HAMBURG: Amid all the talk about range anxiety and fears of running out of charge, it is interesting to compare the distance the best electric cars can manage before they need to sip fresh electrons.
These days, many electric cars can cover 600km and some of the 10 electric cars with the longest range will even drive for 650 km before they need to charge up.
The results may surprise many would-be electic car buyers who are worried about being stranded when the power runs out.
It is not hard to understand why many EV drivers are on edge when their batteries are low on energy.
EVs, with their between 600 and 850-kilogramme high-voltage batteries are often exhausted after relatively short journeys and even large batteries are drained in no time.
This means that Teslas and other electric limousines crawling along in the slow lane of a motorway are an all too common sight as drivers try to conserve power after letting charge levels drop too low.
It also takes quite a long time to recharge EV batteries. This is why buyers are so nervous. Once the battery of an e-car is empty, nothing on board works anymore, and unlike with a fuel-fired car, there is no reserve canister on board for some petrol or diesel to get you to the next service station.
When comparing range, the only thing that counts is the figure according to Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) or as stated by the manufacturers in their configurator or else in official price lists.
Tenth place goes to the Zeekr 001 Long Range RWD which can cover 620km between charges, thanks to a 100-kWh battery. The Swedish-designed Chinese crossover is the first model from Chinese parent company Geely which also owns Volvo and Polestar.
The Renault Scenic E-Tech Electric 220 Long Range makes it into 9th place. The new electric edition of the classic model for busy families on the move has a WLTP range of 625 km, a nominal capacity of 87 kWh and 160 kW (218 PS) of power.
Germany's finest occupies 8th position in the shape of the Porsche Taycan Performance-Battery Plus. The factory gives average range as 629km (it can vary between 579km and 678km). The powerful electric motor is rated at 320kW (435 PS) and the battery has 97kWh.
Boosting the battery has done the trick for the Taycan along with new tyres, which offer a lower rolling resistance and a significant weight loss.
Seventh place goes to the Tesla Model 3 Maximum Range mid-range saloon which can be ordered with an endurance of 629km and an output of 324kW (440hp). The US brand claims the new Model 3 is the most efficient Tesla ever produced.
Internal competition comes from the Tesla Model S Dual Motor+ with four-wheel-drive, which takes 6th place. The US manufacturer gives its WLTP as a maximum of 634km.
Fifth spot goes to Polestar's impressive 3 Long Range Single Motor. The full-size SUV will manage a range of up to 650km, say the makers. The power output is 220kW (299hp). When connected to an equally powerful charge these will fill up in 30 minutes, or from zero to full in 11 hours using a home charger.
Slotting in in 4th place is the Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor, which has a 78kW battery and a maximum range of 659km on one charge.
Ailing carmaker Volkswagen can take heart from the excellent range rating of its ID.7 which garners third place. For anxious drivers, the lozenge-shaped limousine is a potential deal-breaker. With 210kW (286hp) on tap and 545Nm of torque, the Pro S edition will run up to 709 km between visits to the charging station. Battery capacity is given as 86kWh.
For a long time, the electric car with the longest range was the Mercedes EQS 450+. Since its facelift, the battery has gained a capacity of 118kWh instead of 108.4kWh, allowing it to cover an average of 753km according to the WLTP standard (factory specification: 683km to 822 km).
The new front-runner is a rare car on the road and something of a surprise. The Lucid Air Grand Touring is a Californian luxury liner with 19-inch wheels said to achieve a range of 839 (WLTP). It delivers 611kW (831hp), accelerates to 100kph in a mere 3.2 seconds and tops out at 270kph.
