Electric cars continue to grow in popularity year-on-year, with 8,257 EVs having been sold in Ireland in 2022, nearly double (+93%) the number sold during the whole of 2021.
In fact, electric cars' share of the market (22.9%), in terms of new registrations, now rivals those of petrol (28%) and diesel cars (26.5%), and looks likely to exceed them in the next couple of years as the major manufacturers continue to transition to greener vehicles.
That transition has required the rapid development of batteries and electric motors that can meet the demands of drivers, and some vehicles on the market now have a range over over 725km before needing to be recharged.
Here are the top 10 electric cars currently available, based on the official range, as claimed by their manufacturers.
10. Volkswagen ID.3 - 415km
Available from €40,587 with the SEAI grant and VRT rebate, the VW's Golf-sized ID.3 hatchback has a 77kW battery and can go 0-100kmh in 7.9 seconds, and its is the German automakers's first dedicated electric model.
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9. Polestar 2 - 540km
Available for €54,245, the Polestar 2 with 78kW long-range single motor from Volvo sister company Polestar can accelerate from 0-100kmh in under five second and tow up to 1,500kg. There are also standard rage and long-range dual motor options available.
8. Tesla Model X - 540km
Staring from €95,500, Tesla's premium Model X is the the company's biggest car and boasts seven seats as well as "Falcon-wing" vertically-opening doors., 0-100kmh in 2.5 seconds and a top speed of more than 260kmh.
7. BMW i4 - 589km
Starting from €65,505, BMW's first electric Gran Coupé, available since March, is equipped with fifth-generation eDrive technology and a 400kw battery. The car can reach 80% charge in 34 minutes and reach 0-100kmh in 5.7 seconds.
6. Tesla Model 3 Long Range - 602km
Starting at €57,990, the long-range version of Tesla's most popular model, which itself is currently the 34th most popular new car on the market, can go 0-100kmh in 4.2 seconds and has a top speed of 233kmh.
5. Ford Mustang Mach-E - 610km
Starting from €64,792 in Ireland, Ford's electric SUV can hit 100kmh in 3.7 seconds and has a range of 119km from just 10 minutes charging. The extended range version, which offers four-wheel drive has a 91kW battery.
4. BMW iX - 613km
Starting from €94,925, the second BMW on this list also the company's flagship EV model, with two electric motors and a 106.3kW battery combining for 516 brake horsepower, 0-100kmh in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 200kmh.
3. Tesla Model S - 652km
Starting from €90,990, the entry version of the luxury electric saloon Model S is due to be upgraded next year, but until then the latest model will go 0-100kmh in 3.1 seconds and has a top speed 250kmh.
2. Mercedes-EQE - 660km
Starting from €87,480, the spacious EQE has a massive 90kW battery and a single electric motor on the rear axle with 288bhp, and it can reach 80% capacity with a half-hour charge.
1. Mercedes-EQS 450+ - 731km
Mercedes' EQS 450+, the electric version of its S-Class limo, can go a massive 731km in one go, meaning you could drive from Dublin to Tralee and back and still have 130km in the tank, thanks to its 107.8kW battery, while hitting 100kmh in 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 201kmh.
(Pic: Getty Images)
