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Compare the best small electric cars

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Rated 4.5/5 from 56,597 reviews
Last updated May 21, 2024 by Darren Cassey

Best small electric cars 2024

Electric cars are at their best when driving around town, electric motors silently whisking you in and out of traffic. However, many electric cars are big SUVs that can be intimidating to drive in the city – that’s why our expert reviews team has put together a list of the very best small electric cars.

There are plenty of advantages to sticking to city driving in an electric car, too. For example, you don’t have to worry about topping up the battery as often because journeys tend to be shorter, and with zero tailpipe emissions, they help reduce pollution too. However, most of the cars in this list are quiet and comfortable for motorway driving, too.

Here are the best small electric cars you can buy in 2024.

Volvo EX30
2024
Car Of The Year Award

1. Volvo EX30

10/10
Volvo EX30 review
Battery range up to 295 miles
The Volvo EX30 might be an SUV, but it’s certainly not big. You get the raised driving position of an SUV, though, which gives a great view of the road ahead, and the small dimensions mean it’s easy to navigate tight city streets. We like it so much it was crowned Carwow Car of the Year 2024, because it’s great value for money and really comfortable to drive. Like many of the cars in this list, though, it has a small boot and tight rear seats.
Smart #1
2024
Urban Living Award
Highly Commended

2. Smart #1

8/10
Smart #1 review
Battery range up to 273 miles
You might get tight rear seats in the Volvo EX30, but that’s not something you have to worry about in the Smart #1. It shares many of its mechanical bits with the Volvo, but the cabin feels much more spacious. It still has a small boot, but you can comfortably carry your mates in the back seats, and it’s much easier to fit a child seat. It’s not particularly thrilling to drive, even if you get the go-faster Brabus version, but the #1 is really comfortable and deals with bumps nicely.
Peugeot e-208

3. Peugeot e-208

8/10
Peugeot e-208 review
Battery range up to 254 miles
The Peugeot e-208 proves that small cars don’t need to be boring. It has ultra chic styling on the outside and feels suitably upmarket on the inside. It’s not cheap as far as 208s go, but when you consider its decent range and relatively spacious boot, it starts to make more sense.

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Nissan Leaf

4. Nissan Leaf

6/10
Nissan Leaf review
Battery range up to 239 miles
The Nissan Leaf was one of the original mainstream electric cars. Even today, it offers fantastic value when you consider it offers good range, a big boot and some impressive technology at a relatively low price. Passenger space lags behind alternatives and its infotainment is a little outdated, but it’s packed full of safety kit to add a little extra peace of mind on the road.
BYD Dolphin
2024
Smart Spender Award
Highly Commended

5. BYD Dolphin

8/10
BYD Dolphin review
Battery range up to 265 miles
For a proper left-field small electric car, the BYD Dolphin is worthy of consideration. Its design is incredibly plain and the interior quality is mixed, but it’s well-priced and you get decent kit for the cash. It’s also really spacious inside. Alternatives go further on a charge, but if you just want an affordable EV for cruising around the city, it’s a good option.
Kia Niro EV

6. Kia Niro EV

8/10
Kia Niro EV review
Battery range up to 285 miles
You might look at the Kia Niro EV and think it’s pushing the small EV premise a bit, but it actually has the same dimensions as the Nissan Leaf. This small SUV looks really cool, is relaxing to drive and comes packed with kit. It’s not the most exciting car to drive, but that’s less of an issue for city drivers. Kia also makes the Soul EV, which is a similar price and size, but offers quirkier styling.
Vauxhall Corsa Electric

7. Vauxhall Corsa Electric

6/10
Vauxhall Corsa Electric review
Battery range up to 222 miles
The Vauxhall Corsa is simple motoring at its best. The interior is functional rather than fashionable, and it’s not particularly fun to drive down a twisty road, but it’s really comfortable over bumps and actually feels as quiet and refined as a larger car on the motorway. Stick to lower trims, though – high-spec models are approaching £40,000, and there’s no way it’s posh enough to justify that price.
Fiat 500e

8. Fiat 500e

7/10
Fiat 500e review
Battery range up to 194 miles
The Fiat 500’s dinky retro looks work brilliantly with an electric powertrain. Its nippy performance and small dimensions make it incredibly easy to drive around town, and its funky styling inside and out will lift your mood even on the greyest day. It’s not the most comfortable nor practical, but it does the zero-emission city car thing really well.
Jeep Avenger Electric

9. Jeep Avenger Electric

7/10
Jeep Avenger Electric review
Battery range up to 249 miles
Want that rugged SUV aesthetic, but don’t want a big, cumbersome 4x4? The Jeep Avenger Electric is the perfect choice, because it manages to look ready for an outdoorsy weekend while also being small and stylish enough to be ideal for city life. It’s a bit noisy at higher speeds so long journeys can be tiring, though.
Citroen Ami

10. Citroen Ami

5/10
Citroen Ami review
Battery range up to 47 miles
If you’re really dedicated to getting a small car, look no further than the Citroen Ami. Actually, the Ami isn’t really a car at all, it’s a quadricycle. Anyway, its 28mph top speed means it really is limited to city driving, even before you consider its sub-50-mile range. It's impractical in almost every way, but if you just want something cheap and fun to drive around in – and want to make friends with everyone you pass – the Ami is certainly worth a look.

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More advice on electric cars

Electric cars FAQs

Electric cars are no doubt the future — and for many, it may be the right choice for you now. That’s not the case for everyone though, so use our fuel chooser to help you find the right type of car for you.

The plug-in car grant is a scheme designed to encourage people to buy zero-emission vehicles by applying a discount to the purchase price. Unfortunately, the Government cancelled the scheme for private buyers in June 2022 (though it was extended to March 2023 for people who had already ordered a car but were still waiting for it because of production delays). Now, the grant is only applicable to some wheelchair accessible vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, vans, trucks and taxis.

Some public chargers in the UK are available for free use, and these typically appear at supermarkets. That’s not the case with all though, so it’s worth checking out our electric charging point map to see free and paid-for chargers near you.

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