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

How far can you really go on one electric car charge?

TL;DR: How far can an electric car go on one charge?

Most modern electric cars offer a real-world range of around 300 miles on a full charge, with the UK's longest-range models now pushing well beyond that.

We took five of the UK's longest-range EVs and figured out how far you could get on one charge; claimed range versus real-world range. These cars include:

• Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+
• Volvo EX60 P12 AWD
• BMW iX3 xDrive50 
• Audi A6 e-tron Performance
• DS No.8

The electric cars with the longest range and how far they could go on one charge

Range anxiety was once one of the biggest barriers to switching to an electric car (EV) — the worry of running low on charge with no charger nearby, or facing a long wait to top up. That worry is fading fast.

Public charging infrastructure keeps expanding. As of July 2026, the UK's public charging network has passed 122,000 chargers across more than 47,000 locations, and the number keeps climbing.

At the same time, EV range keeps improving. 

The average electric car in the UK now offers close to 300 miles on a full charge, and long-range models regularly reach 300 to 400 miles. Some go further still, with a few now going over the 500-mile bracket.

Of course, WLTP Comb figures rarely match real-world driving, with factors like weather and driving style affecting how far you'll actually get.

Real-world range tends to sit around 10% below the official figure, so for each car, we've mapped two destinations: One based on the claimed WLTP Comb range, and one based on a more realistic real-world figure.

Here's how far some of the UK's longest-range EVs could actually take you on one charge, starting from Carparison HQ in Exeter, Devon — and how much of that claimed range you can really bank on.

Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+

575 miles (WLTP Comb) vs 517 miles

Carparison Leasing – Fort William: 549 miles – just under 10 hours

We're starting with a serious contender: The Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+. It has the longest range of any EV on sale in the UK, with up to 575 miles (WLTP Comb).

That's more than enough to reach Fort William, known as the outdoor capital of the UK. It sits on Loch Linnhe and serves as the gateway to Ben Nevis, Glencoe, the West Highland Way and the Jacobite Steam Train.

There's no need for a ferry or the Eurotunnel here, just a straightforward drive that gets you deep into the Highlands on a single charge.

Carparison Leasing – Dundee 512 miles - 8.5 hours

As real-world range typically runs 10% lower than the official figure, the EQS 450+ would get around 517.5 miles.

This is more realistic, especially in colder temperatures, and you're not going to have the perfect driving style the whole way up.

With the real-world range, you could get to Dundee in Scotland. Explore the world-class museums, historic shops and scenic viewpoints.

Under the bonnet, the EQS 450+ produces 355bhp, enough for 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 130mph, backed by a 118kWh battery and 200kW rapid charging that takes it from 10 to 80% in around half an hour.

Inside, the standout feature is Mercedes' Hyperscreen, a 56-inch three-panel display that stretches across the dashboard, giving the EQS 450+ one of the most tech-forward cabins in its class.

Volvo EX60 P12 AWD

503 miles (WLTP Comb) vs 452 miles

Carparison Leasing – Belfast: 502 miles – 10 hours (with a ferry)

Next up is the Volvo EX60 P12 AWD, the flagship version of Volvo's all-electric alternative to the hugely popular XC60.

It offers up to 503 miles (WLTP Comb), putting it right up among the longest-range EVs on sale in the UK.

Just hop on a ferry from Holyhead to Dublin. Once there, Belfast offers plenty to explore, from the world-class Titanic Belfast maritime museum to a historic Black Taxi tour of the political murals and Peace Walls, the Victorian Crumlin Road Gaol, and traditional music and drinks in the Cathedral Quarter.

Carparison Leasing – Slieve Gullion Forest Park: 446 miles – 9.5 hours (with a ferry)

But what about the real-world range? Taking off 10% would give you around 452.7 miles.

This is enough to get you to Slieve Gullion Forest Park in the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Enjoy nature walks, play areas, and traditional storytelling all on a mountainside linked to Celtic mythology.

Under the bonnet, the P12 AWD produces 671bhp from its dual-motor setup, enough for 0-62mph in just 3.9 seconds, backed by a 117kWh battery and 370kW rapid charging capable of adding over 200 miles in around 10 minutes.

BMW iX3 xDrive50

500 miles (WLTP Comb) vs 450 miles

Carparison Leasing – Amsterdam: 464 miles – just under 10 hours (with the Eurotunnel)

The BMW iX3 xDrive50 is BMW's new flagship electric SUV, and the first model built on the brand's all-new Neue Klasse platform.

It offers up to 500 miles of range (WLTP Comb), making it the first EV in the UK to break the 500-mile barrier.

That's enough to cover the 464-mile journey to Amsterdam via the Eurotunnel. Once there, the city offers plenty to fill a trip, from cruising the historic 17th-century canals to taking in world-class art at the Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum, visiting the Anne Frank House, wandering the Jordaan neighbourhood, browsing the Albert Cuyp Market, or relaxing in Vondelpark.

Carparison Leasing – Rotterdam: 431 miles – 9.5 hours (with a ferry)

Real-world range typically sits 10% below the WLTP figure, which would leave you with 450 miles.

While not quite enough to get to Amsterdam, you can still get to Rotterdam via a ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland instead of the Eurotunnel.

Once there, you can wander the canals and quirky architecture around the Kubus, take in free skyline views from the top of the Maritime Museum area near the Erasmus Bridge, or grab food and drink in the buzzing Witte de Withstraat district.

Under the bonnet, the xDrive50 produces 462bhp from its dual-motor setup, enough for 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds, backed by a 113kWh battery and up to 400kW rapid charging, the fastest peak rate in its class.

Audi A6 e-tron Performance

468 miles (WLTP Comb) vs 421 miles

Carparison Leasing – Paris: 449 miles – just under nine hours (with the Eurotunnel)

The Audi A6 e-tron Performance is the fastest of the 'regular' A6 e-tron range, offering up to 468 miles on the WLTP Comb cycle from its 100kWh battery.

Simply hop on the Eurotunnel — once there, Paris offers no shortage of things to fill a trip.

From the Mona Lisa at the Louvre and the collections at the Musée d'Orsay to the views from the Eiffel Tower, a boat ride along the Seine, or a wander through Montmartre up to the Sacré-Cœur.

Carparison Leasing – Rouen: 404 miles – just over eight hours (with the Eurotunnel)

Real-world range typically runs 10% below, putting it at around 421.2 miles.

This will still get you to Rouen, the capital of the northern French region of Normandy. The port city sits on the river Seine and played an important role in the Roman era and Middle Ages.

You can visit Gothic churches and witness half-timbered houses.

The skyline is also dominated by the spires of Cathédrale Notre-Dame, much-painted by Impressionist Claude Monet.

Under the bonnet, the e-tron Performance produces 380bhp from its single motor, enough for a confident cruise at motorway speeds, backed by 270kW rapid charging that takes it from 10 to 80% in around 21 minutes.

DS No.8

466 miles (WLTP Comb) vs 419 miles

Carparison Leasing – Brussels: 443 miles – 8.5 hours (with the Eurotunnel)

Rounding off the list is the DS No.8, DS Automobiles' new flagship electric SUV with sleek fastback-saloon styling.

The Long Range version offers up to 466 miles (WLTP Comb) from its 97.2kWh battery.

Once there, Brussels offers plenty to enjoy, from marvelling at the stunning guild houses on the Grand Place to touring the futuristic Atomium sphere monument, seeing the famous Manneken Pis statue, and sampling world-famous Belgian chocolates, fresh waffles, and local craft beers.

Carparison Leasing – Antwerp: 409 miles – 8.5 hours (with the Eurotunnel)

Taking 10% off would give you a real-world range of around 419.4 miles. This may not get you to Brussels on one charge, but you can get to Antwerp.

Here you can explore the historic Grote Markt, visit the world's largest Belgian chocolate museum at Chocolate Nation, or take in panoramic city views from the top of the Museum aan de Stroom.

Under the bonnet, the No.8 produces 242bhp from its single motor, enough for 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, backed by 160kW DC rapid charging that takes it from 20 to 80% in around 27 minutes.

So, how far could you go on one charge?

As these five EVs show, range anxiety is becoming far less of a concern for anyone considering the switch to electric.

Whether it's the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ covering the length of the UK to the Highlands, or reaching the continent in a single hop, today's long-range EVs are more than capable of handling serious distance on a single charge.

Real-world range will always vary depending on the car, the conditions, and how it's driven, but the gap between official and real-world figures continues to close as EV technology improves.

With the UK's charging network growing by the month, taking an electric car further afield has never been more straightforward.