Electric cars are now entering the mainstream.

They accounted for 6.6% of new car sales last year. What’s more, their rise is only going to accelerate as rules are introduced to limit the kind of vehicles allowed into major cities. And a leading online car sales website reported that searches for electric cars rocketed 60% over this past weekend amid panic buying for petrol and diesel. The main thing that has traditionally prevented them selling in greater numbers is range anxiety – the fear that you won’t have enough juice to get to where you’re going. However, with plenty of models now capable of covering more than 200 miles between charges, this is becoming less of an issue.

So, which electric cars should you consider? Here, we count down our top 10 and reveal the one to avoid.

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10: Jaguar I-Pace

Jaguar got a jump on most rivals in launching its first electric car, the I-Pace, and it remains an impressive machine, not least because it can travel more than 250 miles on a charge in real-world conditions. On top of this, it’s fast, fun to drive and has the classiest interior of any Jaguar to date. Just bear in mind that there are newer alternatives that cost less to buy and can be charged at a faster rate.




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10: Jaguar I-Pace

Pros
Big range between charges
Entertaining handling
Comfortable ride

Cons
Poor rear visibility
Pricier than some alternatives
Rivals can charge at faster speeds




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9: Kia e-Niro

Like the I-Pace, the e-Niro banishes range anxiety. In fact, the 253 miles that it managed in our Real Range test is one of the best figures we’ve recorded so far. You also get good practicality, performance, comfort and equipment, although prices have risen significantly since 2019, when we named the e-Niro our Car of the Year.
 




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9: Kia e-Niro

Pros
64kWh model’s 250-mile-plus real-world range
Quick acceleration in 64kWh
Tidy handling and comfortable ride

Cons
A fair bit pricier than an MG ZS EV
Doesn’t charge as quickly as a Tesla Model 3
No Euro NCAP safety rating




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8: Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Ioniq 5 combines standout looks with an incredibly spacious and practical interior and lots of standard equipment. Ride comfort and refinement let the side down a bit if you go for the bigger alloy wheel options, but it’s still an appealing addition to the large electric car ranks.




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8: Hyundai Ioniq 5

Pros
Rapid performance of range-topping model
Super-fast charging speeds
Enormously spacious interior

Cons
Range is nothing special
Not as comfortable as Volkswagen ID.4
Quite a lot of road noise




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7: Audi E-tron GT

It may be a slightly softer version of the Porsche Taycan, but be in no doubt that the E-tron GT is an awesome-handling electric car. It’s also fast, comfortable and reasonably practical. The Tesla Model S is quicker and roomier for families, though, and we favour (by a whisker) the Taycan for its extra agility.
 




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7: Audi E-tron GT

Pros
Potentially rapid charging
Comfortable ride and great handling
Very well equipped and strong resale values

Cons
Ionity rapid chargers are few and far between
Not as spacious as a Model S
Low-speed motor whine and gearbox shunt




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6: BMW iX3

Aside from some styling details and the fact the combustion engine has been replaced with an electric motor, the iX3 is essentially a BMW X3 – and that’s a good thing. It means you’re getting a practical and classy SUV with the best infotainment system around. And it means it steers and handles better than rivals, while also providing a comfortable ride. Zero emissions and a long range between charges are merely very welcome bonuses.
 




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6: BMW iX3

Pros
Longer range than most direct rivals
Great infotainment system
Comparatively well priced

Cons
Not as fast as rivals
Audi E-tron is quieter
Tesla Model 3 has a longer range and faster charging




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5: Fiat 500

If ever a car was born for urban driving, it’s the new Fiat 500. It’s shorter than its key rivals, so fits into spaces they won’t, while a tight turning circle, ultra-light steering and great forward visibility make it especially easy to manoeuvre as it darts around tight city streets in a refined, smooth manner. As a bonus, it has a good range, so isn’t just limited to the urban sprawl. And, of course, unlike rivals, it’s available as a convertible.




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5: Fiat 500

Pros
Decent range between charges
Fun to drive around town
Stacks up well financially

Cons
Tiny rear seats
Noisy on the motorway
Rivals have longer electric ranges




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4: Skoda Enyaq iV

The Skoda Enyaq is practical, good to drive, smart inside and well-equipped. Perhaps most impressive of all, though, is the value it offers – the ‘60’ version is priced in line with smaller alternatives, including the Kia e-Niro, and is eligible for a £2500 grant from the Government.




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4: Skoda Enyaq iV

Pros
Well priced
Extremely practical
Comfortable and easy to drive

Cons
So-so performance by electric car standards
A Volkswagen ID.3 is more fun to drive
80 and 80X versions don’t qualify for government grant




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3: Porsche Taycan

If you’re looking for all the usual electric car benefits but want something that’s also absolutely thrilling to drive, the Porsche Taycan is the car for you. It’s even reasonably practical and wonderfully classy inside, so while it’s certainly not cheap, it’s worth every penny.




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3: Porsche Taycan

Pros
Staggering performance
Stunningly capable and fun in corners
Wonderful interior quality

Cons
It’s very expensive…
…and you’ll probably want to add some options
Its range is useful but far from class leading




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2: Volkswagen ID.3

Thanks to rear-wheel drive, accurate steering and fine body control, the ID.3 is enjoyable to drive. What’s more, its practicality is up with the roomiest family hatchbacks, predicted resale values are superb and it’ll be cheap to run for both company car drivers and private buyers. Throw in strong performance and a long range, and it’s a brilliant choice.




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2: Volkswagen ID.3

Pros
Good electric range
Sprightly performance
Decent to drive

Cons
Iffy interior quality, especially for the pricier versions
Charging network weaker than Tesla’s
Infotainment system needs some upgrades




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1: Tesla Model 3

Few cars received as much hype before their launch as the Model 3, and even fewer can match what it offers in reality. Tesla’s most affordable car is great to drive, packed full of tech, fast (ridiculously so in Performance guise) and surprisingly practical. Factor in a competitive price, especially given its sheer pace, and it’s not only the best all-round electric car on sale today, but one of the best choices full stop.




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1: Tesla Model 3

Pros
Savage acceleration
Long range between charges
Surprisingly practical
Fast charging via Tesla’s prolific Supercharger network

Cons
Rivals are quieter on the move
Handling not as entertaining as petrol rivals
Some may find the ride a touch firm

And the electric car to avoid…




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Smart Forfour EQ

Although the Forfour EQ is relatively cheap to buy, you could get a Renault Zoe for similar money, with the latter offering more space and more than double the range between charges. 




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22/22 SLIDES