Mercedes-Benz EQE 300: 612 km
Meet the Mercedes EQS’s little brother. Where the EQS is the S-Class of Mercedes electric cars, the EQE is – you guessed it – the E-Class of Mercedes electric cars. While it admittedly looks very similar to the former, it’s more medium sedan in size thanks to its 90mm shorter length, and only gets an 89 or 90kWh battery (as opposed to the EQS’s 108kWh unit) dependent on spec. The entry-level model is the EQE 300, which gets a single-motor, rear-wheel drive setup for a maximum 612 kilometers. What range anxiety?
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
The Alisea concept is a beautifully reimagined Pagani Zonda
Lexus facelifts its superyacht, the LY680
BMW iX xDrive50: 612 km
BMW’s first purpose-built electric vehicle since the i3 continues to split opinion, and it’s not hard to see why. Does it get any better looking if you live with one? We tried just that to find out, which you can read all about by clicking these blue words. All models get twin motors and all-wheel drive, beginning with the xDrive40 with a 71kWh battery, good for up to 425 km. The xDrive50 harbours 105.2kWh though, hence it's very handy 612 km.
BMW i7 xDrive60: 623 km
The seventh generation of BMW’s range topper launches with electrons, and it’s here to bring new meaning to electric luxury limousines. We’ll leave you to decide on the looks, though the bigger talking point is arguably the huge 31.3in panoramic television (‘theatre’) screen that folds out of the roof for rear-seat passengers. Under the skin you get a 105.7kWh battery, 536hp from two electric motors, and up to 623 km on a single charge. More than enough to cover the average 37 km round commute several times over…
Tesla Model S: 634 km
First launched back in 2012, the fact the Model S remains on this list a decade later proves the unconventional brand is doing something right. While we eagerly await the 998-kilometer-boasting Roadster launch (it's been repeatedly delayed), the entry-level dual motor, AWD Model S is good for up to 634 km (that's an EPA estimate, FYI). Again, you'll take a range-hit for the top-spec Plaid, equipped with three motors, 1,006hp, but slightly reduced range maxing out at 600 km.
Polestar 2 Long Range: 653 km
Volvo’s former racing offshoot has now turned its attention to EVs, and it’s starting to make a name for itself. For all the right reasons too. Leading the way is the Polestar 2: facelifted in summer 2023, the most significant change increases the maximum range. The entry-level standard range single motor version now gets a 69kWh battery offering up to 546 km, while the long range single motor also gets a bigger 82kWh unit capable of up to 653 km. Not bad going.
Porsche Taycan: 678 km
Porsche’s first all-electric car was already a hugely impressive feat of engineering, but come 2024 it’s now even better thanks to a significant mid-life facelift which improves power, range and charging times. A bigger battery, now with a gross capacity of 105kWh (up from 93kWh), allows for up to 678 km from a single charge in the rear-drive Taycan, a 35 percent increase. Crikey. And 320kW charging capability, up 50kW over the old model, means a 10-80 percent charge will take just 18 minutes, compared to 37 minutes in the pre-facelift car. Sheesh.
Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+: 710 km
Yeah, you could travel over 500 km by train or by plane, but you’d also have to share that with *gasp* the general public. And no one needs that stress in their life. Instead, why not relax in Mercedes’ electric limo, the EQS, which the German manufacturer claims will manage up to 710 km in its most efficient configuration? OK, it might be nearer to 640 km by road, but that should be no problem for the EQS and its hefty 108kWh battery, right?
Lucid Air Grand Touring: 830 km
The current rangetastic king comes from Silicon Valley-based Lucid with its Air electric saloon, which boasts up to 830 km in its top spec. To get there you’ll have to wade through no less than four variants, from the entry-level Pure (47bhp, 660 km of range), to the Touring (612hp, 684 km), and range-topping Sapphire, featuring a three-motor powertrain, 1,184hp, a 0-100kph time of around two seconds and a top speed of over 320kph. Wowzers.
Note: This story first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
