Everything you need to know about electric car range

The range of an electric car is simply how far it can travel on a single full charge. It’s often called ‘battery range’, and in the UK it’s quoted in miles.

Just as petrol, diesel and hybrid cars have an official mpg figure, electric cars have an official range rating determined by standardised tests.

How accurate are electric car range figures?

Official range figures are measured under controlled conditions on a rolling road (essentially a treadmill for cars). All car brands have to supply maximum range figures for their electric cars, and these are calculated using the same kind of tests that are used to calculate the fuel economy of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars.

Real‑world range tends to be lower than the official figures because of factors like hills, cold weather and ‘enthusiastic’ driving styles put more strain on a battery. Sometimes they’re quite a lot lower. But the official figures are useful when comparing electric cars because the tests are the same for every model.

What’s the typical range of an electric car?

According to government data, the average range of a new electric car was 236 miles in April 2025. 

Most models now achieve at least 150 miles, many exceed 250 miles and a growing number can manage 300 miles or more on a single charge.

What type of EVs have a long range?

EVs with larger batteries deliver greater range but cost more. It’s no surprise, then, that the cars with the longest range (more on that in a bit) tend to be the more expensive ones.

Age is a factor, too, because battery technology has evolved rapidly over the past few years. Older electric cars such as the first Nissan Leaf and early BMW i3 models have an official range of little more than 100 miles. 

For a bit of context, a petrol-powered Ford Puma (the UK’s best-selling new car) can travel 481 miles with a full tank of fuel, according to official figures.

Does cold weather affect an EV’s range?

In short, yes – cold weather does affect an electric car’s battery range. In cold weather, the battery chemistry slows in lower temperatures, reducing efficiency and extending charge times.

Various real‑world tests show average range drops of 10–20% in winter, and in extreme cold, the reduction can exceed 30%.

What else affects an EV’s range?

An electric car’s range can vary just as fuel economy does in conventional cars. Key factors include:

• Driving style: Heavy acceleration uses more energy. Mash your right foot to the floor, and you’re demanding much more of the battery. 
• Speed: Higher speeds reduce efficiency; a modest reduction in cruising speed can add miles.
• Climate control: Heating and air conditioning draw significant power.
• Additional loads: Headlights, heated seats and even phone charging consume battery power.
• Vehicle weight: Remove unnecessary items from the boot or rear seats to reduce load.

What is ‘range anxiety’?

Range anxiety describes the worry that your remaining charge won’t take you to your destination or the next charger. You’ve probably heard the term before and may even have felt it. 

As of June 2025, according to Zapmap, there are nearly 40,000 public EV charging points in the UK (almost five times the number of petrol stations). So with a little planning, it’s now easier to stay topped up.

Do electric cars lose range over time?

An electric car will lose range over time, as its battery pack gradually starts to degrade. This decline isn’t as dramatic as you might think, however, and certainly less of an issue than with your average mobile phone.

Real-world studies suggest that you can expect an electric car to retain about 80-90% of its original battery capacity after 100,000 miles, so an official range of 300 miles would be reduced to 240-270 miles. Considering that the average annual car mileage in the UK is about 7,400 miles, you’re getting plenty of life out of it.

Bear in mind that most electric cars come with an additional battery warranty, too. Even though the average warranty for a new car is three years or 60,000 miles, most brands offer a separate eight-year/100,000-mile warranty (whichever comes sooner) for the batteries of their electric cars, offering a replacement if its capacity drops below 70%. 

How can I improve my electric car’s range?

There are lots of things that you can do to get the maximum range out of your electric car. Here are our top tips: 

Slow down!

Electric cars are less efficient at higher speeds because they don’t have higher gears like a petrol car. A few miles an hour can make a big difference to how quickly the battery runs down.

Keep it smooth

As with a petrol or diesel car, it pays to anticipate the road ahead and drive smoothly – sudden acceleration puts extra strain on the battery. 

Choose your mode

Most electric cars have different modes that alter the way the electric motor, braking and other systems behave. There are usually ‘normal’ and ‘sport’ settings and, for maximum range, some form of ‘eco’ mode.

Get rid of the junk

The more your car weighs, the more battery power it uses, so remove anything you don’t need from the boot or the back seats. Every little helps!

Which electric car has the longest range? 

As of June 2025,  the Mercedes-Benz EQS has the longest range of any new electric car in the UK, with an official maximum of 481 miles. In second place is the Audi A6 Sportback E-Tron, with a range of 463 miles, followed by the Polestar 3, with a range of 438 miles.