Electric cars have come a long way in such a short period that there's now no doubting their credentials as genuine, do-it-all transport.
Only a few years ago, EVs fell way short of the mark, with high price tags, limited real-world ranges and lacklustre charging speeds discouraging drivers from making the switch.
Market trends now tell a very different story, with electric cars now accounting for more than a quarter of all new car registrations in the UK.
Advancements in battery technology, public charging infrastructure and driving dynamics have changed the EV landscape, while falling production costs have democratised what used to be an expensive car class.
Factor in their lower running costs and the UK government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG) and modern-day EVs make a strong case for themselves as the go-to choice for families and fleets.
The pool of choice is now bigger than ever, but which electric car should you actually buy? From long-legged family SUVs to performance derivatives that offer sports car-like thrills, we’ve put together a list of the best electric cars on sale today.
We think the Skoda Elroq is the best electric car you can buy right now. Few compact SUVs can match its clever blend of versatility, range, maturity and sheer value for money. Plus several derivatives qualify for the band-two ECG, which means you can save up to £1500.
At a glance
| Make and Model | Best For | Starting Price | Official Range (WLTP) | Autocar Tested Range | Autocar Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Skoda Elroq | Versatility and value | £33,970 | Up to 372 miles | 370 miles | 4.5/5 |
| 2. BMW iX3 | Range and charging speed | £60,655 | Up to 500 miles | 435 miles | 4.5/5 |
| 3. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N | Sports car thrills | £65,800 | Up to 278 miles | 230 miles | 5/5 |
| 4. Renault 5 | Stylish and affordable motoring | £21,495 | Up to 248 miles | 260 miles | 4.5/5 |
| 5. Porsche Taycan | Handling and performance | £88,200 | Up to 421 miles | 360 miles | 4.5/5 |
Four years ago, the Skoda Enyaq emerged as a comfortable, reasonably priced, well-conceived mid-size electric SUV.
Ostensibly the Skoda Elroq takes that formula and reworks it into a smaller, cheaper model. Yet it also represents a shift in design philosophy, all while being assertively strong in all areas.
Inside, it’s massive. The boot is particularly useful and among the largest in class (although that of the Renault Scenic is bigger) and the storage is on point. For instance, you can keep the charging cables in an underboot cubby or the storage net in the boot and the parcel shelf has multiple heights.
Adaptability also is high up on the list of reasons to buy. Top-spec models have a WLTP range of 360 miles, and even in our real-world testing 270-300 miles was easily achievable.
Several versions, including the SE L 85 with a WLTP range of 355 miles, qualify for the £1500 ECG, which makes the Elroq an even more desirable proposition.
