Best electric cars advices? The BMW i4 demonstrates the brand’s commitment to both an electrified future and its rich heritage for delivering cars that are great to drive. Arguably, the best part about the i4 is the way it handles – despite weighing in at over two tonnes, it feels brilliant through the corners with precise steering feels and impressive agility. In fact, near silent progress aside, you’d struggle to tell the difference between it and a fossil-fuelled 4 Series Gran Coupe. The standard eDrive40 i4 produces 335bhp and 430Nm of torque, which should be plenty for everyday driving. Yet there’s also a 536bhp i4 M50 version, which is the first electric car to be produced by BMW’s performance-focused M Division. The 335bhp model is offered in both Sport and M Sport trim levels, both of which come with a healthy amount of kit. M Sport models get mostly cosmetic upgrades for an extra £1,500. Optional kit is rather expensive, however, and the i4 doesn’t offer quite as much value for money as its rivals. Read extra information at electric cars reviews.
Despite the new technology, older secondhand EV buying is, essentially, much like taking on any used car. In fact, some aspects are much better, with brake wear reduced thanks to regenerative technology (many Nissan Leafs were still on their original discs and pads after 60,000 miles), less dirt and pollution from oil and combustion, and simple single-speed transmissions. The downside is that if things go wrong, repairs can still be very expensive and time-consuming. If a deal looks too good to be true, it could be a much bigger gamble than you anticipated… Here are the best electric cars to buy used, how much to expect to pay, and why they’re worth considering as your next car.
You’ll pay upwards of £32,000 for a new Kia e-Niro (after the government grant) and, because the e-Niro ticks the boxes in so many ways, there aren’t many discounts to be had by looking towards the used market. That said, a pre-registered model can be picked up from around £30,000, and you can skip the waiting list by doing so. Still not convinced? Maybe a seven-year warranty will bring out your inner Nigel… The Renault Zoe has been a bit of a slow burner. It arrived way back in 2013, when electric cars were still very much the preserve of early adopters and ecomaniacs. The original had a small 22kWh battery, giving it a useable range of around 80 miles or so in the real world. If you only cover low miles and want an affordable electric car that won’t break the bank, the Renault Zoe is one of the best used electric cars out there. But the Zoe was given a significant update in late 2019, with a new 52kWh battery and 136PS motor providing an official range of 245 miles and making it much more useable in the process. Combine that with a thoroughly refreshed interior and improved driving experience, and it’s better than ever.
The Fiat 500 nails its city car brief perfectly; it’s competitively priced, offering low running costs and plenty of Italian flair. Although the third generation car is a little bigger than its combustion-engined predecessor, the 500 EV is still at home darting through urban traffic, while you shouldn’t have any trouble parking as even the entry-level models come with rear parking sensors as standard. Two battery options are available: a 42kWh ‘Long Range’ version and a 24kWh ‘City Range’ variant. The City Range offers up to 115 miles of range from a single charge, although the bigger battery gives you a more practical 199 miles before needing to recharge. Inside, the cabin is suitably stylish, while you’ll benefit from a host of on-board tech. Base cars offer a 7-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while moving up through mid- and top-spec models brings a rear-view camera and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. Find even more information on evmotors.live.
There’s no lack of choice when it comes to the electric SUVs on the UK market in 2022. From the affordable MG ZS EV – winner of our 2022 Car of the Year and Best Value Electric Car awards – to the exciting Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y, these zero-emissions family haulers boast a desirable set of attributes: fashionable styling, useful practicality and low running costs. In addition, company-car drivers will enjoy electric SUVs’ rock-bottom Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rates, while those who frequently drive into central London will appreciate their exemption from the Congestion Charge (until 2025, at least). The number of electric SUVs on the market is constantly expanding. Polestar, Smart, Toyota, Subaru and Lotus are all launching new ones during 2022, while Kia’s upcoming flagship will be a zero-emissions seven-seater and a pure-electric Range Rover is set to arrive by 2024.