Compact EVs
Compact electric cars make a huge amount of sense, as it’s often models like these that are used in and around cities, where charging infrastructure is at its best, and range isn’t quite so much of a priority.
The compact electric car class stems from models like the Mini Electric through to Volkswagen’s popular ID.3 – a model that is jam-packed with the latest features and one which incorporates a decent amount of electric range, too.
Compact electric cars, despite their relatively small exterior dimensions, have also been designed to maximise interior space so you might find that they feel a little more spacious than a ‘regular’ car of the same size. That ID.3, for example, has a fully flat floor in the rear of the car, meaning that rear seat passengers have more space to stretch out.
Volkswagen ID.3
Volkswagen made a splash with the ID.3, which arrived as the first vehicle to enter into the firm’s ‘ID’ sub-brand dedicated to electric vehicles. It goes to show just how important Volkswagen sees the ID.3 as it has consistently referenced it in the same vein as two of its most important vehicles – the Golf and Beetle.
It’s jam-packed with technology, including a clear central touchscreen which controls many of the car’s functions. Plus, models fitted with the largest battery pack that Volkswagen offers can travel for up to 336 miles on a single charge. But on top of that, it’s also practical and spacious, with a large boot which makes it a great option for families wanting to try out an EV.
BMW I3
BMW’s i3 really broke the mould and launched a whole new generation of EVs when it was launched around nine years ago, bringing clever battery technology and some brand-new building techniques to the segment. It has gone on to prove wildly popular, too, with BMW creating more than 250,000 examples during that time. It uses some really clever materials – open the door and you’ll find that the sills have been made from carbon fibre to save weight, for example.
Why do so many people love the i3? Well, its interior – which was particularly space-age when launched – looks great today and its battery technology ensured that it could still return up to 190 miles of range. A sportier i3S version brings added performance and more direct steering for those after a slightly more dynamic-feeling option.
MINI Electric
The MINI is the perfect fit for electrification. It’s compact, great to look at and fun to drive, and all of these attributes have been retained in its switch to a battery-powered model. In fact, the MINI Electric’s zippy acceleration makes it just as exciting to drive as the regular-powered model but with zero tailpipe emissions. Its range of 145 miles makes it a great choice for commuters or city drivers, too, while its compact proportions make it very easy to park.
Inside, it’s got the same funky and well-appointed cabin as you’d find in the petrol MINI, with a large central touchscreen and a second ‘driver display’ which sits atop the steering wheel. They’re both really clear and easy to read, too.
smart EQ fortwo
smart might be best known for its original fortwo city car, but it has recently pivoted to become a fully electric brand. It’s a great recipe, as electric power really suits these usually urban-focused models. The smart EQ fortwo is an electric integration of its original two-seater and it’s capable of returning up to 80 miles of range on a single charge, which is more than enough for darting around town.
Thanks to its low weight, the fortwo is also really nimble to drive and well-suited to nipping in and out of traffic as a result. You can even get it as a cabrio if you’re after wind-in-your-hair thrills from your next EV.
Explore the electric model range
SUVs
The huge surge in popularity for SUVs has been reflected in the electric car segment.
Saloons
Not quite as commonplace, but there are still a number of options out there.
Sports cars
The same level of fun and excitement as a combustion-engined car.
Performance cars
Electric power and performance are a match made in heaven