look at the full league table below. 

Although this may be enough to persuade some to make the switch, a separate DriveElectric study has pointed to a significant increase in EV running costs over the past 12 months. 

Fuelled by the wider energy crisis, when looking at prices in 2022 compared with 2021, it was found that the cost of driving an EV in the UK leapt by 22.9%, with prices now averaging at £16.78 per complete charge. However, this remains far lower than the £81.02 spent on filling up the average petrol car. 

A significant increase, this was far from the biggest jump, with countries including Slovakia, Sweden, Poland and Estonia all recording rises of between 81 and 147% during that period. Take a look at the full results below. 

You can find both reports in full here.

Earlier this month, Environment Journal reported on how concern is mounting that the EU’s proposed ban on internal combustion-powered vans and cars, due to come into effect by 2035, may be stalling. A group of countries, including automotive giant Germany, are now voicing opposition.  

Images: Karsten Würth(Top) / DriveElectric (tables)