Longest Range Electric Cars: Which Has the Best Range?

Steve Birkett

Steve Birkett is an electric vehicle advocate based in Greater Boston, Massachusetts. He is a content creator and marketing professional who contributes written and recorded pieces to a wide range of media outlets. His analysis has been featured in Find The Best Car Price, WWLP TV, and Torque News, among others. He has also had video content featured on Inside EVs. Birkett was an EV Guide for Plug in America events in Massachusetts (Drive Electric Cambridge and Drive Electric Lowell) and Ohio (Earth Day 2019 at Cleveland Zoo). He participates in quarterly advisory panel meetings for EVolve New York (a state-level charging initiative) and has contributed to focus groups for prominent U.S. charging networks.

Birkett is a father-of-two who loves nothing more than packing up the family and hitting the road in their latest electric car, which is currently a 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5. With multiple Chevy Bolts in his past, as well as a Chevy Volt and Tesla Model 3 LR in the extended family, plus various EV rentals when he ventures back home to his native United Kingdom, Birkett has more than 100,000 all-electric miles under his belt and is always ready to try out a new electric vehicle.

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Over the past decade, battery technology has advanced rapidly enough that the longest range electric cars now top 400 miles on a single charge, while 250 miles is considered a baseline for many more.

Commutes for most Americans only cover around 30-40 miles per day, something that many mid-priced EVs will take care of without needing to charge until the end of the work week.

These are our recommendations for the longest-range battery-electric cars if you’re ready to make the switch to all-electric driving.

Check out our full list of the best EVs here >>

Read about how we rank our cars >>

Battery Electric Cars with Longest Range Comparison

Anyone looking into long-range electric cars will immediately notice that the price range for the models above is extremely wide. Options like the Bolt EV start from the mid-$30,000 level, while it’s possible to spend up to six figures in the case of a well-equipped Tesla.

For that reason, we’ll remove the Model S and X from the rest of this article and instead focus on the more comparably priced Model 3 and Y, which still top their competitors in terms of the estimated EPA range.

Tesla Model 3 Long Range (The Road Trip King)

The Model 3 hit volume production in 2018 and quickly became the best-selling electric vehicle in the United States. There are now more than half a million of this model on the road, many of which are the popular Long Range version.

Although Tesla errs on the side of optimism for its EPA-calibrated range estimates, the Model 3 frequently tops the 300-mile mark with ease. Most of the other electric cars on this list will only hit this number in optimal conditions, leaving the Tesla Model 3 as the longest range electric car available for under $50,000 in 2021.

The Model 3 also offers Tesla’s ambitious driver assist technology, which is frequently updated over the air (OTA updates) and aiming for Full Self Driving (FSD) in the years to come. This makes for a smooth, less stressful ride that can make all the difference on a long drive. Factor in the rapid charge times and extensive Supercharger network and you have one of the best all-electric road trippers on the road today.

Volkswagen ID.4 (Accessible and Affordable Electric Crossover)

The Volkswagen ID. 4 is a relatively new entrant to the EV world and marks the German automaker’s first true foray into a ground-up, long range electric vehicle in North America. Although its 250 miles of range is on the lower end of the spectrum for this list, it should be plenty for the kind of buyer looking at this model.

That’s because the ID. 4 is the quintessential family crossover, one which just happens to have an electric drivetrain. Rather than go all out to match Tesla on performance specs, Volkswagen crafted a roomy, practical box on wheels that goes about its business in a quiet, comfortable manner. Positioned against popular combustion peers like the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, VW delivers enough range to drive for several hours on the highway and enough space at 30.3 ft³ to cram in everything a family needs on the road, all for less than $40,000.

Massaging front seats, a panoramic roof with retractable cover, and three years of free charging on the Electrify America network all combine to make this a supremely comfy and affordable road trip EV. Not to mention the fact that if you have a large enough tax bill, Volkswagen still qualifies for the full federal tax credit and will wipe up to $7,500 off your total when April rolls around.

Current Volkswagen ID.4 Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Volkswagen deals here.

Tesla Model Y Long Range (The Family-Friendly Tesla)

The second Tesla on our list can’t quite match its sibling for the crown of longest range electric car, but it runs it rather close while delivering a lot more practicality than the Model 3. With 326 miles of EPA range and highway tests that put it in the high 200s, the Model Y covers a lot of distance and adds roughly 3x more storage capacity than the 3.

Beyond that, the ride height and uninterrupted panoramic roof add a feeling of extra space in the Model Y, where the 3 feels less roomy as more riders occupy the rear seats. The Y can even squeeze an extra two seats into that additional rear section, although very small people and pets are the most likely candidates for those spaces.

The remaining features are right in line with the Model 3, as the two share a common platform and styling. Which Tesla you opt for will depend largely on how many people you’re regularly hauling and how much practicality trumps performance in your everyday use. Even so, with a sub-five second 0-60 time and an upgrade that brings it down to 3.5 seconds, the Model Y is still a lightning-fast electric car with range to burn.

Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 Edition (An Icon, Electrified)

The reimagined Mustang crossover comes in many all-electric forms, from a base model that delivers a range as low as 211 miles to the extended range pack, which pushes past 300 miles in some iterations.

The most efficient of these is the Route 1 Edition, which features a few more aerodynamic touches that push the Mach-E up to 305 miles. As Ford is more cautious than Tesla in its range calculations, this puts the Ford Mustang Mach-E right in line with Model Y as the longest range electric crossover.

Leaving aside the controversy of a four-door Mustang, Ford has the distinction of being the first legacy automaker to go toe-to-toe with Tesla in terms of range and performance. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is a fast, fun electric car that goes the distance and brings excellent build quality to the table. The tech might not quite rival a Tesla, but it’s an excellent long range electric option that also qualifies for the full federal tax credit, if you can take advantage.

Chevrolet Bolt EV (The Original Affordable Long Range EV)

Despite being the oldest EV model on this list, the Chevy Bolt still holds its own when it comes to electric cars with the longest range. At 259 miles of EPA range, the Bolt EV topped the non-Tesla range charts for several years until the more expensive Ford Mustang Mach-E hit dealer lots in 2021.

Expense is exactly where the Chevrolet Bolt EV wins out against its newer long range electric competitors, coming in at least $10,000 cheaper than the likes of the Volkswagen ID.4 or Ford Mustang Mach-E Select when current dealer discounts are factored in. Interior quality and driver-assist technologies fall far below those models, but that all-important range remains favorable despite the significantly lower price point.

Furthermore, the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV and slightly larger Bolt EUV will both arrive with updated interiors, new technology, and the lowest MSRP of any 250-mile long range electric car. With no AWD option and fast charging rates 2-3x less powerful than its peers, the Bolt brand does have some clear limitations that detract from its long distance credentials. As a cost-effective regional all-electric option, however, the Bolt EV remains a contender.

Current Chevrolet Bolt EV Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Chevrolet deals here.

Hyundai Kona Electric (A More Refined Ride in the Affordable EV Segment)

Like the Chevy Bolt EV, Hyundai’s Kona Electric has been around for a few years. While it does line up right alongside the Bolt in terms of EPA range at 258 miles, it has more to offer in terms of creature comforts, efficiency, and charging capability on the road.

For starters, the Kona Electric comes with Smart Cruise Control and ventilated seats, which serve to make extended driving sessions less taxing than the more utilitarian Bolt. The Kona also charges 25-30% faster than the Bolt at its peak and comes with 250kW of complimentary charging on the Electrify America network, which can’t touch the three years offered by the Volkswagen ID.4 but does add up to taking a road trip or two for free.

Although the Bolt offers a little more space for less money, the more refined ride and faster charging make the Hyundai Kona Electric a slightly better long range EV for the budget-minded road tripper. Hyundai also qualifies for the full federal tax credit, unlike GM, which puts the Kona Electric right in line with other affordable long range electric vehicles.

One notable drawback of the Kona Electric is that the crossover is based on an existing combustion model, which shows in the tight rear legroom and wasted space under the hood. Hyundai has a brand new all-electric platform on the horizon for its IONIQ sub-brand that could quickly make the Kona Electric platform feel dated. If this gives you pause for thought, consider waiting or looking at roomier options like the Volkswagen ID. 4.

Current Hyundai Kona Deals & Incentives

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Hyundai deals here.

Which EV Has the Longest Range?

Although the list of electric cars with the longest range is always likely to include Teslas, other models are appearing to give buyers more options.

At the budget end of the market, it’s tough to beat the value proposition of the Chevy Bolt as a daily driver or as a long-distance commuter, while newer models like the Volkswagen ID. 4 offer space and comfort for road trips at a much lower price than something like the Model Y.

All of the options on this list offer something a little different, so gather your list of priorities and select the long range electric car that works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What EV model has the longest range?

The Tesla Model S Long Range has the longest driving range out of all EVs. The Model S LR has an MPGe rating of 111 and an EPA range of 412 miles.

What is the most affordable EV with a long range?

The Chevrolet Bolt EV is one of the more affordable EVs available. It gets an estimated 118 MPGe and has a driving range of 259 miles.

What is the best EV for families?

The Volkswagen ID.4 is a great EV for families. It has plenty of space inside and is an affordable EV option. The Volkswagen ID.4 has a driving range of 250 miles.

What is the average driving range for an EV?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer sub-100 mile city cars. Over the past decade, battery technology has advanced rapidly enough that the longest range electric cars now top 400 miles on a single charge, while 250 miles is considered a baseline for many more.

What Tesla model has the longest range?

The Tesla Model S LR has the longest driving range out of all Tesla models. It has an EPA range of 412 miles. The Model X LR comes in second with a driving range of 360 miles.

What EV models still qualify for the federal tax credit?

Unfortunately, all Tesla models reached the threshold and no longer qualify for the federal tax incentive. The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Kona EV, and Volkswagen ID.4 are just a few models that still qualify.