Electric cars
Looking for an electric car? Here’s our pick of the 10 best new electric cars you can buy.
Electric cars are more popular than ever, with their lower running costs and zero-emission status adding to their appeal. With a constant stream of new electric cars arriving in recent years you have a lot of options, whether you’re after a city-friendly hatchback, a family car or a large and luxurious SUV.
With so many new models to choose from, where do you start? Here, in no particular order, are our top 10 new electric cars.
Fiat’s 500 –a retro tribute to the chic city car of the 1950s – has long been a favourite on UK roads. You can still buy that car, but in 2021 this new all-electric model was launched. The Fiat 500 Electric has a similar design but it’s a touch larger and adds very modern features, like bright LED headlights, an up-to-date infotainment system and nearly 200 miles of driving from a single battery charge.
You can have a 500 Electric as a cute hatchback or as an equally adorable convertible, with a fabric roof that slides back at the touch of a button for open-air driving. There are also loads of special-edition models that give you unusual paint, wheel and upholstery combinations – few cars are as customisable as the 500.
Lots of modern driver assistance features are available, including blind-spot monitoring and automatic parking. Two battery options are available, one with a 115-mile range and one that will give you 199 miles of driving before it needs recharging.
The all-electric Corsa-e gives you everything that’s great about the standard Corsa hatchback, along with zero exhaust emissions and very low running costs. In fact, depending on where and when you charge it, the electric model could give you the lowest running costs of any Corsa. It’s certainly the fastest, with the electric motor giving it swift, smooth acceleration. Every version is well equipped, with features such as LED headlights, rear parking sensors and sat nav as standard, along with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity for your smartphone.
Every Corsa-e has the same electric motor and battery, although cars made from 2022 onwards were updated to take the maximum range from 209 miles to 222 miles on a full charge. Charging the battery to 80% capacity (for a range of around 170 miles) takes as little as 30 minutes using a rapid charger, or just over six hours using most home charging points.
It was one of the first pure-electric compact SUVs, and the Hyundai Kona Electric remains a very appealing option.
It doesn’t hurt that the Kona is a very stylish car, with a futuristic, youthful look – especially in some of the bolder paint colours available. It also has a battery range that’s a match for many more expensive electric cars. There are two versions – one with a 39.2kWh battery that gives a maximum range of 189 miles and one with a 64kWh battery that gives a range of up to 300 miles. Both are quick and enjoyable to drive and, thanks to a high driving position and the Kona’s compact size, easy to park. They all come with reversing sensors and a rear-view camera, too.
The Q4 E-tron is Audi’s most affordable electric SUV, and could be a great choice if you’re looking for a premium family car. You can choose from a number of trim levels, and with three different power choices there’s a Q4 E-tron to suit different budgets and requirements. All models have lots of oomph and nippy acceleration, although the driving experience is geared more towards comfort than excitement.
The interior quality is as good as in cars costing considerably more. You’ll get beautiful materials along with some of the latest in-car technology, including a great infotainment system and a digital dashboard rather than traditional dials. There’s loads of space for a family of four and their belongings. Battery range starts at around 205 miles from a single charge, while the higher-end models will manage almost 320 miles.
Tesla has done more than any other brand to lift the appeal of electric cars and the Model 3 – its most cost-effective car – gives you all the innovation you associate with the brand. Let’s start with the official maximum battery range, which varies between 305 miles and 374 miles, depending on the model.
Few rivals can match the Model 3 for performance, and many sports cars would struggle to keep up. It’s exceptionally quick, with some versions capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds. You’ll find it an enjoyable car to drive at any speed, with a smooth ride and great balance on a winding road.
The interior is simplicity itself, with a large, easy-to-use touchscreen at the centre of the dashboard. There’s ample space for tall adults in the front and back. The boot is huge and there’s extra storage space under the bonnet, making the Model 3 a very practical family saloon.
Futuristic looks and tech inside go hand-in-hand with a top-quality interior in the smallest electric Mercedes-Benz SUV. The EQA might not be able to match some rivals when it comes to battery range, but up to 264 miles between charges isn’t to be sniffed at. And the EQA makes up for it with a premium image and a driving experience to match.
The EQA shares a lot of its parts with another Mercedes SUV, the GLA, but you get an all-electric motor under the bonnet. The interior is the same, and that’s a big positive because it’s better than anything you’ll find with most rivals. There’s a choice of two trim levels, both packed with features as standard.
Forget everything you thought you knew about MG. Nowadays the appeal of the brand focuses on two things – value for money and electric power – and both of those come together in the excellent MG ZS.
On the outside, the ZS is a stylish compact SUV that, since an update in late 2021, has a sleeker, more modern look than its petrol-powered equivalents. Maximum range for standard models is a very useful 198 miles while the Long Range model has a 273-mile range and can be charged up to 80% capacity in just over an hour using a rapid charger.
What really sets the ZS apart is what you get for your money. For less than the cost of many versions of small hatchback rivals such as the Renault Zoe you get a family-friendly SUV with a lot of space inside, including a big boot. Standard equipment on ‘SE’ models includes sat nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and adaptive cruise control. ‘Trophy’ models cost a little more and add features such as a panoramic roof, leather trim and the ability to adjust the driver’s seat electrically.
The Hyundai Ioniq is unusual in that it’s available as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid or a pure-electric car. All are great value but the Ioniq Electric is the one to go for if you want to drive with zero emissions all of the time. It also has the potential to cost you less to run than its hybrid equivalents.
The Ioniq’s sleek shape helps it to cut through the air efficiently, eking out as many miles as possible from a charge. Maximum official battery range is 193 miles, while charging from 10-80% takes about an hour using a rapid charger or just over six hours using a home charger. It’s a smooth, relaxing car to drive and standard equipment includes features that help to make journeys stress-free, such as powerful LED headlights, a lane-departure warning system and rear parking sensors.
A large, easy-to-use touchscreen sits at the heart of a simple yet stylish interior that has enough space for four adults and a boot that’s big enough for three large suitcases.
With a 209-mile battery range, smart looks and an affordable price, the Mokka-e is well worth checking out if you want to get into electric motoring without breaking the bank. It ticks lots of boxes –it’s comfortable, has zippy acceleration and a stylish interior, and gives you many modern features for your money. While it might be no longer or wider than a small hatchback, a raised driving position gives you a commanding view of the road, and a rear-view camera and parking sensors make parking and manoeuvring a doddle. You’ll also get a wide, double-screen infotainment system and driver display for a futuristic look.
You don’t get as much back-seat space as you do in some rivals, so it might not be the ideal car for family use, but as a small electric SUV for singles or couples, it could be just the ticket.
Volkswagen’s Golf is one of the UK’s most popular cars, but don’t be surprised if the ID.3 takes over that crown in the future. Rather than producing an electric version of the latest Golf, VW decided instead to create a new model, and the ID.3 is the result. It’s a Golf-size all-electric family hatchback with several trim levels to choose from, and three battery options with a range of up to 336 miles between charges.
You’ll find lots of space inside, with loads of legroom and headroom in the back and a good-size boot, all wrapped with a stylish, minimalist interior design. There’s a feature-packed infotainment system that looks great, even if some rivals have easier-to-use interfaces. Oh, and it feels smooth and powerful to drive, too.
There are lots of used electric cars for sale at Cazoo. You can also get a new or used electric car with a Cazoo subscription. For a flat monthly payment you get a new car, insurance, maintenance, servicing and tax included. All you need to do is add fuel.
