Advice
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How much driving range do you really need?
Snapshot
- Most EVs already provide more than enough range for typical daily needs today
- Real-world driving range depends on a variety of factors
- Longer range mainly provides more confidence
So-called ‘range anxiety’ is a key concern for Australians considering the electric vehicle switch.
With many Australians still requiring long-haul capability, current battery technology simply can’t deliver the same range as most petrol or diesel-powered vehicles, and public EV charging infrastructure today is still patchy (although quickly growing).
But it’s important to consider how much range you really need to drive daily.
In reality, even though it's a worry for Australians, most electric models provide more than enough range for the typical 30 to 40-kilometre daily commute – and it’s improving.
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JUMP AHEAD
⚡️ Top 10 longest range EVs in Australia
- 🔢 Full range list of every new EV
- 🤔 What determines EV range?
- 💨 What is ‘WLTP’?
- 🛣️ What does real-world range mean
- ⚖️ The best value-for-range EVs?
- 🤔 Time to make the electric switch?
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⚡️ Top 10 longest range EVs in Australia
These are the best-range new EVs on sale in Australia (or on their way), according to each manufacturer's combined WLTP testing claims – based on a full 100 per cent charge (although that generally isn’t recommended).
Figures are correct as at the time of publication.
*Model launching in Australia soon
- Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor – 654km
- Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4Matic liftback – 631km
- Tesla Model 3 Long Range – 629km
- BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport – 625km
- BMW iX xDrive50 Sport – 620km
- Hyundai Ioniq 6 Dynamiq – 614km
- Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor* – 610km (or 560km with Performance Pack)
- Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium – 600km
- Lotus Eletre/Eletre S* – 600km
- Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor – 591km
🔢 Want more detail?
For the full claimed-range list of every new EV in Australia, check out our guide linked below.
🤔 What determines EV driving range?
EV driving range is mainly dictated by the usable (net) battery size, vehicle aerodynamic design, total weight, and the electric drive unit’s efficiency.
In other words, the price doesn’t necessarily mean it can go further on a single charge.
This all impacts the energy consumption – measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh per 100km) – which is how quickly it eats the battery size in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
For conventional petrol- or diesel internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, this is equivalent to fuel consumption (litres per 100km) and the fuel tank capacity (litres) respectively.
Which to choose: Big or small battery?
A longer range EV simply provides owner’s more confidence to reach destinations with fewer public charging stops on long road trips.
It also offers the assurance that – when the battery naturally degrades over time – the reduced range won’t be a major impediment to everyday driving needs.
However, larger battery EVs can be significantly more expensive to buy (depending on the model) and has a higher initial environmental footprint.
Additionally, a bigger battery doesn’t always result in a substantial range benefit since it gets heavier and therefore increases energy consumption.
An in-demand large boxy electric SUV with a heavier big battery pack doesn’t necessarily provide double the range compared to a small aerodynamic electric sedan with a lighter battery half its size.
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💨 What is ‘WLTP’?
Car brands mainly quote European combined World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test (WLTP) figures – which is the strictest method available for testing electric driving range and efficiency.
However, WLTP claims still don't accurately reflect real-world driving range since it is conducted under strict controlled laboratory conditions at set speeds and may not account for factors, such as different weather temperatures and regenerative braking.
Other tests quoted by manufacturers may include; the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) locally, or the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) test overseas.
All but the latter provide more optimistic range claims than WLTP, with the EPA biased towards inefficient highway driving.
It’s getting longer…
As battery technology improves, electric drive units evolve and designers maximise aerodynamic efficiency, newly-released EV models are improving driving range capabilities.
It’s not limited to a new generation model either. For example, the facelifted 2024 Polestar 2 liftback extended claimed WLTP range by between 54 to 104 kilometres thanks to a new rear-wheel drive electric motor for single-motor variants – improving energy efficiency.
MG’s chief designer also believes SUVs will become lower and sleeker to maximise electric range – a trend that’s already demonstrated in models, such as the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, and Renault Megane E-Tech.
🛣️ What does real-world range mean?
While WLTP is the best guide to electric range on one full charge, it is unlikely to be achieved in reality. Of course, this also applies to combustion cars.
Depending on how and where you drive, a general rule-of-thumb is to take about 10 to 20 per cent off the WLTP claim to estimate real-world range.
Firstly, most carmakers recommend an everyday charging limit for lithium-ion type batteries up to 80 per cent only to maintain good battery health.
While emerging lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries are less susceptible to degradation when full charging, an 80 per cent cap is still suggested when at public stations to avoid prolonged charging wait times, except for situations when a full charge is necessary.
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| Factors that impact real-world EV range | |
|---|---|
| Driving behaviour | Heavy acceleration requires more energy |
| Drag | Opening windows, roof racks and exposed tow bars reduce the aerodynamic efficiency (in addition to headwinds) |
| Weather | Low/high temperatures, headwinds, rain |
| Air-conditioning use | Blasting the climate control saps more energy (but using heated seats instead saves juice) |
| Speed | High speed (i.e. on highways) make the motor/s work harder |
| Hills | Driving up inclines requires more power (similar to an ICE vehicle), but going down benefits from regen braking |
There are a variety of factors that impact real-world range by increasing energy consumption.
Contrary to ICE vehicles, EVs are less efficient at high speeds – so you’re more likely to get more range when travelling in constant stop-start situations, which triggers regenerative braking to recoup some energy back into the battery.
This makes electric cars ideally suited to urban environments, but is still more efficient than an engine constantly running at idle or while on-the-move, regardless of driving conditions.
How much range do you really need?
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics [↗], the typical driver travels between 30 to 40 kilometres per day. Based on 2021 Census data [↗], at least 80 per cent of homes can access off-street parking (presumably with a three-pin plug) to charge.
Therefore, anything more than 300 kilometres should provide more than enough electrons for the average weekly commute.
To determine how much range you need, enter your daily commute stops (depart and return destinations) on the Google Maps [↗] multi-stop route planner tool.
On longer trips, use A Better Route Planner [↗] or Tesla’s Trip Planner [↗] to understand how many stops are needed and where you can charge at a public station.
⚖️ Looking for the perfect mix of range and price?
If you’re looking for an EV that provides driving range for the best possible price, check out our guide linked below.
🤔 Is it time to make the electric switch?
EVs are not for everyone, but they are right for most.
Charging availability, charging times, and battery longevity remain key perceived issues. For more, check out our /Electric hub guides below.
Wheels Media thanks David Bonnici for the original version of this story.
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