Best electric cars in the UK revealed – from BMW to Skoda

A car expert has revealed the best electric cars you can buy in the UK – and they could help to slash your daily running costs.

Although generally more expensive to buy than petrol or diesel-powered motors, EVs should prove to be cheaper to run and, of course, you don’t have any nasty emissions to worry about.

EV technology is improving at a rapid pace, with a wider choice of cars and advancements in overall range, battery efficiency and public charging availability.

It’s by no means perfect, though, and there’s still much work to do to ensure people have easy access to charging points, and also to bring the overall cost to buy down – issues which appear to be putting a real dampener on increasing sales.

Handily, experts at Auto Express have put together a list of the best electric cars you can buy right now.

1. Nissan Ariya – from £46,145

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If you’re after an outstanding all-electric family SUV, then the Nissan Ariya should be number one on your list. It’s comfortable, decent to drive and you’ll be surprised at the leap forward it has made for Nissan – offering quality and tech that you wouldn’t normally expect from the Japanese brand.

It’s quick, too – with the top-spec version capable of 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds.

2. MG 4 – from £26,995

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MG is a welcome addition to the electric car market – offering EVs at a more reasonable price than some manufacturers. Ok, it doesn’t have the more refined, polished feel of some rivals, but for the price it’s pretty hard to beat.

Throw in the fact that the SE Long Range model can travel up to a claimed 281 miles on a single charge, and the MG4 starts to look very attractive. It also has rapid charging ability, so you’ll be able to get you on your way again in double quick time.

3. Renault Megane E-Tech – from £36,995

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Renault’s famous Megane family hatchback is now an all-electric crossover model and is a very impressive effort.

All models have a 60kWh battery and a 280-mile range, while the E-Tech offers more interior space than a regular hatchback – with a bigger boot than a Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf.

4. Hyundai Ioniq 5 – £43,445

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With its sharp lines and concept-car looks, the Ioniq 5 made a real impact when it was launched back in 2021. There’s a choice of rear or all-wheel-drive models and even a speedy version with around 320bhp.

The Korean manufacturer is now competing for customers with the likes of Audi, VW and Tesla, while its superb infotainment system and generous levels of standard kit help to make it a real winner.

5. Kia EV6 – £45,245

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The EV6 is closely related to the Ioniq 5, but offers a slightly more sporty set-up – sitting lower to the ground, with firmer suspension and better handling.

Every version features 250kW ultra-rapid charging, so if you can find a fast enough public charger, a top up from 10 to 80 per cent is possible in less than 20 minutes. 

Meanwhile, the interior is dominated by a pair of curved 12.3-inch screens which look pretty awesome.