Richard Aucock reviews six long-range electric vehicles (EVs) above 250 miles. These cars are available on the Motability Scheme’s latest quarterly car price list for 2024 (July to September 2024). You’ll find stylish small hatchbacks to practical large SUVs, giving you a range of options to choose from. You’ll also find a helpful explanation on EV battery sizes to help you choose the right one.
The prices shown are valid for applications placed before 30 September 2024.
There are lots of new electric cars available in the UK, and the number is growing all the time. This rise in electric cars is a result of a rule from the Government called the ZEV Mandate. This rule means that all car manufacturers need to produce more eclectic cars every year. This year, at least 22% of the cars they sell should be electric, and this will go up to 80% by 2030.
To meet the ZEV Mandate, manufacturers will need to produce more electric cars and less petrol and diesel models. This means that some petrol and diesel models will be phased out and prices will increase for those that are still available. Find out more about how the new car market is changing in 2024.
With electric car range improving all the time, many new EVs coming onto the scheme have a generous driving range of 250 miles or more. This means you can drive for long distances in your EV with less need to worry about charging up the battery.
Electric car battery size
Electric car battery size is measured in kWh. The larger the number, the bigger the battery. An average electric car has a 50kWh battery. But do note, just as petrol and diesel cars have different levels of fuel economy, electric cars can vary in efficiency. The range of one model can be longer than another, even if they have the same size battery.
Electric car range is measured by the official Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). This is a standard test, carried out in a laboratory, that helps customers compare the range of different EVs. The ‘Combined’ figure shows the expected maximum distance a vehicle can travel on a single charge across various driving conditions.
The test reflects real-world scenarios to provide the industry-standard ‘range’ figure which is also used at the Motability Scheme in the ‘find a vehicle’ results, where you can filter based on battery range.
Real-world range
Your real-world figure will vary, for a number of reasons, including your driving style, the roads you drive on and even the weather. For example, driving on the motorway at higher speeds will use more electricity than slower city speeds, and cold weather means batteries are less efficient and give a lower range than when it is warm. The WLTP Combined figure is a good starting point to assess electric car range across different makes and models.
Honda e:Ny1
Driving range: up to 256 miles (from £499 Advance Payment)
What sort of car is it?
The Honda e:Ny1 is a small electric SUV. It is an EV alternative to the Honda HR-V, which is a hybrid car that is also available on the Motability Scheme.
Why is it so popular?
The Honda e:Ny1 has a futuristic look with smart white Honda badges and a sleek, aerodynamic profile. The charging port is hidden behind the white ‘H’ logo at the front. It is modern inside too, with a distinctive and extra-large central touchscreen that’s packed with gadgets. Passengers enjoy plenty of space and the 361-litre boot can hold three large suitcases.
The Honda e:Ny1 has a 69kWh battery. This means it has an electric range of 256 miles. Like all electric cars, it has an easy-to-use automatic transmission. A power output of 201bhp means it is responsive and reassuring to drive.
GWM ORA 03
Driving range: up to 261 miles (from £999 Advance Payment)
What sort of car is it?
The GWM ORA 03 is a small hatchback electric car with five doors. Until recently, it was known as the ORA Funky Cat. This updated version gets a new name (03) and an increased battery size, which gives it an even longer range than it had before.
Why is it so popular?
This improved GWM ORA 03 now comes with a larger battery option. It is called the Pro+ 63kWh and is a longer-range alternative to the existing Pure+ 48kWh model. The new 63kWh battery significantly improves the range to a useful 261 miles. It is combined with a 169bhp electric motor for snappy performance.
The GWM ORA 03 is a distinctive-looking car with a friendly face and retro styling features. The interior is very welcoming with a quality feel and premium features. Rear passenger space has been prioritised, with surprising space and comfort. The 228-litre boot, which can hold one large suitcase, can be easily expanded by folding the rear seats.
Peugeot e-3008
Driving range: up to 326 miles (from £1,299 Advance Payment)
What sort of car is it?
The new Peugeot e-3008 is a brand-new electric version of the popular medium SUV. The first cars are now arriving in UK dealers.
Why is it so popular?
This new Peugeot e-3008 features a 73kWh battery. This gives it an impressive range of 326 miles. This GT-spec model has lots of sporty styling interior and exterior features. A 210bhp electric motor means performance is strong.
Inside, the new Peugeot e-3008 has an advanced interior that is packed with technology such as clever configurable i-Toggles and convenient ‘Open and Go’ keyless entry. I also found the 21-inch panoramic digital display very impressive. It’s welcoming, comfortable, and spacious. There is a good amount of room for passengers and the large 520-litre boot is very large, big enough to take four large suitcases.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Driving range: up to 315 miles (from £1,499 Advance Payment)
What sort of car is it?
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an acclaimed electric medium hatchback that has been really well-received by critics. It is also a former winner of the top World Car of the Year award in 2022.
Why is it so popular?
The futuristic Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a bold car with an ultra-modern appearance. I love the sharp creases and pixel lights front and rear. This Premium version has a good spec, including heated front seats and steering wheel, sat nav and a reverse parking camera. There’s a good amount of room for passengers and a 527-litre boot that’s big enough for four large suitcases.
This Hyundai Ioniq 5 comes with the larger 77kWh battery. This means it has a very impressive electric range of 315 miles. It can also use ultra-fast public rapid chargers. If you find a device powerful enough, it can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. This is much faster than most other electric cars.
Skoda Enyaq
Driving range: up to 349 miles (from £1,499 Advance Payment)
What sort of car is it?
The Skoda Enyaq is a large SUV that combines electric motoring with a spacious interior and high seating position which makes it easy to access. I think it’s a really well-rounded car for families who need lots of room.
Why is it so popular?
This large electric car is very practical. It’s extremely well-designed with a spacious interior offering loads of comfort for five people. There are lots of ingenious ‘simply clever’ features to make life easier. These include handy mobile phone stowage slots in the back of the front seats, a hidden organiser under the boot floor and a useful cable cleaner for the EV charging cable to keep your boot clean and tidy. The boot itself is also enormous, with its 585-litre capacity taking four large suitcases with ease.
This Skoda Enyaq has an 82kWh battery. It is the largest battery featured here, and it gives a superb official driving range of 349 miles. The standard sat nav helps you easily locate public chargers while travelling too.
Smart #1
Driving range: up to 260 miles (from £2,249 Advance Payment)
What sort of car is it?
The Smart #1 (pronounced ‘hashtag one’) is an ultra-modern new electric small SUV from this fun and innovative brand. Smart has been reborn in recent years and the new #1 aims to be its core model in a growing range of new cars.
Why is it so popular?
The Smart #1 has a modern appearance that is clean and distinctive. It is similar in length and width to a Volkswagen Golf hatchback. The clever design means it has impressive roominess inside. Even tall adults will find plenty of space in the back. The 323-litre boot will take around two large suitcases.
The Smart #1 has a 66kWh battery. This gives it a useful range of 260 miles. Clever onboard technology helps you easily monitor the battery and find public charge points on the move. I also found the little fox character in the infotainment screen, who serves as a ‘virtual assistant’, a really fun touch.
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The Motability Scheme price list is updated every three months. The next price list will be released on 1 October 2024. Remember, prices can go up as well as down.
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