Top 10 best electric cars for dog owners 2024
Tired of working like a dog to find the ideal EV for you and your furry friend? We list the best models
Dog owners looking for the perfect electric car can find the search challenging, with so many options available and little advice tailored to pet-friendly travel. With over a third of UK households having a four-legged family member, it’s essential to consider your dog’s comfort and safety when choosing a new car, electric or otherwise.
The quietness and smoothness of electric powertrains provide a relaxing experience for dogs, minimising stress from traditional engine noise and vibrations. Effective climate control and ventilation are also crucial, as dogs can overheat quickly. Features like rear air vents and even ‘dog mode’ settings like Tesla’s, which keep the vehicle cool even when parked, help ensure your pet stays comfortable.
When exploring the range of electric cars as a dog owner, consider practicalities such as whether a dog crate fits in the boot, if the car’s height allows easy access for your particular breed of dog, and whether it has safety features like tether points for harnesses. Finding the right fit will ensure you and your dog enjoy safe, stress-free journeys.
Best electric cars for dog owners on sale now
Here we run down the top 10 best electric cars for dog owners that will keep your pup wagging its tail in approval. If you're after something practical for the family but don’t need to consider a four-legged friend, take a look at our list of the best electric family cars you can buy. After all, not everyone needs to cater for a canine co-pilot.
1. Tesla Model Y
- Prices from £46,990
- Maximum WLTP combined range: 373 miles
- Boot capacity: 854 litres
The Tesla Model Y is one of the UK’s best-selling electric cars, and we also think it's the best in show in our list of the top electric cars for dog owners. Boasting a big rear boot and a decent-sized frunk that’s perfect for storing dog leads, what truly sets the Model Y (and all Teslas for that matter) apart is Dog Mode. This allows you to set the cabin temperature and subsequently lock the car and walk away with your dog comfortably relaxing inside. There’s no need to worry about vigilantes needlessly breaking into your car to save your dog, either; the Model Y’s expansive 15-inch touchscreen displays a cute graphic to say the temperature is just right and that you’ll be back soon – a paw-sitively brilliant feature for busy owners.
Read our full Tesla Model Y review to find out more.
2. Skoda Enyaq
- Prices from £36,970
- Maximum WLTP combined range: 339 miles
- Boot capacity: 585 litres
The Skoda Octavia was rated the best car for dog owners by our sister publication, Auto Express – but what if you’re after something with a zero-emission powertrain? Well, its electric sibling, the Skoda Enyaq SUV, is a good alternative. Not only does it have a massive boot and several of Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ features, the Enyaq is also available with the same Skoda-branded ‘dog seatbelt’ harness as the Octavia. Big-battery Enyaq 80 models have a maximum range of 339 miles, which is ideal if you’re looking to take your dog on holiday.
Read our full Skoda Enyaq review to find out more.
3. Citroen e-Berlingo
- Prices from £31,135
- Maximum WLTP combined range: 213 miles
- Boot capacity: 775 litres
If you’ve got a big dog but a modest budget, then the Citroen e-Berlingo may be a good choice for you. The van-based MPV boasts a cavernous 775 litres of boot space in regular form, with the larger XL model boosting this to over 1,000 litres with five of the seven seats in place. While many cars with such large boots are SUVs, the e-Berlingo has a more traditional ride height, meaning it’s easier for smaller and/or less mobile dogs to hop inside. Citroen’s air-cushion suspension should be comforting to more nervous individuals, plus an interior filled with hard plastics is sure to stand the test of time, despite not feeling the most luxurious.
Read our full Citroen e-Berlingo review to find out more.
4. BMW i5 Touring
- Prices from £69,945
- Maximum WLTP combined range: 344 miles
- Boot capacity: 570 litres
If you're looking for a premium electric dog car, few cars can top the BMW i5 Touring. This BMW provides a comfortable experience, ensuring your dog stays relaxed, with minimal cabin noise and suspension that smooths out bumps remarkably well, considering the car's size and weight.
There's no need to worry about your dog's size either, thanks to the spacious 570-litre boot, which can accommodate pets of all shapes and sizes. When you're not chauffeuring your furry companion, the i5 Touring handles corners superbly, offering a comfortable interior filled with tech and plush materials, while still having plenty of space for the entire family.
Read all the information on the BMW i5 Touring to find out more.
5. Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
- Prices from £96,800
- Maximum WLTP combined range: 381 miles
- Boot capacity: 446 litres
A greyhound amongst a bunch of St Bernards, the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is the best car to take your dog to the races – the ones where you drive, that is. With deft handling to match even the 911 sports car, plus powertrains ranging from fast to ballistic, Porsche’s first electric car is enough to impress even the most die-hard petrolheads. Thanks to its estate body, the Taycan Cross Turismo is practical enough to transport the entire family and the pup, plus branded dog cages are also available if you absolutely must match your pooch to your Porsche.
Read our full Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo review to find out more.
6. Volvo EX40
- Prices from £44,601
- Maximum WLTP combined range: 343 miles
- Boot capacity: 410 litres
While we can’t guarantee your four-legged friend will go barking mad for the EX40’s stylish minimalist interior, there are several reasons why going Swedish for your next EV is a shrewd choice if you’re a dog owner. Like Skoda (above), Volvo makes its own special dog harness to make sure your pet doesn’t go ‘walkies’ round the cabin. The EX40 is also available with a metal mesh cargo area divider to make sure your hound doesn’t think the rear seats are something to hurdle over – unquestionably distracting while you’re driving along.
Read our full Volvo EX40 review to find out more.
7. Vauxhall Astra Electric Sports Tourer
- Prices from £36,145
- Maximum WLTP combined range: 255 miles
- Boot capacity: 516 litres
If you’re looking for an electric, dog-friendly car that isn’t an SUV or MPV but can’t quite stretch to a premium model, the Vauxhall Astra Electric Sports Tourer is a great choice. As an electric estate, it offers a spacious 516-litre boot and an electric range of over 250 miles.
You won’t need to worry about noise disturbing your fur-babies either, thanks to minimal road roar and a near-silent motor. The Astra also comes equipped with automatic LED headlights, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and cruise control, making your journeys more comfortable. Plus, you are likely to be offered strong PCP finance deals from this manufacturer, making the Vauxhall Astra Electric Sports Tourer an even more attractive prospect.
Read our full Vauxhall Astra Electric Sports Tourer review to find out more.
8. Volkswagen ID. Buzz
- Prices from £59,035
- Maximum WLTP combined range: 293 miles
- Boot capacity: 1,121 litres
If you’ve got a big dog but are looking for something with a bit more style than the Citroen e-Berlingo offers, then the retro Volkswagen ID. Buzz might be just the people carrier for you and your pooch. It’s only available in five-seat form at the moment – that’s no issue, though, as the ID. Buzz boasts a cavernous 1,121-litre boot, which should be enough to carry almost any dog breed in comfort. The load lip is pretty low which means even our less mobile four-legged friends can hop in with no problem, plus a 293-mile range and lots of standard kit means it’s a useable family car, too
Read our full Volkswagen ID. Buzz review to find out more.
9. Kia Niro EV
- Prices from £37,325
- Maximum WLTP combined range: 285 miles
- Boot capacity: 451 litres
The Kia Niro EV is an attractive family car in its own right; a competitive range figure, a slick technology setup, attractive looks and a seven-year warranty make the Kia a hard proposition to resist. However, a roomy 451-litre boot also makes the Niro EV a solid choice for dog owners – especially if they aren’t after something too big. While many electric cars have firm suspension to deal with the extra weight of the batteries, the Niro’s setup is pretty supple, which should make it suitable for more nervous dogs and their owners, too.
Read our full Kia Niro EV review to find out more.
10. MG4 EV
- Prices from £26,995
- Maximum WLTP combined range: 323 miles
- Boot capacity: 363 litres
We here at DrivingElectric admit that electric cars can still be pretty expensive. The majority of the models costing under £30,000 are all small city cars that aren’t really suited to dog owners – that is, other than our 2023 Car of the Year, the MG4. The MG is roughly the size of a Volkswagen Golf, which makes it spacious enough for the whole family – including the dog. It drives well, too, and is available with several different powertrains depending on your needs and budget; there’s an Extended Range version that can do 323 miles on a charge, as well as a high-performance MG4 XPower model that does 0-62mph in just 3.8 seconds.
Read our full MG4 EV review to find out more.
Top 10 best cars for dog owners 2024
Recommended
EV Deal of the Day: sharp-looking MG4 EV for £187 per month
Best seven-seater electric and hybrid cars 2024
Most Popular
New DS No8 promises a big 465-mile range and super-fast charging
MINI Aceman review
Best hybrid sports cars 2025