Electric vehicles now make up a significant percentage of the cars on UK roads. Though they’re a relatively recent phenomenon, they account for nearly 17% of all car sales, and that figure only increases if you include hybrid vehicles.
The surge in popularity — there are some 1,190,000 fully electric vehicles in the UK — is not by accident. With a growing emphasis on the need to reduce our collective footprint, as well as the UK government’s ambitious net-zero goals, there has never been more interest in electric cars than there is right now.
Plus, this electric vehicle market has developed significantly in recent years, and today buyers can select from a host of outstanding cars, which are available at all price points. In this blog, we’re going to run through the ten most popular electric cars in the UK, outlining the key facts and information you need to know about each.
And don’t forget — if you’re looking for a new or used vehicle, then be sure to use the handy search option available on our homepage.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y isn’t just one of the most popular electric vehicles in the UK; it’s one of the most popular on the planet.
This vehicle ticks just about every box for an electric car, offering cutting-edge technology, impressive battery performance, and an extremely roomy interior. The vehicle is related to Tesla’s other leading vehicle, the Model 3 (more on that below), but offers slightly more of everything, and for only a slightly increased cost, too.
We can’t understate how spacious the Tesla Model Y is. People sitting in the back will have plenty of legroom, yet you’ll also benefit from a massive boot in the back and a practical boot in the front. This makes it especially useful for taking family trips, especially since it handles motorways with ease.
OK, so now what about its range? Tesla has made its name on providing some of the best ranges in the EV market, and that’s just what you can expect from the Tesla Model Y. Depending on the trim you buy, you can expect anywhere from 283 to 331 miles from fully charged. Plus, since it’s a Tesla, you can also utilise the Supercharger Network.
Tesla Model Y Facts:
- SUV
- 283 - 331 Mile Range
- 5 Seats
- 0 - 60 in 3.5 - 6.5 seconds.
Tesla Model 3
From one Tesla vehicle to another. The Tesla Model 3 has long been one of the UK’s favourite electric vehicles, and if you’ve ever driven one, then you’ll know exactly why. This vehicle is all-out fun to drive, offering fast acceleration, impressive battery range, and more technology than you can shake a stick at.
Though this vehicle seems positively futuristic it’s still affordable, making it a good option for smaller families who want to enter the electric vehicle market. The Model 3 has been around for a while, but it has been continually updated and refreshed, most recently towards the end of 2023. The design improvements have helped to turn this already beloved vehicle into an all-time classic, plus the performance enhancements have ensured that it’s now even quieter when driving and can more comfortably handle bumps.
The range of the Model 3 is exceptional, too. If you buy the top trim, you’ll enjoy up to 390 miles from full charge, but even the standard trims offer 318 miles. Everything else you’d expect from a quality Tesla vehicle, such as futuristic technology with which you control everything and an amazing amount of boot space, is also present. As far as saloon vehicles go, this is absolutely one of the best — not just in the electric vehicle market, but across all car markets.
Tesla Model 3 Facts:
- Saloon
- 318 - 390 Mile Range
- 5 Seats
- 0 - 60 in 2.9 - 5.7 seconds.
MG4 EV
Even people who have no interest in electric vehicles have heard of the Tesla Model 3. But they may not have heard of the MG4 EV, which seemed to appear out of nowhere to become one of the UK’s top-selling electric cars.
And you don’t achieve that without being a seriously impressive vehicle. The MG4 EV has a lot going for it — it’s fun, it looks great, and it’s a size that many UK drivers look for. Plus, the value for money on offer is next level. Pound for pound, this is probably the best-value electric car on the market.
It’s not as flashy or as future-focused as a Tesla vehicle, but it’s not supposed to be. The goal of the MG4 EV is to provide an enjoyable driving experience and to be a great introduction to electric vehicles for first-time buyers. The battery, which offers between 218 and 323 miles, is not too shabby either.
The in-car touchscreen technology won’t win any awards, but it does support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which isn’t something you can say of a Tesla. The bottom line on the MG4 EV? It’s fun, it’s effective, and it won’t break the bank. It’s hard to argue with any of that!
MG4 EV Facts:
- Hatchback
- 5 Seats
- 218 - 323 Mile Range
- 0 - 60 in 6.5 - 7.8 seconds.
Nissan Ariya
The Nissan Ariya looks great, comes with bags of features, and offers a spacious interior that makes it perfect for days out. All those have combined to make it one of the most popular family-friendly SUVs on the market.
For the price, there can be no complaints, though some people will wish the boot was a little larger. Still, fans of Nissan will find there’s much to love here.
Nissan Ariya Facts:
- SUV
- 5 Seats
- 247 - 330 Mile Range
- 0 - 60 in 5.1 - 7.4 seconds.
Fiat 500 Electric
The Fiat 500 is a classic European vehicle that’s particularly popular in UK cities. The Fiat 500 Electric has proven to be one of the country’s top electric cars, in part because of its size. Though it’s slightly larger than the petrol version of the vehicle, it’s still a nippy vehicle.
The trade-off is, of course, a small boot. But no one who’s interested in a Fiat 500 cares too much about boot space anyway — it’s the price you pay for being able to squeeze into all those small city parking spots.
From the outside, the Fiat 500 Electric looks the same as the classic petrol offering, though you’ll know you’re in an electric car once you step inside, which is dominated by the 10.25-inch touchscreen.
The vehicle is big on efficiency and safety. You can get the battery charged up to 80% in just over half an hour if you’re using an 85kW public charger. The automatic emergency braking feature helps to prevent any accidents with pedestrians and cyclists, too.
All in all, if you’re a city driver looking for a nippy, fun ride who doesn’t need a lot of boot space, then the Fiat 500 Electric will more than deliver what you’re looking for.
Fiat 500 Electric Facts:
- Hatchback
- 118 - 198 Mile Range
- 4 Seats
- 0 - 60 in 9.0 - 9.5 seconds.
Volkswagen ID.3
Looking for a reliable electric vehicle that offers plenty of miles and fast charging times? Then you can’t go wrong with the Volkswagen ID.3, which has proven to be one of the UK’s best-selling electric vehicles. Style-wise, it’s most like the classic Volkswagen Golf, though this is very much its own vehicle.
It’s similar in scope to the MG4, albeit slightly more expensive. You do get quite a lot of boot space, however, and the steering is excellent, too. It’s also just as comfortable on the motorway as it is on city roads, and it’s more than capable of handling winding rural roads as well.
Volkswagen ID.3 Facts:
- Hatchback
- 4 - 5 seats
- 260 - 357 Mile Range
- 0 - 60 in 7.3 - 8.3 seconds.
BMW i4
The BMW i4 isn’t for everyone, due to the bold and eye-catching design, but people who get behind the look will love driving this vehicle, which is highly futuristic and ambitious in scope.
The driving performance is excellent — it’ll do 0 - 60 in 3.9 seconds — and it even comes with a surprising amount of boot space. Sitting inside the vehicle is a luxury experience which is far ahead of what’s on offer from similarly priced models, and there are plenty of optional extras you can add if you’re looking for an all-out premium vehicle.
The vehicle’s infotainment is about as good as it gets. The twin-touchscreen system is jaw-dropping, especially the first time you see it in action.
BMW i4 Facts:
- Saloon
- 5 Seats
- 288 - 360 Mile Range
- 0 - 60 in 3.9 - 6 seconds.
SKODA Enyaq iV
The Skoda Enyaq iV isn’t a groundbreaking SUV, but it more than does what it says it’ll do. Despite not being flashy, it’s proven to be a hit with UK drivers thanks to its all-out efficiency. It looks good enough, it gets good mileage, and you can charge it in next to no time.
Throw in a good driving experience and an affordable price point, it’s no surprise that the SKODA Enyaq iV has proven to be popular.
SKODA Enyaq iV Facts
- SUV
- 5 Seats
- 230 - 358 Mile Range
- 0 - 60 in 6.6 - 9 seconds.
Peugeot e-208
If you love the classic Peugeot 208, then you’ll love the Peugeot e-208, which looks just as good and is just as fun to drive. The hatchback provides excellent performance, including offering a battery range that most people will be more than happy with. Plus, the fast charging option means you’ll never have to wait around too long for your car to have some juice.
The outside of the vehicle is sleek and sculpted, while the inside offers an array of technological tools that go beyond what you’ll find in other vehicles of this class. The high-resolution touchscreen is easy to use and supports Bluetooth, DAB Radio, Apple AirPlay, and Android Auto.
Despite there being plenty of competition in this area of the market, the Peugeot e-208 has proven to be a success — and will be for a long time.
Peugeot e-208 Facts:
- Hatchback
- 5 seats
- 217 - 254 mile range
- 0 - 60 mph in 8.1 seconds.
Audi Q4 e-tron
There’s much to love about the Audi Q4 e-Tron, which has proven to be a popular option for UK drivers looking for a premium electric vehicle. The SUV is family-friendly and offers a luxury interior and outstanding driving performance which makes it hard not to like.
The Q4 e-tron won plenty of awards, and it’s not hard to see why. Available from £51, 965, you get a lot of bang for your buck. The interior is stacked with luxury touches that simply make the vehicle a joy to be in, and there’s plenty of room too. It’s a five-seater vehicle in which no one will feel cramped regardless of where they’re sitting. The spaciousness extends to the boot, too, which offers some 520 litres of space. There are other electric SUVs that offer more boot space, but realistically, the Audi Q4 e-tron offers more space than any family would realistically need.
So, what’s it like on the road? As you might expect from a vehicle in this class, its performance is exceptional, comfortably able to handle bumps in the road that other electric vehicles would struggle with.
Ultimately, the Audi Q4 e-tron will not leave you disappointed.
Audi Q4 e-Tron Facts:
- SUV
- 5 Seats
- 306 - 329 Mile Range
- 0 - 60 in 5.3 - 6.7 seconds.
Conclusion
As we said at the beginning of the article, electric vehicles have proven to be a smash hit in the UK, especially since the UK government has committed to installing the infrastructure required to offer fast and efficient charging when on the roads.
That, combined with plenty of excellent models that are available at all price points, has ensured that more people are buying electric vehicles than ever before - and that’s a trend we expect to continue in the coming years, too. If you’re interested in getting your hands on one of the electric vehicles we outlined above or any other model, then be sure to search our collection by viewing our new and used electric stock