The battery doesn't just play a significant role in how far an electric car can travel, but also how expensive it is, how efficient its systems are, how aerodynamic it is and how safe it is.
The car world used to be concerned with how much power a vehicle developed, but now that we're well into the electric era, bragging rights extend to the size of this critical component.
Here then are the cars with the biggest usable battery capacities (as opposed to total). All are on sale today, or coming soon, and where a vehicle has multiple variants we have only highlighted a single model.
40. Mercedes-Benz EQE - 89kWh
It’s impressive that a semi-regular (if large) family saloon should kick-off this countdown, showcasing that the biggest batteries are starting to be available on some of the more mainstream cars.
It’s rated at up to 388 miles of range, but you’re likely to need to stop for the toilet (and a top up) long before it runs out.
39. Nio ET5 - 90kWh
This Chinese brand's electric saloon is aimed firmly at the Tesla Model 3. Fact fans will like to know it is rated with up to 435 miles of range, but really geeky fact fans can also quote the fact its 1.28m squared all-glass roof resists 99.9% of the sun’s harmful UV rays.
It also features LiDar autonomous driving tech and can be had in estate form, too.
38. Nio EL7 - 90kWh
Nio's electric SUV is called the ES7 in China, but it had to be renamed the EL7 when it went on sale in Europe after Audi challenged the firm's naming strategy.
The EL7 is on sale in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Denmark and can be had with either a 75kWh, or a 100kWh battery, with the latter offering a usable capacity of 90kWh, and a range of up to 319 miles.
37. Mercedes EQE SUV - 91kWh
Mercedes' ninth electric car arrived last year to rival the likes of the BMW iX3 and Tesla Model X. The bulbous electric SUV rides on the German brand's dedicated EVA electric platform and uses a large 91kWh battery. There are three versions to choose from, including an AMG variant.
36. Ford Mustang Mach-E - 91kWh
You’ll need to order the most efficient Extended Range RWD (rear-wheel drive) model to get the absolute maximum efficiency out of Ford’s 21st century Pony car, but if you spec wisely it’ll be good for an impressive rating of up to 372 miles.
35. Lucid Air Touring - 92kWh
The American firm's stunning electric saloon is offered with a choice of batteries, but even its 'smaller' packs offer excellent range and efficiency.
Opt for the mid-level Touring and you get 612bhp, a 92kWh battery and a range of up to 411 miles.
34. Xpeng G9 - 94kWh
The Long Range model benefits from a different, nickel-rich battery chemistry to the standard car, giving it an impressive 354 miles of range. Add in all-wheel drive too and it’s good for 0-62mph in 3.9sec (down from 6.4sec in rear-drive models).
33. Polestar 4 - 94kWh
Polestar's third bespoke electric car turned heads for several reasons when it launched last year. It's most notable feature is its lack of rear window, which has helped the Swedish marque create a more rakish exterior design.
With its large battery, the new Tesla Model Y rival promises a range of up to 379 miles and sits below the Polestar 3 SUV in the brand's line-up.
32. Audi Q6 E-tron - 94kWh
Riding on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture co-developed with Porsche, the bold new Q6 e-tron is a tech-heavy SUV primed to take on the inbound BMW iX3 and Jaguar I-Pace.
Power is drawn from a large 100kWh (95kWh usable) battery pack, which offers a claimed range of 388 miles.
31. Porsche Macan EV - 95kWh
It should come as no surprise having read about Audi's new PPE platform that the bold Porsche Macan EV uses the same electric architecture and battery technology.
The Stuttgart-based brand's second bespoke electric car can be had in two formats, with the range-topping Turbo model developing 630bhp and 833lb ft of torque for a 0-62mph time of just 4.4sec.
30. Maserati Grecale Folgore - 95kWh
There's a lot riding on the SUV shoulders of the Grecale: not only does it showcase the brand's switch to electric power and its future as an electric-only brand, it has to become the firm's big-selling model in order to offset the sportier models like the MC20 and Granturismo.
The brawny SUV develops 550bhp and 605lb ft of torque, and can travel up to 311 miles on a charge.
29. Tesla Model S - 95kWh
Arguably, the car that put Tesla on the map more so than the Roadster. It took on the established competition and won, demonstrating to the world that premium luxury buyers were willing to buy into electric propulsion if the brand image met the hype.
And while its 405-mile range is more than impressive, it's the Plaid version which steals the limelight. It boasts 1020bhp and can hit 60mph in a mere 1.99sec. Bonkers.
28. Porsche Taycan - 97kWh
The previous generation Taycan, while impressive to drive, wasn’t particularly efficient and didn’t have a very long range.
Porsche has sought to fix these problems with the updated Battery Performance Plus model, which uses a larger 105kWh (97kWh usable) battery, which yields a range of up to 421 miles.
27. Peugeot e-3008 - 98kWh
Peugeot’s popular electric crossover was extensively updated last year, gaining a striking new look and interior design.
And thanks to the e-3008 now riding on Stellantis’s new STLA Medium electric platform, Peugeot has been able to fit a larger 98kWh battery that optimises efficiency and range.
26. Kia EV9 - 99.8kWh
It’s hard not to refer to the 349-mile per charge EV9 as Kia’s Range Rover, such is the scale and luxury it seemingly offers; but that shorthand is severely undermined by the fact that the Korean marque has beaten the British one to launching a large electric SUV.
25. Lotus Emeya - 95kWh
Lotus is showing no signs of slowing down as it transforms itself in an all-electric performance marque. The Eletre SUV gave us a flavour of what to expect from the now Geely-owned brand over the coming years, but this will soon be joined by the Emeya saloon, which is set to rival the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S Plaid.
In hot 'R' specification, the Emeya develops 905bhp and can travel up to 301 miles on a charge.
24. Cadillac Lyriq - 100.4 kWh
At 2585kg the Lyriq is anything but svelte, but thanks to its large usable battery capacity it is rated as being good for 308 miles between charges.
That’s pretty impressive, as is the fact its 335bhp and 325lb ft can haul all that weight from 0-62mph in 6.1sec.
23. BMW i7 - 101.7 kWh
At its most efficient - which means selecting the right wheel size, the eco-driving mode and using the throttle with the subtlety of a ballet dancer - the BMW i7 is rated as being able to cover up to 387 miles on a charge from its battery.
22. Rolls-Royce Spectre - 102kWh
The sleek Spectre is a spiritual successor to the Phantom Coupe, albeit with a V12 replaced by electric motors, co-developed by BMW and good for 577bhp and 660lb ft, and an estimated wafting range of 320 miles.
And despite a near-3000kg kerb weight, it can do 0-62mph in just 4.2sec.
21. BMW iX - 105.2 kWh
Go large on the spec sheet and BMW’s halo electric car will deliver huge power, huge torque and - provided you don’t unleash either of those things - up to 383 miles of range thanks to its considerable usable battery capacity.
20. Fisker Ocean - 106kWh
The range-topping Extreme model claims a whopping 440 miles from a full charge - putting rivals such as the Tesla Model X and even Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV firmly in the shade.
Weight, aerodynamics, wheel size and powertrain efficiency take the credit.
19. Polestar 3 - 107kWh
This BMW iX and Jaguar I-Pace rival wins out in terms of usable battery capacity in Long Range form. That means up to 379 miles of range despite its potent 483bhp and 618lb ft of torque - although, as with all electric cars, using too much of the latter will inevitably reduce the former by a considerable margin.
18. Volvo EX90 - 107kWh
Set to launch this year, the EX90 is Volvo’s interpretation of the large, electric SUV of the future. It’s sheer size helps it use a battery pack that is good for a rated range of up to 300 miles, boosted by an incredible, slippery drag coefficient of 0.29Cd.
17. Mercedes EQS - 107.8kWh
Following the theme of the Lotus, it’s debatable these days whether an ‘S’ badged saloon or SUV is the halo model - or, indeed, whether it is the petrol or electric version that sits atop the tree.
Certainly the EQS has plenty of qualities to set it apart - including, of course, its ginormous battery capacity, which promises a range of up to 442 miles.
16. Lotus Eletre - 109kWh
A car that poses the question of what a brand’s flagship now is in this modern, mixed-up world, the range-topping Eletre SUV delivers 892bhp and 726lb ft of torque and can drag the SUV from 0-62mph in just 2.95sec.
It’s no sports car, but it’s certainly impressive – and even with all that performance it will still do up to 280 miles on a charge.
15. Lordstown Endurance - 109kWh
You’ll see a few North American pick-ups in our list, but this one is from the less well known but still impressive Lordstown Motors, who produce it in conjunction with Foxconn in Ohio.
Despite building a number of Endurance trucks, the firm found itself in financial trouble and filed for bankruptcy last year. However, Lordstown managed to avoid going under and announced earlier this year that it now operates under a new name, Nu Ride Inc.
14. Lucid Air Grand Touring -112kWh
The 807bhp Lucid Air Grand Touring isn't just a powerful electric saloon. Indeed, its 0-62mph time of just 3.0sec is impressive, but the Air really stands out for its excellent 516-mile range.
And if just over 800bhp isn't enough for you, there's a 1217bhp Sapphire model, which can hit 60mph in an ultra-rapid 1.89sec.
13. Mercedes EQS SUV - 118kWh
Designed to take on the BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron, the EQS SUV arrived late last year as the German brand's new flagship electric SUV.
It sits on the same Electric Vehicle Platform (EVA) as the EQS saloon, but uses a larger 118kWh battery. The vast battery pack helps the EQS SUV travel up to 404 miles on a single charge.
12. Rimac Nevera - 120kWh
A showpiece to show off what the company is capable of, the 1888bhp Nevera is the latest and greatest creation from Croatian electric car pioneers Rimac, who not only do consultancy for almost every car maker, but who also now run Bugatti.
The mind-boggling Nevera takes just 1.81sec to hit 62mph, and 9.2sec to reach 186mph.
11. Pininfarina Battista - 120kWh
Created by famed Italian styling and technical experts Automobili Pininfarina, the Battista is the company’s showpiece of what it is capable of.
The stunning sports car is named after the company’s founder, and holds acceleration records for 0-62mph and standing quarter and half miles. The 1874bhp machine is also based on technology developed by Rimac, hence the identical battery size.
10. Vinfast VF9- 123kWh
Another vehicle sold with a variety of battery sizes, the biggest of which gives the car, co-developed by the Vietnamese manufacturer with famed Italian styling and technical experts - you guessed it - Pininfarina, a rated EPA range of up to 330 miles.
9. Ford F-150 Lightning - 131kWh
The so-called Extended Range model lives up to its name thanks to its larger battery pack - albeit it is left in the shadow of rival pick-ups from Hummer and Rivian (which we’ll get to shortly).
Despite the pick-up’s heft, the battery means it’s good for 320 miles of rated range. The F-150 develops 542bhp and 775lb ft of torque.
8. Rivian R1T - 149kWh
What better way to break the stranglehold of established car makers than to launch a pick-up that offers (almost) more of everything.
Peak performance includes 824bhp of power and 700lb ft of torque. No wonder it needs a big battery!
7. Nio ET7 - 150kWh
A sleek coupé in the mould of the Tesla Model S and BMW i7, the ET7 heralds a new wave of expansion for Chinese car maker Nio.
Unlike the pick-ups above, it’s relatively efficient in its use of the energy, too. Fitted with the firm's 100kWh battery, the ET7 is good enough for a range of 360 miles. But Nio is set to introduce a 150kWh semi-solid-state battery which should boost the range up to a whopping 600 miles.
6. Cadillac Escalade iQ - 200kWh
The huge Escalade can now be had in battery-electric form, with the large premium SUV set to arrive next year with a 200kWh battery and a range of up to 450 miles.
Cadillac says its new electric SUV develops 745bhp and 785lb ft of torque from a dual-motor powertrain.
5. Chevrolet Silverado EV - 200kWh
While the Silverado EV shares its powertrain with the GMC Hummer EV, it uses a slightly different configuration and a smaller battery. The Silverado uses a dual-motor setup, instead of the Hummer's tri-motor layout, and is available with a choice of outputs, with the RST First Edition developing 743bhp and 780lb ft of torque.
Power is drawn from a huge 200kWh battery which gives the Silverado a claimed range if up to 400 miles – although this will be less if carrying and towing.
4. GMC Sierra EV - 200kWh
The Sierra EV rides on GM's Ultium platform and shares much of its underpinnings – and exterior design – with the Silverado EV. It is set to arrive later this year with a vast 200kWh battery that should yield a range of up to 400 miles.
The firm's first electric pick-up develops 743bhp and 780lb ft of torque, allowing for a 0-62mph time of just 4.5sec.
3. Tesla Roadster - 200kWh
We say this car is coming soon… but have to acknowledge that it has been coming soon since it was first teased in 2012.
Since then the rumour mill has been up and down, as well as stoked by Elon Musk saying the second-generation Roadster would launch in 2023, but it never arrived. Now that Tesla has rolled out its outlandish new Cybertruck, more focus has been put back on the Roadster, but there is still no sign of it yet.
2. GMC Hummer EV pickup - 212kWh
Stopping the scales at 4111kg, there’s not much about the GMC Hummer EV that’s small. Little wonder that it needs a big battery: its tri-motor powertrain will soon eat its way through energy, producing 1000bhp and 11,500lb ft of torque. Of note, the battery itself weighs a whopping 1325kg.
1. RAM 1500 REV - 229kWh
Set to launch in 2025, the Ram 1500 REV – that's Revolution Electric Vehicle to you – will be offered as standard with a hefty 168kWh battery.
But if that's not enough, you'll be able to select an optional 229kWh battery pack, which provably contains enough energy to power a small town for a few days. Or, when fitted in a massive pick-up, gives the 1500 REV a huge range of 500 miles. Although, as ever, you won't get all that range if you use the 654bhp powertrain in anger.
