10 Longest-Range Electric Car Models for 2021

Ready to go the distance? These EVs certainly are.

Andrew Ganz | 

Dec 1, 2021 | 5 min read

Lucid

When it comes to shopping for an electric vehicle, one of the biggest selling points is range. The longest range electric car models offer freedom to travel greater distances between charges so you can take a trip and see the sights—plus they can reduce the risk of range anxiety.

Thinking of electric cars more along the lines of personal electronic devices with wheels, airbags, and fancy stereo systems may help you wrap your head around their rapid development. In 2010, the EPA estimated the original Nissan LEAF's electric range was 73 miles between charges, enough for a day or two of average commuting. Now, most EVs go at least triple that distance, while the costliest cars top 500 miles, according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates.

There are a lot of things to keep in mind when shopping for the longest-range electric car, such as how much range you actually need between charges, how much you want to spend up front, and how quickly the model's battery can be charged up.

Like their gasoline-powered counterparts, electric cars are most efficient when driven at moderate, suburban speeds with gentle acceleration and limited use of power-sucking accessories such as air conditioning. Becausethis isn't practical for many users, it's worth considering that the EPA rates a vehicle based on its maximum range, not necessarily what you'll find with highway use or with rapid acceleration.

Here's a look at the 10 longest-range electric car models currently on sale. For simplicity, we've picked out the longest-range version of each model, though it's noteworthy that many are available in configurations with slightly—or significantly—less electric range.

1. 2021 Lucid Air Dream Edition: 520 miles

Lucid

California-based startup Lucid may not be a household name, but with its sharp designs and a bold first effort rated as high as 520 miles in EPA testing, it makes a case for itself. The Lucid Air Dream Edition is a limited-run launch model that is technically already sold out, though the still-available Grand Touring version is rated at an equally impressive 516 miles of range. The Dream Edition uses a unique battery that may make its way into other versions of this sleek, stylish sedan.

2. 2021 Tesla Model S Long Range: 405 miles

Tesla

Long the electric car range champ, the Tesla Model S is the most widely available model thanks to the automaker's broad dealership network. This slick four-door has seen its range nearly double since going on sale in 2013, thanks largely to massive advancements in battery development. Be careful with options, however, as ordering the heavier 21-inch alloy wheels adds style points but deducts 30 miles of electric range from the Model S.

3. 2021 Tesla Model X Long Range: 360 miles

Tesla

The Model X is the larger of the two SUV-style vehicles in the Tesla lineup. Its battery is slightly less power-dense than that of the Model S, and it weighs as much as 20% more. Those two factors conspire against its range, which currently tops out at 360 miles for the Long Range variant with base 20-inch alloy wheels. As with the Model S, upgrading to 21-inch wheels chops available range thanks to their heft.

4. 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range: 353 miles

Tesla

The smallest and cheapest Tesla offers good range for the money, plus there's no range penalty for switching between the base 18-inch and optional 19-inch wheels. The Model 3 currently ranges between just under $40,000 and under $55,000 in price, making it the least expensive model to top 350 miles of electric range.

5. 2021 Tesla Model Y Long Range: 326 miles

Tesla

Like the Model 3, but want a higher seating position and a little more cargo capacity? The closely related Model Y is essentially the crossover or SUV version of Tesla's entry-level sedan. However, this vehicle costs more (roughly between $50,000 and $73,000 for one) and boasts 27 fewer miles of electric range than the Model 3, so consider your needs carefully.

6. 2022 Rivian R1T: 314 miles

Rivian

Boasting a rugged design backed up by serious off-road capability, the Rivian R1T is an SUV that makes a low environmental impact as it trundles into the wilderness. It's also the first of a slew of electric pickup models set to hit the road soon, including upcoming rivals from GMC, Ford, and Chevrolet. The R1T will soon spawn an SUV version, the R1S, with a slightly longer range (316 miles) and a slightly higher price tag.

7. 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Extended Range: 305 miles

Ford

With its muscular, Mustang-inspired styling, the Mach-E channels pony car heritage and vaults into the future. The Mustang Mach-E has a low-riding SUV-like body that offers as much as 305 miles of electric range in a certain rear-wheel-drive configuration available on select trim levels. Adding all-wheel drive dents its range to 270 miles, though, so consider your slippery road needs carefully.

8. 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 Pro: 260 miles

Volkswagen

At around $41,000, the ID.4 Pro is both the least expensive model in VW's electric car lineup and the version that can currently drive the farthest between charges. All-wheel drive costs the ID.4 about 11 miles of range, according to the EPA.

9. 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV: 259 miles

Chevrolet

Freshly reworked for 2022, the Chevrolet Bolt EV offers up 259 miles of range on a full charge. At around $32,000, it's one of the least expensive electric cars on the market. If you're after a balance between finding the longest-range electric car and one that won't break the bank, this Chevy offers an appealing compromise.

10. 2022 Hyundai Kona EV: 258 miles

Hyundai

The electric version of the Hyundai Kona stands apart from other cars on our list because it appears largely identical to the non-electric Kona. For drivers who don't want to stand out from the crowd but value zero-emissions driving, the Kona EV delivers 258 miles of electric range.

Andrew Ganz

Andrew Ganz has had cars in his blood ever since he gnawed the paint off of a diecast model as a toddler. After growing up in Dallas, Texas, he earned a journalism degree, worked in public relations for two manufacturers, and served as an editor for a luxury-lifestyle print publication and several well-known automotive websites. In his free time, Andrew loves exploring the Rocky Mountains' best back roads—when he’s not browsing ads for his next car purchase.