Electric car range: how far could you go on one full charge?

Let’s face the fears of range anxiety and see how far electric vehicles can go on a full charge.

Range anxiety is probably the biggest obstacle in the greater adoption of EVs.

This phenomenon has much to do with the availability of charging points, the reliability of charging times and the idea that the range of their EV is insufficient to reach their destination.

As the infrastructure is gradually being put in place—like Tesla opening up their Supercharger network to any EV with a CCS connector—finding fast charging is becoming easier.

The manufacturer’s claimed range vs the actual real-world range can vary, depending on many factors such as driving habits, traffic and weather conditions. 

It’s also important to remember that you probably won’t travel more than 200 electric miles in one journey. After all, not many people can hold in a wee for that long. So, you’ll have the opportunity to charge while you stop for a break.

To show you the capabilities of five electric vehicles, we’ve planned a few potential journeys you could make from Exeter, Devon—the home of Carparison HQ—on one full charge, according to the manufacturer’s WLTP Comb electric range.

How far can you travel in an electric car?

Mercedes-Benz EQS: Exeter to Paris

Looking at a Mercedes-Benz EQS lease? We’re not surprised.

It has the largest range in the UK EV game, with a WLTP Comb range of up to 481 miles.

If you fancy a trip to the capital city of France (a short 453 miles), your EQS will do the job in one full charge. And you’ll still have 29 miles of range left, even after crossing international borders on your journey.

Hop on the A303 all the way to the M25, then take the M26. After that, it's onto the A20 to the Eurotunnel at Dover.

So, now we’ve touched down in France, it's time to take the D940 to the A16. After about 150 miles, you'll move onto the N184 and then the A115. Finally, take the A15, which will lead you right into Paris.

Oui oui, all on a single charge.

Bear in mind this will take nearly 9 to 10 hours of driving without stopping though. 

So, bring snacks and some entertainment.

Polestar 3: Exeter to Brussels

If you're heading around 400 miles away from Exeter, you're going to end up outside of England.

And 400 miles is exactly what the Polestar 3 can do. So, a trip to Brussels, Belgium is on the cards.

Cadbury and Galaxy not cutting it for you? Go straight to the source of the famous Belgian chocolate, in its country of origin.

Hop onto the Eurostar, and it's a short drive from Calais to Brussels. For your Polestar’s 438-mile range, this 397 mile journey gives you nearly 40 miles of range left to play with.

Reduce your carbon footprint by ditching the planes and grabbing your Polestar keycard. 

It’s holiday time.

Ford Capri: Exeter to Dublin

Does a Ford Capri lease tickle your fancy? This electric homage to the classic '70s Capri boasts a claimed range of up to 389 miles.

In the Capri, you can head to Dublin, Ireland, without worrying about your next charging stop.

It’s only 376 miles, so you’ll have 23 miles of range left over. A quick stint on the ferry from North Wales with your EV, and you’ve made it.

If you’re a Guinness enthusiast, Dublin is the ultimate destination, without having to touch a plane or charging station.

Volkswagen ID.7: Exeter to Le Mans

If you know anything about race car driving (or loved the film Ford v Ferrari), you’ll recognise Le Mans, France, as the iconic town that hosts the 24 Hours of Le Mans—an epic round-the-clock race.

With the Volkswagen ID.7 offering a 437-mile range, the 351-mile journey will get you there, and leave you with 86 miles left of range once arriving at Le Mans.

That’s enough for a quick 10 laps around the 8.5 mile Le Mans circuit. Really get in on the action, without having to worry about charging.

The journey won’t take you 24-hours, but it will take you just over nine hours. So, you may need a few toilet breaks.

But you won’t need a single break for charging.

It may not be enough charge for 24 hours of constant high-speed racing, but it’s more than enough to cross the English Channel with ease.

Peugeot E-5008: Exeter to Lake District National Park

Although the beautiful Dartmoor National Park is nearby, it lacks lakes.

So, a short 301-mile trip to the Lake District will more than make up for it.

With a Peugeot E-5008 lease, you’ll be sorted, thanks to its 311-mile range and seven seats to bring the whole family along.

The Lake District is easy enough to get to, up the M5 and M6 from Exeter for a five-to-six-hour journey, depending on traffic.

While you won’t need to stop for charging, there are plenty of service stations with charging points along the 291-mile motorway stretch.

Enjoy the lakes!

Advice

As you can see, these electric cars can go quite the distance, and manufacturers are always working to make their range bigger.

If you’re planning on taking your EV for an extra-long journey across the country, it would be wise to research where there are charging points, so you don’t find yourself with a flat battery.

There are plenty of apps you can use to track where there are EV charging points on your route.

We encourage you to take regular breaks if you’re driving a long way to have a little rest and stretch your legs.

All motorway service stations are required to have EV charging points. And charging points are becoming more and more abundant in urban areas.

So, if you fancy a little pit stop and want to explore a new place on the way, plan your route so you can charge your vehicle while stopped.