2021 was another bumper year for electric car sales, with industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) declaring that more new fully electric cars were registered in the UK during 2021 than in the previous five years combined.
Not only are the roads filling up with EVs, new models are launching all the time too. Here’s our top five that were launched in 2021:
Tesla Model Y
Tesla’s best-selling car in the UK is the Model 3 hatchback, but with the US company’s Model S saloon and Model X SUV sitting at the pricey top end of the Tesla range, there’s is an obvious gap waiting to be filled in the its all-electric lineup.
So it’s time to say a big hello to the Tesla Model Y! It’s essentially a bigger, more spacious Model 3 and we feel it’ll appeal to drivers looking for the practicalities that come with an SUV over the compromises that come when you choose a hatchback-sized car for the family.
The Model Y offers an enticing blend of usable range coming from a single charge, and an impressive 0-62mph time of under five seconds.
Battery: 75kWh
Range: Up to 315 miles (Long Range version), 298 miles (Performance variant)
Charging time: 10 - 80% top-up takes 30 minutes
Polestar 2
If you’re looking for a great alternative to a Tesla, then the stylish Polestar 2 showcases the same level of quality.
Never heard of Polestar? The Swedish manufacturer started life as the banner for Volvo’s motorsport activity, before becoming the performance badge for Volvo vehicles and now being a standalone car maker itself.
For those seeking something different to a Tesla Model 3 – and arguably more competitively priced – the Polestar 2 ticks most boxes, with a good range, great on-board tech and reassuring levels of safety kit.
Comparing the Polestar 2 to a similarly-priced diesel-powered Audi S5 Sportback should be enough to convince you on getting an EV. Covering 12,000 miles over a year will give you an energy bill of £540, whereas the Audi would set you back around £1,700 over the same mileage.
Battery: 78kWh
Range: 232 miles
Charging time: 10 - 90% top-up takes 58 minutes
Audi E-Tron GT
Similar to the Porsche Taycan, this all-electric Audi shares its floorplan and 40% of its makeup. However, Audi’s take on a four-door high-performance EV is a little softer than Porsche’s approach – meaning fans of expensive Audis will struggle to see a difference in the drive.
Audi’s R8 factory in Neckarsulm was chosen for the E-Tron GT’s production, so these two entirely different models are built on the same line.
As you’d expect with an Audi, acceleration is very quick, with a 0-62mph sprint of just 3.3 seconds recorded for the RS model. And that’s not all on the speed front, as this EV is rapid when it comes to charging, too.
Battery: 95kWh
Range: 298 miles
Charging time: 60-mile top-up takes just five minutes (270kW charging)
BMW i4
The i4 M50 is the perfect combination of the traditional BMW but in an accomplished EV package.
The i4 is impressive all over – it boasts explosive performance, strong range and the superb build quality we’ve come to expect from BMW, plus excellent infotainment tech and competitive charging rates.
The i4, which is based on the 4 Series Gran Coupe, is BMW’s first electric car to receive the M Division treatment, so if enthusiasts are looking for an EV that delivers thrills, it has to be this one.
Battery: 80.7kWh
Range: 318 miles
Charging time: 10 – 80% top-up takes 31 minutes (210kW charging)
Kia EV6
Kia EV6 easily ticks the box for families looking for that capable EV. Its reliable range, fast-charging and decent standard equipment mean this Korean crossover is one of the best electric cars out there.
Its sleek appearance offers plenty of kerb appeal, and the EV6 is great on the road as well, with powerful GT models bringing seriously rapid performance to the table.
Kia has big plans to establish itself as an all-electric car company by 2040, and the battery-powered EV6 flagship is a key model helping them on their way.
Battery: 77.4kWh
Range: 325 miles
Charging time: 10 – 80% top-up takes 18 minutes (350kW charging), 73 minutes with a 50kW charger
Designs for new EV models are being announced all the time – we’ve rounded up the EVs we think will be in and around the top five by the time 2023 rolls round in our Top electric cars for 2022 blog.
