Not too many years ago, there were only a handful of electric cars on the market. But today, with manufacturers rapidly expanding their line-up of EVs, there are loads of different models to choose from.
With most car firms now selling an EV, the choice often comes down to your priorities and your lifestyle. Here we’ve looked at the best electric cars for a variety of different uses and priorities.
Affordability – Peugeot e-208
If you’re wanting a more affordable new electric car, a great option is the Peugeot e-208. With prices starting from £31,345, it’s got plenty going for it, while standard equipment is generous too – including 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control and an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The e-208 also boasts a high-quality interior and a particularly stylish exterior design. This Peugeot also features a 50 kWh battery, allowing for a claimed range of up to 224 miles.
Practicality – Volkswagen ID.Buzz
If you’re buying with an eye for practicality, it’s hard to beat Volkswagen’s cool new ID.Buzz. Aiming to reinvent the brand’s iconic microbus for the electric era, this is one of the coolest electric vehicles currently on the market.
But on top of that, the ID.Buzz is hugely spacious. While currently only available with five seats (a seven-seater is on the way), it offers levels of room far exceeding typical electric premium SUVs. Volkswagen also claims a range of up to 258 miles.
Driving enjoyment – Audi RS e-tron GT
If you’re looking for an EV that you will look forward to driving on each and every journey, our top pick is the Audi RS e-tron GT. It’s the first electric model to be produced by the German firm’s ‘RS’ division, and offers a fantastic mix of great handling but also surprising everyday comfort.
But it’s the performance where the RS e-tron GT really stands out, with this EV’s twin electric motors developing 637bhp with launch control, allowing for a 0-60mph time of just 3.1 seconds. Audi also claims an impressive 298 miles to a charge, while 270 kW DC charging can take the car’s battery from five to 80 per cent capacity in just 23 minutes.
Style – Cupra Born
Cupra is doing especially well at the moment, with its line-up of sporty and stylish cars going down a treat with buyers. That’s especially true with the brand’s electric Born.
Arguably far more stylish than the Volkswagen ID.3 it shares plenty in common with, the Born gets a very angular front end, along with the brand’s trademark copper-coloured accents to make it stand out further. There’s even a diffuser at the rear and alloy wheels up to 20 inches in size. Equipped with the largest battery, Cupra also claims up to 343 miles from a charge.
City driving – Honda e
If you do a lot of driving around a town or city, it’s hard to beat Honda’s funky electric ‘e’. This small hatchback is ideal for narrow streets because of its dinky size, while an impressively small turning circle makes it very easy to manoeuvre. If you do only short, urban miles, the Honda e’s relatively small 137-mile range shouldn’t be too much of a worry, either.
This city car also looks fantastic, with its retro-futuristic looks different to pretty much every other car on the road, while the interior is jam-packed full of screens and technology.