UK Built Electric Cars
With electrification the biggest topic in the motoring industry, and the fact us Brits have long been at the forefront of the automotive landscape, it’s no surprise to learn some of the most cutting-edge machines are built on these shores.
There’s an impressive number of fully-electric and hybrid cars crafted in Britain — and not all are from firms based here, either. We’ve listed the electrified cars built within our borders...
Nissan Leaf
Europe’s favourite EV comes from the heart of Sunderland, in the same plant Nissan builds the Qashqai and Juke crossovers.
The Nissan Leaf has been built on Wearside since heading into production in 2010 for sale both in the UK and across the continent. There seems to be no sign of that changing either, with the second generation of the electric hatch built in the same plant following its 2017 introduction.
Aston Martin Rapide E
Aston Martin has just recently opened a new production facility in St Athan, Wales, which is set to become its hub for EV production going forward. It’s kick-starting that offensive by producing the limited-run Rapide E at the plant this year, with just 155 units slated for production.
Bentley Bentayga Hybrid
One of the crown jewels in the British motoring industry is Bentley (even if it’s German-owned), and it’s a huge bonus for the UK that it builds its only current electrified model here, too. The Bentayga Hybrid has only just joined the firm’s range, but is sure to make a mark on an ever-growing market of electrified SUVs.
Toyota Corolla
In 2018, Toyota revealed that not only would the Corolla nameplate be making a return to its line-up — but that the hatchback would be produced here in the UK at the firm’s manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire. Though available without electrification, the Corolla’s best-selling form will be as a hybrid — continuing Toyota’s arguably industry-leading take on hybridisation.
Range Rover PHEV
An icon of British luxury, it’s only right that any electrified Range Rover would be built here too. It’s constructed in Solihull alongside non-electrified variants of the SUV, meaning it boasts the same level of quality and luxury — just with that bonus of emissions-free driving.
Range Rover Sport PHEV
Much like its bigger brother, the Range Rover Sport PHEV is also built in Solihull. The P400e is capable of up to 31 miles on battery power alone. That, combined with a ‘look at me I am better than you’ look and feel, you can feel like a boss on the road while feeling a little bit less guilty about impacting the environment.
LEVC TX
London taxis are a poster child of the UK, and in its latest form it’s made the much-needed switch to electrification. The LEVC TX utilises a diesel generator to power an electric motor for ultra-low emissions duty, and better yet, it’s built in Coventry — just like the iconic black cabs before it.