We are living in a changing world, and electric vehicles are slowly replacing petrol and diesel cars. In 2020, sales of diesel cars numbered 108,205, but in 2021 they reached 190,727, which is nearly double. I'm impressed by that growth.


What is it about plugging in that makes people want to do it more often? It seems like there is a new EV model launched every day - every day, there are new EVs on the market. Electric cars are becoming more affordable - some of the best values and cheapest electric cars represent significant cost savings. Whether you want an electric SUV or a sports car, there are models for any taste.


There are still concerns about the battery life of electric cars and the charging times of electric cars, but they are slowly fading with the advent of the longest-range electric cars, which virtually eliminate range anxiety.


For those thinking about going electric, here are our picks of the best electric cars of 2022. We present unbiased, helpful advice in the following article based on our journalists' testing of every electrified vehicle on the market today.


The best electric cars 2022:


  • Taycan by Porsche.
  • Ioniq 5 from Hyundai.
  • EV6 from Kia.
  • An i4 BMW.
  • This is MG4.
  • Model 3 from Tesla.
  • Tech version of the Renault Megane.
  • Two Polestars.
  • Enyaq from Skoda.
  • EQS Mercedes-Benz.
  • iX by BMW.
  • A Fiat 500 electric vehicle.

Click the links above to jump to your favorite EV, or continue reading to see our complete list of EVs.


Picking an electric car:


What you need to know about electric car batteries


Vehicles with the longest ranges of electric power


When it comes to charging electric cars, how much does it cost?


Advice and news about electric cars


Within a decade, the UK will ban the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Consumers now have a greater choice as carmakers rush to produce more EVs to reduce CO2 emissions.


What to look for in an EV:


There are a variety of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) out there, and the best EV for you will depend on several factors, including how much you drive per day, where you can charge your car, and whether you live near a charging station. Electric cars are useless if the infrastructure isn't capable of supporting them, or if the user isn't appropriate.


Are you looking for the best pure electric car? Our guides are conveniently categorized by vehicle type below, so browse through them. Here, we simply list our favorite electric cars of 2022 without taking body type into account.


1. Fiat 500 Electric (from £23,835):



Despite the aging 500's batteries, Fiat has completely redesigned the latest model - the 500 Electric is a completely new model. Although the rear seats are still cramped and the boot is rather small, the 500 Hybrid is marginally larger than the combustion-engined 500 that still lumbers on 15 years after launch. Nevertheless, compact dimensions come with a price. A smaller-cell, 115-mile WLTP range is available for the Action, whereas a larger-cell, 199-mile range is available for the Action. In addition, it offers decent handling and punchy performance, making it a far superior drive to the 500 Hybrid. As well as looking great and being reasonably priced (for an EV), it also has a powerful motor. Parkers' Best Small Electric Car for 2023 is also featured on this website.


2. BMW iX (from £69,905):



There's no mistaking the BMW iX for any other car, regardless of how you feel about its nose or rear overhang. The new electric SUV has been developed with a lot of engineering effort, which is good news for Munich. A 305-mile range is tested on the XDrivce50 model, while its 0-62mph time is a result of the motors and/or friction. Probably the most intriguing feature of BMW's new iX is the way it looks. While it is a dramatic departure from BMW's recent radical design (even by its standards), it still has enough of the brand's DNA to hold together. Despite being expensive, this SUV is spacious and of high quality.


3. Mercedes EQS (from £99,995):



The Mercedes EQS is the electric version of the Mercedes S-Class, as its name implies. With a bespoke electric architecture that best packages a massive battery for a nearly 500-mile range and maximizes interior space, the EQS is unlike some other EQ-badged cars (such as EQA, EQB, EQC, and EQV) sharing a platform with an internal combustion equivalent. Comfortable ride, impressive performance, and impressive range. Besides being able to carry a lot of people, this gigantic hatchback can also tote loads very efficiently. A tech-fest of a vehicle interior is made even more opulent with flashy trim, touchscreen displays, and supple leather. The price is also high…


4. Skoda Enyaq (from £34,850):



Considering the entry price of the Skoda Enyaq is under £35,000, this bodes well for the lower-powered models to come. It has great comfort and is well-sorted for a comfortable drive, making it appealing to a wide variety of drivers. A Skoda Enyaq iV is friendlier, more luxurious, and looks better inside and out than a Kia e-Niro - which is very good for Skoda and is most worrying for Volkswagen. This is the family EV you've been looking for if you need a practical and spacious vehicle.


5. Polestar 2 (from £39,900):




A mid-sized EV buyer would be wise to add the Polestar 2 to their shopping list. From Sweden's Volvo, Polestar has carried over its Scandi chic design values and quality into its more progressive, modern design, but wrapped in a more progressive, modern aesthetic. Powered by Google's first Android operating system, the car has no buttons (does this sound familiar, Tesla?) and uses the Google Assistant or touchscreens to operate. There are two battery sizes available for front-wheel drive models with the potent twin-motor only available with the larger pack. Besides looking slick and feeling great to drive, the optional Performance pack rides well, too. Our experience with the Polestar 2 over the past half-year has shown that this vehicle can reliably cover 200 miles without needing to recharge.


6. Renault Megane E-Tech Electric (from £31,000):



We have only driven the prototype of the reinvented electric Megane, but the VW ID.3 should worry us. In its transformation from a front-wheel drive hatchback to an SUV, this front-wheel drive hatchback has gained plenty of SUV attitude. Available with 129 horsepower and 186 miles of range, or with 215 horsepower and 292 miles of range. Considering how good it drives and how spacious it is, it's worth shortlisting, particularly if the price matches what is promised. Awarded Best Medium Electric Car at Parkers' 2023 New Car Awards, the car also won the Best Compact Electric Car award.


7. Tesla Model 3 (from £40,490):



Among the most popular electric cars in the UK, the Model 3 has cemented its position. Few drivers will likely be disappointed with this Tesla even when it comes in entry-level form - as the base model boasts a 305-mile range and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in a mere 5.8 seconds. In addition, it is equipped with an Autopilot drive assistance system that ensures a comfortable journey no matter how long it is. With all-wheel drive and increased range, the Long Range dual-motor version can cover 374 miles in just 4.2 seconds and has a 0-60mph time that's faster than most sports cars. At the top of the range, the Performance drops the time to 3.1 seconds and the range to 340 miles. We'd recommend the larger Model Y if you'd like something more practical, though it does come with some limitations. We recently tested the Kia EV6 in a group test, and its bigger brother, the Model Y, came up short.


8. MG 4 EV (from £25,995):



It has always been MG's best electric cars, but they've been dull, dull things that didn't do anything to improve the brand's reputation as a Chinese knockoff maker. Mulan is another name for the 4, which is sold in other countries. A scalable electric platform underpins this all-new vehicle, which includes an Extended Range model as well as a 443bhp, AWD electric hot hatchback. A VW ID.3 entry-level model would cost ten grand more than a CC, and with finance packages that look enticing, it's a great deal. There is something remarkable about this electric car - it's not just a good cheap electric car, it's a good electric car period.


9. BMW i4 (from £51,905):



There are different approaches to electric power with the BMW i4 compared to the BMW i3, i8, or iX. Although the BMW i3 may not look as innovative on the outside as other BMW I models, it is easily one of the best electric cars on the market at the moment. Both the eDrive40 and M40 are rear-wheel drive vehicles, with a combined power of 335bhp and a range of 367 miles. The M40, on the other hand, is an all-electric vehicle with 537bhp and the first ever by BMW. Here, you won't find any carbon fiber like in the iX, but you'll find the same Gen5 BMW electric drive tech. Even so, you won't care when you're behind the wheel; both i4s react with an instant thrust that reminds you of computer games when you press the accelerator. The car has many core BMW characteristics, regardless of choice: good steering, great ride and handling balance, a well-designed, user-friendly interior, and plenty of power.


10. Kia EV6 (from £40,945):



In addition to the single-motor two-wheel drive version, Kia's flagship EV6 also comes in a twin-motor four-wheel drive version. A majority of regular models are WLTP-tested to have a range of over 300 miles, with the hot 577bhp EV6 GT having a range of up to 400 miles. Even lesser models are well-handled, with good performance and a comfortable ride. Its size is similar to that of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, on which it is based, so room for rear and front passengers is plentiful. Families will find it a perfect choice thanks to its spacious boot. In addition, Parkers have named it their Large Electric Car of the Year for 2023.


11. Hyundai Ioniq 5 (from £37,420):



Creating a car that combines retro-inspired styling with futuristic design touches, Hyundai has upped the ante with the Ioniq 5. The entry-level 58kWh battery with a range of 238 miles would be better skipped in favor of the 72.6kWh four-wheel drive package with twin motors. In comparison to single-motor models, it has a much greater range of 285 miles and a 0-62mph time of 5.2 seconds. Despite the slight body roll, it's still fun to drive once you get used to it due to its comfortable ride.


12. Porsche Taycan (from £72,850):



It is a technical achievement of the highest order to create the Porsche Taycan. With supreme alacrity, it accelerates, brakes, and rounds corners as we all enjoy driving, while also offering a huge reservoir of capability that is untapped by normal driving. Aside from Porsche's top-of-the-line Turbo, Turbo S, and 4S, the company offers cheaper, rear-wheel drive variants. Prices start at £72,850 for the Taycan today.


Electric cars: more buying advice:


Considering a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is an alternative if you plan to drive an electric car for longer distances. Check that your local motorways and trunk roads support charging en route or consider other options, such as a PHEV. Battery-powered cars are ideal for situations where pure electric range just isn't enough, and they provide a get-out-of-jail-free card.


Check out our separate explainer here for more information on the best hybrids.


As it stands, most electric car owners rarely have to charge their batteries in public. They will be able to take care of most of their driving needs just by charging overnight at home if they have off-street parking and can charge at home.


EV maker Nio is even the first to offer battery swap stations, where a robot replaces your depleted battery with a fully charged one within five minutes.


As for road tax, electric cars are exempt for now, so you'll save even more money every year. You should also check out our explanation of how VED car tax favors EVs here - and our guide to company car tax here.


Electric car prices


The cost difference between EVs and petrol and diesel vehicles today might be wider than it is in the future, but it is narrowing. Among the models offered by Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Mini, petrol and electric options can be found at similar prices.


Even more shocking are leasing prices. A cheap electric car will generally cost the same amount to lease as a cheap petrol car, but the cost will vary wildly depending on the car. For around £200 per month and with the same terms, Renault Clios and Zoes are available on the market.


What would we recommend? Be sure to do the math before plugging in. If your usage patterns and energy bills work out, then EVs might be right for you. They are more expensive up front, but if they make sense for your lifestyle, they might be the right choice.


Further electric reading


Electric cars that are in good condition


Electric cars with the fastest acceleration


What are the pros and cons of diesel cars?


Driving an electric car for the first times