Mercedes CLE Cabriolet

Volvo XC40

Volkswagen Tiguan

Kia EV6

New Skoda Kodiaq

Volkswagen Passat

Genesis GV70

Ford Puma

ranked-the-home-charging-times-of-every-electric-car-on-sale

For most then, charging from home is the best way to keep your EV topped up.&nbsp;&nbsp;The problem is, charging from a three-pin plug socket is painfully slow and not recommended by electricians. To charge faster and more safely at home, you’ll need to invest in a wallbox. 

Wallboxes charge at 3.6kW, 7kW, or 11kW or 22kW (if property has a three-phase supply)&nbsp;per hour, the last of which is around six times as fast as a conventional plug socket. They can be installed outside or inside and provide a dedicated power supply for your electric car. And better still, there’s a £500 Government grant towards their cost and installation. 

We’ve rounded up the UK’s current crop of electric cars and ranked them in order of how long they take to charge from a home wallbox to 100%:

Using a public charger is the fastest way to charge your electric vehicle (EV), but most of us will prefer the convenience of doing it at home.

Hatchback

Tesla is a US brand&nbsp;that revolutionised&nbsp;the car industry, putting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> in the limelight&nbsp;for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.

Today, Tesla has a broader&nbsp;line-up than ever, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> saloon&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> SUV the company's cheapest models. For those with bigger budgets or a need for more space, there's the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> saloon and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla&nbsp;Model X</a> SUV.&nbsp;A&nbsp;new Roadster, complete with supercar-beating acceleration, is also in the works.

&nbsp;

TESLA

MODEL X

With an official&nbsp;range of 314 miles, the Tesla Model X Long Range lives up to its name. And with Tesla’s network of superfast public charging points around the UK, you can add an 80% charge in only 38 minutes. But with such large batteries, plugging the Model X in at home for a full charge means the 100kWh battery takes 15 hours to get to 10% from a 7.4kW wallbox.

Tesla Model X Long Range – 15 hours

MODEL S

The Model S Long Range manages&nbsp;379 miles between recharges in the&nbsp;official WLTP test, making it the EV of choice for those who need to travel long distances regularly. Charging the 100kWh battery at home, though, will take around 15 hours through a wallbox.

Tesla Model S Long Range – 15 hours

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

E-TRON

The Audi E-tron faces seriously good competition from the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X, but with a 95kWh battery and 248 mile range, it’s a strong contender if you need a long-distance EV. Charging from home takes 13.5 hours.

Audi E-tron – 13.5 hours

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

Production has already started on Volkswagen’s new ID 3, its&nbsp;Golf-sized all-electric hatch that will go on sale in the UK early next year. Buyers will have a choice of three battery sizes, 45kWh, 58kWh or 77kWh, providing official&nbsp;ranges spanning 200 miles to 340 miles. Home charging will take up to 13 hours for the long-range version.&nbsp;

Volkswagen ID 3 - 13 hours

Estate

Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

I-PACE

If proof were needed that electric cars aren’t boring, the Jaguar I-Pace is it. The I-Pace sets the bar for handling, styling and performance. Power comes from a 396bhp, 90kWh battery giving a range of 292 miles. Recharging from home takes 13 hours. &nbsp;

Jaguar I-Pace – 13 hours

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

TAYCAN

Porsche’s first electric car, the Taycan, is a stunner. With 256 miles of range and a 0-62mph time of 2.8sec, it’s the first proper rival to the Tesla Model S P100D. And unlike most electric cars, it has a two-speed gearbox to help manage its 751bhp.&nbsp;Charging the Taycan’s 93kWh battery from home will take around 13 hours.

Porsche Taycan – 13 hours (est)

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

The EQC is Mercedes’ first bespoke electric car, although&nbsp;it’s loosely based on the GLC SUV. It faces tough competition from the Audi E-tron, Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X, and it holds up well with an 80kWh battery that gives it a range of 259 miles. Recharging from home takes 12 hours.

Mercedes-Benz EQC – 12 hours

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

XC40

Recharge is Volvo’s new electric car sub brand. The first electric Volvo to wear the Recharge badge is the XC40. Using a 78kWh battery, the XC40 Recharge has a range of 248 miles, which powers two electric motors to give it four-wheel drive. Charging from a home wallbox takes 12 hours.

Volvo XC40 Recharge – 12 hours

Polestar is a relative newcomer to the new car market, having been born as a motorsport team later bought by Volvo. Today it produces a range of upmarket, fully-electric vehicles and as a brand now sits independently of Volvo.

Its models are given numerical names, and unusually these don’t denote the size of the model, rather they indicate the order in which they’re launched. The now-discontinued Polestar 1 was the firm’s first model and the Polestar 2 is an executive hatchback which is a direct rival for the Tesla Model 3. The Polestar 3 is an electric SUV, Polestar 4 a coupé and Polestar 5 a performance car.

Polestar has a focus on sustainability: in 2020 was the first car maker to release a study to show the carbon footprint of its cars, and in 2021 it started a project to ensure rare-Earth materials such as cobalt – used in many electric car batteries – are sourced responsibly.

POLESTAR

Underneath, the Volvo XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2 are practically identical. The Polestar edges ahead on the range front, though, with 275 miles. And it takes the same amount of time as the XC40 to recharge from home: 12 hours.

Polestar 2 – 12 hours 

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

LEAF

The Nissan Leaf is the world’s best-selling electric car and, while the first-generation model had disappointing range, it’s evolved into a car that should definitely be on shopping lists. The standard Leaf has an official range of 168 miles from its 40kWh battery and charges in around eight hours. The Leaf e+ increases the battery size to 62kWh and charges in 11.5 hours.

Nissan Leaf E+ - 11hr 30

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

KONA ELECTRIC

The Hyundai Kona Electric is a great-looking SUV that’s good value against more premium rivals. It comes with a 64kWh battery that give it a range of 279 miles,&nbsp;as well as a 201bhp electric motor. It takes 10 hours to charge from home.

Hyundai Kona Electric –10

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

E-NIRO

The Kia e-Niro is so good it was the 2019 What Car? car of the Year. It offers&nbsp;space and range for an affordable price, while&nbsp;power comes from a 64kWh battery giving an official&nbsp;range of 282 miles. From a home wallbox it will charge in around 10 hours.

Kia e-Niro – 10 hours

e-Soul

The all-new Kia Soul is electric only and all the better for it. With a range of 280 miles from its 64kWh battery, it’s a dramatic improvement over the old car’s 132 miles and up there with some of the longest-range electric cars currently on sale. Charging from home will take 10 hours.

Kia e-Soul – 10 hours

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

RENAULT

The Zoe has been around for seven years but with a range of only 100 miles it wasn’t a car you’d contemplate taking on a longer journey. Now it’s been refreshed and, along with a snazzy new interior, gets a 52kWh battery that takes the range up to a more useful 245 miles. Home charging takes around eight hours.&nbsp;

Renault Zoe – 8 hours

Saloon

MODEL 3

The Model 3 is Tesla’s most affordable car. With 200kWh charging capability, it takes just 10 minutes to add 80% range from one of Tesla's&nbsp;ultra-rapid charger. At home, the 50kWh battery takes around eight hours for a full charge, giving a range of 252 miles.

Tesla Model 3 Standard Range – 8 hours

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition, featuring paintwork-protecting ‘Airbumps’ and eschewing the sporty looks favoured by most rivals.

Indeed, Citroën tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from small hatchbacks (such as the C1 and C3) to big, family-friendly seven-seaters (the Spacetourer and Grand C4 Spacetourer).

The C3 Aircross SUV is another of its popular models, while a larger C5 Aircross is planned.

CITROEN

BERLINGO CV

The Citroen Berlingo Electric van is hamstrung by a short range. Its tiny 22.5kWh battery is only capable of 106 miles between charges. But at least you can charge it to 80% in only 30 minutes, or eight hours if you charge it at home.

Citroën Berlingo Electric – 8 hours

e-NV200

If you’re after an electric van, the options are limited to just four models at the moment. If you need the longest-range electric van, then the choice is even easier. The Nissan e-NV200. With underpinnings from the Leaf, the e-NV200 has a range of 124 miles from its 40kWh battery. Charging from home will take eight hours.

Nissan e-NV200 – 8 hours

MG has a long heritage in the UK, and while these days it is owned by Chinese firm SAIC, it is slowly but surely beefing up its model range.

Kicking things off is the MG 3, a rival for affordable hatchbacks such as the Dacia Sandero and Skoda Fabia. Then there’s the ZS small SUV, which faces off against the likes of the Renault Captur and Seat Arona. And at the top of the range is the GS, which goes up against Dacia’s Duster and the Ssangyong Tivoli.

While any future MG products are likely to be introduced in China before coming to the UK, design work is still undertaken in the UK. MG’s design studio is based at Longbridge, where the brand made its name with models such as the MGB GT.

MG MOTOR UK

Temporary taxonomy to separate ZS EV from other models in the ZS range. Built by ChrisH 11/10/2019

ZS EV

The reborn, Chinese-owned MG has been making basic but great value motors for a few years now but it’s the ZS EV that could really be the brand’s game changer. Starting at just under £25k (after the Government grant) the ZS EV is excellent value for money. Range isn’t as generous as some, but 163 miles will be enough for most people. Its 44.5kWh battery recharges in just under seven hours from a home charger.

MG ZS EV – 7 hours

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

Temporary taxonomy to get review live.

ChrisH 01/10/2019

e208

When the new Peugeot 208 goes on sale early next year, buyers will have a choice of petrol, diesel or&nbsp;electric power. Rivalling the Renault Zoe and forthcoming Vauxhall Corsa-e, the e-208’s 50kWh battery has a 211 mile range and can be charged in seven hours from a wallbox.

Peugeot e-208 – 7 hours

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

CORSA

The Vauxhall Corsa is a perennial favourite in the UK, and the Corsa-e is a clear sign of just how mainstream EVs are becoming. It’s a bit pricey (but no more so than rivals) at £26,490 after the £3500 Government grant, but the Corsa-e’s 50kWh battery is good for up to 287 miles and comes with an eight-year battery warranty.

Vauxhall Corsa-e 7 hours

DS has only existed as a standalone manufacturer since 2015&nbsp;(prior to that the badge was used on upmarket&nbsp;Citroëns), but it is now the premium brand in the PSA Group, which also includes&nbsp;Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall.

In 2018, DS stated that it planned to launch a new model every year, with all of these influenced by the French fashion industry and&nbsp;designed&nbsp;to take on the ubiquitous offerings of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

First to arrive (that same year) was the&nbsp;DS 7 Crossback – a large SUV that competes with the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. Then in 2019 this was followed by the smaller DS3 Crossback SUV, which is not only available&nbsp;with petrol and diesel engines, but also in fully electric E-Tense form.

More recently, DS&nbsp;unveiled its answer to the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class luxury saloons. And while this DS 9 won't now go on sale until 2021, when it does arrive it will be offered with a choice of petrol, hybrid and fully electric power.

Created new taxonomy as no CAP linked taxonomy currently available.

DS 3 Crossback E-TENSE

DS is Citroen’s upmarket brand and the E-Tense is a new electric model that joins the petrol&nbsp;and diesel versions of the DS 3 Crossback SUV. A 50kWh battery gives it&nbsp;200 miles of official range and means it takes seven hours to charge from a home wallbox.

DS 3 Crossback E-Tense – 7 hours

Partner Electric

With a range of just 65 miles, the Peugeot Partner Electric doesn’t make much sense unless you just need a van for very short trips around town. Its unexceptional 22.5kWh battery can thankfully be charged from a fast charging socket, though, giving you 80% range in 30 minutes. Charging from&nbsp;home takes six hours.

Peugeot Partner Electric – 8 hours

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

The BMW i3 was one of the electric car trailblazers and, 10 years on from when it was unveiled, still looks futuristic. The latest i3&nbsp;has a 42.2kWh battery giving it an official WLTP-verified range of 193 miles. Charging from a wallbox takes six hours.

BMW i3 – 6 hours

The i3s is a more powerful version of the i3. Power rises from 168bhp as standard to 182bhp, reducing the 0-62mph time by half a second. BMW claims the i3s has the same range of 193 miles and charging time as the regular car, but use that extra performance often and in the real-world you’ll need to charge it more often.

BMW i3s – 6 hours

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

After a small&nbsp;electric car? You might want to hold on a few months until the Honda e&nbsp;arrives. This is Honda’s new bespoke electric city car and it’s a stunner. Honda is pitching the E&nbsp;at premium rivals such as&nbsp;the BMW i3 and Mini&nbsp;Electric. Power comes from a 35.5kWh battery giving 120 miles of range. The Honda e charges in around six hours at home.

Honda E – 6 hours

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

MII Electric

The Seat&nbsp;Mii Electric will be one of the UK’s cheapest electric cars when it goes on sale early next year. Priced at £19,300, after the Government grant, the first 300 customers also get a free wallbox charger. The Mii electric has a range of 162 miles from its 38.6kWh battery and will charge in less than six hours at home.

Seat Mii Electric – 5hr 30 minutes

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

Temporary taxonomy until CAP catches up. ChrisH 29/11/2019

Citigo iV

The Skoda Citigo-e iV is the sister car to the Seat&nbsp;Mii Electric and Volkswagen e-Up&nbsp;and will offer a similar range of 162 miles and price below £20,000. Like those cars, its 38.6kWh battery will recharge in five and a half hours from a home wallbox.

Skoda Citigo-e iV – 5hr 30 minutes

E-UP

The electric Up&nbsp;is now into its second generation and offers more range for less money. Volkswagen has almost doubled the capacity of the battery to 32.3kWh, with an official range of 162 miles and the ability of fast charging. At home, it needs just over five hours for a full charge.

Volkswagen e-Up - 5hr 30 minutes

E-GOLF

While many electric cars feature bespoke designs, the e-Golf is based on the existing Golf. And that’s no bad thing because the Golf is a great all-rounder. The e-Golf swaps the petrol or diesel engines&nbsp;for a 134bhp electric unit that’s powered from a 35.8kWh battery. Volkswagen says it will manage 186 miles between charges, and you can replenish the battery in five hours from a home wallbox. However, the e-Golf is about to be replaced by the ID 3.

Volkswagen e-Golf - 5 hours

C ZERO

The Citroen C-Zero is a first-generation&nbsp;electric vehicle, a trailblazer that just doesn’t feel competitive against the new breed of EVs. In fact, Citroen has stopped building the C-Zero as it readies its replacement. Under the old testing procedure, the C-Zero has a quoted range of 93 miles, though in reality this is more like 60. It’s 14.5kWh takes five hours to charge from home.

Citroën C-Zero – 5 hours

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

FOCUS

The Focus Electric is based on the old Focus&nbsp;and has been around since 2013. Ford has launched hybrid versions of the Focus but hasn’t confirmed a new EV model yet. The Focus Electric’s battery was upgraded a couple of years in an effort to keep the car vaguely competitive. It now has a 33.5kWh battery giving a range of 140 miles and a recharging time of five hours.

Ford Focus Electric – 5 hour

IONIQ

A recent mid-life facelift has made the Hyundai Ioniq an even more attractive choice. As well as a more powerful electric motor, the 38.3kWh battery has been upgraded to give 193 miles of range. Plugging it&nbsp;into a wallbox charger at home will replenish the battery&nbsp;in 6.5 hours.

Hyundai Ioniq Electric – 6.5 hours

B CLASS

By slotting an electric motor and battery into its B-Class hatchback, Mercedes has created a car with an official&nbsp;range of 124 miles. The B-Class Electric Drive is no longer on sale, although Mercedes is planning a range of 10 fully-electric ‘EQ’ models in the next few years. The B-Class charges in five hours from a wallbox.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive – 5 hours

Talk about taking an idea and running with it. The big-selling Mini hatchback is still at the core of the firm’s range, but its cute styling and relatively compact dimensions have been spun off into an estate (the Clubman) and an SUV (the Countryman), as well as a convertible.

Despite its small size, the Mini is a firmly premium product, and the three-door hatchback counts the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo among its key rivals.

The fact that Mini is owned by BMW brings some big advantages –&nbsp;not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s industry-leading iDrive.

MINI

HATCHBACK

The Mini&nbsp;Electric will hit the road in Spring 2020 and cost from £24,400. Much of its electric tech comes from the BMW i3. A 32.6kWh battery gives a range of up to 145 miles and can be charged from home in five hours when plugged into a wallbox.

Mini Electric – 5 hours

The Peugeot iOn shares the same battery and platform as the Citroen C-Zero and as a result it feels outclassed these days. While okay&nbsp;as a second car for the school run or trips to the train station, it isn't be suitable for longer journeys. Its 14.5kWh battery gives a range of around 60 miles and takes five hours to charge.

Peugeot iOn – 5 hours

Kangoo ZE

The Renault Kangoo Z.E. uses the same batteries and motor as the Renault Zoe hatchback and is available as both a panel van and an MPV-style ‘crew van’. Its 33kWh battery is quick to recharge and has a useful range of 124 miles. Charging from home should take five hours from a wallbox.

Renault Kangoo Z.E. – 5 hours

Owned by Mercedes-Benz and with a reputation for making small, clever cars, Smart offers a striking, upmarket alternative to more conventional rivals.

It currently has a two-car line-up, the smaller of the two being the distinctive Fortwo, which, as its name suggests, is an ultra-short two-seater that uses an unusual rear-engined configuration to deliver the sort of turning circle that even London taxis can only dream of. It's a doddle to park in small spaces, too.

Smart's 'family car' is the Forfour, which is little more than a stretched version of the Fortwo, with a second row of seats and a larger boot. It's more of a natural rival for cars like the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto.

On paper, both cars come at a considerable price premium when compared with rivals, something it says is justified by its badge appeal and the technology in the cars.&nbsp;However, sales have been slow and there are often keen Target Price deals to be found.

SMART

FORTWO EQ

The Smart Fortwo EQ can’t go as far as many&nbsp;rivals, but its tiny dimensions and peppy motor make it a ‘smart’ choice if you only need an EV for the city. Its 17.6kWh battery powers an 81bhp electric motor. Smart quotes an official range of 70 miles and a full charging time of four hours.

Smart Fortwo EQ – 4 hours

FORFOUR EQ

Similar to the Fortwo, the key difference with the Forfour – as the name implies – is that it seats four rather than&nbsp;two. It also offers a bit more practicality and boot space. Like the Fortwo, it&nbsp;averages around 70 miles between charges, and can be charged at home in four hours when hooked up to a wallbox.&nbsp;

Smart EQ Forfour – 4 hour

City-Car

TWIZY

The Renault Twizy has an official range of 62 miles. But it’s very basic inside and offers only marginal protection from the elements so, while it’s a great station hack or town car, you won’t want to take it much farther. Charging takes 3.5 hours but it’s not possible to fast charge a Twizy as it has a conventional three-pin plug.

Renault Twizy – 3.5 hours

UNITI

Not only is the Uniti One the cheapest electric car on sale (with prices starting from £15,000 after the Government grant), it’s the fastest charging, too. The One comes with a choice of two batteries, a 12kWh that charges in one hour or a 24kWh that charges in two. They deliver 93 miles and 186 miles of range respectively. 

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Uniti One - 1 to 2 hours

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