Understanding electric car range
Range
A few different things can affect the range of your electric car. We’ll help you understand these and how you can maximise range.
- In this article
What is range?
While petrol and diesel cars use miles per gallon (MPG), electric cars work on range. It’s the distance an electric car can travel on a single charge.
How far can you travel on a single charge?
This depends on a few things, but range varies by model. The longest-range models now offer up to 500 miles on a single charge.
Range has improved a lot in recent years. The average range of a new electric car is now around 300 miles, up from around 235 miles two years ago*
*These are stated range figures. The range you get can vary depending on the car, the weather, your route and how you drive.
Source: RAC Electric car statistics and data 2026 rac.co.uk(opens in a new window)
If you're travelling farther than your electric vehicle’s (EV’s) range, you'll need to plan ahead. Our Journey Checker helps you know where you can charge on your journey.
Use our journey checker
Plan your journey in an electric car. You can: • See if you’ll need to stop and charge, and where you could charge • Find out how much you could pay to charge • See how far an electric car could go in different weather and driving conditions
Check your journeyUnderstanding 'real-world' range
Different things affect range, like weight, where you’re driving, how you drive, and even the weather.
Cold weather can lower range. This can be by 5% to 20% for electric cars, and 15% to 25% for petrol and diesel cars.*
The exact amount depends on the car. Some independent winter testing has found that cold weather can reduce an EV’s range by up to around a third.**
*Source: Octopus Electric Vehicles, 5 ways weather affects your EV octopusev.com(opens in a new window)
**Fleet News / What Car? winter range testing fleetnews.co.uk(opens in a new window)
When you add things to your car like luggage or roof boxes, or even just more passengers, this makes your car heavier. The heavier your car, the more energy it needs to get from A to B.
If you’re using features in your car, like playing the radio, this will have a slight impact on your range.
A good rule of thumb is to knock about 20% off the ‘stated’ range of an EV. This will give you an idea of how many miles you can comfortably cover on a single charge. For a more accurate answer based on your own car and settings, use our range calculator tool below.
Try our range calculator
See how far an electric car could take you from anywhere in the UK. Once you’ve chosen an EV you're interested in you can adjust the settings below to see how far it could go and understand how they affect the range. You can change: • Battery level • Weather conditions • Number of passengers • Driving style
Check your rangeTips to extend your range
Most EVs have a low-battery warning. This will let you know when your battery is low. Most EVs will give you a warning at around 12%, then another warning at around 5%.*
This helps you know when it’s time to find a chargepoint and top up. There are other ways you can extend your range too:
*Source: The RAC, Ultimate guide to electric car breakdown warning lights rac.co.uk(opens in a new window)
Charge your battery to 80%
Charge your battery so it’s 80% full, unless you’re going on a long journey. And try to keep it above 20%. This helps keep your battery healthy.
Charge every few days, instead of every day, if you can.
See more on charging. We’ll help you understand your options and what to think about.
Travel as light as you can
Only take what you need, like your mobility equipment. The heavier your car is, the more energy it needs to get from A to B. This affects long journeys more than short journeys.
Motorway driving makes a difference
When you drive at 70mph, it lowers your range, compared to driving at 50mph. This is not just EVs. Driving fast in a petrol or diesel car uses more fuel too.
Plan your route
Choose a route with level, smooth ground, if you can. You’ll use less power than journeys with hills and bumpy roads. The smoother your drive, the better it is for your range.
Look after your tyres
Just like with petrol and diesel cars, check your tyres regularly and keep them inflated to the recommended level. If they’re under-inflated, this can damage your tyres, create resistance, and use more energy to get to your destination.
We include tyre repairs from Kwik Fit as part of your all-inclusive package, subject to our fair usage limits, to get you back on the road as quickly and safely as possible.
Summary of things to think about
- Range is the distance an electric car can travel on a single charge
- EVs typically cover 200 to 250 miles on a single charge. Longer-range EVs can cover over 400 miles
- Things like weight, where you’re driving, how you drive, and the weather all affect range
Our range calculator can show you how far your EV could travel, based on your own car and settings
- Most EVs have a low-battery warning. This lets you know when your battery is low
- Charging to 80%, driving on the motorway less, travelling light, choosing a level route, and looking after your tyres can all help improve your range
Our journey checker can help you plan longer journeys, with chargepoints along the way
What would you like to do next?
See more about electric cars
Ready to check if an electric car suits you?
Try our interactive tools in our EV for me hub. They’ll help you explore running costs and charging options. You’ll also get personalised EV suggestions based on your current car.