Best electric cars 2025

So you’re thinking about buying an electric car? You’re not alone and you’ve come to the right place. 

Our expert road testers have driven every new electric car available in the UK, comparing them all over hundreds of miles, in all kinds of driving conditions, to find out which models truly stand out from the ever-growing pack. 

Being ranked as one of our best electric cars has never been tougher. We look at everything from battery range and charging speeds, to price, practicality, driving experience, technology and design; ensuring you get a complete picture before making any buying decisions. 

Our best electric cars list is constantly updated too, as new EVs are launched on to the market and existing models are refreshed to keep up. You’ll always get the latest and best expert EV buying advice on this page…

Should you buy an electric car?

Electric cars are no longer a niche choice – they now make up a quarter of new car sales in the UK and are only growing in popularity. 

With tighter emissions rules in major cities and the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars approaching in 2030, more buyers are making the switch to electric and the question of which electric car is best has never been more relevant to more people.

In July 2025, the UK government introduced the Electric Car Grant. The aim of the grant is to help more private car buyers afford EVs by reducing the price of the more affordable electric car models by up to £3,750. 

Some conditions apply, but the Electric Car Grant will be available on most EVs costing under £37,000. This means some of the best electric cars on this list could cost much less at the point of purchase. We’ll keep you updated as the cars eligible for the grant are announced.

If you're considering an EV, you'll be wondering which of the many options suits you best. That very much depends on how you'll use the car and on this page you'll find our expert road test team’s opinion on the best electric cars for a range of different lifestyles. 

A common concern in the past was range anxiety. Range anxiety is the fear of running out of charge before reaching your destination. But with many modern EVs now offering over 300 miles of range in real-world driving, and the longest range electric cars around the 400-mile mark, this is becoming far less of an issue. 

Public electric car charging stations are popping up in increasing numbers, too. There are around 40,000 public charging sites in the UK with close to 120,000 charging plugs, which all helps ease concerns about EV charging.   

Electric car prices are also coming down. There's now a great choice of new, cheap electric cars in the £20,000 to £30,000 price bracket. With the introduction of the Electric Car Grant mentioned above, more cars could soon be entering this bracket.

Many are now priced at a similar level to their petrol and hybrid counterparts and manufacturers are offering better EV deals and discounts than ever before. The reasons for not choosing an EV are rapidly shrinking. 

Below, our list of the top 10 best electric cars on sale today covers a range of budgets and needs. Plus, at the end of the article, we highlight key things to look out for when buying an electric vehicle to help you build your shortlist. Let’s dive in and find the best electric car for you.

Compare the 10 best electric cars

You can compare the review star ratings for our top 10 EVs using the table below, along with the range, efficiency, boot space and prices. 

Now scroll down or click the jump links in the table above to find out more about each of our favourite current EVs

1. Skoda Elroq 

25

• Prices from £31,500 
• Auto Express Car of the Year 2025

Skoda doesn’t tend to miss the mark when it launches new cars, and the Elroq, a small electric SUV, is no different. In fact, the Czech marque has done such a good job with the Elroq, that we named the car as our Car of the Year at the 2025 New Car Awards. It beat the likes of the Renault 4, Renault 5 and Fiat Grande Panda to the crown.

The styling’s a little odd, it’ll take a little while before the new grille-less front end starts looking like a Skoda to us, but a sophisticated cabin, quick charging speeds (up to 175kW), and competitive pricing (it starts from under £32,000) make the Elroq one of our favourite EVs on sale and the top choice for young families.

It’s a sign of Skoda understanding its buyers that the Elroq drives almost exactly as you’d hope a family car would drive. It feels substantial but not unwieldy, has a mature ride quality but doesn’t loll around in corners, and it’s very easy to meter out as much or little electric power as you need at any speed. Even on the maximum setting, the regenerative braking system doesn’t quite offer one-pedal driving, so you’ll need to use the brake but it’s still easy to manage.

The Elroq’s interior is smart and modern. A few too many controls are buried within the touchscreen – a Renault Megane or Scenic is a little easier to interact with on the move – but the screen is otherwise very intuitive. There’s loads of room front and rear too, with large thigh cushions for the rear seat passengers to account for the higher floor, and a decent 470-litre boot.

Alternatives to the Elroq include the Kia EV3 which offers slightly better range, and the Renault Scenic has an infotainment system which is easier to use. The Ford Explorer is strong on comfort but none are quite as well-rounded as the Skoda. You’ll find more options in our best electric SUVs list.

“The Elroq is so good that we see it creating a bit of a dilemma for Skoda: why would anybody need the larger Enyaq now?” – Ellis Hyde, news reporter, who tested the Elroq in the UK

Latest Skoda Elroq deals

2. Renault 5 

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• Prices from £23,000 
• Best for retro style

The Renault 5 electric supermini is a brilliant fusion of retro design and everyday practicality. It takes design cues from the classic 1970s original, but is also a thoroughly modern design, packed with neat touches yet also very fairly priced, starting from around £23,000.

With a 148bhp motor and the option of a 40kWh or 52kWh battery, it officially provides up to 252 miles of quoted range and can hit 0-62mph in just eight seconds. It’s one of the most desirable small cars in years, and brings a winning combination of style, technology, and driving enjoyment to its segment.

The Renaut 5 is a pleasure to drive, offering a smooth, comfortable ride that feels right at home on city streets. The handling is responsive and agile, with just enough sportiness to keep things fun through corners. The suspension works hard to smooth out rough roads, providing a ride that’s both comfortable and confident. Real-world efficiency suffers a little at speed, but you should be able to get 200 miles on a charge in the larger-battery version.

Space is another plus point for the Renault 5, with its 400-litre boot trumping many small EV competitors, including the MINI Cooper E. Rear doors make daily use even more convenient, while the seats inspired by those from the classic Renault 5 Turbo offer excellent comfort on long journeys.

Inside, it strikes a balance between nostalgia and modern tech. The Google-based infotainment system is intuitive, updatable and loaded with useful features. 

The styling of the Renault 5 is going to attract a lot of customers and those same buyers will be looking at the Fiat 500e, which isn’t as fun to drive, and the electric MINI Cooper, which isn’t as spacious inside. Our lists of the best small electric cars and the cheapest electric cars will give you some more options.

“The Renault 5 plays heavily on nostalgia and there’s so much joy in this little package that it’s impossible not to be impressed” – Jordan Katsianis, senior staff writer, who tested the Renault 5 on its international launch in France

Latest Renault 5 deals

3. Fiat Grande Panda

25

• Prices from £21,035
• Auto Express Supermini of the Year 2025

The new Fiat Grande Panda might be a bigger and more sophisticated car than its predecessor, but it retains the same core characteristics: it’s simple, durable and affordable.

Starting from just over £21,000, the Fiat Grande Panda is one of the cheapest electric cars currently on sale in the UK. The Grande Panda is only available with one battery choice, a 44kWh pack which officially provides up to 199 on a WLTP combined cycle. 

Our testing of the Fiat Grande Panda has shown it to be very efficient at slow speeds and around town. The 199-mile figure dropped considerably once we ventured out onto faster roads, with the squared-off front end hampering aerodynamics. We saw a real-world range of around 145 miles on a route that was evenly split between city, country roads and high-speed motorways. This should be plenty for most commutes and short journeys. 

On the road, the Fiat Grande Panda is calm and composed, and its narrow shape makes it feel right at home on narrow city streets. The handling is tight and the Grande Panda is quick to respond when you turn the wheel, but it doesn’t quite have the same sporty edge as the Renault 5. 

Where the Grande Panda performs slightly better than the Renault 5 is over rough road surfaces. When driving through central Turin on the Italian launch event, the Grande Panda’s suspension made light work of cobbles, potholes and speed humps. It felt very polished and quite plush for a car of its size. Overall visibility is very good, too, and with its stubby dimensions you shouldn’t find it too difficult to park in narrow spaces, either.

The Fiat Grande Panda is reasonably practical for a car in this class. There are plenty of storage cubbies dotted around the cabin, and the boot is a decent size at 412 litres. This is much larger than rivals like the Citroen e-C3 which only has 310 litres of boot space, or the 326 litres you’ll find in the Renault 5. 

If you carry passengers more than you do bulky cargo, the Grande Panda might feel a little cramped for taller occupants, especially in the rear. The floor is quite high and there’s a hump which can eat into foot space. The Citroen e-C3 doesn’t suffer from the same problems, so would be much more comfortable and practical in this regard.

The Fiat Grande Panda has a growing list of direct rivals. If you are looking for a small electric car and driving engagement is your top priority, then you might want to consider the Renault 5 or even MINI Cooper, although both of these cars will be more expensive to buy and less practical. The closely-related Citroen e-C3 is just as comfortable as the Grande Panda and would be a better choice if you frequently plan on ferrying a full load of passengers around.

“On the road, even in somewhat dreary weather, the exterior looks fresh and vibrant. Its sleek face hides the headlights, daytime running lights and even a clever retractable charging cable. This is just the start of a whole host of clever detailing that’s evident almost everywhere you care to look.” - Jordan Katsianis, senior staff writer, who tested the Fiat Grande Panda in Italy

Latest Fiat deals

4. Renault 4

25

• Prices from £26,995
• Auto Express Small SUV of the Year 2025

Renault is clearly on a roll at the moment, and if you thought the Renault 5 was the best retro-inspired car the French manufacturer could create, the Renault 4 asks you to think again.

Starting from just under £27,000, the Renault 4 is one of the best-value small SUVs currently on sale. There’s just one powertrain and it's the same 148bhp motor and 52kWh battery that you’ll find in the Renault 5 supermini.

While the battery might be the same as the one found in the R5, the extra space offered by the small SUV-style body doesn’t impact efficiency too much. The maximum claimed WLTP range for the R4 is 247 miles, which is just five miles less than the smaller Renault 5 can do. When we drove the Renault 4 over a mixture of roads, we saw an average of 3.8mi/kWh and a real-world range of just shy of 200 miles. We reckon a more considered driving style would see you get much closer to the claimed WLTP range.

On the road, the Renault 4 is smooth and comfortable, with Renault opting for a slightly softer set-up for the R4 compared to its R5 sibling. This doesn’t mean the R4 isn’t fun to drive, far from it. There is a willingness to change direction that’s missing in plenty of its rivals. The suspension does a good job of smoothing out rough roads, especially at higher speeds. Things can feel a little harsh at slower speeds, however.

Space is another plus point for the Renault 4. It has a 420-litre boot, which is much larger than rivals like the Fiat 600e, which has 360 litres of space, but the R4 can’t quite match the 556 litres in the Ford Puma Gen-E. Rear door openings are nice and wide, and the boxier shape helps give a little more head and legroom for passengers when compared to the Puma Gen-E.

Renault hit on a winning formula when it came to the interior of the R5 and sensibly left it alone for the R4. Inside, the 4 strikes a balance of being modern and tech-filled while retaining a touch of retro nostalgia. The Google-based infotainment system is intuitive, and comes with loads of useful features. It’s one of the best infotainment systems you can currently find in any car.

Being a small electric SUV, the Renault 4 isn’t short of competition.The Ford Puma Gen-E is close to the R4 when it comes to range, although you’ll have to compromise when it comes to overall build quality as it isn’t quite on par with the Renault. You’ll also be paying much more for the Puma Gen-E, which has a starting price of just shy of £30,000. The MINI Aceman on the other hand can match the R4 for build quality and desirability, but should only be considered if you don’t need the R4’s levels of practicality and can live with a very firm ride. 

“The Renault 4 draws inspiration from the company’s back catalogue, but the E-Tech model is light years ahead in terms of quality. While the dashboard layout is identical to the R5’s, the separate climate controls and stubby infotainment control stalk on the steering column will also be familiar to anyone who’s driven a modern Renault.” – Alex Ingram, chief reviewer, who drove the Renault 4 in the UK

Latest Renault 4 deals 

5. Citroen e-C3

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• Prices from £22,095

One of the biggest hurdles between potential buyers and the switch to an electric car is the price. Rather than pumping its electric supermini full of unnecessary and costly bells and whistles, Citroen has simply made the Citroen e-C3 into a sensible little car that comes with the kit that you’ll actually need, at a price that many can realistically afford.

There are cheaper electric cars, like the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03, but they’re no match the Citroen e-C3 when it comes to practicality, battery range or equipment. It’s an excellent package at a very reasonable price, and that’s exactly why the Citroen e-C3 was named our 2024 Car of the Year.

With an official range of up to 199 miles per charge, the e-C3 is surprisingly capable at taking on family car duties. We averaged 3.5 miles per kWh on our test for a real world range of 153 miles, but staying off the motorways saw this rise to an excellent 5.0mi/kWh or 220 miles. That’s very close to the range we achieved in the Renault 5, which has a larger battery and less space inside.  

Citroen has avoided the trend for sporty handling, instead making the e-C3 ride and steer in a relaxed way that’s unusual for a car so small, this approach is enhanced further by the squashy ‘Advanced Comfort’ seats. The tradeoff is that you’ll not find much fun in the corners, but the light steering makes town driving very easy indeed. Performance is modest for an EV, but more than a match for petrol superminis at similar money.

Despite the low pricing the e-C3’s cabin doesn’t feel pared-back to the bone – there’s a bit of design flair in the horizontal dashboard layout with its fabric trim elements, and an impressive amount of cabin space for its size, especially in the rear seats, compared to the cramped layout of some small EV rivals.

Alternatives to the Citroen e-C3 include the other models on our best small electric cars list, including the cheap and cheerful Dacia Spring, and the Leapmotor T03. The Citroen beats both for comfort and practicality, though. Those looking for a bit more style and fun at the wheel might consider the electric MINI Cooper or Renault 5.

“The e-C3 is the first usable, small electric car that’s the same price as petrol-powered alternatives without presenting any obvious compromises” – Alex Ingram, chief reviewer, who road tested the Citroen e-C3 in the UK

Latest Citroen e-C3 deals

6. Kia EV3

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• Prices from £33,005
• Best for company car drivers

Kia has really understood the assignment with electric cars. The Niro offered plenty of range at a good price, the EV6 looked great and really stepped up the brand’s performance game, the EV9 is hugely impressive (and hugely huge), and the new Kia EV3 is like a scaled-down EV9, yet despite its compact size, offers up to 372 miles of range. It’s more of the same from the Korean brand and we really like it. 

The EV3 doesn’t offer the slightly mad performance you’ll get from the similarly-sized Volvo EX30, but 0-62mph times in the seven-second range are plenty for a family hatch, and different driving modes let you tailor the electric motor’s response to your tastes.

What the modes don’t do is make the EV3 fun to drive, and the soft suspension can sometimes struggle with the Kia’s weight – but the rest of the time, most drivers will appreciate the fairly relaxed ride quality (on the motorway especially), impressive refinement, and several levels of braking regeneration, from coasting to one-pedal driving.

The boxy looks imply huge cabin space but it isn’t quite as commodious as you’d expect, partly thanks to a high floor that pushes rear passengers’ legs upwards and leaves them short of thigh support. Those in the front are unlikely to complain with the logical and uncluttered dash. The 460-litre boot is a pretty good size for the class, too.

Alternatives to the EV3 include the Hyundai Kona which uses similar technology but is a little sharper-looking. The Skoda Elroq, Renault Scenic and Ford Explorer are a little roomier for rear-seat passengers. Range is a strength of the Kia, although it takes over 400 miles to make the current list of the longest range electric cars. 

“Kia’s new compact electric SUV offers a long range, a practical boot, and good passenger comfort in a stylish package” – Alex Ingram, chief reviewer, who road tested the Kia EV3 in the UK

Latest Kia EV3 deals

7. Volvo EX30 

25

• Prices from £33,060
• Auto Express Small Premium SUV of the Year

The Volvo EX30 is a bit of a weird car, but please hear us out. It wears a premium badge, it’s an electric SUV, it’s well built, well kitted-out, great to drive and can return up to 295 miles on a single charge. So far so good, but now here comes the unusual bit: you can pick one up brand-new for under £35,000. When you combine all these factors, you can see why the Volvo EX30 was named our Small Premium SUV of the Year at the 2025 New Car Awards.

In Performance trim the EX30 is one of the quickest-accelerating cars on the road – though its 422bhp is probably overkill for a sensible family crossover. More useful is that all versions of the EX30 are surefooted and the chassis has a sophisticated feel, especially at motorway speeds. Of course, it’s also very refined, with only a rustle of wind when you’re driving faster to disturb the peace.

There are a number of fully-electric models that undercut the EX30’s price, but very few of these match the EX30’s size and practicality. Fewer still can match the level of quality on offer, and the minimalist design looks smart. We just wish it was a bit less reliant on its touchscreen to control basic functions – almost all minor controls are operated using the screen, which can be downright irritating on the move.

The EX30’s value price makes it a more compelling option than mainstream EVs like the Skoda Elroq if you really want that premium badge. The Renault Megane’s infotainment is easier to use and the Cupra Born’s sporty design appeal but the performance of the little Volvo gives it an edge.   

“The Performance model is an intriguing hot hatch alternative for those who prefer to fly under the radar” – Alex Ingram, chief reviewer, who road tested the Volvo EX30 in the UK

Latest Volvo EX30 deals

8. Tesla Model 3

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• Prices from £39,990
• Best for range and charging

With its long range, mind-boggling performance and minimalist, hi-tech cabin, it’s not hard to understand why the Tesla Model 3 has been such a hit since it landed in 2019. In fact you’ll struggle to not stumble across a dozen Model 3s wherever you go in Britain these days.

The Model 3’s midlife facelift only added to its appeal by increasing the official battery range – up to 319 miles for the entry-level rear-drive model – while new acoustic glass, quieter tyres and sound-deadening materials boosted the level of refinement.

High performance has always been a Tesla hallmark and the Model 3 delivers here too. Even the 245bhp base model is brisk with a 5.8-second 0-62mph time, while the Model 3 Performance makes 460bhp and gets from 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds. It’s got good cross-country pace and a firm but controlled ride, though we’d struggle to call it a driver’s car.

The centrepiece of the Model 3’s cabin is a large 15.4-inch touchscreen, which was given more usable screen area in the most recent updates, while the interior and build quality are also better than in early cars. One controversial element is the lack of indicator stalks, which have been replaced by steering-wheel buttons that we found awkward to use.

Alternatives to the Tesla Model 3, like the Volkswagen ID.7 or BMW’s i4, still struggle to match its charging speeds and technology. It’s up with the fastest charging electric cars you can buy and the Supercharger network gives it a further edge. 

“As long as you’re not intimidated by the cutting-edge technology or the minimalist interior, the Tesla Model 3 is a great option” – Ellis Hyde, news reporter, who tested the Model 3 in the UK

Latest Tesla Model 3 deals

9. Leapmotor T03

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• Prices from £16,000
• Best for low costs

If you’ve never heard of a Leapmotor T03, you will be far from the only one. But if you’re in the market for an affordable EV, you’ll be glad that this Chinese city car has now crossed your path. 

The big selling point here is the price. At under £16,000, the T03 is one of the cheapest electric cars on sale in the UK of any kind. The fact this is a fully electric car, with a 37.3kWh battery and a 165-mile official range, makes the price even more impressive. The 45kW claimed maximum charging speed enables a 30 to 80 percent top-up in about 30 minutes, better than its closest rival, the Dacia Spring. 

We have to limit our driving experience expectations for EVs at this price point. The ride is a bit too bouncy, particularly on rough surfaces, so the likes of the Fiat 500e and Renault 5 are much more fun and composed to travel in. 0-62mph performance of 12.7s is also sluggish for an electric car. 

Things improve markedly inside where you get a surprising amount of rear legroom for a car of this type, a lot more than in a Fiat 500e. Just be aware that there are only four seats so there’s no chance of squeezing in a fifth passenger and that the boot is small with no cable storage. While some of the materials are a little low rent, the cabin is of decent quality, has good storage options and is very well equipped.    

The obvious alternative to the Leapmotor T03 is the Dacia Spring, which is a little cheaper but feels a less well-rounded product overall. The T03 is better equipped and more spacious for passengers and charges faster. There are small EV city cars that feel more polished but they all cost a lot more, too.  

“Sure, there’s hard, scratchy plastic on the dash and doors, but it all feels well put together. The usual touch points are covered in higher-quality materials…” - Max Adams, online reviews editor, who tested the Leapmotor T03 in the UK

10. Renault Scenic

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• Prices from £37,195

The Renault Scenic draws plenty from the smaller Renault Megane, and that’s a good thing as the Megane is a talented and good-looking small family car, and with the Scenic you’re getting all that plus extra space, albeit in an SUV-style form factor, rather than the Scenic’s heritage as an MPV.

With 60kWh and 87kWh battery options you get range estimates of 260 and a useful 379 miles - the latter being pretty competitive, especially given the Scenic is good value for this class: pricing spans £37,500 to £45,500, with some affordable finance deals around.

There’s a drawback to the Scenic’s stylish 20-inch wheels and that’s a slightly firm ride that not all family buyers will appreciate, and the tyres also create some road noise. But the firmness also helps control the car’s weight, and while it’s not sporty to drive, quick steering helps it feel responsive.

168bhp and 217bhp power options are more than enough to get the Scenic moving, and they’re tied to the two battery options, so you also get more range from the more powerful car, as well as a higher 105mph top speed, should you need it.

The Scenic’s interior design is lifted almost wholesale from the Megane, which is no bad thing. It feels fresh and modern but not over-designed, and packs some of the most straightforward, usable tech you’ll find in this class. Infotainment is Google-based, while Renault makes it easier than just about anyone else to turn off unwanted driver assistance features with its ‘My Perso’ button.

Quality’s pretty good too, with tactile seat material made from recycled plastics, while a wheelbase 10cm longer than the Megane and a wider track liberates a lot more interior space. A high floor pushes up rear passengers’ feet, but the 545-litre boot is a useful size.

The Scenic out-classed the Ford Explorer in our twin-test of the two cars, although those prioritising ride comfort may prefer the Ford. Other alternatives include the roomy Skoda Enyaq and the Kia EV6, though the Scenic’s interior and technology beat both. 

“Competitive pricing and generous equipment mean the Scenic offers good value for money when compared with its rivals, even in top-spec Iconic guise” – Dean Gibson, senior test editor, who road tested the Renault Scenic in the UK.

Latest Renault Scenic deals

Alternative electric cars to consider

It's becoming harder and harder to make it into our best electric cars top 10 but there are some great alternative EVs out there that didn't quite make the cut...

Small, affordable EVs

These are the city car, supermini and family hatch sized cars that didn't quite make our top ten but are worth a look. You can learn more on our best small electric cars and cheapest electric cars pages.

• Dacia Spring: A super-low cost EV that’s brilliantly easy to use. It does feel cheap in places though. 
• Fiat 500e: Always a solid style choice, the Fiat 500e is also a very practical electric city car. 
• MG4: a great value EV with fast charging and a well-judged driving experience. Interior quality could be better.
• Cupra Born: The Born looks and drives in a sporty fashion well beyond what you get from its VW ID.3 sister car. The controls can be a bit tricky to fathom. 

Family-size electric cars

These electric cars are big enough for a family but not quite good enough for our top 10 best EVs overall. You can find more top family-sized EVs on our best electric SUVs page.

• Hyundai Ioniq 5: Distinctive retro-futuristic styling combined with Hyundai’s top class EV tech and a roomy cabin make it a fine choice. 
• Hyundai Kona Electric: a stylish, compact SUV that offers impressive range, useful tech and great everyday practicality.
• Kia EV9: The do-it-all family EV, Kia’s big MPV is a fantastic option for those who need loads of space and comfort.
• Skoda Enyaq: Skoda’s sensible Enyaq has lots of space and a good range. A fine EV for the larger family.
• Kia EV6: The sleek EV6 doesn’t drive quite as well as the looks suggest but it has few weak spots otherwise. 
• Ford Explorer: Based on VW EV tech but feeling like a classier proposition in many respects, the Explorer is comfortable and quiet on the road.
• Citroen e-C4: Attractive pricing and good real-world efficiency give the e_C4 and edge. Plus there’s a higher-riding e-C4 X to consider.  
• Volkswagen ID.7: The electric equivalent of the much-loved Passat family car, the ID.7 is comfortable and very well equipped. 

Premium and executive electric cars

There are some excellent EVs at the top end of the market with advanced tech and premium badges. These are some great options that didn't quite make our top 10. Find more on our fastest charging electric cars and longest range electric cars pages.

• BMW i4: A sleek and engaging car with a refined driving experience, a great range and one of the best infotainment systems on the market.
• BMW i5: A real classy customer, the i5 is a formidable electric executive car. It’s great over long distances and has a slick infotainment system.
• BMW iX: The BMW iX has a great interior with space and technology in abundance. It’s really good to drive as well, despite the weight. 
• Porsche Macan: Porsche's mid-size SUV drives like a hot hatch but piles on the practicality and has a slick EV powertrain.

How we choose the best electric cars

Here at Auto Express our extensive road testing programme continues to examine every new car on sale in detail, so it’s only natural that an ever-increasing proportion of those cars are EVs. 

Just as with petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars, we test every aspect of the electric vehicle’s make-up but with pure electric models we pay particular attention to these areas. And so should you when taking your test drive. 

Here are some key things that we look for in a great electric car...

• Long real-world driving range in warm and cold weather
• Fast charging speeds
• Good regenerative braking system with natural responses
• Infotainment system features to find and manage charging
• Good charging cable storage

Beyond that, we test the same things we look for on any car, from the driving experience to the infotainment system and the practicality of the interior. All are carefully evaluated by our experts to determine exactly where the car sits in relation to similar models that you might be considering. 

We also know that price is a huge factor for EV buyers, with 52% of our readers telling us that finding the best deal is the most important part of the car buying process for them, so our experts also analyse the market to carefully compare the prices, plus the leasing and finance deals, of each model when rating the electric cars. All-in-all, our extensive testing process is designed to bring you the definitive verdict on the best electric cars to buy. 

How to choose the best electric car for you

Switching to an electric car is easier than ever, with more models available, longer driving ranges, improved charging infrastructure and lower prices. However, the question of which EV is best for you depends on your lifestyle, driving habits, and budget. Here’s are the key things to consider:

1. Will an EV fit your lifestyle?

Electric cars still work best for drivers who can charge at home or work, but growing public charging networks do make them a viable option for those who can’t. If you mostly drive short distances and can access cheap and convenient charging, an EV could be ideal. 

Long-distance drivers should check charging station availability along their usual routes and be conscious of the added cost associated with charging away from home.

2. Understanding charging and range

Most new EVs now offer over 300 miles of range on the official WLTP tests, with some exceeding 400 miles. Rapid charging stations allow for quick top-ups where you can add 100 miles of driving in 10 or 20 minutes but these can be expensive - many well over 80p per kWh. It's better to view rapid chargers which typically charge at speeds of over 50kW as occasional top-up options to get you home or to your destination.

You will pay a less to charge at public chargers that offer speeds below 50kW. usually around 50p per kWh and slow kerbside chargers in residential locations, of the type used by EV owners without a driveway, tend to be cheaper again. 

Home charging overnight remains the most cost-effective way to refuel as an EV-specific electricity tariff can deliver very cheap electricity at these off-peak times. These can usually around 8p per kWh whereas the average domestic electricity price is around 27p per kWh. 

Typical UK EV charging costs

• Public rapid charging (over 50kW) - 80p per kWh
• Public fast charging (under 50kW) - 55p per kWh
• Home charging - 27p per kWh
• Home charging over night on an EV Tariff - 8p per kWh 

Checking the real-world range and charging speeds for your preferred EV model is crucial to ensure it meets your daily needs. We provide full details of the range and efficiency we achieve when testing EVs in our reviews. Read our guide to EV charging options in the UK here.

3. Balancing purchase price and running costs

EVs can have higher upfront costs than petrol or diesel cars but the gap is closing. Running costs, meanwhile, have long been significantly lower. Charging at home is cheaper than refuelling with petrol although the most expensive public rapid chargers can be no cheaper than fuelling an ICE car.   

Maintenance costs are reduced due to fewer moving parts and reliability should be good. EV batteries are expensive to replace but have long warranties and should outlast the typical life of the car. Company car drivers also benefit from tax incentives.

4. Practicality & interior space

Modern electric cars are designed with practicality in mind. Most now use dedicated EV platforms, optimizing passenger and boot space without the compromises seen in early EVs that were converted from ICE cars. Whether you need a compact city car or a spacious family SUV, there’s likely to be an electric model that meets your needs. EVs actually suit the SUV shape because the higher seating position leaves room under the floor for the batteries. 

5. The driving experience

EVs offer instant torque, smooth acceleration, and a quieter experience compared to petrol and diesel cars. Many come with regenerative braking that slows that car when you release the accelerator, allowing for one-pedal driving in stop-start traffic. It all makes urban commuting more efficient and less stressful. Many EVs can outpace sports cars when accelerating from a standstill - even some quite innocuous looking ones dip under 5 seconds for the 0-62mph sprint.

With the EV market expanding and costs gradually decreasing, there’s never been a better time to consider making the switch. Whether you're looking for an affordable city EV or a long-range family car, the right electric vehicle is out there for you. 

Electric cars still won't suit everyone so the best hybrid cars or the best plug-in hybrid cars are also great options. They give some of the cost savings together with a flavour of the EV driving experience. 

There's more information to help you make your electric car choices in our full guide on if you should buy an electric car