Best electric cars 2024: Top 10 EVs to buy in the UK

Thinking of going electric? These are the best electric cars you can buy in the UK right now, ranked and rated by our expert reviewers

The Volvo EX30, one of our top ten picks for the best electric cars you can buy in 2024 (Volvo EX30)

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The Independent's Electric Vehicles Channel is sponsored by E.ON Next.

Most new car shoppers today will think about buying an electric car, whether they want one or not. And many will realise that with more choice, lower prices, tempting deals and many of the range and charging infrastructure challenges disappearing fast, owning and running an EV now makes real sense.

Prices for new EVs start at under £15,000 for the cheap and very cheerful Dacia Spring, with other brands offering big discounts and zero per cent finance offers (including Tesla) to make monthly payments more affordable, in many cases, than petrol or diesel models.

Then there’s charging. On the road, there’s a new plug-in point being installed every 25 minutes, while smart charging from the likes of E.ON Next can take your fuel bills down to about a quarter of that of an equivalent petrol model.

But which EV should you buy? We’ve come up with a list of ten of the very best, covering every need and every budget.

How we tested

All our car testing starts with you in mind. We consider how you’re likely to use your electric car and what needs and priorities you might have.

We’re testing cars in real-world situations: parking them in car parks, filling them with shopping, fitting child seats, fiddling with the infotainment, turning the stereo up loud and driving them on a variety of roads in the UK and abroad,

We won’t be taking a family-friendly SUV around a race track, but we’ll take it along B-roads, around the M25 and into city centres. Then we run the numbers to compare buying and running costs with rivals so we can make a recommendation you can really trust.

The best electric cars in 2024

• Best overall – Tesla Model 3: From £39,990, Tesla.com
• Best budget EV – Volvo EX30: From £32,850, Volvocars.com
• Best seven-seat EV – Kia EV9: From £65,025, Kia.com
• Best sports EV – Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: From £65,000, Hyundai.com
• Best for range – Volkswagen ID. 7: From £51,550, Volkswagen.co.uk

1. Tesla Model 3: From £39,990, Tesla.com

Best: Overall

Tesla Model 3 (Tesla)

Independent rating: 10/10

• Pros: Brilliant tech, good to drive, efficient supercharger network
• Cons: No Apple CarPlay option
• Price range: £39,990 to £59,990
• Battery size: 60 - 75kWh (usable)
• Maximum claimed range: 390 miles
• Miles per kWh: 4.7
• Maximum charging rate: 170kW
• Charging cost per 100 miles on E.ON Drive Next: £1.47

The Tesla Model 3 has long been the model that every other EV is measured by. And the problem every other EV has is that the Tesla is not only brilliant, but costs from just under £40,000.

This year saw updates to the Model 3 that gave it a subtle, slightly more elegant look, improved quality – an old Tesla bugbear – and some of the most advanced EV tech in the market. That translates to more efficiency than ever with the Model 3 Long Range boasting a 390-mile range and the Model 3 Performance getting from 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds.

The Model 3’s interior is spacious, but there’s not much in it – it takes minimalism to a whole new level with pretty much everything controlled via a touchscreen. It does all work well, though, although you’ll have to get used to using buttons on the steering wheel to indicate.

Read our full Tesla Model 3 review

The latest upgrades also mean the car is more comfortable over lumps and bumps, especially – bizarrely – the performance model, which gets adaptive damping. And even the cheapest model will do 318 miles between charges and can get from 0-60mph in 5.8 seconds. Every model comes well equipped with only non-white paint, wheels, interior trim and self-driving tech optional.

What every Tesla owner does get is another killer feature – access to the brilliant and fast Tesla Supercharging network.

Tesla isn’t averse to the odd deal, either, with zero per cent finance popping up now and again. But as with all Tesla deals, they can come and go rather randomly.

2. Volvo EX30: From £32,850, Volvocars.com

Best: Budget EV

Volvo EX30 (Volvo)

Independent rating: 7/10

• Pros: Premium design, strong performance, good value
• Cons: Touchscreen frustrations, limited rear space, short range of smaller battery
• Price range: £32,850 to £42,350
• Battery size: 51 kWh or 69 kWh
• Maximum claimed range: 296 miles
• Miles per kWh: 3.68
• Maximum charging rate: 158 kW
• Charging cost per 100 miles on E.ON Drive Next: £1.88

Volvos aren’t traditionally known for their value, but the EX30 is now available at a sensational price of just £32,850 – and it’s as smart and premium as any other Volvo.

That money buys you the Core model with a single rear-drive motor and enough power on board to take you over 200 miles on a single charge. More cash will give you more range and drive to all four wheels if that’s what you really want. But the EX30 is a smart, well-made and nice to drive EV with some clever little features.

You’ll have to get used to window switches between the front seats – it’s one of several money-saving features – and the touchscreen, Tesla-style, is used for rather too many features, some of which are hidden in the depths of the menu system.

Read our full Volvo EX30 review

But there’s clever stuff like a sound bar across the dash, rather than speakers in the doors – why hasn’t someone done that before? And being a Volvo, there’s a big focus on sustainability with lots of recycled materials and, of course, safety. It’s a comfortable drive, too, with that swift and silent electric motor, and a nice ride over the bumps around town. Space in the back is a bit tight and the boot isn’t exactly enormous, but this is Volvo’s smallest car – and we love it.

3. Kia EV9: From £65,025, Kia.com

Best: Seven-seat EV

Kia EV9 (Kia)

Independent rating: 7/10

• Pros: Spacious interior, good range and fast charging, one of very few seven-seat EVs
• Cons: Feels very big when driving, heavy, interior materials could be better
• Price range: £65,025 to £77,025
• Battery size: 99.8 kWh
• Maximum claimed range: 349 miles
• Miles per kWh: 3.1
• Maximum charging rate: 210 kW
• Charging cost per 100 miles on E.ON Drive Next: £1.82

Kia may be seen by many as a mainstream brand, but the EV9 is proof that it’s moving towards the premium end of the market. This big, seven-seat SUV is the first of its kind to go on sale, beating the Volvo EX90 and Range Rover. And yes, it can be considered alongside those brands, the quality is that good.

The futuristic look of Kia’s EVs sits happily on its largest model, but there’s no denying this is a big, heavy car – which has an impact on its electric range and performance, although a claimed range of 349 miles from its huge 99.8kWh battery will be okay for most people. The EV9 gets handy fast-charging tech, too, so if you find the right charger you can add 154 miles in just 15 minutes.

Read our full Kia EV9 review

It’s the spacious and airy interior that really marks the EV9 out, though, with plenty of usable tech without overloading the driver. There’s decent space for all seven passengers, while many of the interior fabrics are made from recycled materials.

And the EV9 hides its bulk on the road, too – the view out is great, while a host of cameras make things easier when parking. It’s a comfortable cruiser, quiet with a nice ride that isn’t too bumpy and – thanks to the square shape – surprisingly easy to manoeuvre around town.

4. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: From £65,000, Hyundai.com

Best: Sports EV

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (Hyundai)

Independent rating: 9/10

• Pros: Huge performance, simulated gearbox is surprisingly good, spacious interior
• Cons: Bigger than it looks, heavy, tech can feel overwhelming
• Price range: £65,000
• Battery size: 84 kWh
• Maximum claimed range: 278 miles
• Miles per kWh: 2.93
• Maximum charging rate: 240 kW
• Charging cost per 100 miles on E.ON Drive Next: £2.35

Most electric cars are quick in a straight line, but can they handle like a sports car, too? The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N proves that they can – few cars, whether electric or not, can put a smile on your face like this one.

In a short space of time, Hyundai’s N division has proven that it can deliver proper sports cars that can be mentioned in the same breath as Volkswagen GTIs and Rs, Audi RS models and BMW M cars. It’s not surprising, really, as former BMW M boss Albert Biermann is the man responsible for the hot Hyundais, honing them at the company’s bases at Germany’s infamous Nürburgring race track and Hyundai’s own Namyang R&D centre – the latter gives the N brand its name.

Read our full Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review

This car is quick, the steering is super-sharp, the handling is safe and secure meaning you can throw it through bends at surprising speeds and there’s all the measuring tech on board today’s hot hatchback fans love.

Then there’s the noise – you can either just listen to the holistic whirring and cracking from the electric motor or turn on the electronically generated sounds that mimic revs rising and even the pops and bangs of a sports exhaust. It might sound a bit Playstation, but it actually adds to the whole experience, making your grin even wider. And as with all great hot hatchbacks, there’s a sensible side to the Ioniq 5 N – it’ll double up as a sensible and comfortable family car when it’s not at the race track.

5. Volkswagen ID. 7: From £51,550, Volkswagen.co.uk

Best: For long range

Volkswagen ID.7 (Volkswagen)

Independent rating: 8/10

• Pros: Long range, smooth ride, loads of space
• Cons: Dull looks, infotainment not great
• Price range: £51,550 to £61,980
• Battery size: 77kWh to 86kWh
• Maximum claimed range: 365 to 436 miles
• Miles per kWh: 4.5
• Maximum charging rate: 170kW
• Charging cost per 100 miles on E.ON Drive Next: £1.52

If it wasn’t for the Tesla Model 3, the Volkswagen ID. 7 would be much higher up this list. It’s a great looking 5-door – even better in Touring (VW-speak for estate) form – that’s strong on space, comfort, range (where it even beats Tesla) and tech.

Most EVs are quiet, but the ID. 7 takes it to a different level – it’s super-silent on the motorway where the soft suspension makes it a great cruiser. There’s plenty of tech on board, including voice control that uses Chat GPT to respond to your questions, but it’s all controlled through Volkswagen’s stupidly fiddly and laggy infotainment screen.

And although there are a few models to choose from with different batteries, the ID. 7 suffers the same fate as so many other EVs – the Tesla Model 3 is just cheaper and better.

6. MG 4: From £26,995, MG.co.uk

Best: For family fun

MG 4 (MG)

Independent rating: 8/10

• Pros: Great to drive, good tech, great value
• Cons: Quality not the best
• Price range: From £26,995
• Battery size: 51kWh to 77kWh
• Maximum claimed range: 218 to 323 miles
• Miles per kWh: 4.2
• Maximum charging rate: 150W
• Charging cost per 100 miles on E.ON Drive Next: £1.64

MG is a Chinese brand with a very British name, and the company keeps a design base in London – where some of the work for the MG 4 was done – and a small engineering hub at MG’s former UK base in the Midlands.

So it’s no surprise that the Chinese-built MG 4 feels at home on British roads, riding over our pothole-strewn streets better than many EVs that feel weighed down by their heavy batteries.

The MG has a bit of the spirit of MGs of old, too – it’s fun to drive with brisk acceleration, responsive steering and good grip, yet one of its main attractions is its price – starting at £26,995 it undercuts many rival EVs, or you can just think of it as giving you more for less.

That includes kit and every MG 4 comes with a decent smattering of equipment for the money, including the obligatory touchscreen, but that is far from the finest you’ll find in a car. There is decent space for a family, though.

You can have your MG 4 in just two trim levels (SE and Trophy) and with three battery sizes offering ranges of 218, 281 or 323 miles. There’s also a rather fun MG EV XPower model with 429bhp and a 0-60mph time of 3.7 seconds – a whole lot quicker than MGs of old.

7. BMW i5: From £67,695, BMW.co.uk

Best: For luxury

BMW i5 (BMW)

Independent rating: 8/10

• Pros: Performance and refinement, comfort, slick in-car tech
• Cons: Range is average, expensive for a 5 Series
• Price range: £67,695 to £97,745
• Battery size: 81.2kWh
• Maximum claimed range: 315 to 354 miles
• Miles per kWh: 3.4 to 3.8
• Maximum charging rate: 205kW
• Charging cost per 100 miles on E.ON Drive Next: £1.82

BMW has taken a different approach to its electric cars by simply offering electric versions of its traditional range – so this is the electric 5 Series, which sits alongside its petrol and plug-in hybrid brethren.

In true BMW fashion it’s great to drive with a good blend of driving comfort and driver appeal, although the steering feels a little vague at times, which is very un-BMW.

Read our full BMW i5 review

Standard models are quick enough, but there’s also a 601bhp M60 xDrive (the xDrive designating four-wheel drive) that’ll do 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds, about the same as the new plug-in hybrid BMW M5. Don’t worry, though, a full-on M version of the all-electric i5 is expected.

The 5 Series has always offered space, quality and the latest in tech and this model is no different – with the added appeal, currently, of company car tax benefits which make the i5 of more appeal than ever for business users. BMW has stolen a bit of a march on its premium rivals, though, by offering an all-electric estate – or Touring – version of the i5, something that’s missing from the current Mercedes and Audi line-ups.

8. Renault Scenic E-Tech: From £37,495, Renault.co.uk

Best: Family EV

Renault Scenic E-Tech (Steve Fowler)

Independent rating: 8/10

• Pros: Long range, family-friendly interior, strong tech
• Cons: Expensive, lumpy ride, interior quality
• Price range: £37,495 - £45,495
• Battery size: 60kWh & 87 kWh
• Maximum claimed range: 379 miles
• Miles per kWh: 3.8
• Maximum charging rate: 150kW
• Charging cost per 100 miles on E.ON Drive Next: £1.82

The new all-electric Scenic may not be as ground-breaking as the original small MPV, but its reinvention as a mid-size SUV hasn’t been without success – it’s the current European Car of the Year. Do we agree with the esteemed jury? Yes and no.

The Scenic is pretty mediocre to drive with a firm ride and lacking the pizazz of so many electric cars. Some of the interior plastics feel decidedly cheap, too.

Read our full Renault Scenic E-Tech review

But there are plenty of clever touches that will please the driver and passengers. A brilliant Google-powered touchscreen with excellent voice control is the star tech attraction, but anyone in the back will be in awe of the ‘ingenious armrest’ which not only includes the obligatory cup-holders, but clever fold-out holders for tablets or smartphones – complete with power sockets. There’s decent space in the back, too.

There’s also a long-range version with a handy 379-mile driving range although the Scenic prices aren’t quite so handy, starting at £37,495 for the 260 mile Comfort model going up to the range topper at £45,495 – putting it very much in Tesla territory.

9. Hyundai Kona: From £34,995, Hyundai.com

Best: For small families

Hyundai Kona (Hyundai)

Independent rating: 8/10

• Pros: Space, comfort, tech, range, value
• Cons: Styling is a mix of bland and wacky
• Price range: £34,995 to £43,095
• Battery size: 48kWh, 65kWh
• Maximum claimed range: 319 miles
• Miles per kWh: 3.7 - 4.26
• Maximum charging rate: 101kW
• Charging cost per 100 miles on E.ON Drive Next: £1.62

Whatever car you choose from the Hyundai family (which includes Kia and Genesis) you’ll be safe in the knowledge that as far as range is concerned, it does what it says it will. We’ve had numerous long journeys in a Kona Electric, which is remarkably efficient, making its 48kWh or 65kWh batteries seem larger than they actually are.

Read our full Hyundai Kona review

This latest Kona is also the result of listening to feedback from owners of the old model, so the boot is bigger, there’s more rear seat space and the tech has had a big upgrade, too. It’s best described as inoffensive to drive – not especially comfortable, or especially fun. But it’s well priced, well equipped and comes with a long warranty to back up Hyundai’s reputation for reliability.

10. Volkswagen ID. Buzz: From £59,035, Volkwagen.co.uk

Best: For fun

Volkswagen ID. Buzz (Volkswagen)

Independent rating: 7/10

• Pros: Seven-seat version available
• Cons: Range and efficiency isn’t great
• Price range: From £59,035
• Battery size: 79kWh
• Maximum claimed range: 293 miles
• Miles per kWh: 3.7
• Maximum charging rate: 185kW-200kW
• Charging cost per 100 miles on E.ON Drive Next: £1.86

The highlight of Volkswagen’s somewhat unexciting line-up of ID electric cars is undoubtedly the cutest of the lot – the ID. Buzz. Put simply, it will make you smile and it will make people around you smile – that’s got to be a good thing, right?

Let’s be honest, there are flaws aplenty – the range and efficiency isn’t great and there’s that infuriating touchscreen system that, somehow, Volkswagen’s normally fastidious engineers let out while knowing it was troublesome.

But in spite of it being mechanically identical to the ID. Buzz Cargo – yes, a van – it’s actually quite fun to drive. Not in a ‘throw it through the corners’ sort of way, but the lofty driving position gives you a good view around you (if not of where the stumpy bonnet stops) and feels not unlike that of a Range Rover. The ride comfort is good for something based on a van, too.

The kids will love the space in the back, there’s room for bikes in the boot and some lovely little surprise and delight features – what VW calls secret sauce – that we won’t tell you about otherwise they wouldn’t be a surprise. Oh, it’s quite pricey, too, starting at £59,035, but there’s now a longer seven-seat version that’ll make even more people smile.

Electric car FAQs

When should I make the switch from petrol or diesel to electric?

Think about the journeys you do and whether you could live with an EV, as well as when and how you would charge it. Let’s put it this way, many people buy an EV as their second car and it quickly becomes their main vehicle.

How do EVs compare to petrol and diesel cars?

They’re cheaper to run, quieter and quicker, while the tech is often better. The biggest change is availability and time taken for ‘fueling’. If you’ve got home charging, you can just charge overnight and it’ll be cheaper, but public charging will take longer than just pulling in to a fuel station.

How do EVs compare to hybrid cars?

Full hybrid cars can run on electric power for a very short period of time before a petrol engine kicks in. EVs run on electricity full time – they tend to be quicker and quieter, too.

How does home EV charging work?

It’s simple – you have a home charger installed and pay for electricity for charging on your electricity bill. Get on a smart energy tariff like E.ON Next Drive and you can save money on overnight charging.

How does public EV charging work?

You can just plug and pay with a tap of your card these days, or you can have an account via an app. There are different speeds of chargers that will charge your car in different times; faster chargers are more expensive to use

The verdict: Electric cars

New EVs are coming thick and fast with more choice available for every car buyer. We’re seeing improved ranges, the very latest tech and higher quality. The cars are getting more comfortable, and prices are coming down, especially if you look at some of the lease deals available.

Our pick of all EVs is the Tesla Model 3. It’s so good it’s a real thorn in the side for other car makers. Not only is it a great EV that’s got a good range, is great to drive, has space for all the family and the best tech you can get, there’s also the benefit of Tesla’s bespoke Supercharger network. And all that at a price that makes other EV makers wince.

That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of other outstanding EVs out there. We love the Volvo EX30: a great, affordable, small EV with a premium feel and some great tech. It looks cute, too. Or there’s the current World Car of the Year, Kia’s EV9: a handsome car with a whiff of Range Rover about it, but with superb build quality, strong sustainability credentials and plenty of space for seven people.

Another Korean car will be most likely to put a smile on your face: the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. It’s a modern-day hot hatchback that blends great fun (especially with the great sounds it makes) with a dose of practicality. It’ll carry five people and plenty of luggage, and is as happy at the shops as on a track day.

There are cheap EVs, luxury EVs, EV family cars and EV vans - with new EVs being launched every month. It really is a great time to buy an electric car.