It is no secret that the number of electric vehicles has seen a sharp rise in recent years, with more manufacturers releasing new options to the market. If you are thinking of making the change over to an electric car, then here is a list for you! As there are now far more options to choose from, with more on the way, we’ve compiled what we think are the best electric cars currently available in 2021.
In no particular order, here are our picks.
Peugeot e-2008
If it’s a small SUV that you’re looking for but are still considering the benefits of an electric car, then the Peugeot e-2008 is definitely worth looking into.
It boasts 134bhp electric motor powered by a 50kWh battery, which may sound familiar as it sits on Peugeot’s e-CMP architecture, which is the basis of other Groupe PSA cars, such as the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense, the Vauxhall Corsa-e and Peugeot’s e-208 supermini.
With a range of up to 206 miles there is plenty of room for long journeys and combined with the 100kW charging capacity means that you can get an 80 percent charge in 30 minutes, or seven and a half hours with a 7kW home wallbox charger.
Whilst the e-2008 is perhaps a bit on the expensive side, with prices starting from around £29,000, it will definitely save you money on fuel costs. It also comes with a good number of features that make it a solid buy for anyone looking to buy an EV and is definitely one we would recommend adding to your shortlist!
Porsche Taycan
The new Porsche Taycan offers a fantastic driving experience that stays true to the heritage of Porsche that won’t leave you with any dates that this is a true Porsche sports saloon.
The Taycan provides you with the handling of a sports car, alongside great acceleration and agility. But in spite of that it still offers four seats with a usable range. The Porsche Taycan is one of a rare breed of cars that truly feel revolutionary.
It is definitely on the hefty side, coming in at 2.2 tonnes in weight, but it certainly doesn’t show it as it still offers the ability to nealy weave through tight corners as well as fast, sweeping bends. With the “standard” model coming in at 523bhp it manages 0-62mph in 4.0s, but if you opt for the Turbo S version then this increases to 750bhp meaning it can go from 0-62mph in a staggering 2.8s. So whichever version you choose, acceleration won’t have to be a concern.
But don’t let its sporty nature fool you, this is still a great car to have as a daily driver with top notch refinement and despite its firm ride comfort the air suspension does a brilliant job of dealing with the uneven tarmac on UK roads.
For us it seems as though the Taycan provides a clear definition of how Porsche sees its future as it moves away from fossil fuels. We would definitely add this to your shortlist if you’re after a sporty EV!
Polestar 2
Hoping to offer a solid alternative to the Tesla Model 3 for those looking for an electric saloon, the Volvo offshoot Polestar is hoping to achieve this with the Polestar 2.
With performance being a key objective for this car it features a large 78kWh battery, with its dual electric motors providing a combined 402bhp. With this it is able to accelerate from 0-62mph in only 4.7 seconds and has a top speed of 127mph. Its larger battery also means that it has a maximum range of 292 miles. All of this combines means that for us this does feel like the first electric saloon to really stand out as a competitor to the Tesla Model 3. It also offers charging at up to 150kW, which means you can quickly top up the battery if you’re able to find a roadside charger capable of that level of charging.
It also offers a lengthy list of options to allow you to personalise the car, but at this time there are currently no plans for a cheaper version to be made available.
Tesla Model S
A list like this wouldn’t be complete without a Tesla. The Model S is arguably the first EV that could be seen as a realistic alternative to an ICE car and despite the fact that it was launched eight years ago, it is still one of the best options on the market.
There are currently two models available, which are the Performance and the Long Range Plus. Both of these variants offer great range and practicality alongside the levels of battery-powered performance we have come to expect from Teslas. If you’re a fan of either the Mercedes S-Class or Porsche Panamera, then the Model S is likely to be the best EV alternative for you.
It is much larger than the Model 3 also offered by Tesla, boasting up to 804 litres of boot space and the option to have rear-facing child seats to make it into a seven-seater. The standout aspects of the Model S are definitely the battery and motor technology, with a huge 100kWh cell it has a range of up to 405 miles and is also capable of 150kW charging, to make charging on the go a lot quicker and easier if you need it!
Kia Soul
If you want your next car to be one that stands out, then the Kia Soul EV may be the car for you! This latest creation from Kia has unique styling that incorporates a state-of-the-art powertrain that is the equal of any car currently in the Hyundai-Kia catalogue.
With the same 64kWh battery pack and energy-management system as the e-Niro, the Soul EV has a range of up to 280 miles from a single charge, all in a car with space for four adults and a boot capacity of 315 litres. The cabin itself is also very smart and functional and is well put together overall.
The looks of the Soul may not be to everyone’s taste, but its unique looks seem to be part of the point. So if you’re looking for a unique style it’s one to add to your shortlist as it certainly stands out!
Jaguar i-Pace
Launched back in 2018 the Jaguar i-Pace was definitely a step ahead of the competition within the realms of premium EVs. It offers a perfect balance between performance, practicality and premium looks/feel and collected the Auto Express Car of the Year award. Two years on and it is still a great choice when it comes to premium EVs and has yet to be matched by its rivals Mercedes and Audi.
It has recently had its maximum range boosted to 292 miles thanks to some new software updates and it is also due for a major overhaul of its infotainment system. You will also be saved a trip to the dealership for future updates as it will now be “always on”.
Beyond these updates the basic i-Pace package hasn’t changed since it was released two year ago. But this is still a comfortable EV with enough space for four and a decent sized boot, all of which means it could easily take the place of your family car. But the best bit about the i-Pace has to be the way it drives, with great performance and handling, which is everything you would expect from an electric Jaguar.
Tesla Model 3
When we said earlier that no list of EVs would be complete without a Tesla, we actually meant that no list would be complete without TWO Teslas! As the Tesla Model 3 has to make the list too, considering that it is possibly the most anticipated EV on the list. The Model 3 is a compact executive saloon that easily rivals the C-Class from Mercedes and the 3 Series from BMW, which is definitely a market with broad appeal! It also certainly helps that it is possibly one of the best cars to convince people to make the move over to electric.
It boasts a number of benefits from its minimalist style, through to the space-age technology that’s included. Not to mention it’s amazing performance and cutting-edge charging technology supported by the dedicated Tesla Supercharger network, but to top it all off, it has a great driving range, with the entry level Standard Range Plus claiming a range of 267 miles from a single charge. Whilst you may expect to have to sacrifice performance in order to achieve this, it can still accelerate from 0-60mph in 5.3 seconds, with a top speed of 140mph.
The interior is certainly unique and not like any other car currently on the market. This may not be to everyone’s taste, but it is hard to deny the added wow-factor that provides.
There is also the option to spend a bit more to get the four-wheel-drive Long Range version, with two electric motors and a larger battery that brings you an extended range of 360 miles and acceleration from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds. If that still isn’t quite enough acceleration for you there is also the Model 3 Performance, which can do that in 3.1 seconds and is still capable of going 352 miles on a full battery.
Volkswagen ID.3
The Volkswagen ID.3 is an all electric family hatch that perfectly fits the bill of a family car as it’s capable, with keen pricing, great looks and amazing comfort.
Unlike the latest Gold the ID.3 definitely gives us a look into VW’s future, with fresh looks and an interior including the latest technologies, as everything is touch sensitive and pretty much everything can be controlled from the 10-inch touchscreen.
With 201bhp the ID.3 is great to drive, with the suspension providing a comfortable ride and the quiet electric motor and the lack of road and wind noise getting into the cabin only adding to the experience.
With its 58kWh battery the mid-spec version won’t have any issues when it comes to range as it can go up to 263 miles off a full battery, but if you feel you need more the top-spec 77kWh battery variant can go up to 336 miles before it will need charging.
Regardless of which version you choose, the ID.3 is definitely a strong contender when it comes to Electric Cars and is worth your consideration.
Renault Zoe
If it’s a small car you’re looking for, then you may not need to look much further that the Renault Zoe. Starting from around £27,000 it gives you an incredibly practical supermini with an impressive maximum range that you will struggle to match when it comes to EV superminis.
It has a maximum range of up to 245 miles with its 52kWh battery, which is more than many EVs that cost far more than the Zoe. What makes this even better is its capacity for 50kW rapid-charging, which means you can replenish your battery up to 80 percent in just over an hour.
Moving inside the Zoe has had a recent update to its infotainment system from the latest Clio, which adds an additional level of quality. The other equipment included is also good and also offers three trim levels for buyers to choose from.
All of this means that if it’s a supermini EV you’re after, then the Renault Zoe is worth a look. Especially with the constant updates it has received that mean it benefits from Renault’s latest electric developments.
Kia e-Niro
Last on our list, but certainly not least, is the Kia e-Niro, which remains one of the best options when it comes to buying an electric car.
There are a range of models available, starting with the e-Niro 2, which comes in at around £29,995. It is however limited to a range of 180 miles, which could be more than enough for many, but not the best option if you need a longer range. In that case there is the e-Niro 3, which utlises the same electric powertrain as the Hyundai Kona Electric to achieve a range of 282 miles, but this does come at a higher price of azround £34,000.
The biggest problem with the e-Niro in 2020 was actually getting hold of one, as the demand for it far outweighed the supply. This is because it’s a pure-electric SUV that offers plenty of space for everyday family use. This issue seems to have been left in 2020 though, as we’re seeing more e-Niros being allocated to dealerships.
The e-Niro is powered by Kia’s 64kWh battery, which is arguably the best in the business and provides an accurate measure of its reserves as you drive.
It could be said that the styling isn’t ground-breaking and the interior, whilst functional, isn’t particularly inspiring. But if these aren’t aspects that you’re looking for a modern option for then the e-Niro could be the best choice for you as it is seen by many as the best do-it-all EV on the market now.
Buying An EV In 2021
So there you have it, our selection of what we think are the best EVs on the market right now. We are definitely reaching a point with the growth of the EV market where there is something for everyone, so why not make the change over to electric now.