New EVs on sale now are nearing 300 mile average range

The average official full range of a new electric car coming to the market for the first time in 2023 has neared 300 miles, SMMT analysis suggests.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says that’s around three times the average distance driven per week.

Within the latest launches, some new electric vehicles (EVs) are available with ranges in excess of 450 miles.

The average range for all available electric cars, including those models launched in recent years, is now 236 miles.

However, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes told AM this week that the growing choice of electric vehicles won’t be enough to reach UK Government aims if the UK doesn’t get more incentives for private buyers and charger investment doesn’t accelerate.

The SMMT says that drivers in Britain have seen their choice of battery electric cars quadruple over the past five years.

There are now around 80 EVs available across every vehicle segment – compared with just 21 in 2018.

As result, almost one in four car models is available as a battery electric vehicle (BEV).

The SMMT says that on top of the huge number of available BEV models, drivers looking to cut their carbon while on the move can also choose from 94 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and 42 hybrid (HEV) models – meaning electrified vehicles comprise almost two-thirds of all models available.

There are also now 23 models of electric van, 14 models of zero emission buses powered by electric or hydrogen, and 20 electric truck models now available in the UK.