Electric vehicles continue to improve, with greater ranges and faster charging times. Here are the top electric vehicles available right now.
Although electric vehicles are still considered a relatively new concept, they have actually been around since the 19th century. But buyers turned to petrol and diesel cars, and the word “electric car” conjured up only images of golf buggies and mill craft. As a result, more and more new car buyers are switching from gasoline or diesel vehicles to battery-powered vehicles. They come in a variety of sizes, from mainstream superminis to family SUVs and high-performance sedans, now available with electric propulsion. You can buy several small electric models such as Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 208, and MINI Electric. They all offer a decent range, and you can also buy luxury, high-performance models like the Audi e-Tron GT, Jaguar I-Pace, and Porsche Taycan. In this list, we’ve compiled the best electric cars you can buy today.
Most electric cars can now drive more than 100 miles on a single charge, and in some cases, more than 300 miles, and their charging time have decreased. Electric car batteries have also gotten smaller and lighter, which benefits vehicle packing, economy, and handling. The government anticipates that pure electric cars will account for half of all automobile sales in the UK car market by 2027, and the number of charging stations is growing. From 2030 onwards, new automobile customers will only have the option of purchasing an electric, hydrogen, or plug-in hybrid vehicle.
Volkswagen ID.3 hatchback review
If there’s one brand that buyers can trust when making the switch to electric motors, it’s VW. The ID.3 replaces the e-Golf, and VW says the new car is as important as the Beetle or the Golf. With sales of 100,000 units planned for the year by the end of 2022, the ID.3 is the stepping stone for the full range of electric models under the Volkswagen ID brand. The ID.3 looks like a futuristic Volkswagen Golf but offers interior space similar to the Volkswagen Passat. The range varies from 205 miles to 342 miles, depending on the battery size you specify, and the ID.3 feels as fast as a Golf GTI. Inside, the material quality seems compromised and some controls may not be where you’d expect them to be, but it’s certainly a futuristic design. We believe it will be popular with buyers who cannot be fully relied upon.
The ID.3 unleashes its power with the instantaneous acceleration you’d expect from a fully electric vehicle. This characteristic is best demonstrated in and around town, where the instantaneous torque makes it easy to maneuver through stop and start traffic. A refinement of the ID.3, the quiet electric motor is barely noticeable on the move. A big advantage is how well the suspension is structured. It really confidently rides the wrecked tarmac of British roads with only the worst imperfections that throw the rider off balance. I mean it doesn’t feel like a hatch, but ultimately, it’s not really meant to be. Going fast doesn’t compromise the composure of the ID.3. Wind noise is well suppressed and the car offers a quiet and refined ride.
Running costs are the trump card of any EV, with the ID.3 costing as much as £40,000, but its reasonable range and zero CO2 emissions make it stand out. For commercial users, this means his BiK company car tax rate in 2022/23 is 2%, and driving in the paid areas of the city is also free. His 58kWh version of the mid-spec allows him to go up to 260 miles on a single charge, so the ID. Claims to run miles. Drive before connecting. A detailed review of the ID.3 found the average cost to cover 12,000 miles (7.2kW home wall box charging only) to be around £490. By comparison, the average petrol-powered hatch costs about three to four times as much.
In the Euro NCAP test, the ID.3 received a perfect five stars. Adults and children were rated as well protected with ratings of 87% and 89% respectively, while the ID.3 active safety device earned a safety assist rating of 88%. The standard safety kit includes automatic emergency braking that monitors cyclists and pedestrians, driver drowsiness warning, dynamic traffic sign display, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and collision avoidance that uses steering movement to avoid collisions. Includes support functions.
The top-of-the-line first-edition vehicle is equipped with a proactive occupant protection system that detects emergency maneuvers and prepares occupants’ seatbelts in advance for a collision. TheID.3 is too new to appear in the 2021 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, but Volkswagen is on the 75-strong list alongside the small SUV T-Roc, subcompact Polo, SUV Tiguan, and Golf hatchback. It contains. The manufacturer itself finished disappointingly 17th out of 29 automakers. This was a slight improvement from his 19th place finish in 2020.
Cupra Born hatchback review
If the Volkswagen ID.3 is the electric equivalent of the Golf, the Cupra Bone can be considered the EV version of the Seat Leon. Unlike Seat, however, Cupra outperforms its German competitors in almost every aspect. First of all, Born looks much more exciting than his ID.3. However, some people find the copper accents a little flashy. It also beats the VW in terms of interior design and quality but costs less.
The Cupra Born shares most parts with the VW ID.3 but is designed primarily for sportiness. There are two powertrain configurations to choose from, but the entry-level model will suffice for most buyers. This guarantees a strong 201 horsepower and a range of around 250 miles. Accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in about 7 seconds with the even more powerful 228 hp e-Boost model, the Cupra Bone is arguably the first mass-market electric hot hatch ever.
The Born stocks the identical MEB platform that underpins diverse all-electric powered fashions throughout the Volkswagen Group, with the Audi Q4 e-Tron, Skoda Enyaq iV, and VW`s ID-badged lineup all sharing the identical not unusual place layout components. With Cupra being the overall performance sub-logo of SEAT, it`s tasked with making the Born sense extra sporty and amusing to drive – actually while as compared with the intently associated Volkswagen ID.3. Both automobiles ought to undergo the more weight that comes from their batteries; the lightest 58kWh Born model continues to be extra than 1,800kg, at the same time as the 77kWh V3 version tops the scales at over tonnes – quite hefty for a five-door hatchback.
The end result of Cupra`s technique is that the Born clearly feels quite settled thru the corners, with its decreased center of gravity assisting it to hunker down well because of it modifications direction. Dial withinside the Cupra riding mode and you`ll word the more weight to the steering, despite the fact that a bit extra remarks could be welcome, as could less attackable brakes if the Born is to be regarded as a real carrying hatch.
Acceleration off the mark is commonly active for an EV and it facilitates making the Born pretty amusing in and around town, at the same time as it`s quite responsive at better toll road speeds, too. From launch, Born will be available with a choice of 58kWh or 77kWh batteries, with an entry-level 45kWh version joining the line-up in late 2022. The 201hp, 58kWh model can go up to 400km on a single charge, depending on the trim you choose. The forecast range is reduced to approximately 222 miles. The 228-horsepower, 58kWh version offers nearly the same range despite the extra power, while the Bone with a 77kWh battery can go up to 340 miles before needing a charge.
As with all-electric vehicles, factors such as your individual driving style, the type of road you’re on, and even the weather all affect the Born’s overall range. Charging speed is just as important to family buyers as the overall range because if you have to wait a long time to refill the battery before moving on, you quickly lose the advantage of long trips on a single charge. is. Luckily, Bourne is up to the task. The 58kWh model has a charging capacity of 120kW and can be charged from 5% to 80% in just 35 minutes. Cupra claims that the 77kWh version takes him 36 minutes to perform the same function since the maximum charge rate he has is 135kW.
As part of the wider Volkswagen Group, the Cupra can use the same all-electric MEB platform as the Volkswagen ID.3 for the Born, and both hatchbacks will be produced at the Zwickau plant in Germany. Reliability is expected to be pretty solid, especially considering how the parts are split between brands. Volkswagen followed in 17th place (out of 29 brands). SEAT (and Cupra) are in the middle table as other mainstream automakers like Kia and Hyundai rapidly build reputations for producing complete, all-electric vehicles and providing excellent customer service. would like to improve the position of the Industry safety organization Euro NCAP gave Born his five-star rating. 93% for adult occupant safety and 89% for child protection. The 80% score for Safety Assistance Systems reflects Born’s strong standard equipment. All models are equipped with adaptive cruise control with a speed limiter, forward collision warning with automatic braking, driver warning system, lane departure warning, and traffic sign recognition.
Skoda Enyaq iV SUV review
On paper, the Skoda Enyaq it is an affordable alternative to the Volkswagen ID.4 SUV. But it’s by no means inferior, offering better practicality and better value than the VW. and an excellent range of over 250 miles. Skoda has packed his Enyaq iV with a number of innovative features such as a door umbrella. Eco-friendly interiors can be made from recycled plastic bottles and olive-tanned leather from sustainably grown trees. Combine that with ample trunk space and interior space, and this is an impressive electric SUV built for everyday driving. unveiled the new Enyaq Coupé iV featuring a smoother roofline.
Practical range is an essential feature for most electric vehicles, but especially for large family SUVs. Skoda has achieved this. Even the entry-level Enyaq iV 60 can reportedly go 252 miles on a single charge. His WLTP-tested range for the iV 80 models is 329 miles, and the all-wheel-drive iV 80X SportLine has his 312 miles certified.
In fact, the range of an electric vehicle can be affected by a number of conditions, from cold weather conditions to the type of road on which it is driven, to how much the vehicle’s technical and electronic systems are used while driving. there is. In our own tests of the iV 80 model, it failed to reach the claimed maximum of 329 miles. 280 miles (in warm weather) seems more realistic. At least Enyaq’s onboard range predictions are reliable. It’s as dependable as the Volkswagen Group’s internal-combustion-engined cousin and doesn’t suddenly lose 10 miles of range just because you’re climbing a small hill. The Enyaq comes standard with a 50kW charger, which can be optionally upgraded to 100kW on the iV 60 model and 125kW on the iV 80 models. While the standard system takes about an hour to charge from 0-80%, the upgraded charging options reduce that time to 35 and 38 minutes respectively.
Skoda consistently receives positive feedback in the annual Driver Power Customer Satisfaction Survey. The Karoq SUV and Kodiaq SUV finished fifth and his sixth respectively on the latest Driver Power of the Top 75 best cars list, while Skoda itself was ranked 12th out of 29 brands in the manufacturer’s survey.
The Volkswagen Group has invested heavily in the MEB platform architecture. That, and the process of sharing corporate parts with his VW stablemate, bodes well for Enyaq’s reliability. The standard safety kit includes lane departure warning, front assist with emergency braking, cruise control with speed limiter, and rear parking sensors, but only the entry-level iV 60 omits the front parking sensors and rear camera. increase. Two separate Assisted Drive packages are available for an additional charge (approximately £400-£600). The basic version includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Protection, and Crew Protection Assist, while the Plus Package adds Emergency Assist and Lane Assist Plus. The Enyaq iV’s engineering prowess and appropriate safety package have been recognized by the crash test institute Euro NCAP, which has awarded Skoda’s all-electric family of SUVs a full five-star rating. Adult and child occupant protection rates were 94% and 89%, respectively.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 review
The Ioniq 5 family hatchback offers a significant step forward in Hyundai’s capacity to compete with premium electric rivals, assisting EV consumers who are inspired by beautiful design, superb onboard tech, and practical range and charging speeds to invest in the Korean brand.
The manufacturer has contributed to the Ioniq 5’s excellent curb appeal with affordable pricing, abundant standard equipment, and innovative active safety features, in addition to a spectacular appearance and a sense of cool that sets it apart from the pack. We named it our 2021 Car of the Year, so if you’re looking for a new car and have the funds, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the finest options.
The Ioniq 5 is available with two batteries, three power levels, and either rear or all-wheel drive. The entry-level car uses a 58kWh battery and a 168hp motor driving the rear wheels, and 0-100km/h takes a reasonable 8.5 seconds.
Hyundai originally offered a 214 hp rear-wheel drive version and a 301 hp all-wheel drive version with a 73 kWh battery configuration. The former managed his benchmark in the sprint with his 7.4 seconds, but this time a more powerful car cut him down to 5.2 seconds, overtaking the Volkswagen ID.4 GTX model and the more expensive 346-hp Ford Mustang Matched his Mach E. The 73kWh battery has been replaced with a larger 77.4kWh power cell. This means (according to Hyundai’s own statement) that each sprint time has been reduced by about 10 minutes to 1 second, and his top speed is now 184km/h.
The Ioniq 5’s range starts with a 58kWh battery paired with a single 168hp motor driving the rear wheels, offering a range of up to 238 miles. Hyundai has replaced the 73kWh battery with a larger 77.4kWh version for the 2023 model year, but variants with smaller energy cells still offer a useful range. The 214-horsepower car can go up to 280 miles before needing a recharge, while the 301-horsepower model uses a dual-motor configuration and can go about 267 miles on a single charge.
According to Hyundai’s own figures, the 77.4kWh, rear-wheel-drive, 225-horsepower version can go about 315 miles on a single charge, while the more powerful 321-horsepower all-wheel-drive version can run 298 miles before running out. You can run miles. juice.
A real boon for Ioniq 5 owners is the car’s ability to support 800V charging. That means you can charge it from 10 to 80% in about 18 minutes. In contrast, the Ford Mustang Mach E Standard Range Auto takes 38 minutes to complete the same task.
MG ZS EV SUV review
The MG ZS EV isn’t officially in the top 10, but it’s a shame not to mention it because it’s great value for money. The MG sells for under £30,000, making it by far the cheapest electric SUV on offer. The entry-level model will go about 200 miles before plugging it in, while the car with the bigger battery can go 430km. This is on par with some premium competitors. As you’d expect at this price point, there are some obvious cost savings (the MG’s interior is littered with cheesy trim). Either way, the ZS has great utility and plenty of SUV flair, making it a great option if you want to reap the low-running cost benefits of an electric car without spending the planet.
The ZS is no hero when it comes to handling fun, but some people just don’t care. Like many electric vehicles, the ZS EV is cleverly easy to drive. Simply flip the switch, select a drive with simple rotary control, press the gas pedal, and off you go. The driving mode selector is similarly simple, helping the driver decide between efficiency and performance.
Driving around town is a breeze, and thanks to the instantaneous torque, leaving traffic lights and junctions is no hassle at all. Additionally, the center console has a toggle switch used to adjust the amount of regenerative braking applied when the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator. From no regeneration to most powerful he has three settings, which is almost enough to allow one-pedal riding, but not quite. In addition, the engine whine is well muted and the steering is nimble. MG engineers tuned the ZS EV’s suspension to be more comfortable and protect occupants from road bumps that pierce the cabin. That comfort comes at the expense of body control, and the ZS pitches and rolls more than some alternatives.
Instead of miles per gallon, the MG ZS EV comes with miles per kilowatt hour (commonly abbreviated as miles/kWh) to indicate the efficiency of an electric vehicle. MG claims a total value of 3.5 miles/kWh in the WLTP test. Of course, no exhaust pipes sticking out of the rear bumper means the ZS EV has no tailpipe exhaust. For the ultimate in low-emission driving, drivers should use power from renewable energy sources (such as wind and solar) to charge their vehicles. Running costs for the MG ZS are kept very low thanks to the relative simplicity of the electric motor compared to petrol and diesel engines, and regenerative braking that helps reduce wear on the brake rotors and brake discs. can do. Additionally, there is a long-term warranty from MG, more on that later.
For company car drivers, the MG ZS EV is subject to the lowest possible non-cash benefit (BiK) company car tax. BiK for the tax year 2022/23 is 2% (up from 1% in 2021/22), a fraction of the cost compared to petrol or diesel models. Since the ZS EV is an electric vehicle, you can avoid taxes and additional payments upon initial registration.
As far as running costs go, the MG ZS should be very low thanks to the relatively simple electric motor compared to petrol and diesel engines, and regenerative braking that helps reduce wear on the brake rotors and brake discs. is. Additionally, there is a long-term warranty from MG, more on that later. For company car drivers, the MG ZS EV is subject to the lowest possible non-cash benefit (BiK) company car tax. BiK for the tax year 2022/23 is 2% (up from 1% in 2021/22), a fraction of the cost compared to petrol or diesel models. Since the ZS EV is an electric vehicle, you can avoid taxes and additional payments upon initial registration.
The MG Pilot System includes a suite of combined adaptive cruise control and lane departure features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, frontal collision warning, lane departure warning, and lane departure warning, blind spot monitor, traffic sign recognition, and traffic jam assist. Includes an active safety system. Warning features to keep your car safe in congested areas Semi-autonomous control of highway traffic
The MG ZS EV didn’t specifically show up in the Driver Performance Ownership results, but the petrol ZS did. It ranked 61st out of 75 vehicles, while the MG brand was ranked 28th out of 29 companies. Euro NCAP, crash test experts, gave the ZS EV he five out of five stars in 2019. They rated it 90% for adult occupant protection, 85% for child occupant protection, 70% for safety assistance, and 64% for vulnerable road users.
