Best electric hatchback cars and small EVs
Whether you want a small car for its lower price, tighter proportions or general convenience, they certainly have their perks.
But one type of smaller car that we really like is electric city cars because they are cheap to run, often more affordable to purchase, easier to drive around, and suit city life down to the ground.
Plus, electric vehicles (EVs) usually come packed with tech and modern features.
Here are our favourite small electric cars you can buy in 2024.
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Fiat 500e
The Fiat 500e is one of the most popular electric city cars on the used market because of how much you get for your money and its incredible onboard EV technology.
The range-topping model gets a 42kWh battery that’s good for a 199-mile WLTP range, making it an ideal car to run about a city in – harking back to its traditional Fiat roots.
Some models even come with 85kW fast-charging capabilities that can ‘fill up’ your 500e from 0-80% in just 35 minutes.
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Mini Electric
Based on the very popular Mini models, the Mini electric is – you guessed it – an all-electric Mini based on its Hatchback model, and it’s taken the UK by storm.
Like its petrol-powered counterpart, the Mini Electric is a very capable hatchback that’s responsive, quick, comfortable, and easy to drive. It’s an all-round very solid vehicle.
In its best form, the Mini Electric has a 145-mile WLTP range, which is plentiful for city driving and for the occasional longer motorway drive.
Watch our Mini Electric Cooper S review
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Honda e
The Honda E is the smallest car the Japanese carmaker sells in the UK, and it’s one of its most sought-after models.
One of the main reasons it’s so popular is down to its cute looks and impressive interior tech, which includes a range of large touchscreens that can double-up as a virtual fish tank or display for your Xbox – no, seriously, you can connect a gaming console to this car.
With a full battery, the 154hp Honda e Advance can travel up to 125 miles on a single charge, meaning it may not be the best in its class for distance but makes up for it with its style and build quality.
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Renault Zoe
The Renault Zoe is considered one of the staples in the world of electric vehicles because it’s been around for years and is an all-round solid vehicle.
On a full charge, you can expect the Renault Zoe to return up to 238 miles of range, meaning it’s excellent on both longer trips and shorter journeys around town.
It shares a lot of its charm with the larger and very popular Renault Clio hatchback, and despite being small, still offers plenty of space for four people.
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Peugeot e-208
The second French entry on this list is the Peugeot e-208, which is an all-electric version of the standard 208 model. This means it’s sitting on a tried-and-tested platform that’s been around for years.
There’s also lots of different trim levels on offer, ranging from the entry-level Allure to the range-topping GT trim.
This used Peugeot is powered by a 136hp electric motor that’s mated to a 50kW battery, which is enough to offer 217 miles of range on a single charge.
If you use a fast charger, you can fill up your e-208 in 30 minutes, whereas a standard home wall box charger will take around 7.5 hours to charge.
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Smart EQ Fortwo
Everyone knows what a Smart car is, right? It’s a comically-small city car that’s surprisingly roomy inside and comfortable too, but what’s not so funny is how serious the brand is about electric cars.
Smart hasn’t missed a beat with its EQ Fortwo. This fun little car is great around town and hardly costs anything to run at all thanks to its backing from Mercedes.
It may not get the most range in the world at 81 miles, but for city driving it’s more or less perfect.
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Vauxhall Corsa-e
Much like the e-208, Smart EQ Fortwo, Mini Electric, and Fiat 500e, the Vauxhall Corsa-e sits on the same platform as its petrol-powered Corsa sibling.
It actually has the same 136hp electric motor as the Peugeot e-208, and therefore offers the same charging speeds and on-road performance.
With this set-up, the Vauxhall Corsa Electric can travel up to 222 miles on a single charge – a very respectable distance.
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BMW i3
The BMW i3 is one of those cars that’s often misunderstood, because it doesn’t look all that conventional, but it’s actually one of the best little electric cars on the market.
The average range offered by the i3 is up to 153 miles on a single charge, which is more than enough for most people’s daily commute – and may even last them a few days to a week, depending on their use.
Aside from its attractive price point and size, another benefit of the i3 range is BMW’s attention to detail in the cabin.
Keeping with the environmental theme, every i3 comes with sustainable materials such as carbon fibre-reinforced plastic for its overall structure and a range of fabrics and wood throughout the interior.
You can be even more environmentally conscious by buying a used BMW rather than a brand-new model.
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Nissan Leaf
One of the electric cars that has been on the scene for years is the Nissan Leaf, which offers plenty of on-board safety kit, technology, and excellent range.
On the range side of things, the standard Nissan Leaf (150hp) model is capable of travelling up to 168 miles on a single charge, whereas the Leaf e+ (217hp) with a larger 62kWh battery pack has a range of 239 miles.
When it comes to charging, the Leaf has fast-charging capabilities, which means you can get from 20% to 80% battery in around an hour – very impressive for an older electric city car.
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Kia Soul EV
The Kia Soul is a bit of a pioneer in the all-electric automotive space, coming out all the way back in 2014.
Every model is powered by a 64kWh battery that can be fully charged at a 7kW home wall box charger overnight or in about an hour if you use a faster 50kW charger.
The interior space in this Kia is good too, with only one trim being available that comes with leather seats, a leather steering wheel and a solid infotainment system with a 10-inch landscape screen.
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