Electric cars are becoming more and more popular this year. Many automakers have announced that they will be investing more on these types of vehicles. That only proves that people now are more aware of the benefits the electric cars can give to us and the environment. Some are still skeptical about using one though, especially the ones that use vehicles on a daily basis. Car enthusiasts will always be on the lookout for the longest range electric car. Range will be the first thing people worry about and maybe a bunch of possible worst case scenarios.
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How far can an electric car go on a single charge? Will I get stuck somewhere? These questions and the what-ifs could be a major drawback in making the decision on whether you’ll switch to an electric car or not. While these worries are valid, it’s not a reason for any concern now because this year, we have the longest range electric cars available that meet the demands of daily driving. The new generation of EVs are sufficient enough that you can drive it without worry and just charge it at home overnight and drive it again the following day. Here is our list of our top 10 longest range electric cars of 2020.
- 2020 Tesla Model S Long Range Plus – The Tesla Model S was launched in 2012 and it was the first long-range electric car. Today, the Model S remains as impressive as ever. The 2020 Tesla Model S Long Range Plus has an EPA-estimated 402 miles of range. It offers a full-time all-wheel drive with two electric motors, one in the front and one in the rear. It offers a fast and comfortable ride, well-controlled body motions, and direct steering. Its interior has a minimalist look and installed with a 17-inch screen that virtually controls all vehicle functions. It has an estimated charging time of 12 hours at 240 volts.
- 2020 Tesla Model X Long Range Plus – The Tesla Model X is an all-wheel drive heavy SUV that is fast and practical. It offers a roomy and high-tech cabin that can fit up to seven people. Its design is rather unconventional with its huge windshield that arcs over the front seats. This model of Tesla secured a spot in our list of the longest range electric cars for its EPA-estimated 351 miles of driving range. It comes with a large battery sufficient enough to give the longest range possible that is mounted in the floor which creates a low center of gravity. Its estimated charging time is 10 hours at 240 volts.
- 2020 Tesla Model 3 Long Range – This four-door sedan may be smaller and less expensive than the other 2 Tesla vehicles, but the Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD proved to be worthy to belong in this list with its driving range of 330 miles. It’s like Tesla’s electric car for the masses. It has a sleek styling and an impressive safety rating. The Model 3 provides different charging options. One is through the Superchargers, it is Tesla’s very own network of fast-charging stations. Another way is through adapters for DC public-charging stations, and through a home-charging station. It can be charged at 240 volts for 10 hours.
- 2020 Tesla Model Y Long Range – This is Tesla’s first compact SUV and it does not disappoint. It is impressive that it is one of the longest range electric cars of today. The all-wheel drive Tesla Model Y long Range has a 316 miles of driving range. This model delivers a top speed of 145 mph. It has speedy acceleration, and quick steering reflexes. It has some standard safety features that include standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, and standard adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode. It also comes with an oversized panoramic glass roof and the front seats have supportive bucket seats. It also has a charging time of 10 hours at 240 volts.
- 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV – Chevrolet’s very own all-electric longest-range hatchback is made to be more affordable than the other EVs. The 2020 Chevy Bolt EV can travel up to 259 miles on a single charge. You can get a full charge for 9 hours when using a 240-volt outlet but the fast-charging option can only give you an additional 90 miles of range for every 30 minutes when using a Level 3 charging station. This 5-door hatchback is spacious and practical. It offers a decent cargo space behind the rear seats. It also provides a fast and accurate steering, a composed ride, and an ample power. It is a great electric car that most people can afford and it also makes an excellent city car.
- 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric – This model’s structure is based on the Hyundai Kona but with little revisions. It has lower ride height and a more refined styling with a unique front bumper and grille. The 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric has a 201-hp electric motor that drives front-wheels. It is powered by a 64.0-kWh battery pack and has an EPA-estimated 258 miles of driving range. It is one mile less than the Bolt EV, but it still made the cut as one of the longest range electric cars of 2020. It is fun to drive with its bold driving dynamics and it also offers a lot of useful standard features. Its estimated charging time is 9.5 hours at 240 volts.
- 2020 Kia Niro EV – The 2020 Kia Niro EV is a great choice when it comes to affordability. Though it does not offer exciting specs or design like the others, it is still capable and can offer a long driving range. It can provide a maximum electric driving range of 239 miles. It is powered by a 201-hp single electric motor. It is equipped with regenerative braking that recharges your car every time you brake. The Kia Niro EV is loaded with lots of standard features even in the base trims like the power front seats and heated front seats. Its interior styling has a more traditional look with its familiar controls and functions. It also has an excellent 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. It also charges for 9.5 hours at 240 volts.
- 2020 Jaguar I-Pace – The 2020 Jaguar I-Pace got high scores and rankings on the Luxury Hybrid and Electric SUVs category based on reviews and surveys of various car websites. This all-electric SUV has an efficient powertrain and a great design. It offers an impressive performance, good cornering abilities, and composed and controllable ride. It is equipped with twin electric motors that can make 394 hp and 512 lb-ft of torque and a 90-kwh battery that is mounted under the floor. The 2020 Jaguar I-Pace has a maximum electric driving range of 234 miles making it one of the longest range electric cars today. It charges for 12.9 hours at 240 volts.
- 2020 Nissan Leaf S Plus – This affordable all-electric compact car has been on the market since 2010. The 2020 Nissan Leaf Plus comes with a 214-hp 160-kW electric motor and a 62-kWh battery. It gives an EPA-estimated 226 miles miles of driving range. It has a sleek design, a roomy cabin, and loads of standard safety features like the automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Leaf S Plus trim also comes with a standard DC fast-charging connection. For regular charging, it needs about 11.5 hours at 240 volts to fully charge.
- 2020 Porsche Taycan 4S with Performance Battery Plus – This new high-performance electric sedan is Porsche's first all- electric vehicle. The 2020 Porsche Taycan 4S can make 522 horsepower with its base 79.2-kWh battery pack, but when equipped with the optional Performance Battery Plus package, it could go up to 563 horsepower with the opted 93.4-kWh battery and can achieve a maximum driving range of 203 miles. With the Taycan 4S bearing the Porsche badge, you can trust that it will give a superior performance like a real Porsche does. Its estimated charging time is 9 hours at 240 volts.
While these are the top 10 longest range electric cars of this year, that doesn’t mean that it is the longest possible range an EV can achieve. The automotive industry is constantly working on developing more powerful and efficient EVs that have longer range than today’s EVs. There are a number of upcoming electric vehicles that are set to be launched next year. The promised driving range of the 2021 EVs are impressive. Here’s what’s in store for the year 2021.
- Volkswagen ID.4 – It will be the first all-electric vehicle from Volkswagen. It will be easily included in the longest range electric car list as it is set to have a driving range of more than 300 miles for its highest trim.
- Lucid Air – The Newark, California-based Lucid Motors announced that the much anticipated all-electric Lucid Air sedan will be set to cover an astonishing 517 miles of driving range. It is also set to be the fastest charging electric vehicle ever offered. The production will begin late this year but the customer deliveries will begin early next year.
- Tesla Roadster – Tesla boasts that the Roadster is the fastest car in the world that can sprint 60mph in just 1.9 seconds. It will have a maximum speed of up to 250mph. It is a bit expensive but it can give a whopping 620 miles of driving range on a single charge at highway speeds. We do hope that the new Tesla Roadster can live up the hype.
How Long Does It Take to Charge An Electric Car?
With the longest range electric cars boasting their driving range, one can really wonder how long it takes to charge an electric car. The charging of EVs really depends on the vehicle model, how much battery was used, and even the weather. There are also some factors that can affect the vehicle’s charging time. Factors like the max charging rate of your vehicle, the size of your battery and the type of charger you are using as it only charges as fast as it's allowed. There are also different types of charging stations. There’s Levels 1 to 3 and Rapid Chargers. The Level 1 are 120-volt charging stations. It adds a driving range of between 3 and 5 miles per hour. It is the common home charger that can fully charge your vehicle overnight. The Level 2 are usually public chargers at 240 volts that can add between 15 and 40 miles of driving range per hour. You can buy this type of charger to use at home. Just check it before buying so you won’t get a low-powered one. The Level 3 can give you 120 to 150 miles per hour, but requires some additional equipment and it is not suitable for home charging. Then there are Rapid Chargers, the fast working public chargers that can refill you in less than 30 minutes. When you purchase a new electric car, you will be offered a fast or a rapid charging option, it is best to take advantage of this option if you know you will be driving your vehicle often to lessen the charging time of your electric vehicle.
Is it Worth Switching to an Electric Car?
While electric vehicles are more expensive than the gas-powered ones, they are more affordable to run. EVs are also a lot cheaper to maintain because they don’t have a lot of moving parts that require oil changes every now and then. They are also very responsive and have very good torque since electric motors react quickly. Electric vehicles are also environment-friendly. They help protect the environment with its zero tailpipe emission. It helps lessen the smog or pollution, improving public health and minimizing ecological damage. Electric vehicles prove to be worthy of driving. It is more durable and reliable than you think. Thanks to the latest technologies and discoveries, we now can enjoy the longest range electric cars and many more long range EVs will be developed in the coming years.