The development of fully-electric cars has progressed dramatically since the start of 2010s decade. Nowadays, almost every major manufacturer which has a presence in the UK new car market is involved in electric car development to some extent.
This has led to the emergence of quite a few genuinely appealing electric car options which are very well suited for urban driving especially. Here is our selection of the top five best electric cars on sale now.
Appealing aspects of electric cars include the zero emissions output, low running costs, easy and cheap maintenance and, in many cases, their futuristic designs.
Some of the best options in the electric car market also offer an impressive range of luxury kit as standard and offer space and comfort that easily rivals petrol and diesel-run equivalents. But what are the best electric cars that are available to buy in the market? Our guide outlines our selection of the top 5 electric cars on sale now.
BMW i3
The i3 has an unorthodox design which does a good job of making the car standout in a crowd and gives it a futuristic vibe too. The interior has a very similar design approach and feels spacious and comfy.
For those that want some extra reassurance with the mileage, the range extender version of the i3 is particularly appealing. With the i3 range extender, the electric motor is supported by a small petrol motorcycle engine. This is good for easing any potential fears over range anxiety.
Not only is the i3 efficient and practical, it’s also quite a lot of fun to drive. The car’s low centre of gravity and rear-wheel-drive set-up contributes to the neat handling and a tight turning circle. Despite its tall body and skinny tyres, the i3 remains comfortable even when thrown around the corners. When all these plus points are considered, its little wonder this BMW has been attracting so much attention lately, it certainly is one of the best electric cars on the market.
Find prices for the BMW i3 hatchback
Nissan LEAF
The Nissan LEAF was really the first electric car to sell in substantial numbers in the UK market. It also remains one of the most practical and appealing options available out of all the new electric cars on sale now.
The body is cleverly sculpted in a way to improve aerodynamics and to maximise refinement while driving it. Inside the Nissan LEAF offers spacious seating for both front and rear occupants.
Standard kit includes the likes of climate control, electric windows and a CD/radio player. The big boot can rival or even surpass the practicality of most current family hatchbacks too. The LEAF also feels very nippy when travelling through town. With all that in mind, it's easy to see how the LEAF has made it into our top 5 electric cars guide.
Also worth noting is that the LEAF offers customers the choice of either leasing the car’s batteries during ownership, or buying the battery along with the car outright. Leasing the battery saves cash on the initial purchase.
Read our full review of the Nissan LEAF
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Tesla Model S
If there were still any doubts about whether electric cars could ever be cool, then the Tesla Model S should quash such doubts permanently (alongside its larger counterpart, the Model X). Tesla models are widely regarded as some of the best electric cars which are currently available to buy in the UK.
The brainchild of the business magnate and inventor, Elon Musk, the Tesla Model S is an alternative choice of luxury saloon with blistering performance and a very appealing design.
Depending on specification choice, the electric motor in the Model S can potentially produce over 600bhp. In its most potent guise, the Model S has the kind of performance figures which can rival current supercars, never mind luxury saloons.
Far from sacrificing range for performance, the Tesla Model S can travel for well over 200 miles on a single charge, depending on how heavy footed you drive.
Inside the Tesla you get a vast range of luxury kit as standard, including a large and very eye-catching touchscreen.
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Renault ZOE
The Renault ZOE is one of a few all-electric cars which the French manufacturer currently has on offer. It’s also realistically the closest one you can compare to ‘everyday’ petrol and diesel cars.
It’s a spacious four-door supermini, similar in size and looks to the latest Renault Clio in fact. It is based on the latest Clio platform, but unlike a Clio, this car is driven by an electric motor.
The light steering and instant torque make the ZOE feel very brisk when commuting through a city. It’s also very respectable in terms of practicality for a supermini. There's a lot of standard kit, head and leg room is decent all-rounda and the boot offers more space than any pretty much any conventional supermini.
Read our full review of the Renault ZOE
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Volkswagen e-Golf
The e-Golf is much like a regular Volkswagen Golf hatchback. It certainly looks like any other Golf, with the exception of a few, subtle unique design touches. The biggest difference though is the lack of petrol or diesel engine under the bonnet.
Instead, the VW e-Golf has an electric motor which drives the front wheels. Though the performance figures may not look remarkable on paper, the e-Golf feels really nippy when you’re driving it.
This is one of the more premium entries in the electric car market so expect to pay a premium price, but the e-Golf is a fine example of what can be done with electric car technology. It offers pretty much everything you’d want from a Golf in a zero emission package.
