What Electric Car Should I Lease?

Types of electric cars
Benefits of going electric
Hottest electric cars right now

With the government's ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from the year 2030, there's never been a better time to plug in. But you might be wondering which electric car on the UK market is the best for you and whether it matches up with your individual needs and preferences. That's especially the case if you've never driven an electric car before. Truth is, though, there's a lot of competition for places, but we'll narrow it down to some of the top electric cars to make life easier for you!

You'll need to factor in whether you want a hybrid or a full electric car, and you'll also need to consider the maximum range or mileage of the car and whether you have access to a charging station, besides other things. And if that sounds like an awful lot to take in, then don't worry, because we'll cover all those points (and more) below.

Before you know it, you'll be well on the way to beginning your electric journey!

What Types of Electric Car Are There?

You probably already know, but we'll say it anyway . . .

Instead of running solely on a diesel or a petrol internal combustion engine (ICE), a pure electric car (battery electric vehicle) makes use of a rechargeable battery. In other words, no more visits to a fuel station.

A hybrid electric vehicle is a little bit different. It runs on a combination of a rechargeable battery and an internal combustion engine. They work together at the same time to power the car.

Then there's also a third main type called a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle which offers a good halfway house between pure electric and pure hybrid vehicles. Instead of a battery and a traditional-style engine working together at the same time, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle first runs on an electric battery and then switches to an internal combustion engine (either diesel or petrol, depending on the car) as a back-up.

Read more:

What is a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)?

What Is A Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)?

What Is A Hybrid Electric Vehicle? (HEV)

Environmental Benefits of Going Electric

Contrary to what some people may think, standard pure electric vehicles don't produce absolutely zero CO2 emissions (very few things do), but with zero tailpipe exhaust emissions and low CO2 emissions, they're still much, much better for the environment than your typical engine-powered petrol or diesel vehicle. The exact environmental performance can vary a bit from car to car depending on the battery (Green NCAP publishes ratings for some), but in general, if you want to go green, a standard electric car is definitely the way to go.

Obviously, as both hybrids and plug-in hybrid vehicles also make use of a traditional conventional engine as well as a battery, they're going to be contributing more to overall pollution levels than a pure electric vehicle, so you've got to consider whether those extra emissions are important to you, and how much.

There's also other, more material benefits to going electric, like less running costs and not having to pay tax if you live in London. And if you do happen to live in the capital city, you won't have to pay road tax and you’ll also be exempt from the London Congestion Charge. Happy days!

What Are They Like to Drive?

Overall, pretty good!

In what can be an innovative and smooth driving experience, the first thing that you'll notice with an electric car is the immense quiet – very different from the roar and bluster of a conventional engine (which, admittedly, some people thrive off). Yep, unlike their petrol and diesel alternatives, there's practically no noise coming from an electric car. Unless accelerating, the most you'll hear is a low hum and, depending on how horrid the weather is, maybe some wind or tyre noise.

Like with a petrol or diesel car in regards to fuel usage, driving style can affect your electric car's range. Slow and smooth driving will enhance the range, and when in traffic, the car will slow down as you ease your foot off the throttle, making it possible to drive around town using just one pedal and hardly ever needing to touch the brake.

Of course, it isn't all rosy. For one thing, electric cars tend to be heavier than their petrol and diesel counterparts, leading to less nimble steering on twisty, winding roads.

How Much Do Electric Cars Cost?

Due to their advanced and at times cutting edge technology, electric vehicles are understandably a lot more expensive to buy or lease outright than your typical conventional-powered car.

On the flipside of that, electric vehicles are also a lot cheaper to run (as much as 60% less, in fact) than their petrol and diesel equivalents, even if you often find yourself having to make use of more expensive public charging points. However, you're going to have to hold onto your electric car for a good while to end up seeing the better value.

As a bonus, the more electric cars become available nationwide and the more people think about leasing or buying an electric car, the more the upfront costs will lower, so even if you don't like the look of prices now, it could be worth waiting one or two years down the line.

What Range Should I Be Looking For?

You might get a bit more flexibility with standard hybrids, but electric cars and plug-in hybrids can't be 'filled up' quickly like with petrol and diesel vehicles. Recharging electric car batteries takes time. You can't just pop in to the nearest fuel station and quickly get going again. Each car has a certain range on a single charge before it needs to be plugged in again and charged, leading to what some call 'range anxiety', whereby you're not sure whether your electric car is going to die out on you or not on some lonely road in the middle of nowhere.

Think about how far you need to travel. If you often find yourself travelling long distances for work or having the sudden urge to go on a really long road trip, you'll want to look at buying or leasing a longer-range electric car.

Thankfully, due to steady advances in technology, car range is always on the up for newly-released models, and that's only going to improve with more electric car sales.

How Will I Charge My Electric Car?

At home or at a public charging station, if it's a standard electric car. Despite those steady improvements in battery technology, the accessibility or inaccessibility to charging stations is the reason why regular long haul journeys in electric cars can still prove problematic. Finding a charging point can be challenging and you're bound to need regular access to one at home.

However, if you drive less than 200 miles each week, you could easily just recharge every so often at a public charging station. Just be aware that this will mean having to leave your car or babysit it for extended periods of time on a regular basis.

The best bet if you're charging at home and have access to a driveway is to install a wall box, making use of the EV charge-point grant to get up to a 75% discount on installing a charging point.

Another option is to charge your electric vehicle at work if your employer owns a car park. They will be able to apply for the Workplace Charging Scheme to install a charger on-site.

Are There Enough Charging Points?

Obviously, you won't find them on every street corner, but there are still over 42,000 charge point connectors in the UK at over 15,500 locations.

That's more charging locations than there are petrol stations!

How Long Does it Take?

The charging rate is dependent upon the particular type of battery, but the average charging time for a typical electric car with a 60kWh battery is just under 8 hours, though advancements in battery technology means that some can now charge from empty to full in a much quicker time. For example, new electric cars like the Tesla Model S and the Audi e-tron GT are capable of recharging from 0-80% in just 30 minutes, or even a little less.

For cars with the longest charging times, you're probably best leaving your car overnight, assuming that you're going to be using it during the day for work or other purposes. So making sure that you have access to home parking and a home charging outlet can be vitally important.

Are Electric Cars Safe?

Very much so.

It's understandable to be wary about driving something that has a Lithium-ion battery inside it, but just like standard vehicles, electric cars are subject to all the standard environmental and safety regulations that you get with conventional cars.

Geared with the above information, you should be better-placed when it comes to knowing which electric car you should buy.

Here's our pick of the bunch when it comes to the wide range of electric vehicles on offer. Each should offer something different, and the list represents a good idea of the range of vehicles available to you.

Tesla Model Y (Range – up to 331 miles)

Tesla's second SUV model, and a less glamorous one than the Tesla Model X, the Tesla Model Y comes in two versions: the Performance and the Long Range Model Y. Both function on four-wheel drive but the performance is the better of the two, having a top speed of 155mph and lasting up to 326 miles on a single charge. That's in addition to being able to travel from 0 to 60mph in a mere 3.5 seconds.

Both versions of the Tesla Model Y are four-wheel drive, with a 0 to 60mph time of 4.8 seconds for the Long Range and a 0 to 60mph time of 3.5 seconds for the Performance. But as well as speed and performance, the Tesla Model Y also packs a reasonable punch in the space department, with 854-litres of luggage room at the back and 117-litres at the front – plenty of room for that weekly shop.

Fiat 500 Electric (Range – up to 199 miles)

Small and agile, the Fiat 500 Electric fits the city car description to a T. A third generation model, it's cute and loaded with personality, looking every bit like it could spring to life and start talking. As well as packing in some classic Italian fare, it's small and agile, making it one of the easiest cars to park in those tight, contained spaces around the city.

You'll get a choice of two batteries: the long-range 42kW variant and the City Range 24kWh. The Fiat 500 Electric can be fast-charged to 80% battery power in just 30 minutes if you're using the bundled 3-mode cable with a fast-charging public station.

Kia EV6 (Range – up to 328 miles)

Closely related to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 could be the ideal option if you're not too keen on that vehicle's higher driving position and futuristic-like appearance. You can choose from the Long Range RWD and the Long Range AWD, as well as a high-performing GT version which delivers the best possible range of 328 miles and goes from 0 to 62mph in just 3.5 seconds. ![](http://assets.leaseloco.com/blog/

Nissan Leaf (Range – up to 239 miles on the Leaf e+)

The Nissan Leaf was instrumental in launching the mass production of electric cars, with more than 500,000 having been built since its 2011 release. You can choose from two models: the standard Leaf and the Leaf e+. The Leaf e+ comes with a larger 62kWh battery, giving it an official range of up to 239 miles, which for the added price is definitely worth it if you regularly find yourself having to go on longer-distance drives.

Despite a somewhat dated infotainment system and some cheap-feeling trim, the Nissan Leaf is very much a generalist vehicle with space for all the family – good at everything, but not excelling at any one thing. And with prices starting from approximately £26,000, it's one of the cheapest electric cars out there.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 (Range – up to 283 miles)

The futuristic-looking Hyundai Ioniq 5 showcases the best state-of-the-art electric car tech alongside impressive performance and a more than capable charging ability. It shares rivalries with the Volkswagen ID.4, the Tesla Model Y and the Audi Q4 e-tron.

You'll have the choice of two battery options with three power outputs: the entry-level 58kWh battery version achieves a range of 238 miles and goes from 0 to 62mph in 8.5 seconds, whilst the 214bhp mid-spec power output version has a 73kWh battery and delivers the best range at 280 miles. The highest-spec version makes use of that same 73kWh battery, with a second motor at the front, delivering the best performance at a combined total of 301bhp and 605Nm of torque. It goes from 0 to 62mph in 5.2 seconds.

BMW iX (Range – up to 380 miles)

The BMW iX is the first BMW battery-powered SUV to be built on a dedicated EV platform. You'll have the choice of three versions: the most upmarket 611bhp M60, the second-level 516bhp xDrive50, and the 332bhp xDrive40 with a 257 mile battery range. The 611 and 516bhp versions increase the battery size to 105kWh and deliver a maximum range of 380 miles and 357 miles respectively.

Whatever version you choose, they all feature four-wheel drive and a dual-motor setup. When it comes to the handling, the BMW iX handles surprisingly well, particularly on corners. Meanwhile, any bumps and vibrations will be absorbed by the excellent suspension. Interior-wise, you get a plush and high-quality cabin that comes with a dual-screen infotainment system and the latest version of BMW's 'iDrive'.

Volkswagen ID.3 (Range – up to 336 miles)

The Volkswagen ID.3 is rightly regarded as Volkswagen's ultimate modern car. It was also the winner of the Best Family Electric Car award at the carwow 2021 Car of the Year awards. It gives you rapid charging rates and excellent range with three different battery sizes. If you like it, other similar models worth looking at are the Renault Zoe, the Nissan Leaf and the Hyundai Kona Electric.

Ford Mustang Mach-E (Range – up to 379 miles)

Ford's first electric SUV, the Ford Mustang Mach-E offers practicality in full measure and an exterior that's sure to impress. It's not quite as powerful as more traditional Mustang models, but it is still capable of going from 0 to 62mph in just 3.7 seconds, packing in a healthy dose of Mustang's famed drag-strip credentials into the bargain. If you get it in rear-wheel-drive with the 88kWh battery, the Mustang Mach-E can go for up to 379 miles on a single charge.

It comes with all the usual tech and features that you'd expect for a high-quality SUV, and for those so inclined, the Mustang Mach-E does also let you simulate a fake V8 engine sound in the cabin if you select the 'Untamed' driving mode from the three available options.

Porsche Taycan (Range – up to 301 miles)

Despite its outer appearance, this top-notch four-seater sports saloon actually weighs a hefty 2.2-tonnes. And in spite of that weight, it's still fairly manoeuvrable at tight corners and hides its bulk well. A plug-in hybrid, it's capable of going from 0 to 62 mph in 4 seconds with the 523bhp version, whilst the 750bhp Turbo S version does well to bring that time down to a mere 2.8 seconds.

The cost will obviously set you back quite a bit, but we've included it here to give you an example of the broad range of electric vehicles on offer.

Skoda Enyaq (Range – up to 333 miles)

The Enyaq practically screams Skoda: it's practical, comfortable and a great drive, without being anything all that special. Better yet, Skoda has given you an ingenious way to personalise your new Enyaq, offering you five 'Design Selections' in the form of Lodge, Loft, Lounge, Suite, and ECO Suite, each with its own unique feel.

The 19" alloy wheels certainly look great, but it gets even better when it comes to tech and gadgets, as you'll have the benefit of LED headlights, climate control, cruise control, and rear parking sensors, not to mention a Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display.

With the best models able to run up to 333 miles, range anxiety will very much be a thing of the past.

Leasing With LeaseLoco

As an authorised and regulated leasing company, we offer you the best car leasing offers to suit your needs, thankfully with road tax and the full manufacturer's warranty included (and, more often than not, full breakdown cover).

Best of all, our very own Loco Score ranks the latest car leasing deals on brand new cars from best to worst so that you don't have to. We compare the best prices to make sure you get the most for your money and the best monthly payments.

With that in mind, why not check out our car leasing offers and pick up your favourite deal on your brand new electric car!