EV Driving · 5 min read
Can You Really Drive Long Distances In An EV?
"Range anxiety" is one of the most common reasons people hesitate about EVs. The reality for most modern electric cars is different to the picture painted a decade ago.
Owning an EV is like owning a smartphone. Most people don't wait until the battery reaches zero before charging.
Modern EV range
Most new EVs sold in the UK offer between 200 and 350 real-world miles. Larger, more expensive models can go further. Small city EVs sit at the lower end but are usually bought for short journeys.
What affects range
- ✓Speed — motorway driving uses more energy than town driving
- ✓Weather — cold temperatures reduce range noticeably
- ✓Load — passengers, luggage and roof boxes all add up
- ✓Driving style — smooth is efficient, sharp acceleration is not
- ✓Heating and air-con — significant on short trips, small on long ones
Long journeys
For a long UK trip, planning a single rapid-charge stop every 150–200 miles is realistic. A 20–30 minute stop is enough for most rapid chargers to add substantial range — roughly the same as a coffee and comfort break.
Charging planning
Apps like Zapmap and ABRP show live charger availability, connector types and speeds. Most drivers use their car's built-in planner plus one app as a backup.
Many EV owners charge mainly at home and rarely visit public chargers.
The question is changing from 'Can I drive far enough?' to 'Where can I conveniently charge?'