With the electric cars bandwagon speeding up and ranges getting higher, we take a look at EVs in three different price brackets to see what the latest models are offering.
Fiat 500e | £19,995
At just under £20,000, the Fiat 500e is one of the cheapest electric cars on the market. An electric version of the classic Fiat model, this car is compact and designed for city driving. The battery can reportedly last for up to 115 miles from fully charged. The 500e’s top speed is 93 mph and it can do 0-62mph in 9 seconds. The battery’s fast charging capability will set you up for a full day’s driving after just five minutes of charging time, and there are thousands of charging points across the UK. Despite its relatively low price, this model comes with some nifty features, such as Traffic Jam Assist, which will accelerate and brake for you automatically when you’re stuck in traffic and will even keep your car straight in the middle of the lane without you steering. Fiat has also done away with the traditional door handle on this model. Instead, you can open your car with the press of a button, from both outside and inside. Plus, if you’re willing to part with a little more money you can upgrade to the convertible version, the only fully electric convertible on the market right now.
Fiat.co.uk
Volkswagen ID.3 | £38,815
The Volkswagen ID.3 is the brand’s first electric car that isn’t an electric version of one of their existing models. It has a range of up to 336 miles in ideal conditions, with the largest battery size available, and can get from 5% charge to 80% in as little as 35 minutes. The ID.3’s top speed is 99.42mph and it can go from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds. The ID.3 comes with lots of nifty features. Some of the car’s features, such as navigation, the radio, and your phone, can be accessed through voice control and many items on the display can also project onto the window screen, meaning you don’t have to take your eyes off the road to check your speed. The car is also fitted with a heat pump which compresses refrigerant under high pressure to produce heat, which is then used to heat the interior of the car, saving you money, and allowing the car to travel further on its charge.
Tesla Model S | £128,280
Tesla has been the final word in electric vehicles since its conception, but the price of its cars often puts buyers off. Tesla’s newest product, the Model S, has a plethora of features to recommend it – not least the ability to drive itself – but all the bells and whistles will set you back over £128,000. Still, the Model S has the longest range and fastest acceleration of any electric car in production, lasting 396 miles on a full charge and doing 0-60mph in just 1.99 seconds. On the inside, the Model S is fitted with a 17-inch cinematic display with 2200×1300 resolution, as well as a second screen fitted in the back. These screens allow your passengers to watch movies, listen to music, or even play games with the wireless controllers. The car also has wireless charging for compatible electrical devices as well as USB charging ports. As mentioned, the Model S is fully kitted out with Tesla’s self-driving technology, with a few additional features in this newest edition, including navigation on autopilot, auto lane change, auto parking, and the ability to summon your car to you.