Electric car comparison: the best e-cars for long distances in 2025
- Silvia Josten
- Jun 2
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 4
Range anxiety is an issue that still deters many people interested in e-mobility from purchasing a purely electric car. A lot has happened, however, especially in the last year: Battery technology has improved. CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology) has introduced new batteries with significantly improved range, including one that is said to achieve a range of over 1,000 kilometers . Furthermore, the charging infrastructure is growing, and more and more positive experiences prove that e-mobility works – even for e-cars on long journeys.
We will compare the best long-distance electric cars and provide information on the ranges they achieve in real life.
e-car test 2025: range and consumption
The ADAC continuously monitors the performance characteristics of current e-car models in terms of range and fuel consumption. The results of the models tested in the ADAC Ecotest demonstrate how positively the ranges of electric cars have developed in recent years. While in 2014, all e-vehicles achieved an average range of just 151 kilometers, by 2024 this figure has risen to a remarkable 425 km.
What makes a good long-distance electric car?
Range: WLTP vs. everyday reality
Range is undoubtedly one of the deciding factors when choosing an electric car for long-distance travel. Manufacturers often advertise impressive WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) figures, but these rarely reflect reality. The WLTP test cycle was developed to provide more realistic fuel consumption figures than its predecessor, the NEDC. Nevertheless, the test conditions remain optimized:
Moderate temperatures (23°C)
No use of air conditioning or heating
Moderate accelerations
Optimal road conditions
The actual range of an electric vehicle (EV) often differs from the manufacturer's specifications - depending on driving style, weather, topography and other factors.
In practice, you should expect the following deviations:
Highway : 25 - 40% less range than WLTP
Winter : 30 - 50% less range at temperatures below 0° C
City : Here the values can be closest to the WLTP specification
Rule of thumb: For long-distance journeys, expect about 70 - 75% of the stated WLTP range to be on the safe side.
Instead of just looking at the range, look at the fuel consumption in kWh/100 km (similar to liters/100 km for combustion engines). Manufacturers' specifications are often optimistic – real-life figures are often 15–30% higher. Your personal driving style is crucial here, as fuel consumption increases dramatically at speeds above 120 km/h.
If you know the average fuel consumption of your electric car, there's a formula that will help you calculate your actual range:
Actual range =
Gross battery capacity (kWh) × 0.9 (net share) ÷ actual consumption per 100 km × 100
Example: 60 kWh battery (gross), approx. 54 kWh usable (0.9), consumption: 18 kWh / 100 km. According to the formula, the range is as follows: 54 ÷ 18 × 100 = 300 km
Charging power and charging speed: The key to long-distance suitability
For long-distance journeys, it's not just the range that's crucial, but also how quickly the battery can be recharged. Modern long-distance electric vehicles should support at least 150 kW, ideally over 200 kW. However, it's not the peak power that counts, but the average charging power. A vehicle that can maintain its high charging power over a longer charging process has an advantage. A practical metric is the "charging speed" – it indicates how many kilometers of range are added per minute of charging time:
Under 10 km/min : unsuitable for long distances
10-15 km/min : acceptable
15-20 km/min : good
Over 20 km/min : very good
Comfort and assistance systems: Reach your destination in a relaxed manner
Long-distance journeys require not only technical performance, but also comfort and intelligent assistance. A standout feature of good long-distance electric cars is intelligent route planning:
Automatic charging planning : The system calculates necessary charging stops based on range, consumption and available charging stations.
Charging station filtering : Possibility to filter by charging power, availability or operator.
Preconditioning : Automatic preconditioning of the battery before fast charging for optimal charging speed.
Live data : Real-time information on the availability and functionality of charging stations.
Tesla and the competition: Who leads in range?
For a long time, Tesla was considered the undisputed leader in terms of range. However, other manufacturers have now caught up and offer viable alternatives. Tesla still has some of the longest-range models on the market, such as the Model S with up to 600 km WLTP range (realistically about 450-500 km), the Model 3 Long Range with about 510 km WLTP (realistically 380-460 km), and the Model Y Long Range with about 505 km WLTP (realistically 370-450 km). Tesla also scores with:
Supercharger network : Comprehensive, reliable fast-charging network
Efficient drivetrain : Lower fuel consumption than many competitors
Excellent thermal management : Supports fast and consistent charging
Tesla has lost its once significant lead. The most powerful long-range electric vehicles now come from various manufacturers, some of which even perform better in individual aspects (range, charging power, efficiency). However, Tesla continues to benefit from its mature overall package with an excellent charging network and software.
The top 8 electric cars for long-distance travel in 2025
Lucid Air :
Leader with over 830 km WLTP range, 610 in the Ecotest
Extremely efficient drive system (less than 17 kWh/100 km)
350 kW charging power
BMW iX xDrive 50
New generation with up to 630 km range (WLTP), 610 km in the Ecotest
Ideal for frequent drivers
Excellent build quality and driving dynamics
Tesla Model S Long Range
Tesla range: up to 600 km
High charging performance through Supercharger network
Low consumption despite performance
Hyundai Ioniq 6
Range in the Ecotest: 555 km
Low consumption as an electric car with 800-volt technology
Outstanding fast charging capability (10 - 80% in under 20 minutes)
Mercedes EQE
Range in the Ecotest: 555 km
Premium comfort, high efficiency
Very good motorway suitability
Mercedes EQS
Range in the Ecotest: 530 km
Excellent aerodynamics (cW value of only 0.20)
Comfortable air suspension
Polestar 2 Long Range
Solid all-rounder with a realistic range of 530 km in the Ecotest
supports a maximum DC charging power of up to 205 kW
The average consumption in summer is 14.8 to 15.8 kWh/100 km, in winter at ~21.1 kWh/100 km
KIA EV9
Range in the Ecotest: 500 km
Low consumption as an electric car with 800-volt technology
Outstanding fast charging capability (10 - 80% in under 20 minutes)
In its Ecotest, the ADAC determined the current range values of various vehicles:
We have made the current values of 103 models available for download here.
10 tips for maximum range in electric cars
The actual range of an electric car depends heavily on various factors. With these practical tips, you can significantly increase the range of your electric car and enjoy more relaxed long-distance travel.
1. Drive carefully and gently
The most important factor: Your personal driving style has the greatest influence on the range.
Moderate acceleration : Avoid harsh acceleration, even if the immediate power delivery is tempting
Constant speed : 100-110 km/h instead of 130 km/h on the highway can increase the range by 20-30%
Drive with foresight : Use gradients and timely "sailing" before traffic lights to recover energy through recuperation
Use cruise control : Especially on the motorway, an adaptive cruise control helps to drive constantly and efficiently
2. Use recuperation optimally
The recovery of braking energy (recuperation) can significantly increase the range:
Strongest recuperation level in city traffic : Use maximum recuperation for "one-pedal driving" in stop-and-go traffic
Lower recuperation on the highway : At constant speed, a lower recuperation level can often be more efficient
Use downhill rides : actively charge your battery on long downhill stretches
3. Use air conditioning intelligently
Heating and air conditioning are major energy consumers in e-cars:
Preconditioning while charging : Heat or cool the car while it is still connected to the charger
Seat heating instead of interior heating : In winter, prefer seat heating instead of energy-intensive air heating
Eco mode of the air conditioning : Many electric cars offer energy-saving climate modes
Use a heat pump : If available, a heat pump consumes significantly less energy than an electric heater
4. Optimize tire pressure and aerodynamics
Physical factors significantly influence energy consumption.
Check tire pressure : 0.2 bar too little air pressure can increase consumption by 1-2%
Upper range of recommended tire pressure : For maximum efficiency, select the upper value of the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure range
Avoid roof racks : These can increase air resistance and thus fuel consumption by 10-20%
Close windows : Especially at higher speeds, open windows cause considerable air resistance
5. Reduce weight
Every unnecessary kilogram costs range.
Clear out the trunk : Remove unnecessary heavy items
Carry only necessary fluids : Check whether you really need a full windscreen washer reservoir
Take charging cables with you depending on the situation : If you know that you will only be charging at Type 2 charging stations, you do not need to carry all adapters with you
6. Optimize route planning and navigation
Intelligent planning makes the difference.
Choose an energy-efficient route : The shortest or fastest route is not always the most economical
Consider topography : Mountainous routes consume more energy than flat routes
Plan charging stops strategically : Plan your route so that you arrive with 10 - 20 % remaining capacity at fast chargers
Use real-time traffic data : Traffic jams are energy killers due to stop-and-go
7. Battery care and optimal charging
Proper treatment of the battery has a long-term impact on the range.
Keep the charge level between 20% and 80% : This protects the battery and maintains its capacity for longer
Fast charging only when needed : Frequent fast charging can shorten battery life
Optimal battery temperature : Most lithium-ion batteries work most efficiently at 20-25°C
8. Use Eco mode and driving modes
Modern electric cars offer different driving modes.
Eco mode for long distances : Limits power and optimizes all systems for maximum range
Avoid Sport mode : This prioritizes performance at the expense of efficiency
Configure individual modes : Many vehicles allow user-defined modes, e.g. with reduced air conditioning but normal engine power
9. Consider external factors
Adapt your driving style to the environmental conditions.
Planning winter trips : At temperatures below freezing, you should allow for a 30 - 50 % loss of range
Beware of wind : Strong headwinds can significantly increase fuel consumption
Avoid night driving in winter : Additional lighting in combination with heating maximizes consumption
10. Perform technical updates
Keep your vehicle up to date.
Install software updates : Manufacturers regularly optimize energy efficiency through software updates
Battery management updates : These can improve usable capacity and charging speed
Use new features : Look out for new power saving features in updates
Bonus tip: Reach calculation
Always plan with a safety margin.
80% rule : Calculate for planning only with 80% of the displayed remaining range
Know alternative charging points : Always have a plan B in case a charging station is defective or occupied
Pay attention to the charging curve : Only charge quickly as long as it is efficient (often up to 80%)
With these tips, you can significantly increase the range of your electric car and enjoy more relaxed long-distance travel. Combining several measures can, in practice, result in a 20-30% increase in range!
Conclusion: Which electric car is the best long-distance electric vehicle in 2025?
Currently, BMW , Lucid Air , and Tesla hold the top positions in long-distance vehicles, but the development of newer and better vehicle models is progressing rapidly. And it's not just the performance of the respective electric car that matters.
In addition to pure range, efficient thermal management, high charging capacity, intelligent route planning, and access to reliable fast-charging networks are crucial for a future-proof long-distance electric car. The expansion of accessible charging infrastructure must also be vigorously pursued to ensure that this new mobility system functions smoothly. With these prerequisites, nothing stands in the way of longer journeys in an electric car today.
