What are the best small electric cars of 2024?

Best small electric cars cars - our top picks

There's no doubt that electric is the future of the automotive industry. With the ban of all new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles coming into force in 2035, it’s a good time to start thinking about futureproofing your car.

If your lifestyle involves a lot of city driving or shorter journeys, you should check out our list of the best small electric cars of 2024. Although small, choosing any of the EVs on this list will ensure you don’t compromise on comfort or practicality.

Our list takes into consideration factors like boot space, interior styling, pricing and battery range to inform which EVs we have chosen.

BYD Dolphin

Our pick quick facts

• Doors: Five
• Prices can start around £25,490**
• Boot space: 345 litres
• Range: 265 miles*

If you're looking to make the switch to electric, then one manufacturer who is making that step affordable is BYD, also known as Build, Your Dreams. In 2022, Arnold Clark became the exclusive Scottish retail partner of BYD, also known as Build Your Dreams, and the BYD Dolphin is arguably one of the best value-for-money small electric cars on the market.

Similar in size to the likes of the Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa Electric, the BYD Dolphin comes with a large 60kWh battery and integrated heat pump as standard. On the outside, the model leans into BYD's 'oceanic' design, featuring sleek, flowing contours and blue undertones.

The Dolphin's interior looks identical to BYD's other model, the ATTO 3, with a 12.6-inch touchscreen sitting on a flowing, futuristic dashboard. The touchscreen can be used for both entertainment, such as Spotify, and functional activities like navigation. As well as its attractive price, its real-world range of comfortably over 200 miles* is very impressive for those who need a car for city driving or short journeys.

Hyundai Kona

Our pick quick facts

• Doors: Five
• Prices can start around £37,330**
• Boot space: 466 litres
• Range: 319 miles*

For those thinking about going electric, range anxiety is often a factor that comes into play. However, the Hyundai Kona will alleviate those fears. In terms of the best electric small cars on the market, its range stands out compared to its competitors. The top-of-the-line powertrain in the Kona has a range of up to 300 miles* with a maximum speed of 104 mph. Plus, with an efficient electric motor, the model goes from 0–62mph in just 7.6 seconds.

The Hyundai Kona Electric looks similar to the conventional model but stands out with its distinctive closed grille. This incorporates the charging point. Redesigned front bumpers are also featured to improve airflow and efficiency. Standard equipment includes a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple and Android connectivity. You will also find rear parking sensors, automatic lights, climate control and keyless entry for added convenience.

Now measuring 4,355mm in length, it's longer than its previous model, meaning more space for passengers. It's the same for luggage, with the boot now offering 466 litres of space, compared to the 332 litres of its predecessor, while a 'frunk' under the bonnet gives 27 litres of additional storage space.

Renault ZOE

Our pick quick facts

• Doors: Five
• Prices can start around £17,998**
• Boot space: 338 litres
• Range: 239 miles*

If you’re looking for a city car or are a first-time driver, a Renault ZOE could be a perfect choice. It’s a fantastic example of one of the best small EV cars on the market today. It’s affordable, versatile and dependable. The ZOE is fully designed for city driving thanks to its steering, which offers a smooth effortless feel.

The 239-mile* WLTP driving range figure is perfect for those looking for a city runner, and is perhaps what helped the ZOE win the WhatCar? ‘Best Small Electric Car of Value’ for 2021.

Thanks to the standard five-door layout, there's more than enough room in the back for growing families. One substantial plus point is the 338-litre boot which extends to 1,225 litres when you fold the one-piece rear bench flat. Inside, the centre of the dashboard is the Renault EASY LINK multimedia system and a large 9.3-inch touchscreen, while there's an electronic parking brake too.

Nissan Leaf

Our pick quick facts

• Doors: Five
• Prices can start around £12,998**
• Boot space: 405 litres
• Range: 239 miles*

The first thing we need to say is that the Nissan LEAF is one of the world's best-selling electric vehicles, and that's mostly down to the longevity of the LEAF. The first-generation LEAF model was launched in 2010 when a driver would only get around 60 to 70 miles out of it between charges. However, that's improved, with the second-generation design having a WLTP driving range of 168 miles* from the standard model’s 39kWh battery.

For driving experience, the 40kWh lithium-ion battery that virtually all LEAF models still use produces 110kW (which equates to 148bhp) and 320Nm of torque. This makes the LEAF feel quite fast from a standing start – Nissan say that the 0-62mph time is about 9.8 seconds.

Despite being a small car, the LEAF is still a good option for families, as it boasts a large boot space of up to 435 litres. The cabin could be considered plain compared to some of its rivals or others on this list, but it does exactly what it says on the tin and it's perhaps one of the most affordable EVs available to buy.

MINI Electric

Our pick quick facts

• Doors: Three
• Prices can start around £19,998**
• Boot space: 211 litres
• Range: 145 miles*

When you think of the best small electric cars in the UK, you should automatically think of MINI. What makes a MINI so appealing to drivers is that instant ‘oomph’ you get when you're behind the wheel. And in the MINI Electric, you get that when you zip from 0-62mph in just 7.3 seconds.

With an electric range of up to 145 miles*, it makes it perfect for city driving. Speaking of city driving, the MINI Navigation provides you with live traffic updates and nearby charging stations. An intuitive digital dashboard also displays helpful vehicle information while you’re on the road.

In this model there are four seats. With all four seats in use, the boot capacity is 211 litres, which is still reasonably practical for storage in a small electric hatch. And as you would expect from one of the most stylish cars on the market, the interior has a modern and contemporary feel throughout the cabin.

Volkswagen ID.3

Our pick quick facts

• Doors: Five
• Prices can start around £28,998**
• Boot space: 385 litres
• Range: 266 miles*

Volkswagen's all-electric strategy began at the end of 2019 with the introduction of the ID.3. By early 2023, over 300,000 ID.3s had been sold. The German brand's electric Golf-sized ID.3 has proved popular thanks to its inviting price point. There are two choices of powertrain for the revised ID.3, with battery packs rated at 58kWh (for the 'Pro') and 77kWh (for the 'Pro S'), allowing for respective WLTP-rated driving range figures of up to 265* and up to 347 miles*.

Like with all EVs, there's a pedestrian warning buzzer that works at under 12mph to warn those on the pavement of your approach. It's ideal for short journeys and city driving with its super-tight 10.2-metre turning circle.

In the second-generation ID.3, which has received a facelift, there's a larger 12-inch central screen and plenty of updated tech, including improvements in Volkswagen’s own navigation software, which now allows the route planner to schedule charging stops more effectively on longer journeys.

Looks-wise, the second-generation ID.3 front bumper now has a sharper, stronger style. Plus, models fitted with Matrix LED headlights now get a quirky addition in the form of an animation which welcomes and says goodbye to the user as they approach and leave the vehicle.

Citroën Ami

Our pick quick facts

• Doors: Two
• Prices can start around £7,695**
• Boot space: Not applicable
• Range: 46 miles*

Okay, so this one might not be for everyone, but you can’t discount the Citroën Ami as a creative and affordable small electric car. Citroën's Ami offers an urban mobility solution for city driving, with its quadricycle format allowing it to be cheap, simple and fun.

It's left-hand drive-only, there's no boot, only two seats and it only goes 46 miles* on each electric charge at a maximum of 28mph. It's got a far smaller battery (5.5kWh) than you'll find in any EV, hence it's low starting price.

And of course, its small in stature – 2.41m long and 1.39m wide. If you compare it to other smaller EVs on the market, then you'll have to compromise on things like performance, practicality and cabin space. For those living in busy cities, looking for something fun and affordable which will avoid the ULEZ, this fun little car could be for you.

Vauxhall Corsa Electric

Our pick quick facts

• Doors: Five
• Prices can start around £19,998**
• Boot space: 267
• Range: 222 miles*

The Vauxhall Corsa always proves popular with those looking for smaller cars, mainly thanks to its low running costs – and the electric model is no different. The latest version of the Corsa-e has been upgraded. The biggest improvement is the increase of range from 209 miles on a full charge to 222 miles*. The increased range — which is more than adequate for day-to-day city driving — is due to a better optimisation of the car’s heat pump, plus a new final-drive gear ratio.

It’s very fun to drive, especially for those journeys around town. The headline 0-62mph figure is a sporty 7.6 seconds, but it’s the Corsa-e’s ability to take advantage of its near-instant 260Nm of torque that makes its 0-30mph ‘sprint’ so enjoyable. As with the rest of the Corsa range, the ‘e’ delivers a decent amount of space in the rear, though there is a slight reduction in boot space, down from the petrol’s 309 litres to 267 litres.

With a fast, light and precise steering system, it means the Corsa-e is perfect for zooming round narrow city streets and squeezing into tight supermarket car park spaces. It’s definitely one of the best small electric cars in the UK at the moment.

Fiat 500e

Our pick quick facts

• Doors: Three
• Prices can start around £15,998**
• Boot space: 182
• Range: 199 miles*

Last, but by no means least, is the Fiat 500e. A used Fiat 500 has always been a firm favourite in the city car segment due to its compact dimensions. The all-electric version is a tad bigger, making the Fiat 500e one of the best small electric cars of 2024.

The 500e looks very much the same as the vanilla 500 except for a spoiler overhanging the rear windscreen which adds an athletic aesthetic. There are also electric buttons rather than handles on the doors. There are no physical dials in the driver's binnacle. Instead, you get a digital display on all trim levels. Plus, you get a trio of drive modes, named: ‘Normal’, ‘Range’, and ‘Sherpa’. Each setting selects different portions of power-saving to make the most out of the 500e's electric range.

For a small four-seater car, it has a fairly sizeable 42kWh battery and a WLTP range of 199 miles*, which is impressive. Like other offerings of the Fiat 500, the electric version has light steering, which, with its 117bhp motor, makes for a very fun drive around the city.