The 10 Best Electric Cars for Distance Driving

Released in 2021, the EQS 450+ is an electric equivalent to the luxurious Mercedes S-Class, combining top quality and refinement with a battery-powered setup. As the name suggests, you can theoretically get over 450 miles out of a single charge – that’s about the equivalent of London to Manchester and back. That makes it hands down one of the best electric cars for distance today. 

It’s also got the biggest battery of any car on this list, accelerates very quickly, is a pleasure to drive, and is extremely comfortable inside. All that comes at a price though – expect to pay around £100k for nearly new models. 

The Model S is Tesla’s flagship and, despite having been around for a little while now, continues to be one of the best EVs available. For years, the Model S held the crown as the EV with the longest range. But despite the competition from Mercedes (plus several other emerging contenders), its ability to cover over 400 miles in one charge remains incredibly impressive, making it one of the best electric cars for distance. To put things into perspective, this type of range could theoretically take you one way from Edinburgh to London.   

With the Model S, you get all the things Tesla are famed for – loads of gadgetry, a massive touch screen display, classy design and incredible acceleration. Oh, and there’s the Tesla charging network too, which has arguably the best coverage in the UK.

The iX is BMW’s tip-top EV and, as a result, gets some of the very latest technology. As a long range electric SUV, it gives you bags of space to carry your family, fill up with shopping, and offers all the room you’d need for camping trips or holidays. Besides its impressive range, it offers incredibly fast charging – with rapid charging you can add as much as 93 miles in as little as 10 minutes. 

The Model 3 is one of Tesla’s most popular cars for a reason – it’s well priced, good to drive and has an impressively long range. Like other Tesla models, it’s very fast off the blocks, very comfortable and spacious inside, and you’ll get loads of clever tech. Another reason we consider it one of the best electric cars for long distance commutes is that it offers semi-autonomous driving, letting you take your foot off the accelerator while the car judges distances between you and the car in front. If you do a lot of motorway driving for work, that can make it a lot less tiring. 

Ford’s Mustang Mach-e aims to instil some of the spirit of the muscle car with the same name into this cutting-edge EV. This long-range electric SUV shows Ford means business with its somewhat delayed entry into the EV market. You’ll get a powerful car that handles well and is fun to drive. It comes with the usual reliability of a Ford, and with all that extra SUV space, it is a great option if you’re looking for a family car.

The BMW i4 takes the 4 Series into the electric age, with plenty of on-board equipment. The impressive range of 367 miles makes the i4 one of the best electric cars for distance driving – that’s about as far as Glasgow to Bristol on a full charge. But it offers a lot more than that. BMW has a strong reputation for reliable cars that feel great to drive, and the i4 is no different. With plenty of room, lots of clever tech and rapid charging options, it’s a great all-rounder. 

The Model X is a show-stopping car from Tesla, with its eye-catching ‘falcon’ doors being one of the most talked-about features of any EV. It offers a smooth, quiet, fast drive, and has a huge amount of space inside – it is technically a long range electric SUV, although it doesn’t really look much like one. 

As noted above, the Model X has those unusual falcon doors – you’ll either love them or hate them, but they certainly stand out. Like all Teslas, it’s packed with impressive tech and you’ll have access to its reliable, nationwide fast-charging network. 

The ID.3 is a great ‘everyday’ EV that isn’t too large, nor too complicated to drive and charge. Originally launched in 2019, you can think of the ID.3 as an electric version of the ever-popular Golf. What makes this hatchback special is its 340 miles of range – it really outperforms the rest of the field in this car category. With 5 doors, it’s a great family car, offering plenty of room inside while still being relatively small compared to many other EVs (it’s about 4.3 metres long) – which is good for on-street parking. 

The 2 is our pick from Polestar thanks to its eye-catching styling and clever interior. That 335 mile range makes it one of the best electric cars for distance drives, but there’s plenty more to love with the Swedish brand’s saloon. It’s renowned for being a well-built and comfortable drive, and is fast, efficient and solid. It also looks great inside and out, and is full of useful and well-thought-through tech. You sit a little higher up than in many other saloons too, which gives you a better view of the road. 

Cupra has made a real splash with the Born, bringing dynamic looks and sportier feel to the EV sector. Look beneath the surface, and the Born is very similar to the ID.3 – unsurprising as Cupra is part of the VW group. The main difference is the look – it’s got a sportier design and is a little lower to the ground – and some of the tech inside is more up-to-date. In any case, it’s a fun drive and, with up to 335 miles of battery power, is a great option if you’re after your first long-range electric hatchback.