The arrival of full-size, daily-use electric cars has been a long time coming. They've now well and truly arrived, with more choices available to consumers than ever before. Many are SUVs because the battery pack is generally concealed in the floor, but there are several hatchbacks, sedans, and crossovers to select from as well.
Battery technology has advanced dramatically in recent years, lowering the cost of new EVs while also greatly reducing range anxiety. Although charging infrastructure is still limited, you won't need to use a public charger if you can charge at home.
This is a list of our top five electric cars for families, based on such factors as range, usability, driving dynamics, and value for money. Some EVs remain pricey in comparison to combustion-powered vehicles due to their high prices, but the expenses can be offset by lower operational costs.
It's unusual to see a list like this one dominated by Korean auto manufacturers Hyundai and Kia, but the pair have also succeeded in developing a variety of outstanding mainstream vehicles while also releasing electric versions of popular models quickly.
The Ioniq 5 is the first of these to be fully committed to EVs, and it's based on a unique EV model architecture with 800-volt electronic architecture. An 800v system allows for considerably faster charging, and only Porsche's Taycan and Audi E-Tron GT are doing something similar. We've got some seriously good competition here.
Skoda frequently wraps VW Group mechanicals in a more practical, roomier package that's even better value. So too is the Skoda Enyaq iV. It rides on the same VW Group MEB electric "skateboard" platform as the VW ID 3 and ID 4, as well as the Audi Q4 E-Tron, but with more interior space and a bigger boot.
The Q5 offers a spacious and well-considered cabin that compares favorably to the Audi's in terms of tangible quality and personalisation. During our road test, the chassis setup proved quite seasoned: it will not appeal to serious drivers, but it feels medium firm and fairly tightly controlled for confidence without any significant impact on range.
Kia has come closer than anybody to bringing genuine driver appeal to the market for usable, reasonably-priced "normal" electric vehicles. It has taken a state-of-the-art electric-specific model platform and clothed it in a beautiful body, added a spacious cabin, and finished the package with a keenly felt ride and handling delivered by all-wheel drive and air suspension.
The vehicle is available with three different trim levels, either single-motor rear-driven or twin-motor four-wheel drive. Power outputs range from 226 to 321 horsepower, with a high-performance GT version expected soon that will have approximately six hundred horsepower at its disposal (imagine that). In the car (where available), public rapid-charging up to 350 kW is possible.
The Blue Oval was late to the full-sized electric vehicle market, but it has nevertheless made a splash with its first battery-electric production model, which borrows its well-known Mustang sub-brand. The Mustang Mach-E isn't a square-jawed muscle coupe, though; it's a five-seater with an attractive, modern SUV-like design.
It's not as cheap as some key competitors, with prices starting at around £40,000 in the UK. If you want the 379-mile Extended Range version, which is WLTP-certified, you'll have to spend roughly £50,000. However, it's a genuine family automobile that outperforms premium rivals by up to 18 miles per charge.
The second Volkswagen SUV to be introduced on the MEB platform is the ID 4. It's a larger, more expensive automobile than its predecessor, but it will play an equally critical role in helping VW become a worldwide leader in electric vehicles. After all, the world is crazy for SUVs, and Volkswagen claims that because of its packaging, the ID 4 has the longest range of any electric SUV on sale.
The battery is located under the floor, which means the Golf Alltrack has a lot of cargo capacity (504 litres with seats up) and passenger space in the rear. In practice, it performs rather well. There's a lot of room upfront, and its 531-litre boot exceeds that of a Tiguan. Even better, since locating the battery under the floor lowers the car's centre of gravity, it drives and handles more like a conventional hatchback than an SUV.
Electric vehicles have far fewer moving parts than combustion-engine vehicles, so they require less maintenance. For example, there are no oil changes necessary with an electric vehicle. If you are in Greenville and do not know where your electric car can be serviced. You can find verified auto repairing with place finder in Greenville.
Electric vehicles also tend to have brakes that last longer because regenerative braking puts less wear and tear on them. In addition, electric motors are more durable than gas engines and don't require tune-ups. All of this adds up to lower maintenance costs for electric vehicle owners.