There are more electric cars than ever to choose from, so we’ve picked some of the best you can buy in the UK now.
Pressure is mounting on UK motorists to abandon their gasoline and diesel vehicles in favour of pure-electric vehicles, but which are the best electric cars now available on the UK car market?
As more new electric cars are produced and used prices begin to drop, the number of electric car sales on UK roads continues to rise. The number of new electric cars available to consumers will grow as more manufacturers embrace the technology in anticipation of tighter emissions regulations and future bans on gasoline and diesel vehicles.
At the same time, the UK’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure is developing, making electric vehicles more accessible to a wider range of individuals. The increased availability of quick and speedy chargers in homes, workplaces, and public spaces makes it easier than ever to switch to a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) and enjoy its lower operating expenses with minimal hassle. Even if you can’t afford a pure electric vehicle, today’s plug-in hybrids are a good compromise.
Although some customers may be hesitant to transition to electric power, one major advantage is that there is a wider range of options than ever before. The Fiat 500 is a compact, city car-sized EV, while Skoda’s excellent Enyaq gives SUV practicality, and Porsche and Tesla versions offer lots of prestige and speed. The fantastic, albeit divisive Ford Mustang-badged Mach-E SUV is also in the mix, as is the Hyundai Ioniq 5, which won our Car of the Year award for 2021.
Best Electric Cars in UK
1. Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is aiming for premium rivals like the Audi Q4 e-tron, Volkswagen ID.4, and Tesla Model Y. Without a doubt, the Ioniq 5 is excellent in every way, combining next-generation electric car technology with adequate performance and charging capabilities generally reserved for high-end cars like the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT.
Two battery configurations with three power outputs are available: the entry-level 58kWh battery is combined with a single 168bhp rear-wheel motor, offering a 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds and a range of 238 miles. The 214bhp mid-spec model has the best range, thanks to a 73kWh battery that increases the total distance travelled on a single charge to 280 miles. The top-spec model has the same 73kWh battery as the base model, but adds a second front-mounted motor for a total of 301bhp and 605Nm of torque. The overall range drops to 267 miles, but performance is significantly better, with a 0-62 time of 5.2 seconds.
Starting at just under £37,000, the Ioniq 5 features a superb infotainment system and generous standard kit, while the available space has to be seen to be believed. It’s comfortable, too, so you’ll relish the chance of racking up the miles. We certainly did, which is why we named the Hyundai Ioniq 5 our Car of the Year for 2021.
2. Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 is the sibling vehicle of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, so it’s a good choice if you like the Hyundai Ioniq 5’s technology but not its retro-futuristic styling. The EV6 is the most traditional of the two, sitting lower and more athletically. Its handling reflects this, with significantly stiffer suspension providing crisper reflexes.
It comes in three versions: Long Range RWD, Long Range AWD, and a high-performance GT, with the entry-level model being our favourite. It not only has the best range of up to 328 miles thanks to its 77.4kWh battery, but it also has the fastest 0-62mph time of 7.2 seconds.
The next level up is undeniably faster with all-wheel drive, shaving two seconds off the benchmark sprint time. However, it has a slightly shorter range, costs significantly more, and isn’t as comfortable to drive swiftly.
Every model has remarkable ultra-rapid charging of up to 250kW, which means that if you can find a fast enough public charger, you can charge from 10% to 80% in less than 20 minutes. The interior is just as appealing, with a dashboard dominated by a pair of curved 12.3-inch panels for the gauges and infotainment system.
3. Skoda Enyaq
The Enyaq is a Skoda-branded all-electric family car that is practical, well-equipped, comfortable, and enjoyable to drive. With top-spec vehicles capable of covering more than 300 miles on a single charge, it puts all range concerns to rest and simply gets on with being a great family car that happens to run on battery power.
Skoda has devised a novel method of assisting you in customising your new Enyaq; instead of typical trim levels, it offers five distinct ‘Design Selections’: Loft, Lodge, Lounge, Suite, and ECO Suite. Each one takes a distinctive approach to design, with different materials being used to achieve a specific look.
The base model comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display, climate control, cruise control, and rear parking sensors, while the price is also appealing – at just under £35,000, the entry Enyaq iV 60 qualifies for the government’s plug-in vehicle grant, which cuts the on-the-road cost by another £2,500.
4. Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is the ultimate city car; it’s reasonably priced, has low operating expenses, and has plenty of Italian flare. Despite the fact that the third-generation car is slightly larger than its combustion-engined predecessor, the 500 EV is still at home dashing through city traffic, and parking should be a breeze because even the entry-level models come equipped with rear parking sensors.
There are two battery options: a 42kWh ‘Long Range’ model and a 24kWh ‘City Range’ model. The City Range can travel up to 115 miles on a single charge, but the larger battery allows you to travel up to 199 miles before needing to recharge.
The cabin is beautiful on the inside, and you’ll have access to plenty of on-board technology. A 7-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility is standard on base models, while a rear-view camera and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen are available on mid- and top-spec versions.
5. BMW iX
Over the years, BMW has produced several excellent electrified cars, with the revolutionary i8 sports car and the more conventional i3 supermini standing out as outstanding examples of the German automaker’s engineering prowess.
The iX is the first of BMW’s battery-powered SUVs to be constructed on a dedicated EV platform, following the debut of the all-electric iX3 SUV and i4 Gran Coupe.
There are three versions currently available: the first is the 332bhp xDrive40 with a 71kW battery that’s good for a range of up to 257 miles, while the other two versions are the 516bhp xDrive50 and the upcoming 611bhp M60. These more powerful variants up the battery size to 105kW and will achieve a claimed maximum of 380 and 357 miles respectively.Â
The BMW iX is available in four-wheel drive and dual-motor configurations. Despite its substantial kerbweight of over 2,400kg, the iX handles surprisingly well and grips reassuringly through turns. The ride is also extremely refined, with the suspension effectively absorbing the shocks and bumps of even the most pothole-infested roads.
When you enter, you’ll be met by a luxurious, uniquely styled cabin loaded with high-quality materials. It not only looks and feels fantastic, but it also operates well, thanks to a dual-screen infotainment system that includes the most recent version of BMW’s iDrive.
6. Ford Mustang Mach-E
Ford’s first all-electric SUV, the Mustang Mach-E, is one of the most important cars in a generation for the blue oval. The Mach-E, which starts at roughly £43,000, is a practical and well-priced electric vehicle with excellent handling and a long list of standard features.
It also doesn’t skimp on performance, with the fastest 346bhp all-wheel-drive model accelerating from 0 to 62mph in 5.8 seconds. The 68kWh ‘Standard Range’ battery types are available with either rear- or four-wheel drive. The former has a range of up to 273 miles and the later has a range of up to 243 miles.
You’ll get more miles on a single charge if you upgrade to the 88kWh ‘Extended Range’ automobiles, which have a stated range of 379 miles for the RWD model and 335 miles for the AWD First Edition SUV.
The Mustang Mach-E isn’t the classic sports vehicle it’s named after, but it’s a well-made electric SUV with a wide range of capabilities. If you want even more speed, the 480bhp Mach-E GT performance model with ‘MagneRide’ variable suspension is available.
7. Porsche Taycan
The new Porsche Taycan is a fantastic car to drive, staying true to Porsche’s pedigree and ensuring that you know you’re driving a ‘genuine’ Porsche sports saloon.
The Taycan has sports car-like handling, furious acceleration, and incredible agility – all while still having four seats and a respectable range. It’s not often that a car seems truly innovative, but the Porsche Taycan does, and it demonstrates just how much fun a plug-in future can be.
Despite its large 2.2-tonne weight, it conceals its size nicely, weaving elegantly into tight corners and destroying fast, sweeping turns. The Taycan’s raw speed is ludicrous; the’standard’ 523bhp 4S version hits the 0-62mph benchmark in 4.0s, but the 750bhp Turbo S version manages it in a mind-boggling 2.8s.
But don’t forget that the Taycan should be a breeze to live with on a daily basis. While the ride comfort is firm, the air suspension performs an excellent job of dealing with the fractured, uneven pavement found on UK roads.
The Taycan exemplifies Porsche’s vision for its own future in the transition from fossil fuels to electric power. It’s a well-executed initial step that should calm the minds of driving enthusiasts.
8. Audi e-tron GT
The Audi e-tron GT blends striking design with luxurious luxury and lots of power. The ride quality is outstanding, and if you choose to speed up, you’ll note that the e-tron GT’s precision steering and excellent grip assist to make it an enjoyable drive.
The performance and practicality of the e-tron GT are highlighted by the numbers: 523bhp, 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds, and a range of up to 298 miles. Charging is also an advantage; at up to 270kW at 800V charging stations, you can charge from 5-80% in just 23 minutes, and add 62 miles in just 5 minutes.
The e-tron GT starts at around £82,000, and the Vorsprung model adds 18-way electrically adjustable seats with ventilation and massage functions, matrix LED headlights with Audi’s laser light technology, adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving technology, and a head-up display for an extra £25,000. A four-wheel steering system and variable air suspension are also included in the top-spec automobile.
9. Tesla Model 3
The Model 3 was the electric automobile that a lot of people had been waiting for. It’s a tiny executive saloon that competes with Mercedes-C-Class Benz’s and BMW’s 3 Series in a market with wide appeal, and it’s also one of the most convincing electric cars available.
It blends simple design, space-age technology, grin-inducing performance, cutting-edge charging technology – aided by the extensive and dedicated Tesla Supercharger network – and, most significantly, a lengthy driving range. The entry-level Standard Range Plus model promises to be able to travel up to 267 miles on a single charge, but it does so without sacrificing performance. The rear-wheel-drive electric powertrain accelerates the automobile from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, with a top speed of 140 mph.
The inside is unlike anything you’d find in a BMW or an Audi. Although the minimalist approach may not be to everyone’s taste, the wow factor cannot be denied.
The four-wheel-drive Long Range variant, which costs a little more, features two electric motors and a larger battery for a range of 360 miles and a 0-60mph time of 4.2 seconds. Then there’s the Model 3 Performance, which can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds while still covering 352 miles on a single charge.
10. Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is the company’s second SUV, and it’s supposed to be more controllable and less spectacular than the Model X. It wouldn’t be unfair to compare the Model Y to the Model 3, given the two cars have similar aesthetics and are said to share 95 percent of the same technology. This is far from a negative situation.
Model Y’s performance and long-range variants are both four-wheel drive, which means they have plenty of traction, resulting in remarkable acceleration times of 4.5 seconds for the Long Range and 3.5 seconds for the Performance.
Despite these remarkable numbers, this tiny SUV also works effectively as a family hauler. All five passengers will have plenty of room, and with 854 litres of luggage capacity in the back and 117 litres in the front, the weekly shopping trip should be a breeze.
The Model Y’s interior is typically simple, with a horizontal 15.4-inch touchscreen serving as the dashboard, infotainment, and vehicle control systems, all of which operate admirably.
The Model Y falls short of the Model 3 in terms of battery range, but it still has enough to offer in Performance and Long Range models, with 298 and 315 miles, respectively.
