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.
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.
It’s obligingly supple on typical dual carriageways and A-roads.Matt Saunders, Road test editor
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.
Skoda Elroq
Skoda shifts its focus to EVs, starting with a Scenic-rivalling compact SUV
There was a lot resting on the shoulders of the iX3 well before it launched. BMW poured billions into the development of the Neue Klasse EV platform and at the same time adopted a radical new design language that will shape the brand for the foreseeable.
Pleasingly for BMW, its efforts have paid dividends, with the iX3 climbing straight to the top of the class for its excellent range, charging speeds and handling dynamics. Fully charged, the iX3 can travel up to a staggering 500 miles and, thanks to 400kW ultra-rapid charging, it can boost its battery from 10-80% in a mere 21 minutes.
For now, the iX3 is a triumph. A firm ride and some usability grumbles preclude a perfect score, but here stands an electric SUV that shifts boundaries for range and charging.Illya Verpraet, Road Tester
Much thought has also been put into the iX3’s dynamic ability, too, which is showcased by its poised handling and finely-tuned steering. For a near 2.3-tonne car, it hides its mass well, although its passively damped set-up can make it a little stern-riding.
You won’t find much physical switchgear inside, but iX3’s digital technology is advanced and easy to use. Particularly good are the ADAS, which are unintrusive and actually helpful, unlike many rival systems.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N takes the Korean brand's electric crossover and sends it into electric sports car territory.
Utilising a dual-motor powertrain, the Ioniq 5 N produces 641bhp and 549lb ft, hitting 0-62mph in a staggeringly fast 3.4sec.
The electric driver's car has landed, and it will slot into most of our lives with ease.Richard Lane, Deputy road test editor
Hyundai claims it will do 278 miles on a charge, too, thanks to an 89kWh battery. During our time with the 5 N, it only managed around 230 miles on a charge.
While it may feel heavier and much bigger than a traditional sports car, you can make it sound and feel like one. It has an inbuilt sound generator that lets you select several different 'engine' notes, working in tandem with simulated gearshifts.
A bit silly? Maybe, but it's more convincing than any other high-performance EV we've tested in terms of bridging the gap between piston power and electric.
Despite its heft, the hot Ioniq 5 is dynamically impressive and has the feel of a big performance saloon, while the engine note and simulated gears add a layer of engagement that makes it feel like a genuine driver's car.
See how the Ioniq 5 N stacks up against the market’s quickest machinery with our guide to the best electric sports cars
What we have here is the standout electric supermini. The Renault 5 effortlessly blends retro design with modern technology and does it all at an affordable price.
Inside, Renault has deployed colours and materials usually found in more expensive models, and it has all the latest tech, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 5’s vertical body control is miles more settled than the Mini Cooper's.Illya Verpraet, Road Tester
It’s available with two different powertrains. The cheapest has a 120bhp motor and a 40kWh battery, while the more expensive has a 150bhp motor and a 50kWh battery. So more money equals more power and more range. Pleasingly, all versions are eligible for the full £3750 ECG.
Efficiency is the name of the game with small EVs, and the 5 paints a curious picture. During our time with a long-range model, it returned 5.0mpkWh in our everyday test, giving a range equating to 260 miles, surpassing the WLTP range of 253 miles; but our motorway driving test sent its efficiency plummeting to 3.1mpkWh.
See where its ranks in our guide to the best small electric cars
The Taycan, despite being an EV, still feels every bit a Porsche product.
It deftly delivers close body control along with the perfect balance of communication in cornering forces, building up and abating in such neat, linear fashion.
More than its outright performance, I'm impressed by how nice the Taycan is to drive gently.Illya Verpraet, Road Tester
It’s also devastatingly fast in a straight line. In full-fat Turbo S form, it will officially do the standard 0-62mph sprint in 2.4sec.
Range depends largely on which model you choose, but the biggest-battery option gives the Taycan an outstanding 422 miles on the WLTP combined test.
Our own testing of this model resulted in 3.7mpkWh, making for a real-world range of around 360 miles, which is very impressive for such a car with so much performance on offer.
Access remains quite tight for a luxury GT. Rear passenger space isn’t too generous considering the size, but the driving ergonomics are nothing short of superb. And if you're after a bit more practicality there's always the Sport Turismo variant.
Fiat went on the charm offensive for its reincarnated Panda, delivering plenty of substance to match its nostalgic styling.
A lot of care has been put into the Grande Panda’s design; creative touches, like the embossed Panda logos, give it a standout character in the dog-eat-dog small EV class.
Every time you look around the car, you seem to notice another detail. Real care has been put into the design of the Grande Panda.Mark Tisshaw, Editor
Priced from £20,995, the Grande Panda Electric makes 111bhp and 90lb ft for a fairly gentle 11sec sprint to 60mph. Fast it is not, but then this is a small EV that will be used for school runs and supermarket sweeps. It’s not the most dynamic to drive, but light steering and predictable handling make it ideal for nipping around town.
Its range is officially up to 199 miles, and during our testing we managed around a highly respectable 185 miles on a variety of mixed-speed roads.
Equally distinctive and appealing is the interior, which is roomy, is well-equipped, has proper physical buttons and isn’t spoiled by overcomplicated screens and technology.
There's a lot to like about the Volkswagen ID 7, the German firm's first electric saloon (and indeed the ID 7 Tourer, its first electric estate).
A good choice for drivers looking to drive longer distances, the ID 7 comes as standard with a single-motor set-up, producing 282bhp and 402lb ft.
It rides very nicely indeed, handles with an intuitive ease that befits this style of saloon and is competitive in terms of the prosaic elements of EV ownership.Illya Verpraet, Road Tester
Longer-range cars are equipped with an 86kWh battery that offers a range surpassing 400 miles, with maximum charging speeds of 200kW.
The ID 7 drives brilliantly for such a large, heavy car. It's not quite as sporty as a Tesla Model 3 or a BMW i4 but is very well rounded. It feels agile, offers more than enough poke and grips well in the corners.
As for everyday practicality, the ID 7 possesses 532 litres of boot space and limo-like rear space. It really is the best in class in this respect, and the whole family will be comfortable.
Many of Volkswagen's EVs have previously come under fire for poor material quality, but the ID 7 comes close to addressing most of these concerns, although the infotainment system is still frustrating to use and there's still a distinct lack of the material richness possessed by other premium options.
The Tesla Model 3 is still as hugely significant for the American EV brand as it has ever been, helping to spearhead its continued charge in Europe.
A great all-rounder, the compact saloon received a mid-life facelift in 2024, bringing with it a sharp design refresh, plus interior and technology updates.
Even in its cheapest, lowliest form, this Tesla blends competitive saloon car practicality, striking performance and reasonable handling dynamism in a manner that makes it a fine all-rounder.Richard Lane, Deputy road test editor
Sensitive, direct steering is a huge draw for the Model 3, and it's fun and engaging in most driving situations. A 0-60mph sprint of 4.4sec is rapid, and few EVs will match it for the same price.
Refinement and ride were weak points in the old Model 3, but this one improves things slightly. It's still not as comfortable as it should be, but it's far quieter than before.
Range has increased too. While the old Model 3 offered 254 miles in its entry-level specification, the latest car manages 323 miles. And the Long Range Rear Drive version does 466 miles, which is far ahead of several rivals.
Furthermore, 2026-model-year cars benefit from an indicator stalk rather than the irritating buttons that were introduced as part of the facelift two years ago.
Prices start from around £40,000, which remains competitive in a market that's increasing in size year on year.
The Kia EV3 is one of the most well-rounded electric cars for the average driver; we even named it the Best Electric Car of 2025 at the Autocar Awards.
It mixes practicality, performance, range and versatility in a reasonably affordable package and is the far more a§ppealing option among its rivals.
Although it’s not quite the game-changer it seems at first, the EV3 is still quite the achievement, and is making the class that bit more competitive.Illya Verpraet, Road Tester
Importantly, it's a car with an atmosphere that would make those aged eight or 80 feel at home, and that's a feeling many cars can't achieve.
Its large, 81.4kWh battery outshines rivals, enabling a range of 375 miles, but the clincher is its price, which kicks off at just £32,215. It's certainly a lot of car for the money.
A traditional long-legged limousine with one major change: an EV powertrain. The i7 is a BMW first and an EV second, in that despite its size and weight, it can still carve a line around a tight corner with absolute poise.
For drivers, the ambience is calming. There are clever designations of different leather and veneers, with secondary controls made out of cut glass.
Just 63dBA of ambient noise at a 70mph cruise is very impressive indeed.Murray Scullion, Digital editor
In the back, meanwhile, passengers can sit in airline-style twin seats. Complete with ‘sleeping seat’ positions and individual screens. Then there’s BMW’s roof-mounted 31.3in 8K Theatre Screen too.
It’s more technologically advanced and more spacious than any BMW 7 Series before it.
If you are considering a premium, long-range cruiser, find out where the i7 ranks in our guide to the best luxury electric cars
Price and range will likely be the biggest determiners when it comes to choosing an electric car, but there are several other factors to consider that are worth considering when trimming down your shortlist.
Here’s what you need to look for:
Range
Why it matters: this determines how far an EV can travel on a single charge.
Price
Why it matters: most electric cars are dearer than their ICE equivalents, but price parity between the two powertrains is becoming more common.
Charging speed
Why it matters: having an EV that can accept faster charging speeds is useful when topping up at a public device.
Size and practicality
Why it matters: if your EV will regularly carry passengers and luggage, you might need an SUV, but if your EV will be used for shorter trips, a supermini should serve you well.
New or used
Why it matters: used electric cars are much cheaper and just as good as buying new—EVs that are only a few years old are great value for money.
Is an electric car the right choice for you?
Electric cars are great for:
An EV may be less ideal if:
Each car in this list has been selected by our team of expert journalists. Collectively, we have tested every new electric car on sale today.
When compiling a list of the best electric cars, we selected the best examples from a broad range of categories and segments, in order to cater for a wide range of buyers. For example, the best performance EV you can buy is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, while the Kia EV3 is the best for daily use.
We also assessed cars for their…
Range
Electric cars come in various shapes and sizes but range is a key selling point. We compared the official WLTP range of the car against its real-world figure, driving the cars on a diverse range of environments, such as motorways, rural backroads and in urban traffic to get a fair reading. We also measured the car’s efficiency in mpkWh to see how the EV managed its energy usage.
Ride and comfort
We assessed each car's ride comfort, body control and steering response on different roads. We also analysed interior comfort, cabin noise at various speeds and rolling refinement.
Performance
We evaluated the acceleration and braking performance of each car, both with and without full loads (passengers and luggage).
Interior space
Head and leg room was measured both front and rear, while the cabin width and boot capacity were also taken into account. We also assessed each car for its ease of child-seat installation.
Technology
We tested each car’s on board infotainment systems for responsiveness and each of uses, while also assessing how easy it was to pair a smartphone. The advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as the lane keep assist, we assessed for their integration.
