Top Gear has compiled a definitive ranking of the best electric cars available in the UK that can truly go the distance. The longest-range electric car you can buy right now in the UK has been named – and it is not Volvo or BYD.
Mercedes EQS 450+ Takes the Crown
Topping the list is the Mercedes EQS 450+, boasting a remarkable range of 575 miles. This flagship electric luxury limousine takes on rivals such as the BMW i7. For 2026, the EQS features a new 800-volt electrical architecture and a larger 122kWh battery pack, which enables the claimed 575-mile range on a single charge in the '450+' model. It can also be charged at speeds of up to 350kW, with Mercedes claiming 199 miles of range can be added in just 10 minutes.
Second and Third Place: BMW and Volvo
In second place is the BMW i3, with an impressive range of 562 miles. Taking third place is the Volvo EX60, which claims a 503-mile range. According to Top Gear, this is a result of the vehicle's “cell to body battery” technology.
Expert Insights on Electric Cars
Carwow explains: "The best electric cars are practical, great to drive and come with potentially tiny running costs. For the most part, range anxiety is a thing of the past. That means there is an EV for almost every need: small hatchback cars, family SUVs, luxury limos – even some of the world’s fastest cars are electric."
Rapid-charging networks are expanding fast, and with cars such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Audi A6 e-tron able to add hundreds of miles in minutes, long trips are becoming easier than ever. However, public charging can still be expensive and inconvenient if it is your only option, so EVs still work best for drivers with home charging. Upfront prices remain higher than petrol or diesel in most cases, but they are falling rapidly. For many buyers, modern EVs are practical, efficient, and cheaper to run than ever before.
