Australia's electric cars with the longest driving ranges

The growing number of new EVs in the Australian market means buyers have greater choice for price, body types and, importantly, driving range capabilities on offer.

Range – the distance an EV can travel on a single battery charge – remains the key factor important to most buyers, whether they’re choosing a budget-friendly BYD Atto 3 crossover SUV to a high-end Porsche Taycan sports sedan.

6

It’s especially a concern for Australians, even though the average motorist drives around 30 to 40 kilometres per day.

Yet, buyers still demand traversing this large nation for the odd road trip, when current battery technology simply can’t deliver the same range as a comparable petrol or diesel-powered vehicle, and when current public EV charging infrastructure is still lacklustre and patchy (but growing). All add to so-called ‘range anxiety’ fears for buyers looking at the electric switch.

JUMP AHEAD

• 🤔 What determines range?
• ⚖️ What's the best value-for-range EV?
• ⚡️ Top 20 longest-range EVs in Australia
• 🙋 Want to know more?

6

🤔 What determines an EV's driving range?

EV driving range is mainly dictated by the usable battery size, vehicle design (i.e. aerodynamics of cutting through air), total weight, and the efficiency of the electric drive unit (power electronics module, transmission, and electric motor/s).

In other words, the price doesn’t necessarily dictate how far it can go.

A trendy large, boxy electric SUV with a gigantic battery pack won't have substantially more range than a niche small, aerodynamic sedan with a smaller battery size – a dilemma which carmakers are contending with.

6

The actual driving range an EV can travel on a single charge can be compromised by factors such as; heavier acceleration, high speed, weather (i.e. headwinds, rain), tackling inclines, and the use of air-conditioning.

Also note that most carmakers recommend a charging limit for lithium-ion type batteries up to 80 per cent only to maintain good battery health and avoid prolonged charging wait times, with exceptions for situations when a full charge is necessary, such as on road trips.

Anything more than 300 kilometres should provide more than enough electrons for the average Aussie weekly commute.

That said, unlike combustion-engine powered cars, electric cars are more efficient and achieve better driving range when used in more busy stop-start traffic urban conditions, as regenerative braking helps recoup some energy back into the battery.

A longer range EV simply provides owner’s more confidence to reach destinations, with fewer public charging stops on road trips, and the assurance that when the battery naturally degrades over time, the reduced range won’t be a major impediment to everyday driving needs.

🔼 Back to top

6

⚖️ Looking for the perfect mix of range and price?

The story you're reading right now focuses on the furthest-driving EVs, regardless of price.

If you want to refine your list to the EVs that will take you far for the best possible price, check out the story linked below.

🔼 Back to top

⚡️ Top 20 EVs on sale in Australia, by driving range

These are the top-20 EVs available in Australia, or well on their way, with the longest WLTP driving range claims.

Yes, most are premium expensive models, but as battery material and mining costs lower, more mainstream EVs are emerging.

1. Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor – 654km
2. BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport – 625km
3. BMW iX xDrive50 Sport – 620km
4. Hyundai Ioniq 6 Dynamiq RWD – 614km
5. Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor* – 610km (or 560km with Performance Pack)
6. Tesla Model 3 Long Range – 602km
7. Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium* – 600km
8. Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor – 591km (or 568km with Performance Pack)
9. BMW iX M60 – 566km
10. BMW i7 M70 xDrive* – 560km
11. Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 sedan – 550km
12. Tesla Model 3 Performance – 547km
13. Tesla Model Y Long Range – 533km
14. Polestar 2 Standard Range Single Motor – 532km
15. MG 4 77kWh Long Range* – 530km
16. Kia EV6 Air RWD – 528km
17. Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 sedan – 526km
18. BMW i4 eDrive40 – 520km
19. Genesis Electrified G80 – 520km
20. Hyundai Ioniq 6 Techniq/Epiq AWD – 519km

🔼 Back to top

Want to know more?

If you'd like to know the claimed driving ranges of every new EV on sale in Australia today, check out the story linked below.

🔼 Back to top

Wheels Media thanks David Bonnici for the original version of this story.