The Best Long-Range EVs for Families on Staycation
Easter break is coming around the corner quickly, bringing with it longer evenings, beautiful spring natural spring colours and the promise of some sunshine! What better locale to enjoy it all than our very own Lake District national park? We are fortunate to live within and be able to enjoy this serene corner of the world with no more effort than jumping in the car and going for a little drive. We plan on taking full advantage of that this spring and we hope you do too!
We have so many wonderful destinations in the Lake District, it is truly the ideal location to be in for a staycation or weekend break while the kids are off school, for a romantic couples retreat and everything in between. The only challenge to overcome is the distance between it all. If you’re from Penrith like we are, you’ll know we are well situated to explore the Lake District and for access out of it, however, you are still going to need a vehicle capable of putting some serious miles in without a hitch.
With the rapid ascension of electric vehicles in the market today, you may well be considering the switch to electric, be it now or at some point in the future. If you fall into this bracket, you are going to want to know if the range capability of the EV you choose can ferry you around our National Park and back home. To that end, we’ve taken a dive into the EVs with the best range capacity on the market today and are giving you some recommendations on which ones we think are most suitable for enjoying everything the Lake District has to offer– because it’s no fun if you can’t make it to your pub dinner after a daylong hike up Scafell Pike because you’re out of range!
For context, we will only look at vehicles suitable for everyday families and couples, meaning we won’t list any vehicles here selling for more than £50k.
1. Ford Mustang Mach-E
This entry comes with a name that needs no introduction. The Ford Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s product designed to bring the premium Mustang brand into the EV market. While the name historically evokes images of muscle, power and frighteningly low miles per gallon, the electric counterpart is looking to reinvent the stereotype.
With the extended range battery, the Mustang Mach-E can travel an impressive 379 miles in one charge. Other iterations of the vehicle can achieve a variety of ranges at different price points. The essence of the Mustang does however remain, with attractive styling and a whopping 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds. This line of EVs is available from the £40k mark with the max range version coming in at £47,580.
2. Tesla Model 3 Long Range
The Tesla Model 3 is famous as the most popular electric vehicle of all time. This was Tesla’s flagship model which catapulted the company into fame and success and made them leaders in the EV market. These facts are testament to the quality of the Model 3 which boasts both cutting edge technology and affordability.
The Model 3 was originally an urban vehicle; however, the release of the Model 3 Long Range has reinvented it, with a maximum range of 360 miles, this electric vehicle is now capable of the longest Lake District tours. The Long Range is available at a price point of £48k, while a cheaper Standard Range Plus version is available at £41k.
3. Volkswagen ID.3
This Volkswagen entry into the electric vehicle market is the successor to the e-Golf. The ID.3 is a family-sized hatchback that balances comfort, usability, affordability and of course range to offer an ideal option for any family packing their bags for a staycation in the Lakes this Easter. This model is particularly suitable for our home terrain due to its suspension setup which is designed to provide the smoothest ride on the bumpiest of roads.
The ID.3 Tour is the long-range iteration of this EV, which can produce a maximum range of 336 miles, meaning you can enjoy the Lakes on a full charge without having to worry about running out. This model is priced at £38,815, however, cheaper alternatives are available starting as low as £28k.
4. Skoda Enyaq iV 80
This model from Skoda is the company's first electric vehicle to enter the market. The Enyaq is an SUV with all-wheel drive, providing a vehicle setup that is ideal for country roads and rural environments, tackling steep climbs with ease and without sacrificing comfort. Affordability in the long-range EV market has been an issue for a while, however with entries such as this and the ID.3, this problem is being tackled, opening the market to new customers.
The Enyaq iV 80 is capable of a maximum range of 333 miles and with prices starting at £31k, this is fantastically suitable for ferrying any family around the Lake District, from Penrith to Barrow and back without an issue.
So, there are our recommendations for the best EVs for your next Lake District holiday. We hope you enjoy it and happy motoring!