Top 10 best small electric cars 2023
Small electric cars make a lot of sense for commuting, city life and slashing your running costs. Here, we pick out the best ones to buy in the UK right now...
Electric cars have come a long way since the infamous G-Wiz landed back in 2001, especially when it comes to the most compact EVs on the market. Thanks largely to improvements in terms of packaging and battery capacity, even the smallest electric cars offer a decent amount of range, with some even suitable for longer trips, too.
Plus, since small EVs have smaller batteries on board, charging them up is quick, and you can expect your running costs to be far cheaper than even the most economical small petrol cars. However, electric cars, even ones this size, are still more expensive to buy than their petrol-powered counterparts, so it’s worth considering the purchase price as well as the running costs when you buy.
But it’s only a matter of time before the gap closes, with sub-£25,000 EVs on the way from Volkswagen, Cupra and Renault, to name but a few. If you are concerned about cost, you can check out our list of the cheapest electric cars on sale right now – otherwise, here’s our round-up of the top 10 best small electric cars you can buy.
Make sure to check out the winners of the 2023 DrivingElectric Awards and our list of the best electric cars on sale as well, to see what’s impressed us the most over the past year – and don't forget to follow DrivingElectric on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for the very latest news and reviews.
1. Ora Funky Cat
Look past the questionable name and you’ll find Ora really has put the cat amongst the pigeons with its first foray into the UK market. The Ora Funky Cat is a fantastic small EV, even winning Best Urban Electric Car in the 2023 DrivingElectric Awards. Besides its eye-catching exterior, the Funky Cat is also rather good to drive and boasts a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating thanks to a plethora of safety features. You can only buy the flashy First Edition model at the moment, which offers a range of 193 miles on a single charge, however, there are more versions to come.
Read our full Ora Funky Cat review to find out more.
2. Fiat 500
The electric-only Fiat 500 tastefully updates the iconic city car’s charming looks, and features a cabin that's stylish and high-tech. While it might not quite offer the same retro vibes as its predecessor, the latest 500 offers a much better seating position than the car it replaces, with a smooth drive to make nipping around town a breeze. The Fiat 500 is one of the cheapest electric cars on sale, with a choice of two powertrains, offering 118 miles and 199 miles of range respectively. If speed is more important to you than style, a sporty Abarth 500e is arriving soon, too.
Read our full Fiat 500 review to find out more.
3. Peugeot e-208
The latest Peugeot 208 is one of the most stylish small cars on sale, and one that was designed from the outset to have electric power (along with its Vauxhall Corsa counterpart). The e-208 packs a punchy 134bhp electric motor, plus a 50kWh battery and will manage up to 224 miles of range; an updated version is on the way soon, potentially boosting range to 250 miles. The Peugeot’s suspension is a little too firm for our liking – especially on pothole-laden UK roads – but the e-208’s interior is a real highlight and feels like something pulled straight out of a concept car.
TrustpilotRead our full Peugeot e-208 review to find out more.
4. Kia Soul EV
Few small electric cars turn heads quite like the funky Kia Soul EV with its unique boxy shape and Stormtrooper-esque front-end design. The Soul’s interior may not quite match its distinctive exterior, but nonetheless everything feels well-screwed together and Kia’s infotainment system is one of the best on the market. Top-of-the-range models are expensive, but offer a superb range of up to 280 miles; base Urban models are much cheaper, but are best kept as city runarounds due to their 171-mile range.
Read our full Kia Soul EV review to find out more.
5. Peugeot e-2008
If you like the idea of the Peugeot e-208 but need a little more space, the e-2008 SUV offers this alongside a desirable high driving position. The Peugeot e-2008’s boot is over 100 litres larger than the e-208’s, while you can easily carry four adults in complete comfort. Under the metal, the e-2008 uses the same 50kWh battery pack as its hatchback sibling, for a range of up to 214 miles on a charge. Also like the e-208, 100kW rapid charging capability comes as standard, and a facelifted version with a bigger battery is on the way, too.
Read our full Peugeot e-2008 review to find out more.
6. Renault ZOE
Despite feeling a bit long in the tooth in certain areas, the Renault ZOE remains one of the very best small electric cars on sale. It offers an affordable route into long-range electric motoring and an overall package that’s hard to beat. The ZOE is well equipped, tidy to drive and nicely styled inside and out – we particularly like its Tesla-style portrait infotainment touchscreen. Our main criticism is that CCS rapid charging doesn’t come as standard, which is virtually unheard of on EVs nowadays. Regardless, the ZOE still has plenty of appeal and Renault’s superb five-year warranty does a lot to boost that further.
Read our full Renault ZOE review to find out more.
7. DS 3 E-Tense
The DS 3 E-Tense is essentially a posher, ‘Frencher’ version of the Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka Electric. It’s certainly more expensive than rivals, but the DS 3’s interior does feel a cut above in terms of material quality – even if the avant garde styling might not be for everyone. A facelift in 2023 added a larger 54kWh battery to extend range up to 249 miles on a single charge. On the road, the DS 3 is incredibly refined and is an ideal choice if you’re looking for a quiet and comfortable commuter vehicle.
Read our full DS 3 E-Tense review to find out more.
8. Vauxhall Corsa Electric
One of the UK’s best-selling cars is also available with electric power; the Vauxhall Corsa Electric is based on the same platform as the Peugeot e-208 and offers a similar 222-mile range, identical 0-62mph figure and 100kW maximum charging speed. Like the Peugeot, the Corsa Electric is in its element on urban roads as it can sprint from 0-31mph in just 3.1 seconds. It’s roughly the same price as the shaper looking e-208, but some may prefer the electric Corsa’s more understated design. Like the Peugeot, an updated version is just around the corner.
Read our full Vauxhall Corsa Electric review to find out more.
9. MINI Electric
With all of the style appeal of other MINI models and the addition of a zero-emission drivetrain, the funky MINI Electric is a very attractive proposition out of the box. It's best suited to urban motoring, as its range is less than 150 miles, while, as its name suggests, the MINI is pretty compact inside. Regardless, if you're after a stylish small electric car that's great fun to drive, the MINI is one of the best there is.
Read our full MINI Electric review to find out more.
10. Vauxhall Mokka Electric
Vauxhall's Mokka Electric shares its underpinnings with the electric version of the Vauxhall Corsa, as well as the plug-in Peugeot e-208. That means a 50kWh battery, 209-mile claimed range, 134bhp electric motor and 100kW rapid charging. Those familiar parts don't stop the compact electric SUV from having its own character, though; it's a good-looking, comfortable car – if not quite as good to drive as its Peugeot counterpart.
Read our full Vauxhall Mokka Electric review to find out more.
Wildcard: Citroen Ami
Strictly speaking, the ultra-compact Citroen Ami isn't a car – it's classified as a 'heavy quadricycle' – but if you genuinely only need something small for nipping around locally carrying not much luggage, it might fit the bill. You can charge its 5.5kWh battery from a regular household socket in a few hours and it'll take you over 40 miles at nearly 30mph if you do. The interior is basic at best, but there's no arguing with the price.
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