What good is an electric vehicle if you need to plug it in every time you need to go the grocery store? It wasn’t long ago that people actually had these concerns about battery-powered cars. These days, you won’t have a problem making it to the store and back even if you live 50 miles away from the nearest grocer. (But if that’s the case, you have bigger problems than which car to buy.)
In all seriousness, electric vehicles are adding range, beauty, and performance to their resumes on an annual basis. A certain automaker by the name of Mercedes Benz even deigned to enter the fray in 2014 with an EV it somehow slotted below its C and CLA classes, alphabetically speaking. Meanwhile, the Tesla madness continues while BMW and Toyota have shown their stripes in all-electric automobiles.
They may seem pricey, but you save plenty in fuel costs and have access to federal tax credits up to $7,500. Considering they use energy from power plants to charge their batteries, they’re not “zero emissions” entirely, but they’re far better than gas-powered cars. They can’t go 500 miles (who drives that far on a regular basis?), but they can make it halfway in case you want to stop your marathon cross-country race for lunch. Here are the top ten electric vehicles in total driving range without gasoline. Following the range is the price before federal or local tax rebates.

[h=4]10. Mitsubishi i-MiEV: 62 miles ($25,000)[/h] The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is not one of the best sellers or one of the better-reviewed electric vehicles, but it is one of the pioneers in the green car movement and a fixture in the top ten of total range. In ideal conditions, this little EV can clock 62 miles on a full battery charge. At an estimated 122 MPGe, there’s plenty of value and usefulness to be found in this ride.

[h=4]9. SmartForTwo Coupe: 68 miles ($25,000)[/h] The tiny SmartForTwo won’t win any beauty contests, but it will deliver up to 68 miles on a full charge. SmartForTwo is currently the only electric vehicle with a convertible option and remains the smallest and most affordable options for drivers who want to go green. At a post-rebate cost of $17,500 and $0.96 in operating costs for every 25 miles, it delivers transportation on any budget.

[h=4]8. Focus Electric: 76 miles ($35,170)[/h] In the Focus Electric, Ford has a viable EV that has the best mpg in the compact class at 105 MPGe. The electric Focus is also capable of covering 76 miles on a full battery charge. Compared to the average new car that gets 23 mpg, a Focus Electric can save owners $9,000 in fuel costs over a period of five years and has a post-rebate price under $30K.

[h=4]7. BMW i3: 81 miles ($41,350)[/h] BMW has the most sustainable production model for an electric vehicle in its small i3. The electric city car has an EPA-estimated range of 81 miles to make it appealing to anyone looking for a sporty green car. After the federal tax rebate and fuel savings are considered, the investment in a BMW i3 doesn’t seem extravagant. A new problem for BMW is the introduction of an electric Mercedes with better range at the same price point.

[h=4]6. Chevy Spark EV: 82 miles ($26,685)[/h] Chevrolet has the well-known Volt and Cadillac ELR ranking on the low end of the scale at 35 miles of electric range, but GM delivered more than double that figure in the subcompact Chevy Spark EV. In fact, the Spark EV’s 82 miles of electric range made it the car with the best fuel economy in the United States for 2014 at 119 MPGe. Pricing dips below $20K after the federal EV tax rebate.

[h=4]5. Nissan Leaf: 84 miles ($28,980)[/h] Many electric cars have come onto the scene since the Nissan Leaf debuted, but there are only a few able to outlast this EV in electric range. Until the Kia Soul EV and Volkswagen E-Golf make their U.S. debuts, the Leaf will continue to hold a spot in the top five with 84 miles of electric range. Classified by the EPA as a midsize car, the Leaf easily topped its class at 114 MPGe.

[h=4]4. Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive: 85 miles ($41,450)[/h] The Mercedes Benz entry to the all-electric vehicle world is noteworthy on several points. Priced near the BMW i3, it offers a look at how smaller, less luxurious EVs from the big German brands will fare compared to the Tesla Model S. This middle range of electric cars only has a few entries, but the Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive is making a move to the top with 85 miles of electric range. That slots it right around the VW E-Golf that will appear later in 2014. Merecedes B-Class will also compete with other Benz models with 251 lb-ft of torque.

[h=4]3. Fiat 500e: 87 miles ($31,800)[/h] Fiat’s mini EV has a little bit more style than the SmartForTwo coupe while delivering considerable range and efficency. Able to travel 87 miles (116 MPGe) on a full charge, the Fiat 500e offers drivers as much as $9,500 in fuel savings over five years of operation. With that figure and the $7,500 rebate in mind, the $30K price point makes more sense.

[h=4]2. RAV4 EV: 103 miles ($49,800)[/h] Toyota’s RAV4 EV has numerous accolades worth considering. Besides slotting in at second place in electric range at 103 miles, the electric RAV4 is the most efficient truck in the United States with an EPA-estimated 76 MPGe. Priced near $50,000, there will be many who consider the RAV4 EV too costly, but the $7,500 in rebates and $8,000 in fuel savings over five years may lead auto consumers to think again.

[h=4]1. Tesla Model S: 265 miles ($71,070)[/h] Ever heard of Tesla? In case there is anyone left, Tesla is the California-based electric vehicle maker that has a car called the Model S. Wall Street investors and the press have had a field day with the company’s stock and compelling story, but the real testament to the automaker’s achievement comes from its drivers. People love their Teslas and wouldn’t do anything to trade them.
It turned out the formula for electric car adoption was the same as any car: Build one that drives great and is nice looking, too. Who knew? Tesla’s other great achievement was getting the EV with the longest range on the road. At 265 miles or better, the Model S is well more than double its nearest competitor.