Which electric car has the longest range? That is the question. If you’re in the market for an EV, you don’t want to spend your money on something that won’t take you where you want to go. Instead, you’ll want to invest in the longest range electric car.
As more automakers create EVs in their lineup, the range continues to grow. This is great for consumers that want the flexibility to travel further distances. With increasing competition, we figure it would be helpful to see the various ranges in list order.
Electric cars are cheaper to run than a gas-powered automobile, especially if they feature a long range. In addition, there are almost no fluids to change and minimal maintenance to perform. With less moving parts, there’s also less of a chance that anything will break. Furthermore, they come with instant torque, zero emissions, and quiet operation.
Since most Americans drive about 30 to 40 miles each day, it’s simple to find an electric vehicle to handle that. If you’re someone who has a long commute each day or likes to take weekend road trips, you’re going to require something with a longer range.
Here are the longest range electric cars ranked by miles. Then, in the end, we’ll list the shortest range electric cars as well.
1. 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf
With a range of only 125 miles, this starts off our list of the longest range electric car. The nice thing about the Volkswagen e-Golf is that it looks just like its gas counterpart. With the hatchback configuration, you have plenty of room inside, plus the space you need for cargo.
Inside the e-Golf, you’ll find a surprisingly upscale interior, cushioned seats and you’ll be able to enjoy the athletic handling. You’ll also receive a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, plus a rearview camera standard. In addition, there are plenty of active, safety systems included. For the price, it’s hard to beat this fun to drive vehicle.
2. 2018 Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf was completely redesigned in 2018 and now features a sportier, more traditional exterior. It actually looks like it fits into the Nissan lineup, plus it now offers a 151-mile range. There’s even room inside to sit five comfortably, plus plenty of cargo space. So much so, you might forget it’s a compact car.
Standard equipment on the 2018 Nissan Leaf includes Bluetooth, a seven-inch touchscreen, automatic emergency braking, a rearview camera, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, plus the ProPilot semi-autonomous technology.
If you splurge on the 2019 Nissan Leaf, the range goes up significantly thanks to the new battery. It will now feature a 220-mile range instead. That allows it to rank higher up on our longest range electric car list.
3. 2019 Kia Niro EV
Just a couple of years ago, the Kia Niro hybrid made its first appearance. Then, as 2018 arrived, the plug-in hybrid came to be. For 2019, we’ve gained a completely electric version that’s worth taking a look at. Making our longest range electric car list, the Niro EV tops off at 236 miles. With it’s lower price and range, it’s pretty much a direct competitor to the 2018 Chevrolet Bolt (next on our list).
Niro claims that the Niro EV will hit 60 mph in less than eight seconds. Plus, it’s going to be brisk in town with the immediate torque response system. In addition, Kia includes the Coasting Guide Control System (CGC), which acts as a driving coach. It utilizes a map and your navigation route to indicate the optimal times to let off the accelerator and allow the car to coast. This provides more regenerative braking for longer battery life.
4. 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
The Bolt is a joy to drive and offers a range of 238 miles. It’s also not that expensive, so it’s attainable for many consumers to own. With its sporty handling and lively acceleration, it’s easy to forget that you’re driving an electric car in the first place. That’s why it’s become a favorite among electric car enthusiasts.
On top of that, the cabin is roomy and well-built. It’s even scored high in crash test scores and is reliable. If features are important to you, you’ll love that there are many standard features included. You’ll get a Wi-Fi hotspot, 10.2-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a rearview camera, and the Teen Driver safety system. If you want to add on some advanced driver assistance features, they are also available.
5. 2019 Jaguar I-Pace
It’s officially time to order the new Jaguar I-Pace and it makes many people happy because it’s definitely a contender as the longest range electric car. The 90kWh battery pack will take this SUV 240 miles with ease. It’s also capable of a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds.
Of course, you’re going to a pay a little extra for this luxury vehicle. While it might look like a competitor to the Tesla Model X, it’s smaller and more like a car than an SUV. The company might have planned it that way so it could also compete with the Model S and Model 3 as well. Either way, it comes standard with all-wheel drive plus two electric motors that produce 394 horsepower. There’s also room for five and lots of space in the comfortable front and rear seating. Standard features include a floating center console, panoramic roof, and modern technology.
6. 2019 Audi E-Tron SUV
Before you think the I-Pace is taking the entire market, Audi had a solution to compete with them. The E-Tron Quattro is another top vehicle for the longest range electric car. It goes about 10 miles further than Jaguar, but won’t make its way to dealers until after the Jaguar is released.
This all-wheel-drive SUV produces 430 horsepower, but with the timed boost, you’ll get more like 500. It’s also coming equipped with some semi-autonomous technology and Audi’s Digital Cockpit. We expect this to be one of many electric vehicles that Audi continues to produce.
7. 2019 Hyundai Kona EV
In the subcompact SUV segment, we anticipate the 2019 Hyundai Kona EV to be a top choice as the longest range electric car. It features an all-electric powertrain that takes it 250 miles on a single charge. It’s very similar to its cousin the Niro EV, but it travels a little further.
The gas-powered Kona continues to place high on the subcompact SUV ratings, and we expect the electric version will continue to do the same.
8. 2018 Tesla Model X 100D
In other electric SUV news, we have the Tesla Model X on our longest range electric car list. Not only is it unique but it travels 295 miles on a charge. That’s perfect for long road trips with the family. In fact, there’s plenty of room for the entire gang since this SUV seats seven people.
It also boasts of a 17-inch touchscreen, semi-autonomous driving technology, an expansive panoramic windshield, all-wheel drive, and Falcon Wing doors. With the Tesla, you also have access to their Supercharger network. Just keep in mind to get this range, you’ll have to purchase the X100D which costs a pretty penny.
9. 2018 Tesla Model 3
This small sedan comes in the top of our list of the longest range electric car. The automaker attempted to compete in size and price, but there’s no competition when it comes to distance. The Model 3 currently hits 310 miles although the company has plans to release a lower priced model that only goes 220 in the future.
Standard equipment includes all-wheel drive, a 15-inch touchscreen display, and phone app to control most things inside the car. There’s room for five inside and you’ll have the chance to try out Autopilot. That’s just one more reason this car continues to be a favorite among EV enthusiasts.
10. 2018 Tesla Model S 100D
Does it surprise you at all that Tesla took the top spot in our longest range electric car list? It shouldn’t! They’ve been a pioneer in the field since they started. This vehicle accelerates quicker than any other electric car, and even faster than some supercars. It also features room for five and has two trunks available. With a range of 335 miles, you won’t have trouble going anywhere you want. Plus, you have access to the Tesla Supercharger stations.
Inside the S, you’ll find many similarities to the Model X. There’s a luxurious cabin, available AutoPilot, and a humongous touchscreen. This higher-end model will run at least $135,000 though, so your wallet may still feel the sting.
Shortest Range Electric Car
Now that we’ve been through the list featuring the longest range electric car, it’s time to look at those that didn’t have enough power to get them in the top 10. Here are the shortest range electric cars currently on the market.
1. 2018 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive
Most people don’t choose the Smart Fortwo unless they have a lot of city driving to do. That’s because it only features a 58-mile range. With that said, the smaller size makes it ideal for maneuvering in and out of tight parking spaces. If you do a lot of travel outside the city, you probably won’t be happy with it.
While there is an upscale cabin and roomy seats, there’s virtually no space for your cargo. Standard equipment does include a rearview camera, plus you can choose between the coupe or convertible model. The coupe starts at just under $24,000 while the convertible goes for $28,000.
2. 2018 Fiat 500e
Another small option for city driving is the Fiat 500e. Of course, it does have a higher price tag, but it also gets 84 miles per charge. There’s also some additional cargo space and a flashy exterior. You’ll enjoy the nimble handling and impressive torque.
Standard equipment includes an infotainment system and seven-inch information cluster. While this might seem like a practical solution, it’s important to note that the materials used inside lack quality. Therefore, it doesn’t feel like you’ve spent at least $33,000 on it. We can think of better ways to spend your money.
3. 2018 Honda Clarity Electric
Honda might produce durable, long-lasting automobiles, but they don’t have the longest range electric car. In fact, the Clarity will only go 89 miles on a charge. There are some perks to this car. It features a premium cabin, plenty of cargo and passenger space, plus supportive seats.
You’ll also be impressed by the instant acceleration and comfortable ride. It comes standard with an eight-inch touchscreen, advanced driver assistance technologies, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The downside is you can’t buy one. They only offer the chance to lease these vehicles for $199 a month with $1,499 due at signing.
4. 2018 Kia Soul EV
Unlike the Niro, this car doesn’t belong on the longest range electric car list. With that said, it has won some awards and is a popular choice, but it only has a range of 111 miles. The upscale cabin is impressive and it does feature an industry-leading warranty in case anything should go wrong.
Standard features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an eight-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, and a rearview camera.
5. 2018 BMW i3
In 2018, the i3 received a complete refresh. The sportier version features a wider profile and exceptional acceleration, but it still only has a range of 114 miles. There are some other perks that make people flock to this car. For example, it comes standard with rear parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, a rearview camera, and more cargo space than many rivals.
There’s room for four to sit comfortably and the ride is quite smooth. You can expect to hit 60 mph in just 6.8 seconds.
6. 2018 Ford Focus Electric
The Ford Focus Electric hatchback is available in all 50 states, but it only has a range of 115 miles. While it’s affordable, the back seat is tight and doesn’t leave much room for adults. In addition, you’ll only get the advanced driver aids if you purchase the top of the line Titanium trim.
It is a budget-friendly option and good enough if you can’t afford something better. It features a quiet cabin and sporty handling, but just keep in mind that it’s a bare-bones kind of vehicle.
Would You Buy the Longest Range Electric Car?
After reading our list of the longest range electric car and the shortest, are you inclined to purchase anything from the list? Many people that buy electric vehicles do it simply for their commute into the city. Those people don’t often need a long range because they’ll use another car for longer travel. If that’s you, then you could get away with most of these cars on our list. Otherwise, you’ll want to invest the additional money and spring for one of the Tesla models instead.
In a few years, we expect these ranges to grow significantly as technology continues to improve. It might be best to hold out a little longer if you need a longer range than what we’ve reviewed. We are sure it won’t be long until you have a better selection of options.
