Best electric cars of 2022

It’s impossible to deny; Electric Vehicles (EVs) are the future of motoring. Fossil fuels are out and car manufacturers are responding by producing ever impressive ranges of EVs. This guide will run through the best electric cars that you can buy in the UK this year.

Electric cars certainly don't come cheap, although budget models can be found. If you're on a tight budget, you may want to check out our page on the cheapest electric vehicles in 2022. But if you're looking for the best of the best, read on to find out what the best models on the market are today.

In This Guide:

• Stand out electric vehicle: Polestar 2
• Best all-round electric car: Tesla Model 3
• Best small electric cars
• Best value electric cars
• Best luxury electric cars

Stand out electric vehicle: Polestar 2

From £39,900

The Polestar 2 stems from the visionaries at Volvo and delivers a superb mid-size EV that has an overall more attractive presence than the Swedish brand has in its current stable. At just under £40k it’s not the cheapest EV out there, but this price tag comes with all the bells and whistles you’d want from a cutting edge vehicle; including a voice assist dash interface (using Google’s first Android OS for vehicles), impressive range and the assurance of the manufacturers penchants for building world beating machines.

Best all-round electric car: Tesla Model 3

From £42,500

The Model 3 represents Tesla’s most affordable model yet, and they have not sacrificed any of their best features for price. The much anticipated Model 3 comes fully equipped with all the modern tech you’d expect from the pioneering company, delivers an incredibly fast drive (even better in performance mode), and is a remarkably practical car for most buyers.

Best small electric cars

Renault Zoe

From £27,595

Despite its outward appearance, the Renault Zoe has a surprising amount of internal space. The boot has easily enough room for a week's worth of shopping, seat room for four with comfort space, and a spacious dash that doesn’t feel cramped in. The Electric motor also has the umph to blow away from traffic lights and the small frame wizzes around corners with ease. What you’re left with then is a nimble, contemporary hatch that is also a pitense to run.

VW e-Up

From £22,865

The VW e-Up may not win any awards for sex appeal. Yet, what this compact delight lacks in ‘vavavoom’ it makes up for with efficient German engineering. The price tag does not fully represent this car's economical benefits, with a 162 mile full charge it beats most other compact EVs available. It’s ideal for the easygoing city living types who prize efficiency over flashy exteriors.

Stand out model: VW ID.3

From £32,200

If the e-Up’s shoebox aesthetic isn’t doing it for you, and you're willing to pay a little more (almost £10,000 more in fact), then Volkswagen’s ID range may just be the one for you. An aerodynamic shell that evokes the clean, stylised body of the Golf house Volkswagen’s first full electric engine range, with various options and price points depending on battery capacity. The ID.3 offers the best all round experience; with a smooth ride, decent range and mid-budget price tag.

Best value electric cars

Nissan Leaf

From £26,995

The price tag for the Nissan Leaf may put it at the mid-low entry point, but what it offers in return is hard to beat. The v2.0 brings back the majority of the tech from the original model, but the battery has been vastly improved and the overall visuals have been updated to meet Nissan’s high standards of design. It claims a staggering 239 mile range (with the E+ version) from one charge, making it ideal for longer drives and for everyday use.

Seat Mii Electric

From £22,745

With both its small frame and relatively low cost; The Seat Mii Electric is the ideal city car. It doesn’t boast quite as strong a range as some of the other models on the list - 111 miles on a full charge - but for day to day use it really is hard to beat at its price point. Sitting in car insurance group 12E, it’ll also be relatively cheap to insure compared to some of the more elaborate models in this list.

Best luxury electric cars

Jaguar I-Pace

From £65,620

Jaguar’s first EV offering may not come with the traditional shape that some buyers would prefer, but this SUV has some mighty credentials that are worthy of its price tag. It can be charged to almost maximum capacity in two hours and can comfortably handle a 250 mile journey at full battery. The interior comes with modern tech, including digital touch displays and climate settings, and is perfectly designed for an enjoyable and effortless ride.

Porsche Taycan

From £72,850

The Taycan does exactly what you’d expect from a Porsche EV. It provides fantastic acceleration and top speeds, corners like a greyhound, and has all the bells and whistles inside to keep even the most tech savvy of drivers entertained. With spec built to rival their petrol Turbos ranges, it’s no surprise that the Taycan comes with a very Porsche price tag.