See all Motoring AdviceNo matter how much the sales staff drone on about daily average commutes and fast charging, the fact remains that the most useful electric cars – and therefore some of the most popular – are the ones that go the furthest between plugging in. It’s a safety net, but its importance to customers and those dithering about whether to take the plunge cannot be overstated.
Unfortunately, batteries don’t come cheap, and big batteries cost an awful lot of money. They also take up a lot of space, so finding small, cheap electric cars with big batteries takes some doing. Nevertheless, there are some sensibly priced cars that fit the bill, and we’ve listed some of the best here to help you narrow down your shortlist. All achieve more than 400km on a single charge, and all offer some of the best value of anything in their respective classes.
MG4 EV
It seems there’s no way of mentioning an electric vehicle without first referencing the mighty MG4 EV. Built with value in mind, it’s a Golf-sized family hatchback that just so happens to be powered by electricity. Customers get a choice of two battery sizes, imaginatively named Standard Range and Long Range, and though the €29,995 Standard Range is clearly the cheapest, both offer plenty of, erm, range…
For the princely sum of €33,495, the Long Range’s 64kWh battery will take you 450km on a single charge according to the official figures, and if you drive carefully in warm weather and don’t work the air conditioning too hard, you should be able to achieve 400km in the real world. Even the 51kWh Standard Range car promises 350km, although 300km is more realistic.
BYD Seal
At just over €44,000, the BYD Seal might not appear all that cheap, but what you’re getting in exchange for your hard-earned cash is quite remarkable. In Design form, it comes with an 82.5kWh battery pack that gives it a maximum range of 570km on the official efficiency test. Even if that only works out at 450-500km in the real world, that’s still a useful distance.
But there’s more to the Seal than just range. It’s a performance car, too, with a 313hp electric motor driving the rear wheels. And there’s a 530hp twin-motor version with all-wheel drive, which is capable of 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds. Add in the substantial standard equipment, including a 360-degree camera and a panoramic roof, and it suddenly looks like spectacular value.
Tesla Model 3
Tesla might think of itself as a semi-premium brand, but at just under €41,000, the Model 3 doesn’t have an especially premium price tag. The cool, smartly styled compact executive saloon comes with a choice of batteries, motor layouts and performance models, but even the cheapest rear-wheel-drive version manages 513km on the official economy test and gets from 0-100km/h in 6.1 seconds.
It’s a fast, efficient car, and though real-world range is closer to 450km on a full charge, it’ll still come with loads of cool technology and access to Tesla’s fantastic Supercharger network, which takes some of the stress out of electric vehicle charging. And with advanced driver assistance features on offer, the car can also take some of the stress out of driving.
Skoda Enyaq
Skoda has built its entire brand on value for money, so it’s no surprise that the Enyaq offers customers a compelling proposition. Even the basic ‘60’ model, which starts at just under €45,000, will do around 400km on a single charge, with the slightly more upmarket ‘85’ versions managing around 550km according to the official figures.
As you’d expect, equipment is plentiful, with a massive touchscreen, rear-view camera and big alloy wheels all included as standard. Two-zone climate control, loads of safety systems and even an umbrella in the driver’s-side door card all help to sweeten an already appealing deal for customers.
MG5 EV
It might sound as though MG has a bit of a stranglehold on the value market, but the fact is it keeps building great electric vehicles. The MG5 EV might not be the most exciting battery-powered product out there, but it’s roomy and reasonable to drive, as well as coming with lots of standard equipment. There’s only one battery size on offer, but buyers choose from two trim levels, both of which come with a reversing camera, navigation and various other goodies. Best of all, though, is the fact you can have a car with a 403km official range for just €29,995, and it’ll cover 350km on the road if you drive it sensibly. No wonder it has been a hit for the Chinese marque.
Kia Niro EV
It’s no surprise that a Kia features on this list following the success of the brand in Ireland, and its electric offering is already popular. So much so that the Niro EV is already in its second generation, and it’s better than ever. Futuristic styling and a comfy ride already put it ahead of the game, but range is a key part of its appeal, too.
Despite having a 204hp electric motor, the Niro EV will cover 460km on the official economy test and we’d expect most owners to manage around 400km or even more in the real world. It might not be especially cheap, but with lots of standard equipment including massive screens in the cabin and heaps of safety technology, it still represents terrific value for money.