What Is The Cheapest EV That Can Reliably Do Minimum ~400km Highway Driving

Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 02/08/2025 - 21:38

In the market for a new car, and really want to get an EV. The "km ratings" are a bit confusing and with various models have differing specs and batteries, thought I was ask here.

What is the cheapest EV that can reliably do a minimum 400km highway driving off a single charge in 1 day? I believe battery degradation is a real thing, so would need to comfortably do that amount of kms for many years.

Unfortunately a particular round trip I do for work 2-4 times a month has zero chargers and no ability to charge at the destination.

Automotive Electric Vehicle

Comments

  • bargaino on 02/08/2025 - 21:49
    +13

    I would say from the above, that you are among the minority for whom an EV is not suitable.
    Why are you wanting one?

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 02/08/2025 - 21:57
      +9

      I have a great solar setup. Less/no maintenance. No servos. Most of my driving will be local, but need to do long round trips occasionally.

      There's plenty that do well more than those KMs, just looking for the cheaper/cheapest option.

      • SlowCarSlow on 02/08/2025 - 22:08
        +8

        "Occasionally" means once or twice a year. Not close to every week. If you mostly drive local, 95% of your km on that car will be these 400 km stints.

        I look forward to seeing what you end up with though. The range anxiety with no backup nearby would drive me crazy.

        • drewbytes on 03/08/2025 - 07:43
          +9

          Considering many power companies now offer 8c EV charging (sometimes free periods), and therefore it costs only $1.20 to drive 100km (versus say $10-20+ in an ICE), I'd say there's every reason to buy an EV in their circumstance.

          • tenpercent on 03/08/2025 - 11:16

            @drewbytes: For now.

          • Dr Phil on 03/08/2025 - 18:50
            -1

            @drewbytes: Im not sure about that.
            The going rate at public charging stations is 45c /KwH
            And that was before the July price increase!

            • ATTS on 05/08/2025 - 14:54

              @Dr Phil: Any links, damn thats expensive than charging at home on ev plan

            • paloverde88 on 05/08/2025 - 23:35

              @Dr Phil: 70 cents off peak 71 cents peak

        • JIMB0 on 03/08/2025 - 08:11
          +7

          I thought the Tesla systems work at night by having the star link satellites reflect sunlight on them.

        • LFO on 03/08/2025 - 13:41

          buy a Hybrid

          Or better, get a battery to never ever refill again.

        • UltimateAI on 03/08/2025 - 21:35
          +1

          Hired a RAV4 Hybrid recently and I don't get the fuss, range was nothing special.
          It was a highly capable vehicle though, but range and fuel economy wasn't spectacular.
          The Hybrid was great in the city though, but doing distances, just a lot of extra weight.

          • cashews on 04/08/2025 - 06:15
            +3

            @UltimateAI: A RAV 4 Hybrid is ~70kg more than the non Hybrid.

            We get about 5.4L/100.

            • UltimateAI on 04/08/2025 - 06:39

              @cashews: Over 3 weeks I got just under 7/L/100, as I said highly capable no extra range on the highway)

            • SlickMick on 04/08/2025 - 08:57

              @cashews: Well that's good to know. My CX-60 gets 5.1l/100km, and only went up to 5.2l/100km when I had it recharging the battery.
              I was concerned the PHEV wasn't such a great idea since the battery seemed useless on highways, but if the economy is better that a Rav4 Hybrid it must be doing something well.

              • trapper on 04/08/2025 - 11:09

                @SlickMick: My hybrid is almost used solely in electric mode - 62 km electric range.

                Long trips is the only time I put any fuel in it.

                • SlickMick on 04/08/2025 - 12:32

                  @trapper: Yeah same.

                  But until now I'd been feeling it wasn't worth having an ICE for the daily commute, and the battery was pointless (and a weight drag) on road trips.
                  Now I realise either I have really efficient ICE, or the battery is still playing it's part on highways, or whatever I'm happy with the PHEV.

            • paloverde88 on 05/08/2025 - 23:37
              +1

              @cashews: Thats a manual yaris

      • Dr Phil on 03/08/2025 - 18:48

        And this:

        Unfortunately a particular round trip I do for work 2-4 times a month has zero chargers and no ability to charge at the destination

      • trapper on 04/08/2025 - 11:06
        +3

        I have a great solar setup. Less/no maintenance. No servos. Most of my driving will be local, but need to do long round trips occasionally.

        Get a plug in hybrid. You can use electric mode alone to run around town doing your normal day to day stuff.

      • lint on 04/08/2025 - 17:06

        You'll have to be careful when looking at the advertised range because it's usually quite a bit higher than real world range. For example, the standard RWD Tesla Model 3 has a WLTP range of 520km but in real world usage you're likely to only get 420-440km. Accounting for a reasonable 10% battery degradation and that would not meet your requirements.

        If you see other cars with WLTP range advertised, consider taking 80-85% of that range to get a more realistic actual range. Personally, I would not look at EVs if you have to drive that sort of distance without fast chargers near the destination or along the way.

    • Stealtho on 04/08/2025 - 14:53
      -1

      You mean majority

  • oscargamer on 02/08/2025 - 21:58
    +3

    Seal

    • WhyAmICommenting on 03/08/2025 - 15:10

      Which one?

    • Dsiee on 04/08/2025 - 10:57
      +4

      Yeah, byd seal premium which is 570 wltp (mixed cycle) so around 450-500 highway. LFP battery so will last thousands of charge cycles. Only limitation is slower AC charging at 7kw but still will be done overnight.

    • Madkant on 04/08/2025 - 20:34

      Second this. Seal Premium.

  • pao2x on 02/08/2025 - 21:58
    +10

    Probably model 3 Long range

    • timmysbiscuits on 02/08/2025 - 22:16
      +3

      Almost $15k more expensive than a Seal Premium though

      • Geoffreys on 03/08/2025 - 10:08
        +8

        If you’re driving these distances you will want a Tesla so all chargers are viable to you.

        BYD only get public chargers and a small subset of the Tesla superchargers.

        Also the BYD servicing costs will reduce that gap real fast.

        BYD are good but I wouldn’t get it in this situation at all.

        • gromit on 03/08/2025 - 14:53
          +14

          Since he has stated their are NO chargers where he goes, having access to Tesla chargers in places you don't go is pointless.

            • gromit on 03/08/2025 - 22:01
              +2

              @UltimateAI: Not necessarily. I regularly drive to my brothers farm,that is 330km round trip with no access to a power point or any charger on the way. Would also take about 60 metre extension cable to charge while there. If he is in small town that is not abnormal.

              • AccuracyAdvocate on 04/08/2025 - 03:49
                -2

                @gromit: You can buy a 60 m extension cord off the shelf, about $200. It seems like you are anti EV. Under good conditions, a 330 km round trip with predominantly highway driving would be possible on a single charge for an EV with 430 km WLTP range, which I suspect is most EVs. I accept, with battery degradation, cold weather, unwillingness to use optimal HVAC settings, a single charge round trip could be a problem.

                • gromit on 04/08/2025 - 07:33

                  @AccuracyAdvocate: Most definitely NOT anti EV, I expect my next car to be anti EV. Just acknowledging that EV's won't work for everyone as their are loads of locations you can drive with no access to chargers. 330km's is fine for me.

                • GSDan on 04/08/2025 - 09:10
                  +1

                  @AccuracyAdvocate: An extension cord isn't going to do you much good unless you're staying for a full day at your destination. Trickle charging is good for a backup but a 30+ hour charge is not something you want to be waiting around on

            • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 03/08/2025 - 22:08
              +1

              @UltimateAI: It is a remote location. I could go via a different route, but that would add 100km each direction to find a charger.

            • SlickMick on 04/08/2025 - 09:01
              -1

              @UltimateAI: I agree with the bit about Australia not being ready for EVs. I totally agree with OP re lack of availability of chargers. Not that there is much chance of me having around to charge anyway.

    • Thinkscape on 03/08/2025 - 10:30
      +3

      Second that. As always, you can get great deals on used stock and inventory vehicles.
      The SR can push 400km if driving efficiently, but LR would probably be a safer bet (can do 500km comfortably on 100%).
      Will be more expensive initially than BYD, but better efficiency, better software, virtually zero maintenance and supercharger network spanning all major freeways and metro areas.

      • Dsiee on 04/08/2025 - 11:01
        -4

        Tesla's also have the highest recall rate (albeit mostly done via OTA software) and some of the lowest reliability and repairabily for EVs. Just to balance things out a bit. Plus the whole musk rat thing.

        Not anti ev, the opposite really.

        • trapper on 04/08/2025 - 11:15
          +4

          Tesla's also have the highest recall rate (albeit mostly done via OTA software)

          Labeling an OTA update as a “recall” completely undermines the meaning of the term.

          It's a ridiculous distortion that makes the whole concept meaningless.

        • UltimateAI on 04/08/2025 - 18:38

          or you could have a Mazda and MG like myself that don't recall for software reasons.
          The regulator openly admits they force more software recalls on Tesla, because Tesla can make the updates. if manufacturers can't reasonably perform the update (unless absolutely critical) they don't force recalls,

        • Thinkscape on 05/08/2025 - 10:07
          +1

          some of the lowest reliability and repairabily for EVs

          Source? Or is it just your imagination again?

          I've had different Tesla models for 9 years and I only was asked to do a optional recall by the service centre once, in old Model 3 - early Freemont wire harness in the boot wasn't best quality and could snap after a few years of open/close cycles, so they were replacing them "just in case"…
          They are also trivial to open and repair with plenty of parts available, body mods, electronics, even HV parts for off-warranty models. There are plenty of active social media groups for repairs advice, tuning, smash repairs etc.

      • npnp on 04/08/2025 - 21:00

        Long range has the NMC battery while BYD Premium has LFP which can be charged to 100% and will last longer. This is a big factor in my books.

  • Protractor on 02/08/2025 - 22:08
    -3

    A stolen one with a full battery.

  • timmysbiscuits on 02/08/2025 - 22:09
    +9

    Cheapest brand new is probably the MG4 Long Range 77. But the extra $ for Seal Premium would be worth it.

  • timmysbiscuits on 02/08/2025 - 22:13
    +6

    Would you consider a PHEV? Battery for local and then petrol for long trips?

    • scalebearer on 02/08/2025 - 23:20
      +2

      Yeah, for that much driving, a PHEV is probably best.

      You can still plug in at home and charge the battery (which is obviously smaller than a pure EV) and have fossil fuel as backup so you don't have to worry about running out of electricity on longer drives.

      A range extender EV would be ideal.
      I.e. an onboard fossil fuel generator that can charge the battery for extended range, but is incapable of directly driving the wheels itself.
      Problem is that I don't think range extender EVs exist anymore.
      Everyone is just going all in on pure EVs or going full PHEV with 2 drive systems to maintain.

      • piertlethed on 03/08/2025 - 09:49
        +2

        Does a Leapmotor REEV count? https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/leapmotor-c10-…

        145km on battery alone, 1000km with the generator running to recharge the battery.

      • GordonD on 03/08/2025 - 13:16
        +3

        Problem is that I don't think range extender EVs exist anymore.

        Nissan e-power models effectively do that. The electric motor drives the wheels. The battery powers the electric motor. The petrol motor recharges the battery when it needs it. Nissan says its not the case, but someone claimed that in some circumstances, like highway use, the petrol motor can directly drive the wheels for the obvious reason that its more efficient than going through a generator, electronics and a motor.

        • quick-dry on 04/08/2025 - 21:55

          I have a Nissan ePower XTrail. The petrol motor never drives the wheels directly, there is no transmission. The petrol engine/generator will sometimes drive itself harder to increase the power production to feed more electricity into the electric motor when pushed hard.

      • Aussie Paul 58 on 03/08/2025 - 14:47
        +1

        I'm not sure what you are referring to as a "Range Extender", but it sounds kind of like my car.
        I have a 2025 Haval H6 Hybrid.
        It's is not "Plug in".
        Runs in one of 3 modes that the car determines as appropriate.
        EV Drive,
        Series drive, (The ICEis running and charging the battery but its still being exclusively electrically driven)
        or Parallel drive ( Both the electric motor and the ICE are driving together.)
        Don't ask me how it does that, I'm an ex motor mechanic but it's way beyond my understanding.

        I have only had it for a couple of months, so I'm still collecting data and learning to drive it most efficiently, but I'm getting about 750 to 780Ks out of a tank of fuel, and its increasing.
        Not going to fit the OPs criteria of being able to utilize his home solar, but certainly has the range he needs.

        • scalebearer on 03/08/2025 - 15:28
          +1

          A range extender EV is one where only the electric motor is allowed to drive the wheels.
          The fossil fuel part is only allowed to recharge the battery to extend the range and reduce range anxiety.

          If your driving needs are very high and it is unrealistic to have extended downtime to recharge the batteries, then this is the best compromise at this point in time, until pure EVs become further refined.

          Hybrids where both fossil fuel and the electric motor are allowed to drive the wheels have to deal with maintenance for both drive trains, whereas using the fossil fuel component only for recharging reduces this (of course pure EVs have the lowest running costs).

          Your Haval H6 Hybrid has a mode where it can run in range extender mode, but it is not a pure range extender EV.
          It is a non plug in hybrid that can turn part of itself off to operate as a pure EV, range extender EV or traditional hybrid.

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haval_H6#Australia

          In my opinion, anyone in the outer suburbs or in rural areas should consider range extender EVs with plug in charging as a bridge to pure EVs until they improve enough for people who drive much more than people who live in inner, denser city suburbs.

          You still get reduced maintenance costs because the fossil fuel part of the car doesn't get used as much, you can use pure EV mode for shorter journeys, you don't have to worry about long waits once the battery charge runs out and you can still charge at home instead of driving a long way to visit a petrol station.

    • Psdsoft on 03/08/2025 - 08:05
      +1

      I was super impressed when I checked out the Jaycoo in that category, great car. But from my time of owning a Model 3 LR that would do it. Virtually no battery degradation in 4 years of ownership.

    • OZBargainer in SA on 03/08/2025 - 10:54
      +1

      The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV starts from under $60k.

    • LFO on 03/08/2025 - 13:43
      +3

      OP said No servos. AKA no fuel. Ever.

    • daft009 on 03/08/2025 - 21:12
      +1

      Yeah I was going to say the same.
      Can be exclusively on battery mode when you're around home and can recharge from solar.

      Then use hybrid mode when doing the 400KM drive

  • Gdsamp on 02/08/2025 - 22:54
    +8

    Toyota Camry Hybrid

    • JIMB0 on 03/08/2025 - 11:34
      +2

      The successor to the Falcon on gas.

  • Euphemistic on 02/08/2025 - 23:40
    +15

    Highway driving is where EVs are the least energy efficient. No regen and aerodynamics really start to effect efficiency over 90km/h.

    That said, is there no chance of a charge at the destination? 200km each way with a 30min charge sounds easily doable.

    Battery degradation is less of a concern with current EVs. Latest study ive seen indicates that 10% degredation is possible in the first couple of years, then dropping to 80% original capacity approaching 200,000km. 1st a d 2nd gen nissan leaf is not a good case study for battery degredation.

  • elgrande on 03/08/2025 - 07:19
    +1

    Can anyone advise how many times do you need to charge if driving from Syd to Melb?

    • drewbytes on 03/08/2025 - 07:28
      +5

      In my Tesla 3LR 3 stops, totalling about 1 hour (that's CBD to CBD) according to Tesla route planner.

    • piertlethed on 03/08/2025 - 09:50
      +5

      A Better Route Planner https://abetterrouteplanner.com/ will let you put in the model of EV, where to drive to and then work out how many stops to charge based on the distance, speed, wind load, then let you moving things around depending on which stops look better.

      • SlickMick on 04/08/2025 - 09:20
        -2

        That's an interesting website. On a trip that I do regularly, it suggests:
        Drive 4 hours, stop 20 minutes
        Drive 3 hours, stop 60 minutes
        Drive 4.5 hours, stop 40 minutes
        Drive 4 hours, stop 40 minutes
        Drive 4 hours, stop 20 minutes
        Drive 4 hours, Arrive.

        I'd have to follow it's route rather than my choice, stop when I'm told to stop rather than when I need a break, and wait for the time it takes to recharge the battery, rather than get going when I'm ready, but that's just a mindset change. If a charger wasn't available it would be a showstopper.

        • changyang1230 on 04/08/2025 - 11:23
          +2

          What is this particular trip? Crossing the Nullarbor?

          • SlickMick on 04/08/2025 - 12:38

            @changyang1230: My daughter lives in Adelaide. I'm in CQ.

            • changyang1230 on 04/08/2025 - 15:10

              @SlickMick: Ah right. How many days do you normally do this route typically?

              The trouble with ABRP is that it does not really account for overnight charging so it pretty much just assumes non-stop journey.

              A lot of people who do long distance drive like yourself find an overnight facility that allows for recharging, be it a 3-phase plug, an airBNB with a charger or just a simple wall socket, or near a charger. ABRP does not really account for such overnight stops.

              But yes overall I do agree that there is a bit of mindset change where you do want to fit your itinerary and plans around this; however don't be misled that this ABRP is the only possible route.

              • SlickMick on 05/08/2025 - 08:57

                @changyang1230: Now that I'm a granddad I'd say ~8 times per year.

                If I did overnight could I not still just use a charge station for 20/40/60 minutes? Though I full charge overnight would be better - is that harder to arrange?

                I noticed that one recharge stop is after a decent day's drive and I have a relative in that town.
                Is it possible to charge an EV overnight from a standard gpo? How well do you need to know someone to ask to charge your car?

                • changyang1230 on 05/08/2025 - 10:01

                  @SlickMick: @SlickMick typically overnight you would only charge around 1/4 to 1/3 of an EV's battery for typical EV battery sizes today (some 60 to 80 kWh), if all they have is a gpo. For other options e.g. those with an AC plug you can definitely fill it up fully.

                  The other aspect of your planning is, lots of people pretty much incorporate those charging stops as meal / lunch / toilet stops too, instead of pauses on top of your pre-existing stops. Not sure what the charger locations are like for your specific route, so this may or may not be practical. When I go for road trip I often do my charges while having a meal nearby so I am usually not spending more time than what I would for a typical petrol car trip.

                  • SlickMick on 06/08/2025 - 09:29
                    +1

                    @changyang1230: Ah okay, so even when overnighting, I'd still be charging at a station before the next leg.
                    I figure it's probably good to stop every 4 hours anyway, so I reckon I could make that work. The breaks would be a bit longer than if I didn't need to charge the battery.
                    I didn't look into exactly where the recommended charge sites were. TBH I expected it to say couldn't be done. I've only ever seen 1 charge station on the route I usually take.But it didn't add too many km to the trip.

                    I'll have to stop saying EVs can't meet my use case. I would just have to do a lot more planning apparently.

              • muzzamo on 05/08/2025 - 09:23

                @changyang1230: I've been busy planning for an adelaide to gold coast trip with ABRP. It's really fun to plan and play with and I can't wait to give it a go in practice although the trip is unfortunately almost a year away.

                It's not great at it but you absolutely can do overnight charging. You just set the location to charge at XX KW until 100%, then set your departure time as the next morning.

                Then the way it's supposed to work is if you have subscribed to it, it actually has your real time SoC (for Tesla at least) and can dynamically update your plan as you go.

                • changyang1230 on 05/08/2025 - 09:57

                  @muzzamo: Good to know. The charge at XX until 100%, does it also work if it's say an Airbnb rather than a commercial charger? Can you still set it this way if you are staying in a relative's house and charging at their gpo?

        • Save 50 Cent on 04/08/2025 - 12:36
          +1

          For this kind of commute, i’d buy a chopper not ev.

          • SlickMick on 04/08/2025 - 12:42

            @Save 50 Cent: hmmm when I was young and stupid I wanted a chopper to avoid traffic on my Frankston - Melbourne commute. (I didn't find a realistic solution.)

            If it were now realistic I'd certainly consider it. Somehow I think it probably isn't.

  • decryption on 03/08/2025 - 08:04
    +3

    Hyundai Ioniq 6 is an excellent highway cruiser.

    • WhyAmICommenting on 03/08/2025 - 15:12

      Due to reduced drag?

      • hothed on 05/08/2025 - 19:29
        +1

        Yes. COd(drag coefficient ) is very important at highway speeds, as the force due to wind increases at a squared rate.

  • Psdsoft on 03/08/2025 - 08:11
    +8

    Consider the scenario (from 5 years of EV driving) you do not need to charge at destination. You just need to pick up 10-20% charge anywhere along the way while you sip a coffee. 10 minute stop if you become worried about your state of charge. People tend to think of eve charging being the same as ‘filling up the car’. This is a limit to their thinking. Check out apps such as A Better Route Planner (ABPR), plug in your route an see where charging is actually available.

    • qtr pounder on 03/08/2025 - 20:28
      +6

      100% this. People need to get out of legacy auto thinking and just charge where they stop, not stopping to fuel up/charge.

      We recently drove Gold Coast to Townsville and back in a Y LR, with 2 adults and 2 kids, and not once did we actually need to wait for the car to charge. Stopping roughly every 2 hours, by the time we all got out of the car, had something to eat/drink, go to the toilet and let the kids have a bit of a play, the car always had more than enough charge to continue. It was ridiculously easy.

      Granted, if you're by yourself and like to drive 6 hours non-stop, not even a pee break, then an EV will take slightly longer, but you'll end up feeling better and less fatigued for it.

    • UltimateAI on 03/08/2025 - 21:43

      100% this, a 5minute supercharge stop adds around 50km, your not there to charge all the way, just enough for the next charger.

  • VW-Kombi on 03/08/2025 - 08:11
    +2

    Your route will decide that.
    We have an EV and for 99% its just charged off our normal plug in garage at 6c/kw between 0000-0600.
    The odd free charge at shopping centres.
    But a few times a year the wife visits family 350klms away.
    Plenty of super charges on the way. And they are so quick. Too quick for lunch as they charge an idle fee if you dont return!

    This question really depends on your route.

  • Cliche Guevara on 03/08/2025 - 08:38
    +2

    Seal Premium. You won't regret it.

  • AndyC1 on 03/08/2025 - 09:05
    -1

    You can get chargers that plug into a 240V GPO.

    • WhyAmICommenting on 03/08/2025 - 15:55

      Yeah they only take more than 24hrs to charge a 51kWh MG lol. I guess if they can charge at the destination a few hours it’s better than nothing.

  • AShoeAffair on 03/08/2025 - 10:05
    +1

    My Cupra born could do that - though it’s no longer on the market unless youre getting the last remaining stock or a second hand. We could’ve driven Coffs to Sydney (430km) in one charge but noting we experienced range anxiety and got nervous so did a quick top up. Also being summer time when we did the journey there was added usage from aircon etc.

    Highway driving is really inefficient so I’m unsure if you’re driving 400km on mainly highway? In which case it would be doable but tight on most ev’s….

  • ElChepo on 03/08/2025 - 10:24
    +13
    Model WLTP Range (km) Starting Price (approx. AUD)
    MG4 Long Range 530 $50,991
    Tesla Model 3 Long Range 629 $64,900
    Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor 654 $64,900
    Hyundai IONIQ 6 Extended Range 614 $66,500
    Kia EV6 Long Range RWD 528 $72,590
    • WhyAmICommenting on 03/08/2025 - 15:56

      Kia (and Hyundai somewhat) are so expensive… are they really twice as good as an MG4?

    • UltimateAI on 03/08/2025 - 21:25
      +1

      Okay perhaps not long range, and under what OP wants but the Base Geely EX5 is $44k driveaway with 430km WLTP, people claim they are getting that on the highway.
      Stick a portable charger in the boot.

      Driving those distances, how could anyone go past the Tesla Model 3 for Autopilot.

    • apple2016 on 04/08/2025 - 16:37
      +1

      All these number are without any accessories like music , AC etc and ideal conditions. Rain, hot weather (AC) etc can reduce the range by a fair bit.

      • Morven on 05/08/2025 - 00:39
        +1

        Very cold weather actually reduces the range more because the battery has to heat itself (as well as you). I drove my BYD Atto 3 from Sydney to Canberra at night in 4 degrees C a few weeks ago and was on track to get about 100km less range than I did in sunny daylight on the return journey.

    • gfunk zero on 05/08/2025 - 09:55

      nice graph but where is the byd seal premium that has got a few mentions?

    • JDMcarfan on 05/08/2025 - 12:49
      +1

      MG IM5 Platinum 655km $69,990 (D/A NSW)

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