Best small electric cars 2025

MG4 

The MG4 is a great starting point, not just for this guide but for anyone looking to delve into small electric car life. 

With a big ol’ 329 miles of range and the choice of three trims (SE, Trophy and XPower), there’s an MG4 for everyone. They’re also happy in the city but can eat up motorway miles with minimal fuss.  

Plus, they may be small, but you can still pack a mighty amount of kit in its 363-litre boot. 

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, plus its incredible onboard EV technology.  

The range-topping La Prima model gets a 42kWh battery that’s good for 199 miles between charges, making it an ideal car to run about a city in. It’s simply brilliant at what the original 500 was designed for – darting in and out of small city streets.   

Some models even come with 85kW fast-charging capabilities that can ‘fill up’ your 500e from 0-80% in just 35 minutes.  

MINI Cooper Electric 

Based on the very popular MINI model, the Cooper 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 also has all the MINI charm you’d hope for.

In its best form, the Cooper Electric has a 250-mile range, which is plenty for city driving and longer motorway drives.   

Renault 5 

After 40 years, the Renault 5 is back and it’s as hip and back on-trend as corduroy and mullets.  

With its retro styling and genuinely engaging and fun driving dynamics, the Renault 5 is living proof that small electric cars can indeed be a blast (if you needed any more convincing). 

It gets a 250-mile range, a large (for its size) 326-litre boot and some nifty interior touches from Renaults of old. This is a fine car to consider for city life and beyond. 

Honda e 

The Honda e is the smallest car the Japanese carmaker has sold in the UK in recent years, and it’s one of its most sought-after models now.  

One of the main reasons it’s so popular is down to its cute looks and impressive interior tech. Also, because the huge touchscreens on the 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 range but makes up for it with its style and build quality. 

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 and design that’s been around for years.  

There are also lots of different trim levels on offer, ranging from the entry-level Allure to the range-topping GT trim.   

This Peugeot is powered by a 156hp electric motor that’s mated to a 51kW battery, which is enough to offer 268 miles of range on a single charge.   

If you use a 100kW rapid charger, you can charge your e-208 from 20-80% in around 30 minutes, whereas a standard home wall box charger will take around 7.5 hours to charge.  

Vauxhall Corsa Electric 

Much like the e-208 and Fiat 500e, the Vauxhall Corsa Electric sits on the same platform as its petrol-powered sibling.  

It actually has the same 156hp electric motor as the Peugeot e-208 and therefore offers the same charging speeds and on-road performance. This is due to Stellantis owning both brands and sharing the parts/love among the group. 

With this setup, the Vauxhall Corsa Electric can travel up to 266 miles on a single charge – a very respectable distance. 

Nissan LEAF 

One of the electric cars that has been on the scene for years but never ignored is the Nissan LEAF, which offers plenty of onboard safety kit, technology and good range. It just gets the job done without any fuss. 

The standard Nissan LEAF model is capable of up to 168 miles on a single charge, whereas the Leaf e+ with the larger 62kWh battery pack has a range of a healthy 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.   

VW ID.3 

Volkswagen was a little bit late to the mainstream small electric car game after its early attempts with the e-Golf and e-up!. 

But all you need to do is look at its new ID range to see just how serious they are. The VW ID.3 is one of the most attractive cars in its sector, not just looks-wise but for what it offers on the road. 

Range is an impressive 369 miles, and when the battery is running low, simply plug it in and charge up to 170kW (with Pro S models) to see 0-80% charge in around 30 minutes. 

Craig Hale, our motoring writer, said: "Nestled among a series of electric hatchbacks that weren’t purpose-built to be EVs, the VW ID.3 stands out as a seriously compelling option simply because of how practical it is as a family car.

"Beyond that, the selection of electric motors and batteries makes it a very versatile option, and for the most part, performance and range are strong."

Dacia Spring 

If you’re watching the pennies but still want an electric car that’s small, isn’t barebones in terms of tech and looks good, your best option is the Dacia Spring. 

Its stats may not be mind-bending but what it does offer is Renault-backed dependability, features and tech. 

Range is a claimed 140 miles, so it’s really best kept to in and around cities, but even if you wanted to venture further, you can always charge (at up to 30kW) along the way.