Electric Vehicles – especially battery EVs (BEVs) – have been slowly but surely sloughing off “range anxiety” as battery technology improves and charging stations become more plentiful. However, some families are still concerned about one shared pastime that EV owners might have to go without: the humble road trip. Are EVs up to the task? We look at some of the best EVs for road trips in 2024 – and next year, we might have a list that will blow these models out of the water!
NIO ET7 150 kWh
This model tops the list for range and versatility, coming in a sedan form factor that’s perfect for comfortable family driving. It boasts a 930km range (using the standard Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles test procedure or WLTP) which can get a family from Melbourne to Sydney and another day’s worth exploring the suburbs before needing a charge. It packs two engines and outputs 480kW and does the 0-100km/h dash in a respectable 3.8 seconds.
Lucid Air Dream Edition
Though most of the Lucid Air line has impressive ranges, this sleek four-door coupe has a WLTP range of 836km and a blazing fast acceleration of 0-100km/h in 2.8 seconds. It produces a whopping 1390Nm of torque and a hefty 695kW, meaning you could tow a caravan with it if you wanted. Just make sure there are fast chargers about – anything below a 50kW charger will take you 101 minutes to get from 10% to 80%.
Mercedes Benz EQS 450+
One of the original German marques known for innovation, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ does offer an extended range of 780km – though as far as grunt or performance, that seems to be slightly lacking to ensure longevity out on the road. It puts out 245kW and does the 0-100km/h dash in 6.2 seconds, but it really can’t be beaten on luxury – perfect for an extended road trip.
Tesla Model S Long Range
One of the most recognisable BEV brands out on the roads (for ill or good) is Tesla, and the popular Tesla Model S Long Range variant can drive up to 723km without the need for a charge. It does the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.2 seconds and the 0-200km/h in a scorching 10.2 seconds. Of course, it has all the artificial intelligence and safety features that come standard with the Tesla Model S sedan – and even the non-long-range variants can hover around 600+ km of range.
BMW iX xDrive 50
The iX xDrive is an SUV variant and will take you 631km before it needs a charge. Outputting a muscly 765Nm of torque and 385kW of power, it could be the perfect companion for doing a bit of offroading – if you’re so inclined to be out of range of a charger for that long!
When to Buy
If you are looking to buy a new EV, remember to wait until the end of financial year or calendar year for runout deals as dealers turn desperate to dump old stock. You could nab a real bargain, slashing thousands off the sticker price if you stick to your guns and negotiate hard.
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