EVs generally match or beat comparable gas vehicles for cargo space, and many add a genuinely useful bonus most gas cars can’t offer: a front trunk, or “frunk,” in the space a gas engine would normally occupy.
Why EVs often have more usable space
Without a large engine block up front or a transmission tunnel running through the cabin, EVs are frequently built on a flatter, simpler floor layout. This tends to translate into a genuinely flat cargo floor with the rear seats folded, and in many cases a lower load height, both of which make packing for a road trip noticeably easier than in a comparable gas vehicle.
The frunk: extra space gas cars don’t have
| Frunk size | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Small (roughly 2 to 4 cubic feet) | Charging cables, a small bag, groceries kept separate from the main cabin |
| Mid-size (roughly 4 to 7 cubic feet) | A soft cooler, camping gear, or valuables locked separately from the trunk |
| Large (10+ cubic feet, mainly trucks and large SUVs) | Genuinely useful secondary luggage space, some are even weather-sealed |
Not every EV has a frunk, some use the space for a small service compartment instead, so it’s worth checking a specific model rather than assuming.
What to check before a road trip
💡 Tip: If cargo capacity is a genuine priority, three-row electric SUVs and hatchback or wagon-style EVs consistently offer the most usable space, more directly comparable body styles are the fairest way to compare against a gas vehicle you’re used to.
⚠️ Note: Loading a vehicle heavily reduces range, the same way it would affect fuel economy in a gas car, just somewhat more noticeably. Factor a loaded-vehicle buffer into your range planning for a heavily packed road trip.