Motoring journalist Richard Aucock reviews six electric vehicles (EVs) with a long range on the Motability Scheme. You’ll find stylish family hatchbacks to practical large SUVs, giving you a range of options to choose from. You’ll also find a helpful explanation on EV battery sizes to help you choose the right one.
The prices shown are valid for applications placed before 31 March 2026. The price list is updated every three months which means some models may come off the Scheme when the next price list is published in April.
There are more electric cars available in the UK than ever before, and the choice keeps growing. This is mainly due to the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell more electric cars each year. In 2024, 33% of new cars sold must be electric, rising to 80% by 2030. To meet this target, manufacturers will build more electric cars and fewer petrol and diesel models, meaning some will be phased out and prices for those still available are likely to rise. Find out more about how the new car market has changed.
With electric car range improving all the time, many new EVs coming onto the scheme have a generous driving range of around 300 miles or more. This means you can drive for long distances in your EV with less need to worry about charging up the battery.
EVs with long range on the Scheme
Kia EV4
From £299 Advance Payment
Driving range: up to 388 miles
What sort of car is it?
The Kia EV4 is a new electric family car that combines a long range with great value. The mode I’ve picked here is the hatchback, using the long-range battery. There is also a Fastback version, which has a more coupe-like rear end. Kia also offers a standard range battery, but it is long range we’re after here!
Why is it so popular?
Thanks to its extra-large 81.4kWh battery capacity, the Kia EV4 excels in terms of driving range. It officially offers up to 388 miles between charges. This means most drivers should easily see over 300 miles in real-world driving. It makes the Kia EV4 a great electric car to live with.
It is roomy inside, with plenty of rear seat space and a well-shaped 435-litre boot. There’s lots of technology as standard, but Kia has also kept physical buttons for things like heater temperature. This helps make it easier to use. Best of all, the Kia EV4 is currently exceptional value on the Motability Scheme, with an Advance Payment of only £299.
View the Kia EV4
Skoda Enyaq
From £749 Advance Payment
Driving range: up to 359 miles
What sort of car is it?
The Skoda Enyaq is an electric large SUV. It has recently been refreshed, so it has a smoother front end that gives it a more modern appearance. It sits above the electric Skoda Elroq in the range, as the firm’s roomiest and most practical electric car.
Why is it so popular?
This Skoda Elroq 85 SE L has an 82kWh battery. This serves up an excellent range of up to 359 miles. That is great news for those who want to fully use its load-lugging abilities for a stress-free trip to the coast. It has speedy 175kW rapid charging capability too. This will take it from 10-80% charge in just 28 minutes at a suitably powerful public charger.
The updated Skoda Enyaq is more powerful than before, with this version having a generous 286 bhp power output. This gives plenty of pulling power to make light work of carrying five adults and a boot full of luggage. The 585-litre boot capacity is plentiful. I like how Skoda has updated the sat nav touchscreen, so it is easier to use. Walking away from the Enyaq with the key now auto-locks the vehicle, which is a good security touch. All this is available for an advance payment of just £749.
View the Skoda Enyaq
Hyundai Kona
From £2,249 Advance Payment
Driving range: up to 319 miles
What sort of car is it?
The Hyundai Kona Electric is a small SUV with an eye-catching design. Its modern lines are very distinctive, and this is carried through to the vibrant interior. All Hyundai Kona Electric have a 65kWh battery. There are also petrol and hybrid-powered Hyundai Kona, if you are not ready to go electric.
Why is it so popular?
The right-size 65kWh battery in the Hyundai Kona gives an EV driving range of up to 319 miles. For a relatively compact car measuring 4,355mm long, this is impressive. This Advance grade is the longest-range Kona Electric on sale. This is thanks to great overall efficiency, meaning it will go further per kWh of electricity stored in the battery.
I really like the Hyundai Kona’s interior. It is modern, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that’s packed with features. However, Hyundai has also kept a broad array of physical buttons, making it easier to use. Rear seat space is good and the boot is an excellent 466 litres. This is an impressive size for such a relatively compact small SUV.
View the Hyundai Kona
Volkswagen ID.3
From £2,299 Advance Payment
Driving range: up to 350 miles
What sort of car is it?
The Volkswagen ID.3 is known as being the electric equivalent to the famous Volkswagen Golf medium hatchback. Unlike the Golf, it is only available as an EV, with a range of battery sizes and trim options. I have chosen the pick of the bunch here, the Volkswagen ID.3 Match Pro S.
Why is it so popular?
The.3 ‘Pro S’ battery is the largest available in an ID.3. It has a 79kWh total capacity. This gives a healthy range of up to 350 miles between charges. Its good overall efficiency should help some owners see over 300 miles in real world driving. They will do it in luxury, with this Match model including high-visibility Matrix LED headlights, reversing camera and interior ambient lighting.
The Volkswagen ID.3 has a 385-litre boot. This makes it almost identical in size to the Volkswagen Golf. It shows you do not have to compromise on practicality by choosing an electric car. The open-plan interior is airy, and the high-set driving position feels commanding. Deep windows mean visibility is very good, too.
View the Volkswagen ID.3
Mini Countryman
No Advance Payment
Driving range: up to 286 miles
What sort of car is it?
The Mini Countryman is the largest Mini currently on sale. A medium SUV, it has grown in size to make space for the Mini Aceman small SUV. It measures 4,445mm long, which is almost as big as a Nissan Qashqai. This Mini Countryman E has a 66kWh battery.
Why is it so popular?
This Mini Countryman E is currently available on the Motability Scheme for no Advance Payment. For an electric car with a range of up to 286 miles, this is very good value. There’s a good amount of standard equipment too, including a reversing camera and dual-zone climate control.
The Mini Countryman is very roomy inside. It has lots of legroom and headroom, meaning it doesn’t feel claustrophobic. The round touchscreen display in the centre of the dash is charming, and packed with technology. The 460-litre boot is deep and well-shaped, and the electric boot lid opens and closes at the touch of a button.
View the Mini Countryman
Ford Explorer
From £3,995 Advance Payment
Driving range: up to 374 miles
What sort of car is it?
The Ford Explorer is the larger SUV sister car to the popular Ford Puma Gen-E. Measuring around 4.5 metres long, it offers more rear passenger space, and some will prefer the Explorer’s slightly higher seating position.
Why is it so popular?
This Ford Explorer Select has a large 77kWh battery. This gives it a long-distance EV range of up to 374 miles. It helps lessen range anxiety, as it means the Ford Explorer should be able to cover more than 300 miles in everyday driving.
The Ford Explorer has a sporty feel behind the wheel, making it fun for the driver. It is practical too, with a large 14.6-inch Sync Move touchscreen. Push the bottom of the screen forwards and a hidden stowage space appears. This is lockable, so you can stow valuables securely out of sight. This spacious electric SUV has a 450-litre boot, too.
View the Ford Explorer
Understanding electric car range
Electric car batteries are measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). A higher number usually means a bigger battery and a longer driving range, but it is not the only factor. Just like petrol and diesel cars, electric cars vary in efficiency, so two models with the same battery size can deliver different ranges.
Range is shown using the industry-standard WLTP ‘Combined’ figure. This gives an estimated maximum distance on a single charge across a mix of driving conditions and is a useful way to compare different electric cars. Your real-world range will depend on things like how and where you drive, your speed and the weather, but the WLTP figure is a good starting point when choosing an EV. You can also explore how an electric car on the Scheme might perform on your own journeys by using our interactive range tool.
Charge up your EV knowledge
The Scheme’s all-inclusive lease package means that when you lease an EV for the first time, you’ll get support with charging.
You’ll also get insurance, breakdown cover, servicing and maintenance included in the price you pay.
Still not sure if an EV is right for you? Lots of customers find our EV email series helpful.
Sign up today to get useful advice straight to your inbox.
*About the writer
Richard Aucock has been a professional motoring writer since 1998. He’s written about the car industry for the Motability Scheme since 2009. He has many key roles in the motoring world, including the UK juror for AUTOBEST, a juror for the World Car Awards, and Vice Chair of the Guild of Motoring Writers. Richard is also the director of Motoring Research, a leading UK publisher in the industry.
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