January 20, 2023
Abby Nuttall
Top Picks
If you’re looking for a new electric vehicle (EV) then this is an article you won’t want to miss. Our experts have taken a look at all the EVs currently available on the market and picked their five favourites for you to review.
These are all fully electric models but if you’re not quite ready for a full EV then keep an eye out as we’ve got our best hybrid picks coming soon.
What are the Benefits of Driving an EV?
Before we give you our top five picks we wanted to highlight some of the benefits that driving an EV will bring for you.
Financial Benefits:
- The cost of charging an EV is much lower than a tank of petrol or diesel when you compare mile for mile.
- If you are in a rental property you may be eligible for a grant of up to £350 towards the cost of installing a home charger unit.
- If you drive a company car then switching to an EV will save you a lot of money in company car tax as all EVs are taxed at just 2% for the current tax year.
- For drivers who own their own EV then if it cost under £40,000 you will not need to pay road tax for the vehicle.
- Electric cars have fewer moving parts which means that there will be less general maintenance needed, so fewer garage bills for you.
- Until 2025 EVs will not need to pay for the congestion charge in London. Most will also be exempt from Low Emission Zone charges as well.
Environmental Benefits:
- Zero pollution at use means you will not be polluting the air around you.
- As well as zero emissions EVs are much quieter than a car that has an internal combustion engine (ICE) so you’ll reduce noise pollution.
What to Consider When Choosing an EV
Although there are many benefits to driving an EV there are a few factors you’ll need to consider when deciding if it is the right choice for you at the minute.
We recommend asking yourself and getting realistic answers to these four questions:
- How will you charge the vehicle? Consider the cost of installing a home charger if this is the option you prefer as well as where and when you will charge, the cost of charging the car and the time it will take.
- How often will you need to exceed the mileage range in one journey / day? And if this is regularly how will you manage charging?
- How will you fund the vehicle? The value of a vehicle depreciates as it ages and this can be especially true for an EV as the technology available evolves and you should consider whether you want to take on this risk yourself and purchase the vehicle or explore other funding methods like leasing.
- How comfortable are you driving an automatic vehicle? All EVs have automatic transmissions as they do not have a gearbox, you should consider this in the decision making process as it can require a significant change to your driving style and habits.
Top Five Electric Cars for 2023
1. MG 4
Mileage Range: Up to 281 miles depending on the model
Charging Time: 10 – 80% in 39 minutes on a rapid 150kW charger
In the top spot we’ve chosen an MG. This brand might not be one you automatically think of when you think EV but they are making affordable and high quality models that can be relied on and because of this they’re becoming a more popular sight on UK roads.
The MG 4 is an electric hatchback that’s ideal whether you need a new company car or want a small family car. It’s affordable, spacious for a supermini and has a stylish new look for the brand that gives it a fresh new feel.
There are two powertrain options either a 51kWh battery that offers 168bhp or a 64kWh battery for 200bhp and you can choose the best option for you, and they’re both capable of rapid charging as they can accept 150kW to get you back on the road in under an hour. If you’re not charging on a rapid charger but the more standard 7kW home charging speed then you can go from 10 – 100 % charge in just seven and a half hours.
2. Hyundai Ioniq 5
Mileage Range: Up to 280 miles depending on the model
Charging Time: 10 – 80 % in just 18 minutes on a 350 kW DC charger
Our second pick is the Ioniq 5 as it really showcases how far the South Korean brand has come and pits them against some of the best known EVs on the market, including the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Tesla Model Y.
The Ioniq name has really come into its own over the last few years and the Ioniq 5 stands out from the crowd with a stylish design that’s got all the touches Hyundai is known for with the features and options drivers love. Not only does it excel on the looks front but the Ioniq 5 is a spacious and
There are currently two battery options with three power outputs. Starting with a 58 kWh battery and 168 bhp rear-wheel drive motor that can give you up to 238 miles between charges. The next option is a 73 kWh battery with a 214 bph motor which gives you the longest range of up to 280 miles. And the third option is the 73 kWh battery that has two electric motors for a more powerful combined 301 bhp. Adding the additional motor will reduce the range slightly for this model, bringing it down to 267 mph, but it also brings the 0-62 mph down from 8.5 seconds to 5.2.
3. Kia EV6
Mileage Range: Up to 328 miles depending on the model
Charging Time: 10 – 80 % in 18 minutes on a 350 kW DC charger
The Kia EV6 is a great choice if you like the technology in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 but not its looks as it’s a more conventional looking car with all of the same modern EV, convenience and safety features.
You can get it with rear wheel drive, all wheel drive with two motors, or in a high performance version with the EV6 GT, all of which have a WLTP range of over 300 miles which will be plenty for most driver’s daily needs.
The stylish car not only looks the part but has excellent suspension for a comfortable ride and smooth handling. The all wheel drive does have a little more traction and so feels a little more stable especially when accelerating out of a turn.
On the interior you’ve got comfortable seats, that thanks to the higher driving position gives you a better view of the road ahead. There’s two curved 12.3 inch curved touchscreens which provide you with the key driving information and infotainment systems on there.
4. BMW i4
Mileage Range: Up to 317 miles depending on the model
Charging Time: 10 – 80 % in 31 minutes on a 195 kW charger
The BMW i4 is a sleek looking hatchback with coupe styling that really showcases the premium craftsmanship and finish that the brand is known for but with an electric twist.
It’s a great choice for drivers who want the comfort, convenience and safety features of a BMW and the latest in EV technology.
The standard eDrive40 line offers drivers 335 bhp from its rear wheel drive motor but BMW have also produced their first electric performance-focused car with the i4 M50 which offers a whooping 536 bhp and all wheel drive controlled by two electric motors.
5. Skoda Enyaq
Mileage Range: Up to 333 miles depending on the model
Charging Time: 10 – 80 % in around 3 minutes on a 135 kW charger
The final car to make the cut is the Skoda Enyaq. Skoda is a brand that we’ve seen rise in popularity over recent years as it became known for its dependable and affordable to run models.
The Enyaq is an ideal choice if you’re looking for a family car that’s spacious, comfortable and offers a smooth ride. It’s a large SUV, so you’ll get plenty of space as well as have a larger road presence and better vantage point of the road ahead
Skoda currently offer the Enyaq with two battery options the entry level iV 60 models having a 58 kWh battery that offers a range of 256 miles or the larger 77 kWh on the 80 or 80X models with the range increasing to 333 miles.
Across the different models there’s also a choice of four design selections, which are essentially different trim levels with their own unique stylings and features, so you can really tailor the vehicle to your needs.
Enjoyed this article? Read more of our latest blogs below:
- Top Five Company Cars for 2023
- Five Fleet Management Practices for 2023
- Whats in Store for Fleet Management in 2023
- 10 Tips for Looking After Your Fleet Drivers
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