ADAC Names Best Electric Cars for Long-Distance Travel, Led by Mercedes-Benz CLA
Germany's automobile club ADAC assessed electric cars for long trips in its 2026 test. The Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe 350 covered the most distance with a single 20-minute charging stop.
ADAC, the German automobile club, has assessed in 2026 how well electric cars suit long-distance travel. The test considered each model's range and fast-charging capability. The results show how far a car can go with one 20-minute charging stop, which helps drivers choose a vehicle suited to long journeys.
ADAC considers models fully suitable for long trips if they can cover more than 750 kilometres with a single 20-minute charging stop.
Top of the ranking
First place went to the Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe 350 with a total range of 1,071 kilometres. The BMW iX3 50 xDrive follows closely with 1,059 kilometres, and the Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 4Matic is third with 906 kilometres.
Next come the Hyundai Ioniq 6 (885 km), Xpeng P7+ Long Range (864 km), Audi S e-tron GT Quattro (855 km) and Volvo EX90 Twin Performance Ultra AWD (810 km).
Smaller models
Some smaller electric cars are less suited to long trips. The Kia EV2 can cover 363 kilometres with one charging stop, while the Renault Twingo Electric manages only 255 kilometres.
What affects charging
ADAC notes that charging speed depends not only on maximum charging power but also on the battery's state of charge and the outside temperature. In cold weather charging can take considerably longer, so preheating the battery is important.
To make charging on a trip as efficient as possible, the club recommends starting fast charging at a low battery level and stopping at about 80%.
For drivers who regularly cover long distances, ADAC advises choosing an electric car with a total range of at least 600 kilometres, including a 20-minute charging stop.
