Do you really need 300 miles of range?
Dec 3, 2025
3 min read
It’s always nice to have a few extra miles in hand – but opting for an EV with a range far beyond your day-to-day driving habits could increase your monthly payments with relatively little benefit.
Most drivers cover less than 200 miles in an average week, so chances are you could be ok with less range than you might think! Here’s how to tell how much range you really need.
How much do you drive per week? The answer might surprise you…
Our drivers cover an average of just 167 miles per week – or just under 24 miles per day. This means that opting for an EV with a 200-250 mile range could more than cover your needs and go over a week without needing a charge.
Another thing to consider: you pay more for EVs with a longer range. If it’s not essential, you could save quite a bit of cash by keeping your range under 300 miles.
Take a look at two of our favourites
How much range do you need?
City commuters and school-run parents
Ideal range: 150-200 miles
Your driving habits
- You drive to work and back
- You drive for the daily school run or errands
- You have no extensive driving needs, or use another car for long-distance trips
Take a look at
The BYD Dolphin Surf Boost is perfect for quick city trips! 200 miles of range will go a long way – and it’s compact enough to navigate the tightest of parking spaces.
Weekend adventurers and longer-distance commuters
Your ideal range: 200-250 miles
Your driving habits
- You enjoy occasional weekend trips away
- You need to make longer commutes regularly
- You live somewhere rural, where everything is quite spaced out
Take a look at
The OMODA E5 is the perfect all-rounder – 250 miles of range, plus plenty of space to feel comfortable on longer trips.
Long-distance drivers
Your ideal range: 250+ miles
Your driving habits
- You cover some serious miles every week
- You make several weekly journeys of an hour or more each way
- You want to minimise charging stops whilst on the road
Take a look at
If you’re driving this much, do it in style with the BMW i4 – a spacious and stylish coupe with 365 miles of range.
It’s all about charging smarter
It doesn’t take a lot to avoid too many public charging stops – the right approach to charging can make your 200-mile range feel more like 300.
As well as charging your EV at home for cost and convenience, consider:
- Using a smart tariff: Intelligent Octopus Go gives you five hours of cheap electricity each night, and automatically charges your car when energy is cheapest. And as an Octopus EV driver, you get an exclusive discount with EV Saver.
- Charging at work or whilst you do the shopping. Chargers in public car parks or at workplaces are increasingly common – some locations even offer 15 minutes’ free.
- Tying your charging stops in with your usual breaks. Stopping for the loo, a coffee or a quick rest? Take the opportunity to give your car a few extra minutes of charge.
Intelligent EV: more than just a car on your driveway
Find an EV that fits perfectly with your lifestyle – plus benefit from:
- Smart charging - save money at home and on the road with exclusive discounts on Electroverse and Octopus Energy’s smart tariff.
- Servicing, maintenance - we’ll keep your car in top shape with included servicing, maintenance, and repairs.
- Extra Octopus perks - save £500 on heat pumps and solar panels with Octopus energy and slash your energy bills further (plus more goodies when your car is delivered)
Want to learn more about EVs?
