The top 10 best small electric cars 2024

While SUVs are the car of choice at present, small cars remain popular thanks to their cheaper initial costs.

Because of their smaller proportions, they’re lighter and more efficient, and while they can’t match SUVs and saloons for space and practicality, they are the ideal urban commuter.

Not long ago, a small electric hatchback wouldn’t have been a viable option for those wanting to go electric. Large, expensive battery packs were therefore best suited to large segments, hence the influx of electric SUVs.

Now, however, there are a number of small electric cars on sale today that offer excellent range at a competitive price. And they bring all the benefits of an EV, too, such as brisk acceleration and quiet motoring, but in a compact package. 

But which models should you actually buy? Here – in no particular order – are our favourite small electric cars that you should consider when making the switch to an EV. 

Vauxhall Corsa Electric

The Corsa Electric was given a mid-life refresh last year to boost its position as one of the most popular superminis on sale, and fend off rivals like the technically-related Peugeot e-208 and retro-styled Fiat 500e. 

Like the e-208, there’s a choice of batteries: the marginally smaller 50kWh unit promises up to 221 miles of range, while the 51kWh yields 248 miles on a single charge. 

Plug the Corsa into a 100kW charging device and you should be able to boost the battery from 10-80% in less than 30 minutes. 

The Snapdragon-powered infotainment screen is a neat addition to the Corsa, being responsive and easy to use. The interior is more austere than the Peugeot e-208, but it’s logically configured and you get physical buttons alongside the touchscreen.

MG 4

Most new EV buyers will be drawn to familiar brands like Mini and Fiat, and while these European car makers offer two excellent electric supermini’s, they can’t match the MG 4 when it comes to value for money.

The MG is much cheaper than the Mini Cooper E and Fiat 500e – and if you go for the mid-level SE Long Range you can travel further, too, with the MG capable of travelling up to 281 miles on a charge.

It’s fairly practical for a small car, and there is lots of room in the front, even for taller passengers, and there are some handy cubby holes and storage compartments dotted around the cabin. Rear head and leg room is good, too.

Some of the materials feel cheap, with a lot of elements finished with scratchy plastics, and the infotainment screen can be a little fiddly to operate on the move. 

Honda E

Honda’s first mainstream EV arrived in 2020 and immediately found success thanks to its compact size and tech-laden interior. Powered by a 35.5kWh battery, the Honda doesn't stand out for its range - a WLTP figure of 136 miles means you’ll only manage around 100 miles in the real world. 

It has independent suspension all-round, meaning it rides and handles well, and overall it feels refined and composed to drive around town.

Inside, the Honda majors on technology, with the 12.3in touchscreen display being the headline act. The E also uses digital mirrors which are displayed through 6.0in screens, and while they take a bit of getting used to, they add to the Honda’s futuristic cabin. 

While the Honda is pleasant to drive and has a refined interior, it is significantly more expensive than rivals. 

Peugeot e-208

The Peugeot e-208 is one of the most popular cars in Europe – and when you consider its looks, range, standard equipment and reasonable price, it's easier to see why. 

Last year the e-208 was facelifted, gaining a refreshed and modern exterior look and a revised battery and motor line-up. You can have a 50kWh battery paired with a 134bhp motor, which promises a range of up to 224 miles, or a 51kWh battery and 154bhp motor, which has a claimed range of 249 miles. 

The cabin is well-appointed, with upmarket materials used throughout, and there’s a crisp digital drivers display and infotainment screen angled towards the driver. 

There’s plenty of power available from the electric motor and it rides over potholes and other road imperfections better than most rivals.

Mini Cooper SE

The first-generation Mini Cooper Electric was fun to drive, but fell short of the mark for range and efficiency. Mini has sought to address these issues for the new version, and on paper at least, the BMW-owned brand has delivered on its promise. 

Two versions are available, the Cooper E and the Cooper SE. The entry-level E uses a 181bhp front-mounted electric motor and 40.7kWh battery for a range of up to 190 miles. The SE, meanwhile, develops 215bhp and gets a larger 54.2kWh and can travel up to 249 miles on a charge.

Pleasingly, the new Mini Cooper EV  – albeit heavier than the previous model – has plenty of performance to entertain, rides well and handles keenly, with the body kept well in check through the bends. 

The interior feels pretty good, too, with improved digital tech and materials. The circular central display is crisp and graphically impressive, but it could be better laid-out and some more physical buttons would help control certain functions. 

Fiat 500e

We’re fans of the 500e because of its excellent range, good standard equipment and reasonable price. 

The fully electric 500 arrived in 2020 and launched with a choice of batteries. Prices start from £28,195 for the 24kWh model, but it's the 42kWh version you’ll want to go for, because it promises a range of up to 199 miles – it is £3000 more expensive, however.

Packed full or retro-charm, the zippy 500e is the perfect companion for suburban roads, with the 116bhp electric motor, light steering and minimal body roll combining for a fun driving experience. 

While the materials inside are a mixed bag, the 500e’s cabin is well-configured, with a straightforward infotainment screen and comfortable seats – rear space still isn’t great for adults. 

Jeep Avenger

If you want your small EV to have an SUV-like feel, the Jeep Avenger brings the best overall package. 

In reality, the Jeep’s seating position delivers the feel of a hatchback rather than a compact SUV, but its boxy design and small proportions makes it the ideal commuter for city dwellers. Pleasingly, it's a capable long-distance cruiser, too, despite its short 245-mile range. 

The ride is ok at higher speeds, but the Avenger can often be caught out by sharper edges and potholes around town. Inside, there are a lot of cheap scratchy plastics, and there isn’t much room for passengers in the back. 

BYD Dolphin

If you’re looking to go electric on a budget, but still want good range and space, then the BYD Dolphin could be a sensible choice.

Powered by a 60.4kWh battery, the Dolphin promises a range of up to 265 miles, and can be charged at a slightly disappointing peak rate of 88kW, meaning a 10-80% boost takes around 40 minutes. You can have a slightly cheaper 44.4kWh battery, which can travel up to 211 miles on a charge. 

Considering its small proportions, the BYD is impressively spacious inside, with a flat floor improving rear space for passengers. The seats are comfortable, and it rides pretty well over lumps and bumps. 

While it presents excellent value for money, it’s not without its flaws inside. The screen is a bit illogical in its layout and can suffer from some latency issues. The materials used inside aren’t great either, and smell very strongly of plastic. 

Abarth 500e

The Abarth 500e might be a more outlandish choice - especially finished in Acid Green paint. But when it comes to small electric cars, this tiny electric hot hatchback will certainly put a smile on your face.

Granted, it is rather pricey, with the Abarth starting from £34,195 -  but Abarth does offer its own £3000 grant, so you’ll pay just over £31,000 for a new model.

Being a sporty alternative to the Fiat, the Abarth 500e comes with 37bhp more than the standard car, for a total output of 153bhp, and develops 174lb ft of torque. 

For a more visceral feel, the Abarth has its own ‘exhaust’ note which is played through a speaker on the outside of the car. It can be a bit of a drone at a cruise, but it adds a bit of fun to the driving experience. 

Citroën Ami

A radical choice, but when you understand what the Ami has to offer, it could be a viable runaround for those living in the city in need of a tiny commuter vehicle. 

The Ami isn’t actually a car: at 2410mm long, 1390mm wide and 1520mm tall, it's so small and cute it’s classed as a quadricycle. 

Range is up to 46 miles and the top speed is limited to 28mph, so it does have its limitations – and even though its proportions are small, it’s not quite narrow enough to scythe through built-up traffic like you could on a bike or motorcycle.

For less than £8000 you don’t get much in terms of standard kit – and there’s only two seats, with rather cheap materials used throughout. Still, if you only cover short distances and want to be kept dry on your trip to work, the Ami is a credible option. 

Coming soon - Renault 5

When Luca De Meo walked into Renault as the firm’s new CEO, he took one look at the 5 hatchback and immediately decided this would be the brand's future electric supermini. 

Mixing the retro-charm of the original 5 with modern design cues, the stylish new Renault will arrive towards the end of the year, and will be offered with a choice of batteries and electric motors. 

It's also set to cost less than key rivals from Mini and Fiat, with Renault targeting a £25,000 starting price. 

Coming soon - Dacia Spring

Priced from £14,995, the new Dacia Spring become one of the cheapest electric cars on sale in the UK when it lands at the end of 2024. 

With a small battery promising 137 miles of range, the Spring won’t be a car for big commutes, but for nipping to the shops and taking the kids to school, its low price will appeal to many after a cheap second car.