Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by Rose Morah
Which are the best electric cars for road trips?
I believe the answer lies through the lens of EV enthusiasts and experts.
We recently conducted a survey to determine the best EV cars for road trips, where we gathered feedback from EV experts and car enthusiasts who regularly go on long road trips with different EVs.
Our aim was to get their opinions on the best electric cars for road trips, and what to look out for in an EV before embarking on a long road trip.
From the survey, we concluded that a successful trip is dependent on the type of EV you going to use, and how well you plan the trip.
Based on the findings, we came to the conclusion that the best EV cars for road trips are:
- Tesla Model 3
- Tesla Model X
- Tesla Model S
- Hyundai Kona Electric
- Audi e-Tron
- Jaguar i-Pace
Related:
- 7 Smart tips when going on a Tesla road trip.
- How to use A Better Route Planner.
- Best EV Route Planner in 2022 (According To EV Owners).
So, what exactly makes an EV car good for road trips?
Its features!
Best EV features for road trips
- Range
- Recharge time
- Space and comfort
- Superchargers availability
1. Range
This is how far an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge.
If you are a frequent road tripper, range is one of the most important features to consider before anything else. An EV with a long-range will deliver a much better road trip experience.
Fortunately, today we have sufficient-range EVs that are able to give you a seamless road trip experience.
See the Longest Range Electric Car.
The following are the best long-range electric cars in 2021.
Electric Vehicle (EV) | Range (Measured by WLTP) | |
1. | Tesla Model S Long Range | 379-mile range |
2. | Tesla Model 3 Long Range | 348-mile range |
3. | Tesla Model X Long Range | 314-mile range |
4. | Jaguar i-Pace | 292-mile range |
5. | Kia e-Niro | 282-mile range |
6. | Hyundai Kona Electric | 278-mile range |
7. | Mercedes-Benz EQC | 259-mile range |
8. | Audi e-Tron | 239-mile range |
In summary of the above table, Tesla S is a relatively fast EV and can go up to a 379-mile range on a single charge, making it the longest-range EV currently on the market.
However, the range is not the only determinant when you are looking to purchase an EV.
Let’s look at the next feature.
See also: Smart Tips for Planning A Road Trip With An EV.
2. Recharge time
Going on a road trip with An EV that has a fast recharge time is important. However, there are a lot of controversies whenever the topic of the fastest recharge time is introduced.
Some of the reasons why it is hard to estimate the exact recharge time include:
- How you charge.
Mainly based on the following factors:
- The ambient temperature.
- The state of the battery. For instance, is it from empty to full or half-full to full?
- The type of EV. The type of EV may also limit the vehicle’s maximum charging rate.
Related: Best Tesla Supercharger trip planners.
- Unproven manufacturers’ claims.
Most manufacturers report their recharge time using the level 3 charger, which is unfortunate because not all EV owners have access to them.
We did some research to determine the EV with the fastest charging time based on these facts.
The following data shows our findings on Public Chargers:
Electrical Vehicle | Charging From 20% – 80% | Charge Time | Range per hour |
Tesla Model S | 50kW | 60 – 80 min | 84 – 87 m/30 min |
150kW | 30 – 30 min | 169 – 260 m/30 min | |
Tesla Model X | 50kW | 60 – 80 min | 67 – 70 m/30 min |
150kW | 30 min | 139 – 211 m/30 min | |
Tesla Model 3 | 50kW | 40 – 60 min | 96 – 113 m/30 min |
150kW | 20 – 20 min | 288 – 339 m/30 min | |
Audi e-Tron | 50kW | 70 min | 59 m/30 min |
150kW | 30 min | 176 m/30 min | |
Hyundai Kona Electric | 50kW | 50 min | 99 m/30 min |
150kW | 40 min | 153 m/30 min | |
Kia e-Niro | 50kW | 50 min | 99 m/30 min |
150kW | 30 min | 152 m/30 min | |
Mercedes-Benz EQC | 50kW | 70 min | 68 m/30 min |
150kW | 30 min | 150 m/30 min | |
Jaguar i-Pace | 50kW | 70 min | 73 m/30 min |
150kW | 40 min | 145 m/30 min |
Two key things to note from the above data:
- These are not the exact results that all drivers will get when charging their EVs. Many factors play a part in how fast your EV will recharge. However, the differences in recharge times are not so far apart!
- It is challenging to get constant charging time for Tesla EVs because they are always improving their vehicles. For instance, the company says that their latest Model S Plaid Plus will take only 15 minutes to charge an additional 200 miles of range.
3. Space and comfort
A good road trip EV should definitely be spacious. This means that the cargo space should be spacious enough to fit your luggage. Additionally, it should provide good legroom for your desired comfort.
EV Cargo Area Data
EV | DIMENSIONS |
2021 Tesla Model S | 25 – 26 cubic feet of cargo space. 58 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. 5 cubic feet of additional storage space underneath the hood. OWNER’S REVIEW The 26 cubic feet cargo space area can fit about eight carry-on-size. |
2020 Tesla Model X | 80 cubic feet of cargo space. OWNER’S REVIEW It has lots of space for luggage. You can flip the cargo floor to get access to more space. You can also fold the 3rd-row seats for more cargo space. |
2021 Tesla Model 3 | 15-cubic-foot trunk OWNER’S REVIEW It has an impressive cargo space throughout the cabin. |
2022 Audi e-Tron | 28.5 cubic feet of cargo room (e-Tron SUV) 27.2 and 54.5 cubic feet (e-Tron Sportback) OWNER’S REVIEW It fits about seven carry-on suitcases. |
2021 Hyundai Kona EV | 19.2 cubic feet of space (when all of its seats are in use) 45.8 cubic feet behind the front seats. OWNER’S REVIEW The cargo space is not that impressive as compared to other SUVs. |
2021 Kia e-Niro | 18.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. 53 cubes with the seats folded down. OWNER’S REVIEW It is easy to organize your luggage in the cargo area because the back seats fold flat. |
2021 Mercedes-Benz EQC | 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the seat. OWNER’S REVIEW The cargo area is not that impressive. |
2020 Jaguar i-Pace | 25.3 cubic feet behind the second-row seats. 51 cubic feet with those seats folded |
So, which electric car has the most cargo space?
2020 Tesla Model X has the most spacious cargo space. Jaguar I-Pace and Audi e-Tron also have a good cargo space that easily will fit your luggage when going on a road trip.
Which EV has the most legroom for drivers who are over 6 ft tall?
In our list of the best EVs for long road trips, only three made the cut; Jaguar I-Pace, Audi e-Tron, and the Tesla models, after they were tested with a 6’6-ft driver.
These were the findings:
- Overall the Jaguar I-pace was the best. The driver had lots of headroom and legroom when compared to the rest.
- The Audi e-Tron was very comfortable, with great massage features and thigh support compared to Tesla. Unfortunately, the headroom wasn’t that great.
- It is easier for a tall person (6’6 ft) to get in and out of the Jaguar I-Pace and Audi e-Tron than on the Tesla models.
4. Supercharger’s availability
If you live in the US, Canada, or some European countries (such as the Netherlands, France, Germany, and the UK), Supercharger availability shouldn’t worry you if you plan to go on a road trip on your EV.
However, it’s worth noting that not all chargers are created equal. Before you purchase an EV, consider the type that would support Level 3 chargers, especially if you plan on taking frequent long road trips.

See also: How To Determine The Cost Of A Tesla Road Trip.
Today, Elon Musk has increased Tesla Superchargers, which currently have over 25,000 stalls worldwide.
And apart from easy access to superchargers, Tesla owners also enjoy fast charging, which makes Tesla unbeatable for long road trips.
See also: 5 Tesla Supercharging Tips To Speed Up Your Charging Time On A Road Trip.
Additionally, Electrify America is also doing a great job of building fast, reliable, and convenient EV chargers in the US.
Final word
Based on range anxiety, comfort, space, and user-friendly experience data that we collected from 500+ EV owners who shared their EV road trip experiences, below were the findings, on a score of 0 – 10

The above results were a perfect indication that also drew us to our conclusion of the following EVs as the best ones for long road trips:
- Tesla Model 3
- Tesla Model X
- Tesla Model S
- Audi e-Tron
- Jaguar i-Pace
- Hyundai Kona Electric
The list is subject to change because more EVs are emerging, and others are improving their performance. So, we will be updating this article frequently.
Electric Cars FAQs
- Which are the most popular electric car companies?
Electric Car Company | NOW | COMING SOON | |
1. | Tesla | 2021 Tesla Model 32021 Tesla Model Y2021 Tesla Model S2021 Tesla Model X | 2022 Tesla Cybertruck 2022 Tesla Roadster |
2. | Audi | 2021 Audi E-Tron SUV 2021 Audi E-Tron Sportback | 2022 Audi E-Tron GT2022 Audi E-Tron GT RS2022 Audi Q4 E-Tron and E-Tron Sportback SUV2022.5 Audi Q5 E-Tron SUV |
3. | BMW | 2021 BMW i3 | 2022 BMW i4 (four-door fastback sedan with a 300-mile range and 500 hp)2022 BMW iX (500-hp, 300-mile crossover) |
4. | Ford | 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E | 2022 Ford E-Transit van2022 Ford F-150 Electric |
5. | Honda | 2021 Honda E (microcar, global markets only) | Honda crossover (expected 2024) |
6. | Jaguar | 2021 Jaguar I-Pace | One sedan in two wheelbases Two SUVs A sporty XK model in two guises (All expected around 2025). |
7. | Lexus | 2021 Lexus UX300e (global markets) | SUV based on Lexus LF-Z Electrified concept (expected 2025) |
8. | Mercedes-Benz | 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQC (global markets) | 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQA2022 Mercedes-Benz EQB (not confirmed for North America)2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS (sedan and SUV)2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE (sedan)Mercedes-Benz EQG (SUV expected 2024) |
9. | Nissan | 2021 Nissan Leaf/Leaf+ | 2022 Nissan AriyaEight global EVs by 2023 |
10. | Porsche | 2021 Porsche Taycan | 2023 Porsche Macan EV |
11. | Volkswagen | 2021 Volkswagen ID3 (global markets)2021 Volkswagen ID4 | 2024 Volkswagen IDBuzz ID Space Vizzion concept wagon |
12. | Volvo | 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge | 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge |
13. | Chevrolet | 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV | 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUVChevrolet Silverado Electric (expected 2023)Small SUV, high-performance vehicle (expected 2024-2026) |
- Which are the best-selling EVs in 2021
