Quality electric cars tricks? 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…
With new electric cars arriving all the time, now could be the perfect time to switch to an EV. If you’ve still got some questions, we look at how electric cars works, advantages of electric cars and how much it costs to charge an electric car further down the page. First though, here’s our guide to the best electric cars you can buy in the UK today. The Skoda Enyaq iV could be the electric car that many of us have been waiting for. It’s certainly one of the very best electric cars you can buy right now. Based on the same platform as Volkswagen’s ID.4 and the Audi Q4 e-tron, we think it’s the Enyaq that’s the best choice out of the three cars. Why’s that you ask? Surely Volkswagen and Audi trumps Skoda? Don’t get us wrong, the ID.4 and Q4 e-tron are very good electric cars, it’s just that the Enyaq offers greater practicality, more generous kit levels and a more affordable price tag.
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 additional info on https://evmotors.live/.
Skoda is renowned for producing great-value and well thought-out family cars with petrol and diesel engines, but the Enyaq iV is its first effort to do the same with electric power. And it’s a very good one. Using the VW Group’s dedicated MEB electric-car architecture means there’s an enormous amount of interior space for both passengers and luggage, not to mention great all-round visibility through those big windows. Technology-wise, you can choose from three different powertrain options: the Enyaq iV 60, the Enyaq iV 80 and the all-wheel-drive Enyaq iV 80x. They deliver between 255 and 336 miles of driving range, with all models getting decent rapid-charging capability so you can top up quickly on a longer journey. There are also a variety of interior ‘themes’ to choose from, with sustainable materials employed to give a unique feel to the cabin.