The Top 10 Electric Cars Available Now

Note* - Post updated and corrected for 2022

With the demand for low-emission cars ever-increasing, manufacturers have started to produce a consistent flow of electric and hybrid cars. There is now a great variety available, from the small city runarounds to large SUV family cars, all with their own benefits and drawbacks - as with any vehicle!

Plug-in or self-charging hybrids offer car owners the best of both worlds, combining the traditional combustion engine with electric battery power. They are often a great introduction to anyone looking to reduce their environmental impact without going full electric straight away. On the other hand, fully electric vehicles off their owners a low-emission cars, running purely on an electric battery. Choosing between the two is a personal choice and our guide is on hand to help you make that decision.

If you do decide an electric vehicle (EV) is for you, it's never been easier to take the plunge. As EVs become more and more popular, it's never been easier to own one due to vast networks of charging points, longer-lasting batteries and decreasing price tags. So, for anyone looking to go green with a fully electric car, here are ten of the best electric vehicles on the market.

Peugeot e-208

The electricversion of the classic Peugeot 208, this electric hatchback has all the typical features of the non-electric version - both in performance and space. The e-208 has a decent range of up to 217 miles on a single charge, is a practical day-to-day car and is fun to drive around town with light steering and a balanced drive.

On the electric side, rapid-charging comes as standard and there is also an app giving car owners complete control over their e-208. Therefore, it only takes around 30 minutes for the e-208 to achieve an 80% charge when using fast public charging points.  

Volkswagen ID.3

The Volkswagen ID.3 matches practicality with accurate steering and rear-wheel drive, similar to the old VW Beetle, providing its owners with an enjoyable ride. The perfect introduction to the electric vehicle world, the ID.3 has a practical cabin with plenty of tech to make it the ideal car for in and out of town driving. In fact, it's a great all-rounder, very similar to the Volkswagen Golf, but electric!

Depending on the spec chosen, the ID.3 lower-end models have a range of up to 260 miles or the higher-spec models can travel up to 330 miles on a single charge.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Ticking a lot of boxes, the Ioniq 5 is a great EV. A great rival to the other premium cars, the Hyundai offers an impressive level of technology as well as great performance and striking a perfect balance between classic and futuristic. With space for all the family, this deceptively large car has plenty of room to accommodate passengers and luggage for that summer road trip you're longing to take.?

Subject to the battery chosen, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 can reach up to 230 miles with the 58kWh battery on a single charge, or up to 280 miles with the 73kWh battery. 

Kia EV6

Almost the sister car to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 is ideal for someone looking for the more conventional styling whilst still packing a punch. The EV6 has a lower driving position with a slightly firm suspension with a rear-wheel drive. The interior is modern and clean, with plenty of space and all the technology you could want.

There are two battery options for the Kia. Buyers can choose from the classic rear-wheel-drive model with a 77.4kWh battery which offers up to a 325 mile range on a single charge or can upgrade to the all-wheel-drive model with the range decreasing slightly, up to 310 miles. 

Skoda Enyaq

A typical Skoda, the Enyaq is practical, comfortable and well-equipped. Good to drive and extremely spacious, this electric Skoda is an excellent family car offering a great standard kit of alloy wheels, a Virtual Cockpit digital display, cruise control and rear parking sensors. There are plenty of additional trims to choose from as well, this spacious family car is ready for the road.

For the range, the number of miles this electric car can travel depends on the battery chosen. The 60 uses a 62kWh battery which delivers up to 255 miles on a single charge. On the other hand, the 80 has an 82kWh battery that offers up to 330 miles for one charge. 

Renault Zoe

This hugely popular electric car is still one of the top cars on the market. The Renault Zoe continues to be one of the more affordable electric cars currently available while also delivering a quality interior with technology to match. Although often thought of as a city car, newer models have tried to address this feeling with new technology such as blind-spot monitoring to make those longer journeys easier.

There are the R110 and R135 models for buyers to choose between, with a driving range of up to 245 miles on a single charge. 

BMW i4

Offering a mix between luxury and performance, the BMW i4 is fast, comfortable and quiet at high speeds. Although the styling might not be to everyone's taste, this fun-to-drive electric BMW is well-made with a luxurious interior and a great infotainment system with a curved display. It's a great alternative option to a Telsa, though is unable to offer the same charging network.

For range, this will depend on the spec chosen, though BMW says that all models of the i4 offer at least 300 miles on a single charge. The eDrive40 Sport version offers a longer range of up to 365 miles on a single charge. 

Tesla Model 3

When talking about electric cars, Tesla has to be in the mix. Being Telsa's most affordable car, the Model 3 is a great saloon car that offers a mix of technology, quality and amazing drive in a mainstream package. Even though the minimalist style may not suit everyone, the panoramic roof is sure to please the passengers able to look up to the sky.

The Standard Range Plus is a rear-wheel-drive model and has a range of up to 275 miles on a single charge. On the other hand, the Long Range model can travel up to 360 miles on a single charge. Plus, another benefit of owning a Tesla is having access to Telsa's 120kWh public charging network which can take the Model 3's batteries from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes.

Audi e-tron GT

The Audi e-tron GT offers a premium level electric car with great pace. This dramatic four-door coupe offers comfort, high quality and power in a neat package. Using two electric motors, the quiet e-tron GT might come as a surprise to some, but the low drive and great handling is an expensive package some drivers will be scrambling to get their hands on.

Similar to the Telsa, the Audi can charge at a rapid 270kWh public charging point to boost the battery to 80% in 30 minutes. The standard e-tron GT can manage up to 295 miles on one charge, compared to the RS model which can do up t0 280 miles.

Porsche Taycan

Following in the footsteps of any car with the Porsche badge, the Taycan is a brilliant electric car that offers a sports saloon with an excellent drive. Similar to the Audi e-tron GT, this Porsche Taycan offers great handling, lots of power and is reasonably practical. It has 4 seats with a stylish interior and the technology to match. Although it comes with a hefty price tag, some would argue that the Porsche Taycan is a fantastic electric performance car.

The entry-level Taycan is capable of achieving up to 265 miles on a single charge, with the Taycan Turbo model offering up to 279 miles on a single charge. Plus, using a 50kWh public charging point, the batteries can charge to 80% in about 75 minutes, reducing to 23 minutes with a 270kWh public charger. 

Why Carbase?

Looking for your next used car? Why not check out our great selection of used electric cars online or come to one of the Carbase showrooms. If you have any questions, our expert team is on hand to help make your purchasing journey as easy as possible so get in touch today.