When it comes to all-electric vehicles, the top competitors tend to be across the same lines as far as their performance and features are concerned. That’s why we decided to check out who stands at the top of the pack from a range standpoint.
The Tesla Model 3 is probably going to take the EV world by storm when it arrives in 2018, so for now we’ll have to test many other models that are on the market right now or will arrive in the coming months. With that being said, there are certain EVs that dominate our list when it comes to their long-range capabilities, with several vehicles achieving over 300 miles of driving distance on a single charge. Let’s take a look at which electric car offers the highest range on a single charge:
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is probably the most anticipated EV on the market. The Model 3 is Tesla’s first all-electric vehicle intended for the mass market, featuring a starting price of $35,000 before any government incentives. The Model 3 was announced in July of 2016, and Tesla opened reservations in October of last year. Right now, there are about 455,000 people who have placed $1,000 refundable reservations for the Model 3, which could translate into an initial production volume of around 500 vehicles in 2018.
The Model 3’s range is expected to be 310 miles on a single charge, so right now the EV with the longest on a single charge is the Tesla Model 3. However, the Model 3 is still a new car, and Tesla is likely to make significant improvements along the line before it arrives on the market. In addition, the Model 3 is only offered in the larger dual-motor configuration at this point, which is likely to be the version that ships in 2018. If Tesla were to add the smaller single-motor battery as an option, the Model 3 would have the ability to achieve of over 350 miles on a single charge.
BMW i3
The BMW i3 is probably the second most anticipated all-electric vehicle on the market. BMW has a long history of building compact, lightweight vehicles, and the i3 was specifically designed to be as energy efficient as possible, featuring a range of about 93 miles between charges for a single charge on a standard 240V power grid.
The i3’s range was increased to 125 miles through a software update in early 2017, making the EV with the longest on a single charge. BMW is also taking advantage of the i3’s long potential, offering an optional extended version of the EV with over 200 miles. This is currently the only model that offers an extended option, though most automakers are likely to start offering extended options as the range of all-electric vehicles continues to grow.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
The Chevrolet Bolt EV is probably the third most anticipated EV on the market. The Bolt EV was the first affordable, long-range EV that debuted to the public, and it has been continuously upgraded since its launch. Now, with a price tag of around $30,000 before any government incentives, the Bolt EV is one of the best values on the market for an all-electric vehicle.
The 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV is the first generation of the vehicle to offer a long range, with a maximum over 238 miles. The Bolt EV was the first production car to have over 200 miles on a single charge, and it was also the first production EV that offered a range of over 120 miles on a single charge.
Volkswagen e-Golf
It’s no surprise that the Volkswagen e-Golf is leading the pack when it comes to long-range all-electric vehicles. The e-Golf is currently available with a range of over 125 miles on a single charge, which is the longest range on the market.
It also received a massive software update in the fall of 2017 that increased the range of the vehicle by around 15 percent. The e-Golf has been available since late-2016, and it has been consistently among the top-selling vehicles in its class. The e-Golf is an entry-level EV that is priced between $30,000 and $35,000 before any government incentives, making it a great choice for first-time EV buyers.
Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf might not seem like a competitive candidate for the title of the longest range on a single charge, but it received a significant range increase in 2017 that has it in the running. The Nissan Leaf entered the market in late 2012 as the first affordable EV to offer more than 100 miles of range on a single charge.
However, the 2017 Nissan Leaf received a range increase that significantly increased the range of the vehicle. Now, the 2017 Leaf offers more than 200 miles on a single charge, making the vehicle one of the best values on the market. The Leaf is one of the most affordable EVs on the market, with the base model starting at just under $30,000 before any government incentives.
Conclusion
With so many new all-electric vehicles on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. However, an important factor to consider when choosing an electric vehicle is its range. With the increased range of all-electric vehicles, there is no reason why a city dweller can’t commute long distances on a single charge.
Beyond just driving long distances, there are many people who want to be completely autonomous when it comes to their driving. With the growing range of all-electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles are becoming more viable. From commuting to autonomous driving, all-electric vehicles will continue to improve, making the range of the vehicle one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an electric vehicle.
