As more and more restrictions on diesel and petrol cars come into effect in UK city centers and the ever-present threat of global warming remains firmly in the headlines, the demand for electric cars has never been higher. If you’re not too familiar with the range of electric vehicles (or EVs) on the market, you might think the conversation starts and ends with Tesla.
While it’s true that Tesla propelled electric cars into the spotlight long before any other major car manufacturer, other big players in the automotive industry have started to emerge on the scene with impressive offerings. The general public also seems to have taken note, as 10% of all car registrations in the UK so far in 2020 were for electric cars. For good reason too; they are quiet, cheap to run, and easy to drive. With 26,300 charging points already built across the country, there has never been a better time to think about the best electric cars to buy and recharge for some of these high-voltage vehicles.
THE CRITERIA FOR THE BEST ELECTRIC CARS ON THE MARKET
To decide which are the best electric cars, 5 main criteria come into play.
- Price – Always an important factor in choosing the right car, the prices of electric cars are what put many consumers off initially. And rightly so – some of the first electric cars intended for everyday use would cost buyers £60,000 or more. Fortunately, technological developments and increasing support (often through government grants) have brought prices down and made some of the best electric cars cheap and affordable.
- Quality – Electric vehicles are known for being easy to drive, quiet, and packed with technology, as well as often looking stylish while doing it. We have considered all the different features that can come with modern electric cars to determine which are the best choices. These include the onboard display, design quality and overall look, the quality of materials used, heated seats, built-in GPS systems, adaptive cruise control, smartphone connectivity, and many more.
- Suitability for Daily Use – Like any vehicle considered a bit of a luxury, a question mark always hangs over how practical a car is for everyday use. It may be true that an electric car saves the planet by producing zero emissions, but if it can’t get you from point A to point B without losing charge or if its battery needs replacing very frequently, it doesn’t measure up to everyday working vehicles. This won’t be a problem for any of the cars on this list.
- Energy Reserve – As mentioned above, the quality and ease of use of an electric car depend hugely, almost entirely in fact, on both the distance it can travel when fully charged and the time it takes to reach that point. Fully charging a battery with a Level 1 or 2 charger can take up to 8 hours without a fast charging station, which may not always be ideally located. Therefore, the cars on our list are those that will last the longest.
- Comfort – Our final criterion is the comfort of the car. Whether a car is equipped with heated leather seats, a two or three-zone climate control system, smartphone connectivity, or even a spacious cabin, it can really contribute to the driving pleasure and the time you want to spend in it. There’s nothing worse than dreading long car journeys due to discomfort, so we’ve made sure you’ll love getting into these best electric cars of 2020.
THE 8 BEST ELECTRIC CARS ON THE MARKET
1. NISSAN LEAF
The second-generation Nissan Leaf arrived on the UK market in 2018 and was quickly named Electric Car of the Year 2018 by WhatCar? It was also the world’s best-selling plug-in electric car in 2019 and with a range of 239 miles reaching 0-60 in just 7.1 seconds, all starting from around £27,000, it’s easy to see why.
2. RENAULT ZOE
If you’re looking for one of the best electric cars for range, the Renault Zoe offers the best range of any electric vehicle under £30,000 with 250 miles on a full charge when driving in the city. Even more impressively, it gives you a range of 90 miles after just 30 minutes of charging at a 50 kWh charging station.
3. KIA SOUL
The Soul shares a state-of-the-art powertrain with the Kia e-Niro that gives it a useful range of 280 miles and is considerably more interesting than the e-Niro with a sleeker interior and a fairly unique design, as well as a 315-litre boot. You’ll certainly stand out from the crowd.
4. FIAT 500 ELEKTRO
Claimed by Fiat as being both the only fully electric convertible and “a kind of urban Tesla,” the 2020 Fiat 500e model comes with more luxurious features than you might expect from a compact electric car. Features include Level 2 autonomous driving, 360-degree “drone view,” wireless Apple CarPlay, 17-inch alloy wheels, eco-leather upholstery, and a 3 kW wall box.
5. VOLKSWAGEN E-UP
Based on the VW Up, the king of small city cars, the e-Up offers excellent value for money. It easily exceeds 120 miles in regular urban use for just over £20,000. It’s not as attractive as the Honda e or the Renault Zoe, but in terms of durability at a reasonable price and no-frills for everyday use, it’s the way to go.
6. HONDA E
If a distinctive look and cutting-edge technology are your top priority, the Honda e is definitely made for you. With no external wing mirrors, a sleek and futuristic interior, and headlights that look so much like bright, sparkling eyes that they seem to come to life with every charge, the Honda e is one of the most comfortable and high-quality electric cars on the market.
7. PEUGEOT E-208
For people who aren’t too enthusiastic about electric cars but still want to do something to reduce their emissions, the Peugeot e-208 is a great choice. It looks, operates, and feels very similar to a standard 208. The 50 kWh battery allows for a maximum range of 217 miles on a single charge while performance is also quick.
8. BMW I3
The BMW i3 is certainly the best high-end electric vehicle you can buy. Traveling in the city or between cities is a joy in the i3 as it is quiet, efficient, and behaves well with a ton of luxury features inside the cabin. All this doesn’t come cheap, as it will cost you over £35,000.