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Best Electric Cars to buy in the UK 2024

  • Parkers lists 24 of the best electric cars on sale
  • A wide range of budgets catered for
  • Grouped into handy categories

Written by Alan Taylor-Jones Published: 20 May 2024

Thanks to ever increasing ranges, temptingly priced newcomers and EVs in most categories of car, there’s never been a better time to drive electric. All that choice can be daunting, especially if you’re new to EVs, so we’ve put together this list of the best electric cars in 2024. Split into the different types of electric cars out there, we’ll let you know our editor’s pick and a car worthy of commendation.

EVs have entered mainstream acceptance with the proliferation of public charging stations and increasing pressure on car manufacturers to build cleaner and greener vehicles. Almost every mainstream brand offers at least one family EV now and many new brands are joining the fray. Early EVs were rather expensive and couldn’t go very far but the latest crop offer usefully long range at an affordable price. As good as new electric cars have become, though, the UK charging infrastructure is still of a bit sticking point that puts many people off making the switch.

Still, if you can work around this issue – as many people do – you’ll find that driving and owning an electric car can be a real pleasure. That’s because they’re easy to drive, quiet and quick. So there’s no need to give up the joy of driving when you switch from fossil fuels.

Keep reading to see 24 of the best electric cars on sale in the UK in 2024. They’ve all been extensively tested by Parkers’ experts and offer long range, a great driving experience and good value. 

The best electric cars in every category

Small family

Incredible value and good to drive

The MG4 EV has really shaken up the electric car market since it was launched in 2022. That’s because it’s so affordable. Its price undercuts every other midsize electric family car, and not just by a bit – it’s £10,000 less than an equivalent Volkswagen ID.3. In the midst of a cost of living crisis, that’s a very big chunk of money. 

But there’s more to it than just the low price, the MG4 EV is a genuinely good car. It has a spacious interior, comes well equipped, it’s comfortable and great to drive. Every model has a usefully long WLTP range of well over 200 miles and you get the reassurance of a seven-year warranty. It's so good, we named it our 2024 Car of the Year.

Read our full MG MG4 review

Pros

  • Long range
  • Good to drive
  • Undercuts all rivals on price

Cons

  • Touchscreen is fiddly
  • Interior feels low rent in places

Keenly priced, spacious and well-equipped

Following on from the Atto 3 SUV, the Dolphin is BYD's second car to launch in the UK. It looks small in pictures but is 3mm longer than the MG4 above. Rear space is more impressive, although that's because the boot is smaller than the MG's.

Efficiency and performance impresses and all models get plenty of standard equipment. It also has a surprisingly plush interior, albeit one that looks very Marmite. With prices starting at around £25k for a short range version and some tempting finance deals, it's well worth a look.

Read our full BYD Dolphin review

Pros

  • Terrific value and efficiency
  • Strong acceleration
  • Light and spacious interior

Cons

  • Boot not the largest
  • Over-eager driver assist systems

Small SUV

A premium experience at mainstream prices

Using the same platform as the Smart #1, the EX30 is a more compact premium SUV with impressive performance and a perfectly liveable range. Two batteries and three power outputs are available, but we'd recommend the mid-level Single Motor Extended range which has strong acceleration and a near-300 mile offical range.

Given the plush if slightly too minimalistic interior, desirable badge and capabilities of the drivetrain, it looks like something of a bargain. After all, and entry-level EX30 costs about the same as a mid-spec
Vauxhall Corsa Electric.

Read our full Volvo EX30 review

Pros

  • Great value
  • Premium look and feel
  • Impressive performance for the money

Cons

  • Not the most efficient
  • Cramped rear seats and boot

Spacious for its size and very efficient

Behind the bold styling, the Kona Electric is a thoroughly sensible small SUV. It's much more spacious inside than its predecessor despite being barely any longer, and the range and efficiency impresses. Go for the bigger of the two batteries and the official range tops 300 miles.

It's well equipped and reasonably comfortable, but don't expect driving thrills. Acceleration is brisk enough, but the Kona isn't a car that relishes a B road blast.

Read our full Hyundai Kona Electric review

Pros

  • 300+ mile range available
  • Well equipped
  • Spacious for its size

Cons

  • Not much fun to drive
  • Not the plushest interior

Medium family

The best Renault in ages - premium and comfortable

The revitalisation of Renault’s range for the electric era starts here, with the Megane E-Tech. What makes it so good? It looks great inside and out, there’s family-friendly space and practicality, it feels light and easy to drive. It's interior is also a great place to be and certainly more pleasant than the ID.3's.

The ride is better in models with smaller wheels. All models have a 60kWh battery pack, good for a claimed range of up to 280 miles – not the longest you can get in this type of car but more than enough for many motorists’ needs.

Read our Renault Megane E-Tech review

Pros

  • Good to drive
  • Responsive infotainment
  • Spacious, high-quality interior

Cons

  • Jittery ride on biggest wheels
  • No bigger battery option

Improved EV hatch a great all-rounder

A 2023 update has addressed many of our complaints regarding the ID.3, helping it feel less cheap inside and more like it's worth its asking price. Some things haven't changed for better and worse. It still strikes a fine balance between comfort and handling, although you'll have to wait for the infotainment system to be improved in the UK.

Crucially, it's efficient in the real world giving the big battery versions a genuine real-world range of around 300 miles. With good interior space and a boot that's a decent size too, it's a highly recommendable family EV hatch.

Read our full Volkswagen ID.3 review

Pros

  • Good real world range and efficiency
  • Practical
  • More keenly priced than other European rivals

Cons

  • Big battery models expensive
  • Fiddly controls are annoying

Medium SUV

Pragmatic and practical, if not very exciting

The second-generation Kia Niro EV has some pretty big shoes to fill as it follows on from the e-Niro, one of the most popular electric cars of recent years. And it very much succeeds. The car’s styling may be quite radically different, but this is an evolution of a highly successful recipe. Already strong family car credentials are improved with a bit extra passenger and boot space, there’s the latest technology in a very solid (if somewhat cheap-feeling) interior.

Performance is perfectly adequate, it drives neatly and is generously equipped. 285 miles of WLTP range is long enough to suit most families’ regular needs and you can trust the predicted range shown in the instrument cluster.

Read our full Kia Niro EV review

Pros

  • Seven-year warranty
  • Excellent build quality
  • Good range and efficiency

Cons

  • Some cheap trim inside
  • Stiff suspension

Fast and fun to drive

Electric SUVs don't have to be boring to drive, and the Smart #3 Brabus is a great example of this. It's not as practical as the Niro and is costlier, too, yet it's capable of a sub-4.0 second 0-62mph time and handles better than some hot hatches, at least on optional Michelin sports tyres.

It feels plush inside and comes rammed full of equipment, while space for people is better than you'd think. The boot is small, though.

Read our full Smart #3 review

Pros

  • Enjoyable handling
  • High-quality interior
  • Well-equipped

Cons

  • Small boot
  • Pricier than more practical #1

Large family

The 5 Series, electrified

As with the smaller i4, the BMW i5 is a great electric car despite sharing a platform with the petrol 5 Series. It's not cheap, but you'll get a great interior with plenty of space and of course enjoyable handling.

If you're thinking that a saloon doesn't make the greatest familiy car, then an estate is on the way. For now, we'd go for a rear-drive i5 40 saloon in M Sport trim. It's so good you don't need the far pricier M60.

Read our full BMW i5 review

Pros

  • Great to drive
  • Stunning build quality
  • Competitive range

Cons

  • Feels huge, especially in town
  • Annoying driver-assist tech

The best BYD yet

BYD has the Tesla Model 3 in its sights with the Seal, a four-door performance saloon available with rear or all-wheel drive. Both will do more than 300 miles according to official figures and are rather quick, the all-wheel drive twin motor version clocking 0-62mph in less than 4.0 seconds.

It's busier inside than the Tesla, but we'd argue it's better put together and more spacious. Equipment levels are high and while it's no bargain basement offering, pricing is keen.

Read our full BYD Seal review

Pros

  • Excellent range and performance
  • Lots of standard equipment
  • Spacious

Cons

  • A Tesla Model 3 is faster
  • A BMW i4 handles better

Large SUV

Our favourite large EV ticks all the boxes

The Kia EV6 is our reigning Best Large Family Car and it’s easy to see why. It looks fantastic for a start, it’s a great family car with generous space for four and a big boot, there’s loads of technology in the swooping dashboard and it’s very well made. Perhaps more pertinently, the core models are capable of delivering around 300 miles of WLTP range in the real world and you can trust the indicated range shown on the dashboard.

Kia calls the EV6 a crossover, though it’s actually about the same height as the average big estate. That contributes to the car’s great driving experience. All EV6s have a 77.4kWh battery, rear-wheel-drive models have 229hp, all-wheel-drive models have 325hp and the high-performance GT has a whopping 585hp.

Read our full Kia EV6 review

Pros

  • Long real-world range
  • Strong acceleration
  • Good to drive

Cons

  • Firm suspension
  • Not the largest boot

Former Car of the Year and still one of the best EVs around

We think the Skoda Enyaq is one of the best cars you buy right now. And we’re not just taking about electric cars, or SUVs, or electric SUVs – It’s one of the best cars you can buy, full stop. Motor and battery upgrades in 2024 will add range and performance, only making it even more recommendable.

Why do we rate it so highly? It’s a consummate family car, for a start. There’s masses of passenger space – enough for a family of five – and a truly vast boot. It’s full of thoughtful little details that make life on the road easier, as well. Add to that a pleasant and comfortable driving experience, useful on-board technology and a range of over 300 miles in 80 models, all at an affordable price. Also available in sleek Coupe form.

Read our full Skoda Enyaq review

Pros

  • Good range
  • Easy to drive and live with
  • Comfortable, practical interior

Cons

  • Not the most exciting drive
  • Fiddly infotainment

Luxury cars

The best all-electric luxury car on sale

Forget nimble handling and the last word in efficiency for the moment, the BMW i7 is all about luxury. A giant battery means range is good and power is plentiful, while comfort levels are seriously impressive. From the pillowy ride to the multi-adjustable thrones, it feels opulent.

You'll want one of the rear seat packages and possibly the 31-inch cinema screen (yes, really) for the full experience. It won't be cheap, but it feels like it's worth every penny.

Read our full BMW i7 review

Pros

  • Outstanding comfort and performance
  • Dripping with tech
  • Effortless drive

Cons

  • Not as nimble as a regular 7 Series
  • The techfest takes some acclimatisation

G80 makes a lot more sense as an EV

We like the petrol powered Genesis G80, but it's engines are rather lacklustre. Enter the the Electrified G80, offering the same luxurious interior but with smoother, more powerful electric motors. A 300+ mile range is handy, as are 10-80% rapid charge times of around 20 minutes on a potent enough charger.

It's bigger than similarly priced rivals from Mercedes and BMW and certainly feels plusher inside. The badge might not yet carry the same cache, but cars like this will soon change that.

Read our full Genesis Electrified G80 review

Pros

  • 323-mile range, 800v charging
  • Quick and luxurious
  • Impressive ownership package

Cons

  • Small boot, tight rear headroom
  • Not many dealers

Luxury SUV

Great to drive and lavish inside

The BMW iX is among the best large EVs currently on the market, indeed it was our runner-up in the contest for Best Luxury Car of 2024. Its interior is a fabulous place to spend time, the minimalist design rendered in very high-quality materials. There’s loads of technology, too, housed in two massive screens controlled by touch, rotary controller, voice or even gestures.

Space is generous for four, though the boot is a bit small for a car this size. It’s not exactly light either, but the car’s high-tech carbonfibre-reinforced construction does reduce weight. That contributes to great handling and properly quick acceleration. Some models are capable of going well over 300 miles on a full charge, but their massive batteries do take quite a long time to recharge.

Read our full BMW iX review

Pros

  • Stunning interior
  • High-tech features
  • Fantastic to drive

Cons

  • Small boot
  • Long charge times at home

The EV6's posh cousin

The iX is a massive SUV, but the GV60 offers luxury in a smaller, sportier package. Rear and four-wheel drive is available, with performance ranging from brisk to barmy depending on the model. As it shares a platform with the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, you get a long range and exceedingly rapid charging rates.

It's interior won't be to all tastes, but there's no denying the quality of materials used, and it should be reliable, too.

Read our full Genesis GV60 review

Pros

  • 300+ miles on a charge
  • Premium, tech-filled interior
  • Twin motor versions fast

Cons

  • Some of the tech is tricky to use
  • People will ask you what it is

Company car

One of the easiest electric cars to own, usefully improved for 2024

There are many more electric cars available now than when the Tesla Model 3 was first launched, but it remains one of the very best-selling EVs in the world that's been usefully improved in terms of refinement and efficiency for 2024. That’s partly because Tesla is now established as a firm that's easy to buy a car from, with online sales, but also because with the latest updates it's very well priced.

But the Model 3 is also a really very good car. It’s remarkably spacious for its size, with plenty of room for five adults. There’s loads of features in the infotainment system, the voice-control system is brilliantly easy to use and the car is good to drive. You get at least 344 miles of claimed range, the Long Range model can manage 422 miles. Just a shame that, despite looking like a hatchback, the Model 3 is actually a saloon.

Read our full Tesla Model 3 review

Pros

  • Very long real-world range
  • Convenient charging network
  • Good to drive

Cons

  • Some build quality issues
  • Not a hatchback

A more practical Model 3

If you just can't live without a hatchback and masses of boot space, the Model Y is a great alternative to the Model 3. It's not as good to drive as the 3, suffering from a stiff ride and hyper-alert steering, but almost everything else impresses.

You get the same fantastic charging network, similarly long ranges and strong acceleration. The interior looks great, although you still need to keep an eye out for quality issues.

Read our full Tesla Model Y review

Pros

  • Huge boot
  • Airy cabin
  • Range and performance

Cons

  • Stiff ride
  • No parcel shelf

Fun car

Proof that electric motoring doesn't have to be boring

The Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo is the electric car that truly ticks all the boxes… so long as you can afford it. Performance is on a level with many a supercar (the Turbo S model can dash from 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds) and the handling is fantastic.

It’s pretty practical, too. There’s space for four adults and the boot’s a decent size – much easier to load than that of the Taycan saloon, too. The interior feels properly plush and it’s loaded with technology. Each model is capable of delivering a long range, as well, unless you’re minded to take advantage of the car’s performance as often as possible.

Read our full Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo review

Pros

  • Bigger boot than four-door
  • Accurate range indicator
  • Fantastic to drive

Cons

  • Rear legroom a little tight
  • Options quickly inflate the price

A supersized EV hot hatch

Let's start with some stats. The Ioniq 5 N has 650hp and can do 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds whilst costing less than a base Taycan. It handles, too, with plenty of fun to be had even if you don't play with the drift mode.

Our initial impressions abroad did show it to have a stiff ride, but Hyundai will be tuning cars for Europe with a bit more suppleness. If the changes are a success, you might be looking at a new Editor's pick.

Read our full Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review

Pros

  • Rapid acceleration
  • Fun to drive
  • Great interior

Cons

  • Stiff ride
  • Big and heavy

Seven-seater

Possibly Kia's best car yet

At just over five meters in length, the EV9 is by far the largest Kia on sale. It makes good use of that space with plenty of room in rows one and two, and just enough space for an adult in row three.

Twin motor versions are quick and still have a decent range and equipment levels are good. It's not cheap, though.

Read our full Kia EV9 review

Pros

  • Effortless driving experience
  • Superb, high-quality interior
  • Super-fast 800v charging

Cons

  • Poor air conditioning controls
  • Bulky around town

Versatile and compact

If the EV9 is just too big, may we introduce the Mercedes EQB. Kids will be perfectly happy in the third row, and there's enough room for adults back there on shorter journeys.

It drives well and the range is just about good enough, although we wish there was a cheaper single motor version.

Read our full Mercedes EQB review

Pros

  • Drives well
  • Tows up to 1800kg
  • Looks fancy inside

Cons

  • Model Y has a longer range
  • No single motor model

First car

The best electric city car is funky, stylish and has real character

The band of electric cars suitable as a first car is admittedly quite small but the Fiat 500 Electric is our clear favourite. Its battery is on the small side, but the car still has a range of close to 200 miles, which will cover most regular journeys with ease. The battery won’t cost all that much to recharge, either.

We really like the 500 Electric’s quirky, well built interior. There’s plenty of space up front but the back seat and boot are pretty titchy. It’s really good fun to drive, too – effortless to sling around town and there’s enough muscle that motorways hold no fear. Note that the petrol-powered 500 and 500 Electric are completely unrelated.

Read our full Fiat 500 Electric review

Pros

  • Fun to drive
  • Good value for money
  • Decent range for its size

Cons

  • Tiny rear seats
  • Cheap entry-level model no longer available

An easy transition to electric cars

If you've been learning in a petrol or diesel car, but want to buy an EV, the Corsa Electric makes things simple. It's virtually identical to a regular Corsa from behind the wheel and doesn't drive massively different either.

There are some cracking finance deals out there, and with five doors it's reasonably practical, too.

Read our full Vauxhall Corsa Electric review

Pros

  • 54kWh battery improves range significantly
  • Fun to drive
  • Easy to use infotainment

Cons

  • Limited boot space
  • Top models pricey

What is an electric car (EV)?

An electric vehicle, also known as an EV, or sometimes BEV (battery electric vehicle), uses at least one electric motor as its only source of propulsion. That motor is powered by electricity contained in a battery pack mounted somewhere in the car, usually below the boot or the floor of the interior. 

The battery pack needs recharging periodically, as indicated by the gauge or read-out in the car’s instrument display. You can use a regular three-pin socket to recharge but that can take a very long time. It’s better to use a dedicated charge point. You can have one installed at home (usually referred to as a wallbox), though the wiring may need upgrading to cope. 

An increasing number of public and workplace charging stations are being rolled out across the country, as well. The network is continually growing, though coverage is still spotty in certain areas. Be aware that the various charging station operators have different payment methods, many of which require opening an app-based account. 

Electric Vehicles Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much money do you save now with your EV?

The cash and PCP prices you’ll pay for a new electric vehicle are generally higher than you’d pay for an equivalent petrol or diesel car. For instance, an entry-level Volkswagen ID.3 costs about £9000 more than an entry-level Golf.  

That is starting to change, however, as more and more bargain-priced EVs enter the market. The MG 4 is a prime example. Its starting price undercuts plenty of other midsize hatchbacks with ICE power. 

Do EVs drive differently to conventional vehicles?

An EV is no different to a petrol or diesel car with an automatic gearbox in how you drive it. You just get in, press the start button, put the gear selector in Drive, then press the pedals and turn the steering wheel. There are two big differences you’ll notice, though. 

First, and most obviously, is that an EV is very quiet – there’s no engine, after all. You will notice plenty of other noises the car makes, but the vast majority of EVs are positively serene to travel in. Be aware that the quietness can cause car sickness in some people – it turns out sound is pretty crucial to our sense of motion. 

The second thing you’ll notice is that the brakes feel a bit odd. That’s because of the regenerative braking, a clever system that harvests energy that would otherwise be wasted when you brake or just lift off the accelerator and feeds it back into the battery. The system amplifies the braking force, which can take a bit of getting used to. Once you’re accustomed to it, though, you might find you rarely need to use the brakes. Some EVs even have a ‘one-pedal’ driving mode. 

Can electric car batteries be recycled? 

Yes. All new EVs sold since the 1990s have been powered by lithium-ion (Li-On) batteries, which are relatively easily recycled. The days when the lead acid batteries that powered ancient EVs like milk floats were just chucked into landfill have long gone. Li-On batteries are also found in phones and laptops and a thriving recycling industry has grown up around them. 

EV batteries are being recycled in a number of different ways. For instance, some EV manufacturers, including Tesla, are taking batteries that have reached the end of their working life in a car to recycle and repackage them into storage batteries that can be hooked up to renewable energy sources like wind and solar and used to power buildings and infrastructure. 

How far can a typical EV travel on a single charge?     

EV range has improved dramatically in recent years – the days when you’d struggle to go more than 100 miles are far behind us. Indeed, every EV currently on sale in the UK has a range well into three figures, as measured on the WLTP cycle. Most can go somewhere between 200 and 300 miles between recharges, some can do a lot more than that, like the Mercedes EQS

Driving in the real world, the range you get from an EV is affected by many factors. Things like cold weather, using lots of the car’s electrical features – particularly the aircon – what type of road you’re on and your own driving style can vary the car’s range from the advertised figure. 

How do I know an electric car is right for me?

It depends on how you use your car and where you live. Let’s look at a few scenarios. If you rarely journey more than 100 miles from home and have a driveway, then an electric car could suit you pretty much perfectly. Just make sure you plan those occasional long-distance trips around charging stops. Don’t have access to off-street parking? That makes charging while you’re at home tricker, but there are solutions available. Many places now have roadside chargers in residential areas, you can even get portable EV chargers

If you regularly go on long-distance trips, driving an EV is trickier. They tend to chew through their charge pretty quickly on motorways so you find yourself at the mercy of the UK’s less-than-perfect charging network more often. You may not have the time it takes to charge to spare, either. But the proliferation of long-range EVs means there are now options that work perfectly well for doing big mileages. 

How about if you need a big, chunky SUV that can tow a huge caravan around the country? Well, there are some that can pull the weight, but they need recharging so often that they become impractical for the job. 

How do I charge my EV? 

There are several ways of getting juice into your EV. If you’re at home, you can use a regular three-pin wall socket, at least if you’re not going anywhere for a day or so because it usually takes ages. Alternatively, you can get a home chargepoint (also known as a wallbox) installed. You ideally need off-street parking, your home’s electrics may need upgrading to suit and you’ll need to make sure you get a charger that’s recommended for your car. Change car and you may need a new box. Some manufacturers include a wallbox with the purchase of their EVs. 

When you’re out and about, you’ll find charge points in all sorts of locations, most often in car parks. There are some well-documented issues with the UK’s charging network and you need to carefully plan longer journeys around charging stop. If everything comes together, recharging an EV can be almost hassle-free. And as the charging infrastructure grows, it will only get easier. 

What happens if I run out of power?  

The best advice is not to let an EV run out of charge if it can at all be helped. If it does happen, the car essentially locks up, becoming a brick that can be very difficult to move. When the charge in the car’s battery drops below a certain level, the motor’s power will be cut back and non-essential electrical features will turn off.  

You’ll be going some to reach that point, though, given the number of warnings that pop up in the instrument display. If you know that you’ll reach a charging station before the situation becomes critical, there’s no reason to worry. If not, the car’s satnav should be able to point you in the right direction, or you can use a charger locator app like Zap Map. 

Do EVs cost more than petrol and diesel cars?

Generally speaking yes, they do, and often by quite a large margin, regardless of whether you buy outright or use financing via PCP or lease. However, the price gap is starting to come down and there are a number of brands bringing new EVs to market targeting buyers on a lower budget. 

What are resale values like for EVs?

The residual values for electric vehicles haven’t been great for many years, due to a lack of demand and concerns about the long-term durability of EVs. However, the long-running issues many manufacturers are having in delivering new EVs means demand for used ones is increasing which means prices for them are steadily rising. 

Are EVs really better for the environment?

This is a very thorny issue. There are strong opinions on both sides of the question, but the simple fact of the matter is that electric cars haven’t been around long enough in sufficient numbers for us to really know the long-term environmental impact they will have, for good or bad. 

But here are a few irrefutable facts. Because they don’t produce any exhaust emissions, they do help to improve air quality where they are used, particularly in towns. They help reduce CO2 emissions, as well. There is the question of how the electricity that powers an EV is generated but, in the UK at least, zero-CO2 renewable energy makes up an ever-bigger proportion of electricity generation. 

How much CO2 is generated over the course of an EV’s entire lifecycle is harder to pin down. The most comprehensive study so far was carried out by EV manufacturer Polestar. It found that building an EV produces vastly more CO2 than building a petrol or diesel car and that deficit takes around 70,000 miles of driving to pay back. However, over the rest of an EVs life, its CO2 footprint is much, much smaller than the petrol or diesel car’s. 

That’s just one study, though, and more work needs to be done to come up with a definitive verdict. Other potential issues with electric cars are also being investigated – the increased particulate emissions they generate from tyres and brakes, for instance. 

Overall, though, it has to be concluded that using electricity to power cars is better for the environment than petrol or diesel.    

Alan Taylor-Jones is the New Cars Editor for the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub, working on both Parkers and sister title CAR. When not driving the latest cars you can find him busy with a young son or playing with RC cars.