If you’ve been following the electric vehicle space for a while, you’ll know that range has come a long way over the past decade. Many of our Nevo readers have watched electric vehicles go from short-range city cars to long-distance cruisers. Thanks to big leaps in battery technology, aerodynamics, and overall efficiency, today’s EVs can travel significantly farther on a single charge than their early counterparts. In this article, we’ll take a look at how electric vehicle range has evolved—from the early days to modern marvels—and what it means for the future of electric mobility.

Early EVs: Short Ranges and Limited Practicality

In the early days of modern EVs (2010-2015), range anxiety was a major concern. The first widely adopted EVs had relatively short ranges due to small battery capacities and early lithium-ion technology. To put things in perspective, here’s a look at some of the most notable early EVs and the official WLTP ranges they offered at the time:

At this stage, most non-Tesla EVs struggled to exceed 200km per charge, making them more suited to city driving rather than long-distance trips. However, Tesla’s early focus on large battery packs (60-85kWh) showed the potential for EVs with over 400km of range.

The Evolution of EV Range (2016-2020)

The next generation of EVs brought major improvements in battery chemistry, energy density, and powertrain efficiency. Manufacturers also improved thermal management, helping batteries perform better in extreme temperatures. During this period, EV range started to seriously improve, and for the first time, even more affordable models could cover long distances with ease. Here's a snapshot of some standout vehicles from this era and how far they could go on a single charge:

Key breakthroughs during this period included:

• Higher-capacity batteries (40-100kWh) without significant weight increases.
• Better aerodynamics, improving efficiency.
• More efficient motors and regenerative braking systems.

For the first time, affordable EVs like the Hyundai Kona Electric could travel nearly 500km per charge, closing the gap with petrol and diesel cars.

The Modern Era (2021-Present): Long-Distance EVs

By 2021, EVs could regularly exceed 500km of range, with premium models surpassing 700km. This means you can get from Malin Head to Mizen Head on a single charge! Battery technology continues to evolve, and new chemistries like solid-state batteries are promising even greater efficiency in the near future.

Modern Long-Range EVs

Key innovations driving these range increases:

• Higher energy density batteries (more power per kg).
• Ultra-efficient heat pumps and aerodynamics (low drag coefficients).
• Smarter energy management to maximise range in real-world driving.

What does the future look like?

The future of EVs is expected to bring even greater improvements:

• Solid-state batteries could increase range by 30-50% with faster charging.
• Tesla’s next-gen Roadster claims over 1,000km per charge.
• Better charging infrastructure means range anxiety will become less relevant.

With consistent improvements all the team in Nevo HQ believe electric vehicles are on track to match or exceed petrol cars in range. In a world that’s constantly evolving, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are shaping up to be the smartest choice for everything from your daily commute to cross-country adventures.