The best small electric cars on sale in 2024

From Citroen and Dacia to Mini and Jeep, here are our top 10 favourite compact EVs

It can sometimes feel like the world of electric cars is dominated by fairly large, fairly expensive family SUVs.

Certainly, that’s where the easy money is for car makers, stamping out C-segment SUVs like the Ford Explorer, Renault Scenic and Peugeot E-3008.

But what if you don’t want or need something that big or expensive. What about drivers looking for the electric equivalent of the trusty Ford Fiesta?

Well, thankfully, they haven’t been totally forgotten about. The next 12 months are set to bring a range of exciting new models – from the Renault 5 and Alpine a290 to the Fiat Panda and Hyundai Inster.

But in the meantime, there’s still a strong selection of decent small EVs for sale.

Fiat 500e

The Fiat 500e was one of the first wave of small electric cars and it’s still a strong option after four years. Its modern take on the iconic 500’s lines are a cute blend of modern and traditional and the interior is littered with neat design details that will make you smile. There are two versions – a city-suited 94bhp version with a 118-mile range or a more flexible 115bhp one with 199 miles of range. And to make it even more attractive, Fiat recently cut the price by £3,200, meaning the 500e now starts at £21,995.

Mini Electric

While the Fiat 500e is still on its first generation, its key rival the Mini has moved on. The recently launched second-generation Mini Cooper is as compact as ever but brings a big improvement over the old car in terms of range and performance. Power is up to 215bhp in SE models and range has gone from around 135 to 250 miles. There’s also a brilliantly unusual new interior and the same grin-inducing go-kart handling as before.

Dacia Spring

Possibly the last word in affordable, honest electric transport. Dacia isn’t claiming the Spring is the right car for everyone but what it is doing is offering a truly accessible model for drivers with undemanding needs. Entry level cars cost just £14,995 and offer a modest 44bhp and 137-mile range, although there’s an option of a 64bhp motor for an extra £1,000. Basic cars get a smartphone dock instead of an infotainment screen but cruise control, digital instruments and parking sensors are standard. And if you splash out £16,995 on the Extreme trim you’ll get a 10-inch Android- and Apple-compatible touchscreen and bi-directional charging.

Citroen Ami

The very smallest of small EVs, the Ami is something you’ll either love or hate. Designed specifically to be a cheap urban runaround it is limited to just 28mph and has a range of just 46 miles from a 5.5kWh battery. That means it only makes sense for urban-dwellers or businesses looking for a funky last-mile delivery vehicle. But in that context, this simple EV with its eye-catching plastic bodywork, surprisingly roomy cabin and single-seat cargo option, is a winner.

 

If the Ami is a bit too small for you then Citroen still has you covered. The new e-C3 is its new take on the supermini, with a decent 199-mile range and a budget-friendly price. Starting at less than £22,000, the e-C3 is a compact five-door hatch with very mildly SUV-inspired styling and space for four onboard. Despite its low starting price, features such as alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless phone mirroring, auto LED lights, and 100kW charging are standard.

Vauxhall Corsa

Ford might have abandoned the supermini segment but perennial rival Vauxhall is sticking with it and bringing it right up to date with an electric version of its best-selling Corsa. The Corsa is a lot bigger than it once was but that means there’s decent space for use as a family car, and there’s plenty of modern tech, from lane keep and high beam assist to wireless Apple and Android mirroring, plus a 246-mile range in higher-spec models. And for buyers concerned about budgets, the new Corsa is available for the same monthly PCP rates as a petrol version.

BYD Dolphin

BYD really seems to have its strategy worked out, offering a sensible family SUV (the Atto 3), a sleek executive saloon (the Seal) and a compact hatchback. The Dolphin is the biggest car on this list but deserves a mention for its balance of space, quality and value, making it a good choice for families. Until now it’s only been available from around £32,000 with a 201bhp and a 60.4kWh battery, with an official range of 265 miles. However, from September, buyers will have the option of a smaller 44.9kWh battery in £26,195 Active and £27,165 Boost models, with less power and shorter ranges.

Peugeot e-208

The e-208 is closely related to the Vauxhall Corsa. It’s based on the same platform and uses the same choice of 50kWh battery and 134bhp motor in basic models or 52kWh battery and 154bhp motor in more expensive versions. So it’s no surprise that its performance and range are similar, or that it features much of the same technology. Where it differs is in far sharper exterior looks and a more innovative and higher-quality interior. And right now, the Peugeot is cheaper than the equivalent Vauxhall, meaning you’re not paying more for the added flair.

Jeep Avenger

It might seem odd to include a Jeep on a list of small cars but the Avenger is a very different thing from the brand’s usual hulking big 4x4s. In fact, at 4.08m long, it’s barely any bigger than the e-C3 or Mini. That puts it firmly in our small EV book, even if the £40k price tag doesn’t. If you can look past the steep asking price, the Avenger is a sharp-looking compact EV that brings some Jeep-style ruggedness to the segment and offers punchy performance and 248 miles of range. It also has the funkiest indicator noise in history.

Mazda MX-30

The MX-30 won’t be for everyone. It’s got a deliberately small battery and short range (a mere 124 miles) which hamper it, even among similarly compact competition. But it does bring something a little different to the table. The neat rear-hinged back doors hide enough space for a couple of younger passengers in the back and there’s Mazda’s usual premium finish plus interesting material choices including cork details. There’s also the option of a range-extender EV which uses a tiny rotary motor to charge the battery if you’re not 100% sold on going pure electric.