Every type of car has its Achilles’ heel.

Diesels have the fuel economy but a dirty rep due to elevated NOx emissions. Petrols tend to be nippier but can be weak on mpg. Electric vehicles (EVs) manage to combine amazing running costs and an insanely eco-friendly drive but compared to their internal combustion cousins, mile range is limited.

But they’re getting better. How far an EV can go on a single charge before it needs plugging in is growing all the time.

We’ve looked at the best electric cars in the past, but which will go the furthest?

Slight disclaimer: an EV’s real-world range can vary depending on road and weather conditions, as well as traffic levels and driving style, so to keep things fair, we’re going off range figures from New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) tests.

The shortest

Renault Twizy (62 miles)

It’s kind of unfair to call the Twizy ‘a car’, because it isn’t. Technically, it’s a quadricycle and to be honest, it’s an absolute hoot, even with its limited 50mph top speed. It might not get you very far but the Twizy will make you smile.

Citroen C-Zero / Peugeot iOn (93 miles)

Both these cars are technically a Mitsubishi i-MiEV and they’re pretty awful.

We shouldn’t be cruel though because they were some of the earliest EVs on sale and paved the way for more capable battery-powered models like the Nissan Leaf (235 miles).

Volkswagen e-Up (99 miles)

 

The electric Up is what the C-Zero and iOn wish they were. This zippy model manages to blend zero-emission motoring with style and refinement, all in a tiny package. Installing an electric powertrain into such a nimble and compact car arguably makes this the perfect city runaround. Sadly, its £21,140 price tag means it is a tough purchase to justify.

The longest

Jaguar I-Pace (336 miles)

Jaguar aced it with their first ever SUV – the F-Pace – and they’ve reprised that hole-in-one with their debut electric SUV: the I-Pace.

Even before direct rivals from Audi and Mercedes come to market (the E-Tron and EQC respectively), the I-Pace has them beat with its 336-mile range. Chuck in a 394bhp power output and the kind of luxury you’d expect from any other Jaguar and you have one of the finest EVs around.

Hyundai Kona Electric 64kWh / Kia e-Niro 64kWh (339 miles)

We’re letting the Kona and e-Niro share the same spot because, well look at them, they’re essentially the same car. Both offer more range than the I-Pace for roughly half the price. Crazy.

Rather than go into all the details here, head to our in-depth look of the e-Niro here.

Tesla Model S 100D Dual Motor AWD – NEDC range: 393 miles

You probably expected a Tesla to come out on top and it’s the original that is still the best when it comes to range. In addition to offering the longest range, the 100D variant still manages to deliver the supercar-style performance that’s helped the Model S make headlines in the past.

Which electric car would you like plugged in at home? Let us know down in the comments…