Tesla’s consumer electric vehicles are currently topping the list of electric cars with the most range. The Elon Musk- owned company’s 2016 Tesla Model S and Model X are currently first and second respectively.
The automotive industry and tech start-ups are investing billions in electric and autonomous cars. And some of the biggest obstacles are battery power and range, which makes the cars in this list the market leaders in providing mileage value.
As mentioned above, a lot of research and development is going on as traditional automakers and tech companies such as Google race to create the cars of tomorrow. Electric energy is the most commonly used power source and has become a major sticking point in facilitating the adoption of electric vehicles.
The range an EV can travel between charges is crucial if they are to compete with fossil fuel-powered alternatives. This is why a lot of focus is being paid on EV power sources and thankfully a lot of progress has already been made made to date in that respect .
Thankfully, as battery technologies advance, electric cars are now able to cover longer distances before requiring a charge. This is where Tesla comes into its own; The 2016 Tesla Model S is top of the pack with an electric range of 253 miles, closely followed by the 2016 Model X on 250 miles.
[RELATED: PROTERRA’S CATALYST E2 SERIES ELECTRIC BUS CAN DRIVE AROUND ALL DAY ON A SINGLE CHARGE]
In contrast, the nearest rival to the two Tesla Models is the 2016 Kia Soul EV Electric Wagon which covers a measly 90 mile electric range!
The rest of the vehicles such as the Mercedes Benz B Class electric hatchback or the 2016 BMW i3 all hover around the 80 mile mark. Check out the chart below for a look at the full list of the top 10 Electric Cars with the Most Range:
Top 10 Electric Cars with the Most Range
Tesla’s cars have a huge lead in range over other electric vehicles currently available on the market, and perhaps owning a battery factory helps. But another important factor is the difference in price. Tesla’s two table-topping EV’s each cost over $100,000, while the Kia in 3rd only costs $31,000. Perhaps you do get what you pay for after all. Lets hope the stragglers improve their range in the near future for the good of the industry and adoption of the technology.
Consequently, as impressive as the Tesla vehicles’ range and lead may be, it still lags behind the Proterra Catalyst E2 Series electric bus which can achieve a nominal range of 350 miles on a single charge.
In Tesla’s defence, the range of its top models does however represent a decent range even for regular everyday use. And with battery tech improving everyday, it is only a matter of time until better electric ranges are achieved across the industry.
