How far can electric cars really travel between charges?

That's one of the most common questions asked of zero-emissions models, with motorists rightfully dubious of the figures manufacturers claim their vehicles can go before needing a fresh dose of electricity.

A new controlled test has revealed the true distances today's most popular EVs can cover - with some falling short of their claims by as much as 100 miles.

How far will they really go? What Car? has started testing the real-world ranges of electric cars on sale today to challenge the claimed figures advertised by manufacturers

The real-world ranges for 12 of today's electric models on sale in the UK have been published as part of What Car?'s new real ranges test.

The automotive title already produces a 'true MPG test' for petrol, diesel and hybrid machines to challenge the 'official' figures from test cycles that are advertised by manufacturers.

This new test aims to reflect the way people actually drive and allows anyone considering an EV to directly compare the ranges of different models.

In addition, it also tells potential buyers what to expect a full charge to cost and the efficiency of each car in miles per kWh.

The 12 cars already reported on are the first to be tested, with the magazine continuously updating the standings as more electric vehicles are tested in the future.

Currently topping the table is the new £35,656 Hyundai Kona Electric, with a range of 259 miles, closely followed by the £63,000 Jaguar I-Pace and £31,000 Kia e-Niro, both of which managed 253 miles – the equivalent of travelling from London to Snowdonia.

Difference between claimed and real range shows the latest WLTP test cycle is more realistic than the replaced NEDC, but is still some way off providing motorists with realistic electric-vehicle range figures

The Hyundai Kona Electric was named as the electric car with the longest range tested. It is capable of 259 miles before the batteries are completely depleted

The Model S 75D is the only Tesla What Car? has put through the real range test so far. It fell short of the NEDC cycle claims it has on its website

All three provide more than adequate ranges, though fall some way short of what car makers would lead you to believe.

While the Kona, I-Pace and e-Niro have impressive ranges, they are all some way off the figures used by car makers to advertise them.

Respectively they fall short by 33 miles, 39 miles of 48 miles - and that's using the official claimed range produced in the latest WLTP test procedure.

How are the electric-car ranges tested? At the start of the test the car's battery is fully depleted and then recharged via a smart charging cable with a built-in meter. Driving measurements are taken at a test track so traffic conditions don't affect the result, with the car following a route that simulates a mix of town, A-road and motorway driving. Testing is conducted with the lights on, climate control set to 22 degrees and when the ambient temperature is between 10 and 15 degrees. Finally, the car is recharged using the smart cable so that the amount of energy expended can be measured and the Real Range extrapolated.

Jaguar hinted in September that the realistic range of it's I-Pace SUV was closer to 250 miles rather than the 292 claim.

This is Money crunched the figures after the British manufacturer published information about a long-distance drive across Europe in the vehicle.

By it's own figures, we calculated that the range was 252 miles.

The £70,100 Tesla Model S 75D - the car with the fourth longest range between charges - has a real range of 204 miles, which is 100 miles shorter than Tesla advertises on its website, according to the old NEDC test cycle.

Arguably a more realistic range figure would be produced under the latest WLTP test standards, but Tesla is still knowingly telling potential customers that this particular car can cover 304 miles between charges.

What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said: 'Our true MPG test has always been the best way to cut through the official noise and see how economical a car will really be.

'But with the surge in interest in electric cars, now is the time for us to provide the same service to EV buyers.

'One of the few remaining concerns for people considering an EV is range anxiety – the fear that their battery will run flat and leave them stranded.

'Real range gives them the information they need to choose the right car for their needs.'

The Jaguar I-Pace was tested by What Car? and found to have a more than respectable range compared to its claims

Official figures would lead you to believe that the Nissan Leaf could cover 168 miles before needing a charge. The reality is, according to What Car?, it can only go for 128 miles

'Most UK drivers wouldn't need to charge an electric car during the week', says new study (but they would)

While range anxiety is one of the biggest electric-car concerns among drivers, new research suggests that the majority of UK motorists could use an EV for a full week without needed to plug it into a charger.

Independent EV consumer advice website DrivingElectric analysed the journey habits of almost 500 drivers.

It found that the total average mileage covered by most drivers in a typical week - including travel for social and leisure (89 miles), shopping (82 miles), school runs (24 miles) and commuting (70 miles) - falls well within the claimed ranges of the latest generation of electric cars.

DrivingElectric calculated the higher weekly average total mileage of UK drivers is 265 miles, meaning the latest electric cars - according to their claims - don't need to be charged during the week

But while it said the higher weekly average total mileage for the sample of drivers was 265 miles was achievable without a recharge for the rangiest of EVs by their claimed abilities, the What Car? results show that none could cover this distance without needed a fresh dose of electricity.

'So-called range anxiety is consistently named by motorists as a main barrier to going all electric, but the facts suggest that range really shouldn't worry most of us,' said Vicky Parrott, associate editor the the electric car site.

Research into typical UK driving habits shows that today's electric cars are perfectly poised for a breakthrough into the mainstream. Vicky Parrott, DrivingElectric

'So while many people worry about being able to easily charge-up during a journey, the truth is that electric cars now need charging less frequently for normal use than many of us realise.'

She added: 'We are now seeing a widening gap between the perceptions of consumers about the range of electric cars and the capability of the cars themselves.

'We suspect this is because the earliest affordable electric vehicles, like the first Nissan Leaf, enjoyed so much publicity that their shorter ranges have stuck in people's minds.

'Just a few years ago the earliest Nissan Leaf could only manage 124 miles. In the same conditions, today's Leaf will do 235 miles.

'Our research into typical UK driving habits is exciting news because it shows that today's electric cars are perfectly poised for a breakthrough into the mainstream.'