Expert electric cars guides

Excellent electric vehicles advices? BMW has delivered some fine electrified models over the years, with the revolutionary i8 sports car and more mainstream i3 supermini standing out as superb examples of the German manufacturer’s engineering skill. Following on from the more recent introductions of the all-electric iX3 SUV and i4 Gran Coupe, the iX is the first of BMW’s battery-powered SUVs to be built on a dedicated EV platform. There are three versions currently available: the first is the 332bhp xDrive40 with a 71kW battery that’s good for a range of up to 257 miles, while the other two versions are the 516bhp xDrive50 and the upcoming 611bhp M60. These more powerful variants up the battery size to 105kW and will achieve a claimed maximum of 380 and 357 miles respectively. All versions of the BMW iX feature a four-wheel drive, dual-motor setup and, although this contributes to a rather hefty kerbweight of over 2,400kg, the iX handles surprisingly well and grips reassuringly through corners. The ride is incredibly refined, too, with the suspension doing an excellent job of absorbing the vibrations and bumps of even the most pothole-riddled roads. Make your way inside and you’ll be greeted by a plush, distinctively-styled cabin filled with high-quality materials. Not only does it look and feel good, it performs well, too, with a dual-screen infotainment setup featuring the latest version of BMW’s iDrive. Find extra information on electric cars news.

The undeniably high-end Model S has been out for several years now, though. The longest-range models had a six-figure new price, but unlike contemporary Bentley, Jaguar and BMW saloons they have held their value well. Too well, in fact; last year they started from £25,000 secondhand, now, the cheapest are usually nearer £34,000. Tesla slashed the new price of certain models by up to £30,000 in early 2019, knocking residuals for a time but now the Model S represents terrible value for a secondhand car. Buy a nearly-new one, or wait for prices to settle. Tesla’s tendency to sell upgrades and offer over-the-air updates means that a 2015 Model S may be a very different car by 2022, but with no major changes to the design, and continued reliance on the Supercharger network for efficient charging, the experience of a used Tesla won’t be much different to the rarefied heights of a showroom-fresh example. Just don’t expect to get a full charge overnight from your household socket…

Electric cars are all the rage right now, and there’s more choice of great models than there’s ever been. Now is definitely the time to make the switch to an EV, so here are the best electric cars on sale. The number of electric cars available to buy is growing every year, and more buyers than ever are moving away from fossil fuels and towards battery power. In 2021 more than 190,000 of them were sold in the UK, and 2022 is likely to be an even bigger year for new EVs (short for electric vehicles). That number of electric cars registered is higher than in the last five years combined, which shows how rapidly the latest EVs have converted new car buyers. You’ll be hard pushed to find a big car brand that doesn’t have an electric car to offer, or has one coming very soon.

The Fiat 500 nails its city car brief perfectly; it’s competitively priced, offering low running costs and plenty of Italian flair. Although the third generation car is a little bigger than its combustion-engined predecessor, the 500 EV is still at home darting through urban traffic, while you shouldn’t have any trouble parking as even the entry-level models come with rear parking sensors as standard. Two battery options are available: a 42kWh ‘Long Range’ version and a 24kWh ‘City Range’ variant. The City Range offers up to 115 miles of range from a single charge, although the bigger battery gives you a more practical 199 miles before needing to recharge. Inside, the cabin is suitably stylish, while you’ll benefit from a host of on-board tech. Base cars offer a 7-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, while moving up through mid- and top-spec models brings a rear-view camera and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. Discover extra details at https://evmotors.live/.

The Model Y is the small electric SUV many people have been waiting for. Based on the Model 3 saloon, the mid-size SUV boasts a spacious cabin, slick infotainment system and boatloads of practicality thanks to a 117-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet and a whopping 854 litres of boot space as well. Plus, performance is still staggering, thanks to dual-motor setups in both the Long Range and Performance models that are currently available. Prices start from nearly £55,000, but one of the major benefits of Tesla ownership is access to the brand’s extensive Supercharger network. Use one of its latest V3 Superchargers, and you can top up the Model Y’s battery from 0-80% in just 36 minutes.