10 Longest-Range Electric Cars of 2021
How far an electric vehicle can go on a single charge is one of the biggest barriers to entry for many punters, but it need not be a concern. Fortunately, there are now many electric cars offering claimed ranges in excess of 250 miles – allowing them to travel far and wide on a single charge. This, in conjunction with ever-decreasing charge times, means electric motoring is now an option for even more buyers. Below is a list of the top 10 EV options for 2021 sorted by longest range.
The Mercedes-Benz EQC is the first all-electric vehicle in the brand's impending battery-powered blitz. Mercedes claims the EQC will have a range of 279 miles per charge. Mercedes has taken steps to improve efficiency not just in the drive train but also in the driver. The car can also automatically adjust regenerative braking levels if a hill or slow traffic is up ahead, although the driver can control them via steering-wheel paddles. Carefully sculpted to stand out from the ordinary, the appearance of the Mercedes-Benz EQC helps to pioneer an avant-garde look for an EV crossover. Instantly recognizable as a Mercedes-Benz, the EQC demonstrates strength and elegance at the front with its grille and headlamps joined in a sleek black-panel surface at front that’s complemented by an LED Light Band stretching across the top. The EQC is impeccably refined, comfortable and effortless to drive. It should also prove easy to live with so, for those a little wary of electric cars, it could be the ideal option.
The Leaf Plus officially arrived last year with a bigger 62-kilowatt-hour battery. As a result, its range has grown from 168 miles to a stout 239 miles. The Leaf can be plugged in to a regular 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt outlet, but the charging times vary dramatically between the two. Activating the e-pedal system yields strong regenerative braking the moment you lift off the right pedal. The regen brakes are muscular enough to bring the Leaf Plus to a complete stop for a one-pedal driving experience. Although the cabin of the Leaf S and SVs has a lot of black plastic, the well-assembled and uniform textures help it avoid looking cheap. All Leaf models come with the same 8.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. It remains good value for money and is one of the most affordable everyday electric cars on sale
The Kia Niro EV isn’t an exciting option in the EV marketplace, but it is a great choice for buyers that are looking for an affordable and environmentally friendly vehicle. For power, it uses a 64-kWh battery with a 201-horsepower electric motor that drives the front wheels. The result is both quick acceleration and an EPA-estimated range of 239 miles. It smooths out bumps in the road without being overly soft or bouncy. The EV's front console has plenty of extra storage space and adds an inutive dial shifter to complement the rest of the easy-to-use cabin controls. The e-Niro even comes with what Kia calls Lane Follow Assist, which takes control of the accelerator and brakes during stop-start traffic to follow the vehicle in front. A seven-year warranty is standard as well, which should help subdue any concerns about costly repairs and grief later down the line.
The Chevy Bolt EV not only looks more exciting inside and out, the redesigned electric hatchback also has enhanced features and a much cheaper asking price. The Bolt received a range boost for 2020 and is rated to return 259 miles on a single charge, making it one of the longest ranges in the segment. It's also estimated to return 100 miles for every 29 kWh of energy. Chevy spruces up the Bolt EV's cabin with a more upscale design that the company says includes better materials than before and more soft-touch surfaces. The front seats are relatively thinly cushioned, and some larger drivers will be able to feel the seat frame edges through the padding. But if you're of average size, the seats should hold up well, even on longer drives. Every Bolt EV features a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system with popular standard features, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV is a good car. It has a long driving range and a spacious cargo hold, as well as a potent powertrain. It’s fun to drive too.
As fashionable as it is practical, the 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge is another desirable all-electric offering in a growing market segment. With no bulky combustion engine up front, there's also a small frunk, roomy enough for a soft bag and some charging cables under the hood. The motors are fed by a 78-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that Volvo expects will deliver an EPA-rated range of about 208 miles, and the battery can be recharged to 80 percent capacity in 40 minutes using a 150-kW DC fast charger. The cabin of the XC40 Recharge offers everything we love about the standard XC40, including thoughtful cubby storage, a comfortable driving position, and spacious first and second row seating. The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric P8 is smooth, quiet, fast, and as well-built and well-finished as you expect a Volvo to be. Volvo also offers a host of high-tech driver-assistance features as standard, including automated emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
Volkswagen ID 4 is an absolutely delightful compact electric SUV with a decent amount of range, some quirky designs, and a whole lot of potential. It’s also a milestone for the automaker as its first long-range electric vehicle. The First Edition ID 4 is expected to get 250 miles of range on a single charge. The ID 4 comes with an 11 kW onboard charger that allows the ID 4 to charge to full in seven and a half hours at a home or public Level 2 charger. The driver’s seat is very comfortable and the headroom is expansive. The white leather in the First Edition was a nice touch, and the air vents are real air vents, with open and close knobs. There are two screens, a 5.3-inch instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a 12-inch one in the center console. There’s also gesture control which allows you to move between menus just by swiping your hand in front of the screen.
The Kona Electric is powered by a 201-hp electric motor, and its large battery pack is good for up to 258 miles per charge. That's key because an EV's range number is the most important factor in the revved-up electric vehicle marketplace. The low-slung mass of the battery and sophisticated rear suspension design help settle the car's motions when you drive over bumps. We also like the Kona's comfortable and supportive front seats. In back, the seat bottom is a bit flat, but the seat back angle is comfortable. The Electric's center console is more prominent, and the controls are laid out a little differently. But they are attractive and easy to use. Similar functions are grouped together, and learning how to operate the infotainment interface is intuitive. The Kona Electric is built to a higher standard than a regular Kona, and that difference shows up most on the inside. The panels fit together well, the materials are nice-looking, and the buttons and knobs feel well made. Sure, it isn't built to a luxury standard, but it's quite pleasing.
The 2021 Jaguar I-Pace is a fascinating all-electric crossover that looks good and drives well. The I-Pace’s electric drive train consists of a pair of electric motors, fed by a 90-kwh battery. This ute boasts an EPA-rated range of 253 miles plus fast-charging capability and instantaneous acceleration. The electric Jag includes a standard DC fast-charging port that allows 80 percent of its battery to be replenished in as little as 40 minutes. Those without access to the fastest charging option will have to wait a claimed 8.6 hours to fully replenish the battery using the more common 240-volt AC outlet. Jaguar complements the I-Pace's stylish exterior with a sophisticated cabin that boasts a flashy dashboard and ample passenger space. While the front seats are nicely bolstered, they're not the most comfortable on prolonged trips. Inside the cabin, the Jag’s Touch Duo Pro infotainment system uses physical dials and a touchscreen to help offer the best of both worlds.
Based on the brand's iconic Model S sedan, the 2021 Tesla Model X SUV wows with its top-hinged rear doors and impresses with its long-range battery capacity. The Model X comes standard with a battery large enough to cover a claimed 360-mile driving range; upgrading to the faster Plaid model drops the estimated driving range to 340 miles. Recharging is quick via one of Tesla's Superchargers, which are located across the country. A stark and nearly buttonless interior design is classic Tesla. The Model X's unique glass roof runs seamlessly from the base of the hood up over the front-seat passengers for a nearly uninterrupted view of what's ahead and what's above. A huge touchscreen infotainment system dominates the dashboard and controls nearly all of the Model X's various features and settings. Tesla's semi-autonomous driving mode uses several cameras, multiple sensors, and radars to detect objects, people, and other vehicles and uses them to pilot the Model X under its own power.
Depending on which trim you choose, the Model S can travel between 390 and 520 miles on just one charge and deliver blistering acceleration performance that rivals some of the world's best supercars. Driving range and acceleration performance varies from model to model, with the Long Range version's battery providing up to a 412-mile range while the Plaid model offers up to 390. The doors open wide enough to make getting in and out fairly easy, and once you're situated it's easy to find a comfortable position. Visibility is good thanks to a relatively low hood, but the rear window is narrow and feels positioned too high. Fans of modern minimalism will adore the Model S's cabin, which comes standard with a giant infotainment screen that controls almost all of the vehicle's functions. Access to Tesla's vast Supercharger network is one of the best parts of Tesla ownership. It should help relieve much range anxiety and can allow you to take the Model S across the country on most major highways without worrying about finding a charging station.
