Car Clinic – Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times

The best new electric cars with 0% APR finance in October 2023

Gracekindred — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 16:42:06 +0000

Buying a car on finance is an appealing proposition. You don’t have to save up or spend what savings you may already have; instead, you allocate a manageable proportion of your monthly income to your new vehicle, spreading the cost over a defined time period (often three or four years). This helps make a brand-new car more attainable for many drivers.

However, most loans of any kind will involve a cost to you called the annual percentage rate (APR). The interest charge means that you pay back more than you borrowed over the period, and the APR can vary greatly.

In order to lure buyers into factory-fresh vehicles, dealers offer attractive incentives, and the most enticing of all is a finance deal that charges zero per cent APR, potentially saving consumers thousands of pounds in interest.

These 0% finance deals aren’t all that common, and of the few there are, many are only offered for a limited period.

We’ve scoured car manufacturer websites to find the latest 0% finance deals on new cars, and noticed a clear trend this autumn 2023: for these zero-interest loans to be available most widely on electric vehicles (EVs). It’s a great way to encourage buyers into zero emission cars, which are still costlier to buy up front than petrol or hybrid equivalents.

That means if you’re ready to make the leap to electric power in your car, you’re quite likely to find a car that suits on 0% finance.

Deposit can often rule out zero per cent loans

With all the cars listed, terms and conditions will apply, and the size of the necessary deposit contributions, monthly payments and agreement periods also vary. While you might be able to put the sale of an existing car towards the deposit on a new model, it may still be a prohibitive sum that rules out 0% APR loans for drivers choosing to buy a new car using finance.

What’s more, 0% finance may well be available only on specific versions of the models mentioned, and the deals could be only available with a specific type of finance agreement, whether that be a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP), Hire Purchase (HP) or another product. That means drivers must read the small print carefully to check what’s being offered.

What’s the best thing to do at the end of a car PCP finance deal?

However, with no interest to pay, within these deals could be an offer you can’t afford to miss. Here’s a rundown of our favourite EVs available with zero per cent finance right now.

Cupra Born on 0% finance

Cupra’s compact Born hatchback is a brilliant EV. It has smart exterior styling, a high-quality cabin, easy-to-use technology and an engaging chassis that makes it one of the more fun electric cars to drive.

All versions of the Born are available at 0% APR, but you might want to aim for the 77kWh model — not only does it have more power than the versions with the 58kWh battery, packing a healthy 227bhp, but it also goes further on a single charge. Officially, it can go up to 342 miles in one hit, although realistically you can expect around 280-300 miles of driving before having to plug in the Born again.

Ford Mustang Mach-E on 0% finance

Ford’s decision to leverage its historic Mustang nameplate on an electric SUV was perhaps a risky one, but the resulting product is excellent. Mustang-themed exterior styling clothes an interior where the centrepiece is a giant portrait touchscreen for the infotainment, while the Mach-E also has plenty of interior space and boot capacity.

The best news is that the 0% APR deal is for the 98kWh AWD model, so you get strong driving performance and up to 341 miles from a single charge of the battery pack.

Ford is also offering 0% APR deals on its Puma, Kuga and Focus models at the time of writing, although none of these are pure EVs (an electric Puma is on the way but not with us yet).

Hyundai Ioniq 6 on 0% APR

Hyundai’s evolution into one of the market-leading car brands is based heavily on its skills with electric cars. One of the Korean company’s finest products right now is the Ioniq 6, a swoopy saloon that takes its styling inspiration from the ‘streamliner’ design themes of the Art Deco era.

But the Ioniq 6 isn’t all show and no go, as the Hyundai has a high-tech interior and the capability for ultra-rapid charging due to its advanced 800-volt technology.

Both rear-wheel-drive single-motor and all-wheel-drive dual-motor models are part of Hyundai’s attractive 0% APR offer.

Hyundai is also offering 0% APR deals on its Ioniq 5 and Kona Electric (both the old version and the all-new take) products at the time of writing.

Mazda MX-30 on 0% finance

Although it has the upright stance and build of a crossover-SUV, the Mazda MX-30 is best thought of as a purely urban or semi-urban vehicle, thanks to a driving range of just 124 miles on its ‘right-sized’ battery pack.

But as city cars go, this Japanese EV is full of charm. It has an interior lined with cork, a nod back to Mazda’s distant manufacturing heritage, and the rear doors are hinged at the back for real kerbside showmanship.

Its small battery also means relatively low weight, so the MX-30 is great fun to drive in a way many other EVs that go further per charge are not.

MG ZS EV on 0% finance

MG has set out its stall as a budget brand, yet the affordability and all-round talents of the ZS EV are hard to ignore.

The 0% APR deal applies to all models, so set your sights on the 72.6kWh Long Range version that can travel up to 273 miles on a single charge.

Purchase prices are low to start with, which means the ZS EV’s monthly repayments are really attractive – and for that you get a comfortable cabin appointed with plenty of equipment across all versions.

The Chinese-owned brand is also offering 0% APR deals on its MG 4 model (excluding the XPower) at the time of writing.

Car market fixed by ‘brutal’ China and the West is ‘too scared’ to fight back, says Iain Duncan-Smith

Mercedes-Benz EQB on 0% finance

Trying to pack several disparate parameters into one type of car is tricky, but Mercedes has managed to pull it off with the likeable EQB.

This is a compact SUV, which a desirable body shape to begin with and only helped by the premium allure of that three-pointed star. But it is also a seven-seater… and an electric one to boot, making it a fairly unique proposition right now.

You’ll enjoy up to 253 miles of zero-emissions range from this multitalented machine, with a high-quality interior being a particular perk of the EQB.

Mercedes is also offering 0% APR deals on its EQA, EQC and EQE EVs at the time of writing.

Peugeot e-208 on 0% finance

Peugeot has aspirations to become a manufacturer only selling EVs right across Europe by the end of the decade, and the e-208 electric supermini was at the vanguard of the company’s shift in focus.

One of the most affordable EVs going anyway, a technical update in 2023 gave it a touch more power (154bhp), a slightly larger battery for greater driving range (up to 248 miles) and revised looks for a sharper appearance.

The zero-free interest deal is on the e-208 one step up from base spec, which means you get a generous level of kit for your money from this electric supermini.

Peugeot is also offering 0% APR deals on its e-2008 electric crossover at the time of writing.

Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric on 0% finance

Renault’s zero APR offer on its superb Mégane E-Tech Electric applies to all versions, which means you’ve got plenty of choice if you want to go for this EV.

It has a top-notch interior, with quality fixtures and fittings, as well as a good spread of the latest technology.

The exterior styling is also eye-catching, while up to 280 miles of driving range is possible on a single charge.

The performance of the Mégane E-Tech is well-judged too, making it a pleasure to drive in a wide variety of scenarios.

Renault is also offering 0% APR deals on its Clio, Captur and Arkana models at the time of writing, although none of these are pure EVs.

Skoda Enyaq on 0% APR

Skoda’s transformation from the butt of every 1980s car-related joke to a truly front-running brand has long been complete, which means vehicles like the exceptional Enyaq iV push the manufacturer right to the forefront of the electric car marketplace.

It uses the same underpinnings as the Volkswagen ID.4 but there’s no doubt the Enyaq is the superior product, with an interior which feels more solidly built and sensibly arranged than that of the VW.

Skoda’s deal applies to the regular SUV and also its Coupé spin-off, but either way what you’re getting here is one of the best family EVs going, with up to 345 miles of driving range possible.

Volvo C40 on 0% finance

The Volvo C40 is a pure-electric coupé version of the Swedish company’s smallest SUV, the XC40. That means this EV has a sensational interior, replete with the highest-quality materials and a cool, reserved air that is a hallmark of Scandinavian culture.

It’s also nice to look at on the outside and possessed of highly amenable dynamic manners, with up to 342 miles of driving range possible from its 82kWh-capacity battery pack.

Volvo is also offering 0% APR deals on its XC40, XC60, XC90, S60, S90 and V90 model lines at the time of writing, although only one of these — the XC40 — is potentially available as a pure electric car.

If you found our guide to EVs at zero per cent finance interesting, you may want to read about Ford’s idea for cars to drive themselves back to the dealer if a finance payment is missed
Keen to go electric? Here are the top 10 longest-range electric cars
Read our guide to all the car makers’ EV plans

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The post The best new electric cars with 0% APR finance in October 2023 appeared first on Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times.

2035 petrol and diesel car ban: 12 things you need to know

Igorsumonja — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 10:07:00 +0000

The government’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will come into effect from 2035, pushed back from the original target of 2030 by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

From 2035, those buying new cars will have a choice of any vehicle that produced zero emissions while in use, which will predominantly mean battery-electric vehicles but doesn’t exclude alternative options such as hydrogen fuel cell models.

Whatever choice new car buyers make under the combustion engine ban, one option they won’t have is that of buying a vehicle powered by fossil fuels.

The government has been tightening the timeframe for a ban on petrol and diesel cars since it first announced the idea in July 2017, when it proposed 2040 as the start date. In October 2018, the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee described that plan as “vague and unambitious”.

In February 2019 the prime minister, Boris Johnson, said he would bring forward a ban on new petrol and diesel car sales from 2040 to 2035, or even sooner if a “faster transition is feasible”, and confirmed it would include hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

In November 2020, Johnson confirmed in a newspaper column that the government was bringing the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars forward to 2030, though hybrids will be unaffected until 2035, provided they’re capable of achieving “significant” zero-emissions distances. The ban formed part of what Johnson refers to as a “green industrial revolution,” creating, he said, a low-carbon economy and millions of new jobs.

In September 2023, however, prime minister Rishi Sunak announced that he is delaying the ban on new petrol and diesel cars to 2035, to ease the burden on motorists during the cost of living crisis. He called the move “pragmatic, proportionate and realistic”.

With a lot still left to do by 2035 by both the government and the industry in convincing motorists to make the switch to electric and in massively increasing the extent of the UK’s public charging infrastructure, here are the 12 things you need to know about the ban on petrol and diesel cars.

1. Why are new petrol and diesel vehicles being banned?

The petrol and diesel car ban is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality. Petrol and diesel cars emit CO2 and Britain has a legal target to cut greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050.

Diesel vehicles produce higher levels of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which have been linked to increased risk of respiratory illnesses, lung cancer, heart disease and many other conditions. According to a report from the Royal College of Physicians, traffic fumes a r e contributing to the early deaths of an estimated 40,000 people in the UK.

These emissions can be reduced via modern exhaust systems and additives, such as AdBlue, but electric cars are still cleaner as zero emissions are produced at point of use — except particles from tyres and brakes. Electric cars are even cleaner when they are manufactured and recharged using energy produced using renewable sources, such as wind and solar.

Citing similar reasons, the EU announced in 2022 that it would follow suit with a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, from 2035.

2. What are the rules on hybrid cars?

Hybrids were to be banned from sale in new car showrooms from 2035 — five years after the original target for pure petrol and diesel models — though at the time of writing it’s unclear how Sunak’s delay on petrol and diesel will affect hybrid models.

What are ‘mild hybrid’, ‘full hybrid’, ‘plug-in hybrid’ and ‘pure-electric’ cars?

Hybrids come in a number of forms but basically they combine an electric motor with a petrol or diesel engine for greater efficiency. Plug-in hybrids have a medium-sized battery and can be recharged for up to around 50 miles of electric motoring before the engine is needed.

Boris Johnson said the only hybrids that will be able to be sold between 2030 and 2035 are those “that can drive a significant distance when no carbon is coming out of the tailpipe”, meaning that manufacturers would have need to abandon mild hybrids and increase the range of their plug-in hybrid models by 2030. However, under Sunak’s plans all new hybrids now have a reprieve until at least 2035.

3. Are trucks and other commercial vehicles included in the petrol and diesel ban?

Yes, the sale of new diesel vans will be banned from 2035 and diesel lorries will be phased out.

4. Will I be able to buy a second-hand petrol or diesel car after 2035?

The petrol and diesel car ban only affects sales of new vehicles, so yes, you’ll still be able to buy and sell used cars that are powered by combustion engines after 2035.

5. What will happen to the value of my petrol or diesel car?

Resale values of traditional combustion engine cars are expected to be hit as demand falls and cities outside London follow the capital in introducing ultra-low emissions zones.

As 2035 approaches, the values of used petrol, diesel and hybrid cars are expected to plummet, as manufacturers still offering new models for sale are likely to discount heavily.

6. Will I be forced to scrap my car in 2035?

No, the petrol and diesel car ban is only on the sale of new combustion engine cars — those already on the road will still be legal to own and drive. As the average life of a car is 14 years, new petrol and diesel cars bought in late 2034 could remain on the roads until 2048 at least.

What happens after that is harder to predict. The government’s net zero by 2050 target means zero CO2 being produced across all sectors, and so combustion cars will prove to be a problem at that stage.

7. What will happen to classic cars after 2035?

At the moment there is no suggestion that classic cars powered by traditional petrol or diesel engines will be forced off the road.

There are more than half a million “historic” vehicles — those over 40 years old — on British roads and it is unlikely that will change. It is expected that in the twenty years or so following the petrol and diesel car ban, old-style fuels will become less sought after, more expensive and harder to come.

One solution to the problem might be an exemption to the ban for classic cars, which is a niche interest and so unlikely to make a significant contribution to climate change.

Another is for classics to run on e-fuels, which are carbon neutral when produced using renewable energy. Some manufacturers (Porsche in particular, which is investing heavily in the field) are touting e-fuels as a way to keep classic vehicles on the road indefinitely. While e-fuels don’t, at present, seem likely to play a big part in the future of transport as they’re too expensive to produce in the volumes required for widespread use, they could provide a valuable lifeline for classic car owners.

Electric classic car conversion industry booming with specialist announcing two-year waiting list

A more radical solution is conversion from petrol or diesel to electric.

8. Is it possible to convert my petrol or diesel car to pure-electric?

Yes, but it’s expensive. An engineer can remove the engine, transmission and fuel tank, and replace them with an electric motor, battery and other related components, but electric conversion company Electric Classic Cars charges £20,000 for a small car and as much as £60,000 for a large one. Insurers tend to charge more for modified cars, too.

Classic car electric conversion is on the rise – we visit one specialist to find out why

Specialist kits are now being sold by the likes of Electrogenic, which does cut costs. And usually no extra holes need to be drilled in the chassis, so the conversion can be reversed. But conversion really is for the beloved, sought-after classic cars that we want to keep on the road, rather than mass-market runabouts.

9. How does the 2035 ban affect my current car finance deal?

For the 90 per cent of new cars bought on finance, the agreement remains valid for the duration, including any guaranteed minimum future value (GMFV), which estimates how much a car will be worth at the end of the contract. It is likely that there will be incentives for drivers to enter deals for electric models when existing leases end.

10. Are pure-electric cars expensive?

At the moment there is a premium on pure-electric cars as they are more expensive to make and demand for them is high relative to manufacturers’ production capacity. For example, in 2022 a Peugeot e-208 was around £6,000-£8,500 dearer than an equivalent petrol model.

However, as sales increase, economies of scale should mean the cost of production decreases, and prices will reduce. Price parity with petrol and diesel cars is expected by the 2030s, with some experts predicting it to happen as soon as 2024.

And prices of used electric cars are falling dramatically, as models begin to flood the market following their initial new-car finance deals.

Best used electric cars for under £17,000

11. Are there financial incentives to buy an electric car?

Not any more — at least no direct ones. In June 2022, the government announced that it was to axe the £1,500 Plug-in Car Grant, an incentive that had been around since 2011, citing “the success in the UK’s electric car revolution”.

While the up-front costs of buying an electric car remain higher than those of petrol and diesel models, then transport minister Trudy Harrison made the point that the potential saving in running costs made by switching to an electric vehicle would exceed £1,500 anyway.

There are other financial incentives for making the switch to an EV, though. Pure-electric car drivers pay zero VED (commonly known as road tax), are exempt from the London Congestion Charge and Ulez fees, pay less for servicing and maintenance and electricity is cheaper per mile than petrol and diesel. Company car drivers save a packet on Benefit in Kind taxation, too.

12. Will electric car running costs increase?

The government is looking to plug a £35bn gap in taxation as a result of people switching to electric vehicles, which pay no fuel duty or vehicle excise duty.

Increasing the number of toll roads has been suggested to help generate road tax, while in February 2022 the cross-party Transport Select Committee recommended the urgent introduction of pay-per-mile road pricing in order to plug the huge budget black hole. Such a system, the committee said, should work using satellite-linked trackers in every car, which poses obvious privacy concerns.

Road groups such as the AA and RAC are concerned that those living in rural areas, who are forced to drive further than those living in urban areas, will be negatively impacted, with the AA’s Edmund King suggesting “Road Miles” credits could be given to those living in more remote parts of the country. “Whatever system put forward must be equitable or it will back-fire,” he said.

When will diesel cars be banned?

The sale of all new pure-diesel vehicles will be banned from 2035, this includes cars and vans, with lorries being phased out. However, sales of used diesel cars will still be allowed beyond 2035.

When will petrol cars be banned?

Like diesel vehicles, the sale of all new petrol cars will also be banned from 2035. Again, though, existing petrol vehicles won’t be banned from the road, and you’ll still be able to buy and sell secondhand cars that are powered by petrol and diesel after 2035.

If you found our guide to the 2035 ban on petrol and diesel car sales helpful, you might also like our guide to London’s Ulez
Britain to push back ban on new petrol and diesel cars to 2035, confirms Rishi Sunak (updated)
UK needs ten times more electric car charging points by 2030

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The post 2035 petrol and diesel car ban: 12 things you need to know appeared first on Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times.

Buying Guide: Best used 4×4 estate cars for adventures off-road

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:46:55 +0000

Before the world became obsessed with SUVs, there was an alternative option for buyers in need of family-friendly transport that could cope with the great outdoors: the off-road estate.

Often these are based on premium estates, but with a raised ride height, extra body cladding and a four-wheel-drive transmission to help tackle slippery conditions. Admittedly, many are unlikely to travel far off road, but then, how many SUVs do the same?

Originators in the off-road estate class include Subaru with its permanent four-wheel-drive transmissions, while Volvo Cross Country and Audi allroad models have history in the sector, too. Elsewhere, Skoda has dabbled with the off-road estate as an alternative flagship to the typical high-performance models, while Mercedes briefly entered the sector with the E-Class All-Terrain, as did Peugeot, with the 508 RXH, a car that also came with hybrid power.

But why choose an off-road estate? Well, while they have a raised ride height when compared with the estate cars on which they’re based, they’re not as tall as an SUV, so there’s still some semblance of entertaining driving dynamics going on. And while four-wheel drive is the order of the day, the majority (Subaru excepted) come with part-time set-ups, so most of the time they only send power to one axle, which benefits fuel economy. Again, the lower ride height when compared with an SUV also benefits fuel economy in an off-road estate due to lower aerodynamic drag.

You don’t need to compromise on practicality, either. Since most are based on already-large estate cars, often there is more space available than in an SUV of a similar price, making them far more practical for everyday life, whether you’re ferrying kids, taking on adventure sports or towing a horse box or caravan.

Unfortunately, the off-road estate is becoming something of a dying breed. Audi no longer sells new allroads, and Volvo’s Cross Country badge will disappear when the V90 is shelved and the company no longer builds estate cars. The most recent Skoda Octavia Scout was only available to paramedics in the UK, there’s no RXH version of the latest Peugeot 508 and the E-Class All-Terrain has yet to make a return. That just leaves the Subaru Outback on new-car price lists, but all is not lost, because there are still options to be found on the used-car market.

Off-road estates attract a discerning kind of buyer, so while they’re not as common as some other types of estate car or SUV, you’re more likely to find a well-cared-for example. And because they are usually based on high-spec trims, you get a lot of kit for your money. Here are some top picks from the sector, with a range of models to suit different budgets.

Audi A6 allroad quattro

Approved used cars start at £24,000
Independently sold used cars start at £2,500

Subaru pioneered the off-road 4×4 estate car, but the A6 allroad introduced upmarket luxury to the mix. There has always been a rugged version of the A6 Avant estate, with four generations now on the roads, launched in 2000, 2006, 2013 and 2019, although the latest iteration was dropped from the line-up at the start of 2022.

The original model looked quite rugged, but later cars have a more sophisticated appearance, with body-coloured cladding on the wheelarches and door sills instead of black plastic. The obligatory increase in ride height was present, although cars from 2013 onwards feature adaptive air suspension, so the height can be adjusted according to conditions.

Air suspension is just one piece of hi-tech kit on board, and with most models packed with technology, we’d advise having a potential purchase checked over by a mechanic, or going for an approved used A6 allroad, to help give yourself some added peace of mind when it comes to reliability.

Boot space is vast in the A6, as is room in the back seats, so you won’t be having any complaints from occupants in the rear.

Since the A6 allroad is considered to be an upmarket option in the A6 Avant range, it only comes with higher-powered engines. You’ll find 3-litre V6 petrol and diesel options, which means these cars are great for towing, though the combination of a raised ride height and quattro four-wheel drive does mean fuel economy isn’t great.

Overall, the Audi A6 allroad is as upmarket and desirable as any top-spec luxury SUV, but it’s a more discreet package that is arguably more practical and spacious as family transport.

If you find a V6 engine a little too thirsty for your liking, then the Audi A4 allroad uses exactly the same formula as the A6, but applies it to the A4 Avant, so it has smaller engine options. The A4 Avant wasn’t around for as long as the A6, so is only offered as a Mk3 (from 2009-2015) or Mk4 (2016-2022). This means the earliest cars start from around £4,500, with approved used versions from Audi dealers starting at around £36,500.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain

Approved used cars start at £28,000
Independently sold used cars start at £26,000

When one German car maker enters or creates a new niche, then the others almost always follow. But there’s no such thing as an off-road BMW 5 Series Touring (although xDrive four-wheel drive is available), while Mercedes only entered the off-road estate car market for the first time in 2016, with the E-Class All-Terrain.

It’s based on the W213-generation E 350 d Estate, so you know there’s going to be plenty of space inside, while 4Matic four-wheel drive and a V6 diesel powerplant mean it packs a punch, too. It won’t be the most economical choice, but then the luxury on board will soon help you forget about that.

Air suspension is standard, while a 29mm taller ride height is on offer. The 20-inch alloy wheels probably aren’t the first choice for off-road exploits, though, and really the difference in ride height is only noticeable if you park an All-Terrain model next to a standard E-Class Estate.

Your other task is trying to find one – the All-Terrain was quite expensive when new and was only sold for a couple of years before disappearing again.

Peugeot 508 RXH

Independently sold used cars start at £6,000

By their very nature 4×4 estates are obscure, but this could be the most obscure of all. It is based on the previous generation Peugeot 508, sold from 2010 to 2018, so from an era before the French car maker rediscovered its design mojo. It wasn’t a big seller in the UK and the rugged RXH (“H” standing for hybrid) off-road model was even rarer.

The 508 RXH was designed in the mould of Audi’s allroad models, although it’s closer in size to the smaller A4 allroad.

The grey plastic cladding for the wheelarches and door sills give the RXH a more distinctive look than the bland 508 SW estate, and this was one of the first Peugeots to use the distinctive ‘lion claw’ style LED daytime running lights in the front bumper.

The diesel-electric hybrid system delivers 200bhp, so it’s relatively quick, while the combination of 2-litre diesel and a modest battery and electric motor helped it achieve an official 67mpg. However, the 508 RXH is more about comfort than driving fun, and that raised ride height is combined with soft suspension. The four-wheel-drive system also relied on the hybrid set-up for traction, with the rear wheels being driven exclusively by the electric motor.

A 423-litre boot isn’t one of the biggest in the class, but since the RXH is at the top of the 508 range, it’s loaded with equipment. We’d advise checking that everything works properly before you spend your cash, though, because Peugeots of this era aren’t necessarily the most dependable in terms of electrics.

Skoda Octavia Scout

Approved used cars start at £17,300
Independently sold used cars start at £2,200

Before the Kodiaq, Karoq and Kamiq SUVs, the closest you could get to a Skoda off-roader was the Octavia Scout. In many ways it mirrors Audi’s allroad philosophy by delivering an upmarket alternative to a performance model — if you didn’t want a fast Octavia vRS then the Scout offered something different.

The first Octavia Scout arrived in 2007 and while it was upmarket, it still stuck to the company’s mantra of offering great value when compared with similar 4×4 estate cars for sale by Audi and Volvo, or Subaru for that matter.

A part-time four-wheel-drive system, increased ground clearance and the usual black plastic cladding made an appearance, and it was a formula that returned for the following generation in 2014. The current Octavia Estate introduced in 2020 is offered in Scout guise, but is only available as a special-order model for the UK’s paramedic services.

Power came from 2-litre petrol and diesel engines in higher power outputs, and with a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. That means all cars are great for towing, while the vast 580-litre boot means that it’s far more practical than the 508 RXH above.

If that’s not enough boot space, then the second-generation Skoda Superb Estate was also available in high-riding guise. It wasn’t called the Scout, though, instead being named the Superb Outdoor. Either way it still had a vast 633-litre boot, just like the standard Superb Estate. It had the same diesel engines as the Scout and was sold from 2012-2014, and can be found for around £10,500.

Subaru Outback

Approved used cars start at £13,300
Independently sold used cars start at £1,500

Subaru pioneered the 4×4 estate philosophy and the Outback has become a staple of country life for a dedicated band of the brand’s fans who are in tune with outdoor pursuits.

Originally based on generations of the Legacy Touring Sports estate, the Outback became a model in its own right in 2004 when the Legacy was dropped from the UK line-up. That was the third generation, while today you’ll find the sixth incarnation, introduced in 2020, on new car forecourts – and it’s one of the few remaining off-road estates that you can buy new.

Whichever version you choose, the Outback comes with permanent four-wheel drive, unlike the part-time systems seen in some of the other models mentioned here. That means the Outback is ready for rough conditions at all times, while a limited-slip differential and (on more recent models) a host of electronics help you in rough conditions.

All cars also get Subaru’s traditional boxer engines. Early cars could be had with thirsty 2.5-litre or 3-litre petrol units, while boxer diesel variants are more economical (though still relatively thirsty thanks to the permanent four-wheel drive and the extra friction that causes). Maintenance costs are on the steep side for these models, although reliability should be a strong point.

Volvo XC70

Independently sold used cars start at £1,800

It seems appropriate that Swedish firm Volvo participated in the 4×4 estate car class: a high-riding estate would seem to be the perfect fit for winters in the Arctic Circle. The XC70 and V70 Cross Country variants follow the same formula as the Audi A6 allroad by offering space, practicality and versatility in an upmarket package.

Early cars weren’t quite as sophisticated but are dependable workhorses, while running costs will be on the high side for a prestige marque. But then safety will be second-to-none for cars of the same age, and the ageless look of a two-box Volvo estate appeal, too.

Power comes from petrol and diesel engines, with a unique five-cylinder layout offered on earlier cars. As with other off-road estates, only engines with higher power outputs were offered on the XC70, but while that engine format delivers a unique sound, they’re not the most economical, even in diesel guise. Still, proper maintenance and care should help the XC70 rack up a high mileage without too much trouble.

In 2016, the XC70 was replaced by the V90 Cross Country, which went even further upmarket. If you’re looking for a manufacturer approved used car, it’s going to be one of these that will fit the bill, with prices from £20,000 (or from £19,000 privately). There’s also the smaller V60 Cross Country, available from 2015 in the first-generation body, and then the second-generation from 2018 on. These start from £11,500 used, while later approved used Mk2s V60 Cross Countrys start from £20,500.

If the off-road estate isn’t a specialist enough niche for you, then Volvo also offered Cross Country variants of the V40 hatchback (starting from £3,600, although four-wheel drive wasn’t available on all variants) and even the S60 saloon (if you can find one).

Prices correct at time of publication

If you enjoyed this 4×4 estate car buying guide, you might be interested in our review of the 2019 Volvo V60 Cross Country
For an ultimate off-roading experience, you might want to take a look at what we said about the new Land Rover Defender
Or here’s a leftfield option: the electric Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

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The post Buying Guide: Best used 4×4 estate cars for adventures off-road appeared first on Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times.

What year is my car? UK car number plate years explained

Kieran.ahuja@sunday-times.co.uk — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 09:46:00 +0000

If you’ve been trying to work out what year your car was registered, the obvious first place to look is its number plate — also known as registration plates — as they will be linked to a history of the car and have directly indicated the age of the car since the early 1960s.

They date back to the beginning of the 20th century, though; number plates became mandatory on cars in the UK in 1904. It meant that all motor vehicles could be logged in an official register, enabling them to be tracked down in the event of an accident or a crime being committed by its occupants.

While the codes have changed over the years, this basic idea remains the same — making sure each vehicle is recognisable by a unique code, and linked to a registered owner.

History of UK number plates

Although the story goes that the first UK number plate read “A1” and that Earl Russell made his butler queue up overnight to secure it, it actually seems as if the first UK number plate was “DY1”, which was issued in Hastings in November 1903.

The alphanumeric combinations weren’t random, with the letters representing the city or region in which a car was registered, “A” being London, “B” being Lancashire and “C” being Yorkshire West Riding. The letters G, I, S, V and Z were reserved for Scotland and Ireland.

By 1932, with the rise in the popularity of motoring, the authorities were running out of numbers, so they decided to opt for three letters and up to three numbers in the ABC 123 format.

By the 1950s, the problem was beginning to reoccur in some areas, so some local authorities decided to switch around the order and put the numbers first, in the 123 ABC format. The registration plate on the first Mini from 1959, for example, was 621 AOK.

In 1963 a new system was introduced in the format of ABC 123A with the first digit being a serial letter, the second two letters denoting the area of registration, the following three numbers being sequential and the last letter representing the year, the first time UK cars had received such a designator.

Cars registered between January and December of 1963 were marked by the letter “A”; 1964 cars were marked by a “B” and so on. The system changed very slightly in 1967 to iron out peaks and troughs in the sales year with an “E” registration signifying a car registered between January and July of that year; thereafter registration years would run between August and July.

Car number plate years 1963-1982

Registration year	Suffix
1963	A
1964	B
1965	C
1966	D
1967	E
1967	F
1968	G
1969	H
1970	J
1971	K
1972	L
1973	M
1974	N
1975	P
1976	R
1977	S
1978	T
1979	V
1980	W
1981	X
1982	Y

Having skipped I, O, Q, U and Z for their similarity to other letters and numbers, by the early 1980s the authorities had run out of letters and had to start again with cars registered between August and July of 1984 once again being designated as “A” reg models.

This time, however, the year designator was moved to the start rather than the end of the number plate so that the format read as A123 ABC.

Car number plate years 1983-2001

Registration year	Prefix
1983	A
1984	B
1985	C
1986	D
1987	E
1988	F
1989	G
1990	H
1991	J
1992	K
1993	L
1994	M
1995	N
1996	P
1997	R
1998	S
1999	T
1999	V
2000	W
2000	X
2001	Y

In 2001, having reached “Y” registration plates, the system once again changed, giving us the system we have today.

How to read modern number plates in the UK

The first two letters of the number plate indicate the area where the car was first registered. Each local authority area has its own letter code.

The following letters are the most useful part of the number plate for motorists as they reveal the year of the car. If a car was registered between March and August of a given year, the number plate will, simply enough, reflect that. A car registered in Birmingham between March and August of 2002 may read BD02 or, if from, say, 2004, BD04.

For cars registered between September 2001 and February 2010, all cars registered in the second part of the year, i.e., September to February, received a numerical code beginning with 5 with the second number representing the year. A car registered in Birmingham in November 2002, for example, may read BD52 or, in 2004, BD54.

This was changed with the turn of the decade in 2010, with cars registered between September and February now signified by a 6. A car registered in Birmingham in late 2014 or early 2015 would, thus, read BD64. The same thing happened in 2020 where the second number changed to 7. A car registered, again in Birmingham, in April 2021 would read BD21; if registered in November 2021 or, say, February 2022, it would read BD71.

Following the first code, the second batch of letters are chosen randomly for identification purposes.

Car number plate years 2001-onwards

Registration year	Mar – Aug	Sep – Feb
2001/02	–	51
2002/03	02	52
2003/04	03	53
2004/05	04	54
2005/06	05	55
2006/07	06	56
2007/08	07	57
2008/09	08	58
2009/10	09	59
2010/11	10	60
2011/12	11	61
2012/13	12	62
2013/14	13	63
2014/15	14	64
2015/16	15	65
2016/17	16	66
2017/18	17	67
2018/19	18	68
2019/20	19	69
2020/21	20	70
2021/22	21	71
2022/23	22	72
2023/24	23	73

Can you put a new plate on an old car?

It is illegal to put a newer plate on an older car in the sense that drivers can’t affix a 2022 plate to their 2015 Nissan Qashqai. But it isn’t illegal to use an older plate on a newer car.

Earl Russell’s “A1” plate that originally adorned a 1903 Napier, for instance, is today thought to be attached to a Mini owned by Coventry businessman, John McDevitt.

What about Northern Ireland?

Number plates in Northern Ireland (which use the ABC 1234 format) don’t provide a dating system like in Britain with the first letter representing a serial number assigned by the licencing authority, the second two letters representing the licencing area with the following four letters being sequential.

That makes Northern Irish number plates, at times, quite desirable as, with Belfast’s “AZ” local area signifier, owners often get combinations like GAZ 1234 or DAZ 1234, both of which can be quite appealing as personalised plates.

If you found UK car number plate years explained interesting, you might also be interested to learn that green number plates may influence one in five to buy an electric car
I have an unusual private registration plate – how can I find out what cars it’s been registered to?
And don’t miss 10 of the rudest number plates spotted on Britain’s roads

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The post What year is my car? UK car number plate years explained appeared first on Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times.

Ulez checker: Is your car exempt from the Ultra Low Emission Zone?

Gracekindred — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:06:00 +0000

In 2019, London became the first city in the world to establish a dedicated Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) for vehicles. It was a scheme announced in 2015 by then-London Mayor Boris Johnson.

In October 2021, significant changes to the system were introduced including a large expansion of the zone and an end to residents’ exemptions.

On August 29, 2023, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, expanded the Ulez to cover the whole of Greater London.

What is a Ulez?

A Ulez is an “ultra-low emission zone”. Drivers entering the area are charged for doing so if their vehicle does not meet certain emissions standards.

How much is the London Ulez charge?

Drivers pay a £12.50 charge (or £100 for lorries, buses and coaches) per day for entering the London Ulez if their vehicle doesn’t meet the emissions standards. That’s on top of the £15 Congestion Charge for the very centre of London, which currently applies to most cars, so many motorists could have to pay £27.50 per day passing through that zone.

Why was the Ulez introduced?

The Ulez is designed to encourage people to drive less-polluting cars or use other methods of transport, such as walking, cycling or taking public transport. This was expected to substantially improve the air quality in the area.

A report four months after its introduction found that around 13,500 fewer polluting cars were being driven into central London every day, compared with six months earlier. This equated to a decrease of around 36% in levels of roadside nitrogen oxides, which are harmful to health.

Air pollution causes seven million deaths a year worldwide, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Royal College of Physicians concluded that traffic fumes are contributing to the early deaths of an estimated 40,000 people in the UK.

In December 2020, a coroner ruled that air pollution made a “material contribution” to the death of nine-year old Ella Kissi-Debrah — it was a landmark ruling that for the first time listed air pollution as a cause of death.

A report by Imperial College London commissioned by the mayor’s office found that in 2019 the equivalent of between 3,600 and 4,100 deaths in Greater London were estimated as being attributable to air pollution, and that the adoption of more stringent measures such as an expanded Ulez would increase the life-expectancy of a child born in 2013 by around six months.

Expanding the Ulez London-wide will bring cleaner air to five million more Londoners, according to the mayor. It’s also estimated that the expansion will result in a reduction of NOx emissions from cars in outer London of nearly 10%, as well as a nearly 16% reduction in PM_2.5 particulate emissions, leading to a 1.5% overall reduction in PM_2.5 emissions London-wide.

However, statistics from the Mayor’s Office have been the subject of much scrutiny, partly due to what has been described as a close relationship between it and Imperial College’s environmental research group, which published the 3,600-4,100 deaths figures. A thorough investigation by The Times highlighted more concerns, though concluded people with lung conditions and poor health would ultimately benefit from the Ulez and its expansion regardless. Khan told the newspaper he would be on the right side of history.

How many cars are affected?

When the Ulez came into force on April 8, 2019, it was estimated by the London Assembly that up to 60,000 vehicles per day would face the charge. The expanded zone from August 2023 means that 160,000 cars will be affected initially, according to the Mayor’s Office, with Khan expecting that to drop to 46,000 as owners switch to less polluting cars.

However, the RAC obtained figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) suggesting that nearly 700,000 cars registered in Greater London are non-compliant, equating to 25 per cent. A further 160,000 vans and lorries do not meet the standard.

This caused many affected to worry that they could not afford to replace their non-compliant cars with new ones, however it’s worth noting that electric vehicles and brand new models are not necessary – there are affordable petrol and diesel models that comply (see below).

Is my car exempt from Ulez?

Drivers of older, more polluting petrol and diesel cars are affected but you don’t need a zero emission electric car or even a hybrid in order to escape the charge.

Petrol cars with engines that are compliant with Euro 4 emissions regulations, which were introduced in 2006, avoid the Ulez charge.

Diesel-powered cars will only be exempt if the engine complies with the Euro 6 vehicle emission rules, which came into force much more recently, in September 2015; if your diesel car is older than that, it’s possible it will be subject to the Ulez charge.

However, some cars complied with these emissions standards prior to the rules being enforced, which means some older cars may still escape the charge. To be sure, visit the online Ulez checker from Transport for London and enter your number plate.

Do any other types of vehicle escape the Ulez charge?

Though Transport for London “would prefer you use a vehicle that meets the new emissions standards” as outlined above, some older, more polluting cars are also exempt from the Ulez charges under very specific circumstances.

Drivers of cars more than 40 years old can apply for an exemption from the Ulez. It’s a rolling exemption, so in 2023 vehicles built before 1983 are eligible to apply for historic vehicle tax class.

This does not apply to commercial use vehicles such as food trucks. All vehicles built prior to January 1, 1973 (including food trucks and other commercials) can, however, receive an exemption.

Other exemptions are also made for types of vehicle used for specialist purposes such as agriculture or the military.

No taxis registered for use in London will be hit by the Ulez penalty. In order to be licensed as a London taxi, the vehicle can’t be more than 15 years old, and all new licensed cabs “must be capable of producing zero emissions”. A new plug-in black cab went on sale in 2017— read our LEVC TX review here.

Do residents have to pay the Ulez charge?

Prior to October 25, 2021, people who live inside the Ulez did not have to pay to drive non-Ulez-compliant vehicles within the zone, though they now must pay a full fee to do so. This does not apply if the vehicle remains parked for the day.

“Designated wheelchair-accessible private hire vehicles” will also be exempt from the Ulez penalties until October 26, 2025.

Is there an exemption for disabled drivers?

With the expansion of the zone, disabled Londoners and community transport providers whose vehicles are registered with the DVLA as having disabled or disabled passenger vehicle tax class have an extended grace period which exempts them from paying the Ulez charge until October 24, 2027. This is valid as long as their vehicle doesn’t change tax class.

Drivers over the state pension age can apply for the extended grace period even if their vehicle if not registered with the DVLA as being for disabled drivers, though they must be in receipt of Attendance Allowance AND hold a Blue Badge.

Can I make my car Ulez compliant?

It may be possible to retrofit your non-compliant car or van to meet the requirements, either by changing the engine or upgrading the exhaust, but the cost of doing so and then re-certifying your car so that it is recognised as compliant by the DVLA is unlikely to make it worthwhile.

The best options if you need to travel into the Ulez are to go by other means (cycling, public transport, taxi, etc.) or sell the car and buy one that is compliant (you don’t have to buy new, remember — you just need to buy a car that meets the emissions standards).

It may be possible to part exchange your old car or scrap it via a dealer, and with the expansion of the zone the London Mayor also announced a £110 million scrappage scheme, which he said will help Londoners “on lower incomes, disabled Londoners, micro businesses and charities to scrap or retrofit their non-compliant vehicles in exchange for a grant or free annual bus and tram passes.”

Is there a Ulez scrappage scheme?

With the Ulez expansion, Sadiq Khan announced an improved scrappage scheme to help residents switch to compliant cars.

Up to £2,000 for a car or £1,000 for a motorcycle is available.

In the case of wheelchair-accessible vehicles there is a £10,000 scrappage payment or £6,000 to retrofit the vehicle to bring it up to Ulez standards. There is also the option to accept a lower payment and receive one or two adult-rate annual bus and tram passes.

It’s not only cars that can avail of the scrappage scheme. Businesses and sole traders can claim £7,000 for each non-compliant van taken off the road, up to a total of three vehicles.

Charities can apply to receive £9,000 for minibuses, again, up to three vehicles.

The cost of the scrappage scheme is estimated at £160 million and will be paid from City Hall’s reserves.

You can find out more about the online scrappage application here on the Transport for London website.

Ulez checker

The best way to check whether or not your vehicle is exempt from the Ulez charge is to enter its registration number (number plate) into the Ulez vehicle checker at the Transport for London website.

How big is the London Ulez?

In October 2021, the Ulez expanded to cover all areas within the North and South Circular roads. Previously, the Ulez had covered the same area as the London Congestion Charge. However, the Ulez is to be expanded again from August 2023.

Ulez expansion in 2023

In November 2022, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan confirmed that the Ulez would be expanded, saying that “around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year because of long-term exposure to air pollution, with the greatest number of deaths in outer London boroughs,” adding, “That’s why this expansion is so important — we need to clean the air for everyone.” The health benefits and related statistics have been subject to much scrutiny.

The new Ulez area matches the old Low Emission Zone, stretching as far as the M25 in places.

Residents just outside the zone may find that regular journeys involve travelling into the expanded zone. Areas such as Bromley, Croydon, Dagenham, Romford, Enfield, Twickenham and Kingston upon Thames all fall within the proposed expanded Ulez from 2023.

Popular attractions such as Hampton Court Palace and Chessington World of Adventures also sit inside the expanded zone, meaning that visitors arriving by car could be liable for the Ulez fee.

Travelling into the expanded Ulez with a vehicle that doesn’t meet the standards would mean incurring the £12.50 daily charge, including for residents.

Some residents and councils have reacted angrily to the news of the expansion, though there’s no sign at present that the plan will be dropped or delayed.

On what days and between what hours does Ulez operate?

Unlike the London Congestion Charge, which is in force between 7am and 10pm, seven days a week, the Ulez operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The only exception for both the CC and Ulez is Christmas Day.

This £12.50 fee daily rate resets at midnight, so if you enter at 11.59pm and exit two minutes later, you’ll be charged for two days (£25).

What’s the penalty for not paying the Ulez charge?

If your car isn’t exempt and you don’t pay your ultra-low emissions zone charge on time, you will be subject to a £160 penalty. This will be halved to £80 if you pay for the fine within 14 days.

Is the Congestion Charge zone also expanding?

There was speculation in October 2020 that the Congestion Charge zone, which currently covers an area in central London, would be hugely expanded in order to recover money that Transport for London lost during the coronavirus pandemic.

Government Ministers, including Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, had proposed expanding the £15 per day charge to the North and South Circular roads, which would have affected around four million Londoners.

However, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said that he had “succeeded in killing off” the proposal. As part of the agreement made with central government, though, London will need to raise extra money in future years, meaning that the temporary changes that were made to the congestion charge in June 2021 (raising the price to £15 per day and expanding hours to 10pm) are likely to be made permanent.

If you found our guide to the London ULEZ helpful, read about how sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2030
Fortunately, classic and vintage cars won’t be affected by the ban — these are the top classic cars to invest in
Still not sure if your car is Ulez compliant? Use the official Ulez Checker to find out

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The post Ulez checker: Is your car exempt from the Ultra Low Emission Zone? appeared first on Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times.

The AA left us cowering on the hard shoulder of the M1 for six hours

Will.dron@sunday-times.co.uk — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 11:43:58 +0000

A failure on a car while driving at speed on the motorway is always a worry, but being a member of a breakdown service provides the reassurance that in such an event you’ll be rescued and back on your way in a timely manner. That’s what I thought, anyway.

On Monday, July 3 I was driving from my son’s wedding near York back to London down the M1 when the offside rear tyre failed. We were in the outside lane but I managed to pull over to the hard shoulder safely and my wife, Janet, and I got out of the car and took refuge behind the barrier. The tyre was shredded, and soon so was my confidence in what used to refer to itself as the “fourth emergency service”.

I rang the AA at 11.31am. The lady who answered asked if I was in a safe place. I said no. They said I would be a priority and gave me a list of things to do when stuck on the hard shoulder (get out of the car, get behind barrier, etc.). Then they sent a text message with a link to pinpoint my position. “I’ve got you,” the lady said. “Somebody will be with you at five past twelve.”

At 11.46am the AA patrolman rang from his mobile to ask where we were as he couldn’t see us. While having a very difficult conversation because the M1 is extremely noisy, I walked up the hard shoulder for a quarter of a mile or so until I could see the road sign to ascertain that we were just passed Junction 22 heading south. The patrolman was looking for us just after Junction 17 where the AA’s link had “pinpointed” us to be. He said he couldn’t reach us, and he would have to re-log the job.

After hearing nothing back from the AA, I rang again. They were aware of the siutation and were trying to find help to reach us. We sat around. It was drizzling. We were cold. It would have been nicer to be inside the car but that was unnerving because it shook and swayed as the huge lorries thundered by.

I rang the AA again to see what was happening and spoke to a man who said assistance would be with us at “thirty-five minutes past one”. To check this odd way of expressing the time, I said, “Do you mean twenty-five to two?” He said, “Yes.”

I then pointed out that it was already two o’clock. He replied that in that case it would be twenty-five to three.

We sat down in the brambles to wait it out and watched the AA app which confirmed assistance would be with us at 14.35. At 14.35, this changed to 14.40, then 14.45, then 14.50, then 14.55…. So I rang them again and they said (after reading to me what to do when trapped on the hard shoulder and telling me I was a priority), “The system says someone will be there at 15.35.”

“Really? Funny that the system keeps on saying twenty-five to the hour all the time.”

At 15.35, the same sequence was repeated of revised times until at 16.00 it magically decided it was going to be 16.35. I started ringing the AA demanding to know what was actually happening, if anything, what we should do for food and water, if we started getting dehydrated and developing symptoms of hypothermia would should we do? Should I call the police? Is dialling 999 a good idea? (The AA lady said yes to that).

‘I was strung along by the AA all day with promises of the imminent arrival of help’

One AA person did say she would contact National Highways (formerly Highways England) to tell them we were there and get them to check on our welfare” — nothing came of that, however.

Eventually, on the app it said that Anderson Commercials Ltd would be sending a pick-up truck. So I looked them up on the internet and rang them directly to check they were dealing with it. The truck turned up around 5.20pm, nearly six hours after my initial call to the AA.

Then it was all quite efficient — a truck to the service station a couple of miles further on, where an AA patrolman assessed the damage and arranged for mobile tyre company to come out for a fix. About two hours later we were on our way.

A journey that should have taken just under four hours took us 12. Meanwhile, our newly married son and his wife went off on honeymoon travelling from Islington to Nairobi in less time than it had taken us to go from York to London.

Six hours cowering at the side of the M1 with no shelter, no water, no food, inadequate clothes (although eventually we did get so cold I did risk returning to the car and rummaging in our luggage for more jumpers).

What should we have done? I feel utterly misled by the AA and taken for a fool. If I had known in the first place that it was going to take so long I could have made alternative arrangements but I was strung along all day with promises of the imminent arrival of help, only for those expectations to be dashed.

All the people I spoke to were perfectly pleasant and apologised profusely — but I didn’t want apologies; they don’t help you feel safe or cared for.

It was also galling to be repeatedly told that we were a “priority”. After an hour that was a meaningless, empty word. I was speaking to people but I might as well have been dealing with AI, as they kept referring to “the system”: “The system says assistance will be there at 16.35,” “The system says they will be there in a few minutes.” It seemed as if those people were just looking at an automated logging system which was configured to pump out these irrelevant times, giving the illusion of action and a timetable, but it didn’t have any basis in reality. In fact, it felt like an utter con.

Without question Janet and I were actually in danger and the AA didn’t provide the service they had advertised. I don’t want yet another apology from them; I want compensation for the upset and distress (aka frustration and rage) they caused my wife and me, as well as the additional costs of eating at a service station (rather than at home), and having to pay extra for dog care, as we were meant to pick the dog up at lunchtime on Monday. We were also charged extra for an out-of-hours tyre service, which wouldn’t have been the case had the AA got there even after three hours.

Driving.co.uk contacted the AA, which, after an investigation, got in touch with Mr Mills to offer £250 compensation.

An AA spokesperson said: “We have investigated the incident and are deeply sorry to find that the customer experienced an unacceptable delay in service.

“We attend around 10,000 breakdowns every day and the vast majority of our members receive excellent service; however, we have found, on this occasion, there were unacceptable communication failings and our attempts to locate our customer fell below our usual high standards.

“We have been in contact with the customer to apologise and have worked with them to come to a resolution which they are happy with.

“We would like to extend our apologies once more to the customer and we will be reviewing our internal processes to ensure it does not happen again.”

If you were interested in David Mills’s experience of the AA, you might like to read about the AA driving instructors who told us they were suffering ‘anxiety and debt’ over franchise payments during the coronavirus outbreak
RAC, AA or Green Flag: here’s which breakdown service fixed our car fastest in 2015
Do breakdown services carry tyre sealant for roadside puncture repair?

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The post The AA left us cowering on the hard shoulder of the M1 for six hours appeared first on Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times.

Best used electric cars for under £17,000

Shane.odonoghue@sunday-times.co.uk — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 13:18:00 +0000

As new models electric cars can be expensive. That means not everybody can stretch their budget to get behind the wheel, especially since there are no longer any government grants to help them do so.

But all is not lost because it’s been nearly 20 years since the first EVs of the modern era hit showrooms, and many have found their way to the used market. Here we list the electric cars that are the best in their price brackets, up to a maximum of around £17,000.

Why £17k? Because according to research by Auto Trader, the average price of a used car in the UK is £17,654. But while the EVs we’ve chosen are below average in price, they shouldn’t be sub-par for their electric driving experience.

We’ve also included some tips on what to look out for when buying a used electric vehicle.

Best EVs for under £3k

Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Range when new: 93 miles (NEDC)

A modern EV pioneer, the tiny i-MiEV is based on the petrol Mitsubishi i city car. The addition of electric drive transformed it into a smooth and likeable machine for urban use. The 16kWh battery is minuscule by modern standards, and the modest range means it’s only really suitable for local motoring. Also look for the Citroen C-Zero and Peugeot iOn, which are essentially the same car.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Best EVs for £3-7k

Nissan Leaf (first generation)

Range when new: 155 miles (NEDC)

This price bracket gets you behind the wheel of a first generation Nissan Leaf, but the updated version from 2016, with a slightly larger 30kWh battery, is within reach. This version offers more miles between charges than the 24kWh version, which was rated at 120 miles under the old, less accurate official test, and less than 100 miles in the real world was more likely. Buying today you’ll need to check the maximum predicted range on the dashboard when it’s fully charged before putting down your money.

While not the most glamorous EV around, it’s a real trailblazer, has a smart cabin and offers plenty of interior space.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Renault Zoe

Range when new: 130 miles (NEDC)

The first Renault Zoes featured a 22kWh battery, but in a bid to make its EV more affordable up front Renault offered the car either with the battery included or on a separate lease deal. If you buy a used Zoe at this price point, it’ll be one of these cars, so you’ll have to sign up to a lease contract to drive the car — Renault told us buyers will need to contact Mobilize Financial Services to arrange the payments, and the cost will depend on the annual mileage.

The Zoe itself is a really likeable little car, and though smaller than the Leaf it’s prettier and drives really nicely. However, a fairly shocking zero-star Euro Ncap crash test score in 2021 has worried many, with low scores for adult, child and pedestrian protection. But bear in mind that its main shortcomings were in automatic driver assist tech, as the Zoe doesn’t have features such as auto-emergency braking and lane-keeping assist on the entry-level models that Euro Ncap tests. Renault made these standard after the results in 2021. See the full results here.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Best EVs for £7-11k

BMW i3

Range when new: 100 miles (NEDC)

The BMW i3 is an exraordinary car, partly because it features a lightweight carbon fibre tub, onto which all the parts are bolted. That’s F1 technology, meaning reduced weight and extra strength. It also has a cabin that was way ahead of its time in design, and neat rear-hinged back doors allowing easy entry and egress. All of which means it’s already a considered a future classic.

The first 2014 models had batteries badged 60Ah (Ampere-hour), which translates into a 22kWh pack that offered a very modest 100-mile range. The REx range-extender is available if you feel like the pure-electric model’s range is too short, although in fact the battery in the REx is even smaller and the petrol engine’s fuel tank is also teeny, so frequent refuels are required either way. It’s also known to be less reliable than the EV if the petrol engine suffers from a lack of use. We still think the i3 is a cracking car, though.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Hyundai Ioniq

Range when new: 174 miles (NEDC)

If an i3 is the interesting side of EVs, the Ioniq is as plain as they come. The five-door hatch has a reasonable range for the price, and it’s a spacious family EV with decent kit, a comfortable ride and rock-solid reliability. However, watch for high-mileage models that could have been used as Ubers.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Nissan Leaf (second generation)

Range when new: 170 miles (WLTP)

The second-generation Leaf was a big step on from the first one, and what’s more it was built in the UK. The official range was more achievable thanks to a larger 40kWh battery and the more accurate WLTP test procedure, while equipment took a significant step up and the styling was far less blobby. It’s still not the most attractive car out there, nor the most exciting to drive, but it’s comfortable, dependable and spacious for its class.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Renault Zoe 41

Range when new: 190 miles (WLTP)

A bigger 41kWh battery was offered in the facelifted Zoe from 2016-2019, offering much more miles per charge, and while these cars still use the battery lease model (see the earlier Zoe entry for more info, and for notes on a poor safety assessment), they gained the option of rapid charging and more power from a 107bhp electric motor.

Nice looking cars, good to drive and very definitely at the affordable end of the market.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Seat Mii Electric

Range when new: 160 miles (WLTP)

At the compact end of the EV spectrum, the Mii was a short-lived model combining the small, versatile body of Seat’s city car with the electric powertrain from the virtually identical Volkswagen e-Up!. It offered a decent range and peppy performance for the price.

The e-Up! is a couple of grand more expensive, making the Seat (and indeed the also-identical Skoda Citigo) a bargain by comparison. Boot space is small but you’ll be surprised at how much room there is for front and rear occupants, and they’re nicely-built cars.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Best EVs for £11-17k

BMW i3

Range when new: 190 miles (NEDC, 94Ah model)/ 192 miles (WLTP 120Ah model)

Later i3s are a better option thanks to a battery that increased to 33kWh in 2017, then expanded to 42.2kWh for 2018, almost double the original pack’s size.

Up to 192-mile range is achievable in the real world, while the car’s futuristic looks remained unchanged. You can also find the slightly sportier i3s at this price level. Find a good one, and the i3 has the potential to be a future classic as a pioneering EV.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Fiat 500e

Range when new: 199 miles (WLTP)

The i3 may have futuristic construction but the Fiat 500e blends retro chic with its modern lines. It was only launched in 2022 but the most basic models now dip under the £17k mark.

The looks are pure retro style, while the 42kWh battery delivers a range that means you might not even need to charge it up after every journey. If you do, rapid DC charging at up to 85kW is possible.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Hyundai Ioniq

Range when new: 193 miles (WLTP)

While a post-2019 Ioniq delivers the same dependable and uneventful ability as the earlier models, it also comes with a larger 38kWh battery and a more powerful electric motor. Dull but high quality and appealing in its lack of pretension.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Hyundai Kona Electric

Range when new: 279 miles (WLTP)

Here’s proof that you don’t need to splash out big money for an EV to get a decent range. A three-year-old Kona Electric with a larger 64kWh battery is within reach. It will have a higher-than-average mileage, but there are still two years of Hyundai’s unlimited-mileage warranty remaining. Check that this slightly compact SUV has enough space for you before buying.

Find examples on Auto Trader

MG ZS

Range when new: 163 miles (WLTP)

The MG ZS pioneered the Chinese-owned firm’s entry into the EV market. While the quality of the interior and tech on board isn’t quite up to the standard of rivals, a 44kWh battery offers reasonable range, and the SUV body is practical.

Potential buyers ought to be aware that Chinese car makers have been criticised for receiving an unfair advantage through WTO rule-breaking state support, from a regime that Amnesty International reports carries out torture, genocide and routine suppression of dissent. MG did not respond when requested for comment on such allegations.

Find examples on Auto Trader

MG5

Range when new: 214 miles (WLTP)

This electric estate (of which there are very few) has a bigger battery than the ZS, at 53kWh, hence the longer range, but it’s also a bit newer and so pricier to buy. Popular with private hire firms and taxis, a £17k budget offers a decent choice of low-mileage examples, although all models at this price are dull-looking pre-facelift cars.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Peugeot e-208

Range when new: 211 miles (WLTP)

The e-208 is one of several cars that share the same 50kWh battery/ 135bhp electric motor set-up from the Stellantis Group (which includes Vauxhall, Citroën, Fiat and Jeep) and is arguably one of the most stylish. There are plenty of low-mileage examples at this price point, although we’d recommend trying the i-Cockpit cabin layout, which its downsized steering wheel, before parting with your cash.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Renault Zoe (2019-onwards)

Range when new: 245 miles (WLTP)

The most recent Zoe, introduced in 2019, ditched the battery rental scheme completely so that simplifies the used buying process somewhat. It also has the biggest battery, at 52kWh, so it can go a relatively long way on a single charge, while the revamped interior shares high-quality switchgear with the latest Clio.

Around £12,000 will get you behind the wheel of a basic model but easily more than 200 miles of range in everyday driving. Bear in mind that this Zoe scored a poor safety rating with Euro Nap in 2021, as the tests involve entry-level models which at the time didn’t include advanced driver aids available on the higher-specification versions. After the result, Renault made features such as auto-emergency braking and lane-keeping assist standard across the range, so check what is available on your chosen model.

Find examples on Auto Trader

Vauxhall Corsa-e

Range when new: 210 miles (WLTP)

If you can’t get on with the Peugeot e-208’s driving position, all is not lost because the Corsa-e is identical under the skin. It uses the same 50kWh battery and charging system, and while it’s not the most exciting to drive, it’s quiet, refined and has a conventional cabin layout. Far more grown up and accomplished than you might expect.

Find examples on Auto Trader

What to look for when buying a used electric vehicle

As well as all the usual checks you should make when buying a used car — looking for damage and excessive wear; running a history check; checking for outstanding finance — there are some other things to look for on an EV.

First, check the charging socket — if that’s damaged then there’s a potential fire risk, or you might not be able to charge the car at all. Most EVs should come with charging cables, too. See if you can see it charging.

Similar to how petrol engines lose power over time, electric vehicle battery packs start to lose performance. The older an EV is, the less charge the battery may be able to hold. Most manufacturers offer an eight-year warranty for the drive battery that guarantees a capacity of 70 per cent (depending on cover). If it dips below that, then replacement could be possible.

Check the predicted range when the car is fully charged, and if possible take it for a short drive to see what happens to the range calculation. If the range is greatly below what you might expect, the battery may be more tired than some other examples, so be prepared to shop around.

Thanks to regenerative braking (where the electric motor is used as a generator when lifting off the accelerator, to recover some energy back to the battery and thereby slowing the vehicle down) means there is often less wear on the brakes. However, it’s worth checking these to ensure they haven’t deteriorated through a lack of use; brake discs can warp when not used regularly.

One thing that is possible is excessive tyre wear. EVs are relatively heavy, so tyre wear could be higher than for a similar petrol car.

This article features cars that have been chosen independently by Driving.co.uk journalists, and our opinions are unbiased. We may earn revenue if you click the links and make a purchase, but we never allow this to affect our opinions.

After reading about used EVs for under £17,000, you might like to read about all the car-makers’ plans for EVs
We’ve compiled a list of the best ULEZ-compliant used cars, all costing less than £10,000
You might also like to read all about the Maserati MC20 supercar

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The post Best used electric cars for under £17,000 appeared first on Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times.

Appeal against London ULEZ expansion rejected by High Court

Shane.odonoghue@sunday-times.co.uk — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 13:33:40 +0000

A High Court judge has ruled that the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion plan is lawful and can go ahead, defeating a challenge from five Conservative-led councils.

Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, Hillingdon and Surrey County Council brought the case to the High Court claiming that London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s plan failed to meet the statutory requirements and did not consult on a £110m scrappage scheme designed to help drivers switch to newer and compliant cars.

The significantly expanded zone reaches the M25 motorway in places and includes locations such as Hampton Court Palace, Chessington World of Adventures and Heathrow Airport. It will come into effect from August 29 and covers diesel cars before around 2015 and petrol cars prior to around 2006.

Several local councils had lodged legal objections to the expansion and have expressed disappointment at today’s ruling. Harrow Council leader, Paul Osborn, said: “It is a sad day for our residents and businesses who are worried about the impact the expansion will have on them when it comes into force.”

Bromley Council leader, Councillor Colin Smith, said: ‘I can only say sorry. We’ve tried our very hardest to protect you, but ultimately, today’s judgement does mean that the mayor has taken another step closer to getting his way,” adding that it was a “bitter disappointment” for motorists and traders, many of which may have to “consider ceasing business and laying off staff”.

Speaking after the ruling Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said the “landmark decision is good news as it means we can proceed with cleaning up the air in outer London.”

He added that expanding the ULEZ was not something he took lightly, stating that “nine out of ten cars seen driving in outer London on an average day are already compliant so won’t pay a penny.

“I’ve been told more than £1m of council taxpayers’ money has been wasted on this case. I’m quite clear, though, I made this decision to expand ULEZ because it is really important we address the public health crisis.”

The ULEZ operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the sole exception of Christmas Day. If your vehicle does not comply with the Transport for London emission standards, you must pay a daily charge of £12.50 within three days. Failing that, they will receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £160, reducing to £80 if it is paid within 14 days.

However, compliant vehicles can be found on used car websites from as little as £700, a recent search by Driving.co.uk revealed.

The goal of the ULEZ is to help London achieve a goal of being net zero carbon by 2030. Earlier this week, the Secretary of State of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, confirmed the government plans to push ahead with a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

Following news that the ULEZ expansion is going ahead, read about how sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2030
We’ve compiled a list of the best ULEZ-compliant used cars, all costing less than £10,000
ULEZ checker: Is your car exempt from the Ultra Low Emission Zone?

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The post Appeal against London ULEZ expansion rejected by High Court appeared first on Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times.

12 ways to save money on your car insurance

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 21:18:00 +0000

After fuel, insurance is usually one of the biggest annual costs for motorists and saving money on car insurance can be a frustrating aspect of car ownership.

Not only is car insurance a hefty expense but because insurance companies take into account a wide variety of factors when calculating premiums, the sum a driver pays for insurance every year can be unpredictable and influenced by factors beyond a motorist’s control.

Age plays a big part certainly, largely because the younger a driver is, the more statistically-likely they are to be involved in an accident, which is why car insurance is so expensive for teenagers and twenty-somethings.

On average, someone under 25 will have to fork out £2,145 to insure their car while a typical 25-49 year-old will pay in the region of £850. For the over-50s, that’ll be more along the lines of £568.

Few people will move house just for the sake of their car insurance, but where you live can also wreak havoc on your premium. Drivers who live in London pay more on average for car insurance than those in the south-west of England and the Scottish Borders, for example.

In the latter areas, cars are seen to be at a lesser risk of theft or vandalism, and if you live in a terraced house with no access to off-street parking, your premium will be higher still.

Thankfully, insurance premiums aren’t entirely in the lap of the gods and there’s still a lot motorists can do to bring down the. Here are our tips on how to reduce your car insurance premium.

1. Shop around

There are a lot of car insurance providers out there, all competing for your attention. The best way to save on your insurance – any insurance – is to shop around.

That doesn’t mean spending hours online or on the phone getting quotes from every insurance company in the land; a quick call to an insurance broker will usually net motorists a good deal on the policy that’s the best fit for them, while a number of price comparison websites such as USwitch, MoneySuperMarket.com, GoCompare or Comparethemarket allow drivers to input their details and find the best deal available from a selection of providers, potentially saving them hundreds of pounds every year.

Remember, the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best one. Do your research and see what the policy covers (breakdown assistance, windscreen cover etc.) as a slightly more expensive policy may offer better value in the long run. There’s no point either in opting for the bare minimum level of cover if it’s going to mean that you’re left severely out-of-pocket after a crash if you have to repair or replace your own car.

2. Pay your premium annually

As with many things, paying for your car insurance in a lump sum is cheaper than paying monthly, which is essentially a loan with added interest. The significant upfront cost means it’s not always attractive to do this but it’s worth considering paying with a credit card and then paying off the balance over a few months rather than a full year, potentially reducing the amount of interest paid.

If you can sign up for a credit card with 0% interest on purchases, even better, or you could find a card that rewards purchases with points or cashback.

3. Add an experienced driver to your policy

Adding an older, more experienced driver to your policy can sometimes help to bring your annual premium down. This doesn’t apply in all cases but if the other driver has a clean licence and claims history, it’s a decent bet that adding them as a named driver on your policy will decrease your premium.

Always be honest about who the main driver is or you risk invalidating your cover.

4. Increase your excess

The excess is the amount you pay in the event of a claim and is split into two parts — voluntary and compulsory — together known as total excess. If you choose to pay a higher voluntary excess, it will reduce the price of your insurance premium.

But you need to be aware of what that means in the event of an accident.

For one, you won’t be able to make a claim if the value of the damage is lower than your total excess. For example, if your voluntary excess is £250 and compulsory excess is £250, any claim would need to exceed £500. And if, say, the repairs cost £550, you’d be paying the first £500 while the insurer would only contribute £50, which isn’t a good deal, especially as you would lose any no-claims discount you’d accrued.

And while the temptation is always there to reduce your premium as much as possible by increasing your excess, make sure you don’t sign up to an excess you’ll struggle to pay in the event of an accident.

5. Think about how you describe your job

Bizarrely, the way you describe your job can also affect your premium – for example, a “chef” might pay a different premium to a “cook”, and a “hairdresser” might pay a different price to a “barber”. If you’re using a price comparison website, it’s worth fiddling about with different ways of describing your job to see what earns you the lowest premium. If you’re a solicitor, for instance, try inputting lawyer or barrister to see what happens.

Be as creative as you like but just make sure that the job description you use is accurate, as otherwise it’s fraud and it will, at best, invalidate your policy.

6. Improve security

Think about installing devices such as alarms, immobilisers and locking wheel nuts. If you’re unsure about installing these devices, you can get insurance quotes before fitting any security upgrades and then see if the extra cost of buying these is worth it for the insurance savings.

If you have a keyless car, that may flag up a warning on the insurer’s system as it could be a model targeted by sophisticated thieves with electronic devices that can unlock the doors, so make sure you’re not making it easy for the techno-thieves by following Driving.co.uk’s guide to preventing keyless car entry.

Keyless car theft prevention: 6 ways thieves can break into a car and how to prevent it

7. Avoid modifications

It can be tempting to modify your car, and doing so is not just the preserve of boy (and girl) racers. But bear in mind that any upgrades to the styling, audio or performance of your vehicle could mean an increase in the price of your insurance.

This is because additions such as alloy wheels, body kits and performance upgrades could make your car — or parts of your car — a lot more attractive to thieves.

Cars with modifications also tend to be more expensive to fix due to the higher-value custom parts, and may be less reliable than cars that are standard, as they have been tested rigorously by the manufacturer.

8. Build up a no-claims bonus discount

This one speaks for itself. Building up your no-claims discount will help you to get a cheaper policy because insurers reward motorists who are less likely to claim.

Be careful about the drivers you add to your insurance policy though — if they’re less experienced and drive the car reasonably often, they’re more likely to have a crash and destroy your no-claims bonus, resulting in a double-whammy premium increase next time around.

9. Limit the mileage

If you can limit the number of miles you drive each year, it means you’re a lower risk for insurers — less time on the road means less chance that you’ll end up having an accident. But again, always give an accurate estimate of your mileage when getting a quote or you’ll invalidate the contract.

10. Consider a telematics or black box policy

Black boxes, which record data about your driving in order to form the basis for premiums, are sometimes associated with young or beginner drivers. However, anyone can get them and they can make your car insurance cheaper — provided that you’re a careful driver.

Many will balk at being constantly monitored by their insurance company and, if you don’t plan on being relentlessly diligent about your driving — staying within the speed limit at all times, braking and steering smoothly, and driving as few miles as possible — then a black box policy may not be for you and may ultimately lead to a higher premium.

11. Choose the right car

Choosing a car with its insurance group in mind is one way for drivers to potentially save hundreds of pounds every year. Cars in the UK are placed into insurance groups from 1-50 and the lower the group, the cheaper the car will be to insure.

Generally, smaller and less expensive cars such as superminis and city cars are among the cheapest to ensure while fast and high-end cars are the most expensive. After all, there’s a reason you generally see younger motorists driving a Vauxhall Corsa or a Ford Fiesta rather than a BMW M3 or a Porsche.

Drivers can check which insurance group their car falls into on the Thatcham Research website.

The age of a car is another factor affecting insurance premiums. For a variety of reasons — fewer safety features, potentially more expensive parts — older cars can be more expensive to insure, but that increase isn’t linear because newer cars are generally more valuable, making them costlier to repair.

In 2022, a new car cost on average £1,212 to insure every year. For a five-year-old car, that average figure fell to £1,089 before starting to rise, with the average premium for a 10-year-old car being £1,144.

Ideally then, for the cheapest car insurance, a driver will be looking for a car that’s five-to-ten years old and has as small an engine as possible. Cars such as the Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto and Seat Ibiza all fit the bill, though of course these won’t suit all drivers, so it’s worth checking Thatcham’s website when you’re choosing your next car if you want to save on insurance.

12. Drive safely

At the risk of stating the abundantly obvious, the surest way to avoid a significant insurance premium hike is to avoid crashing. The vast majority of accidents are caused by human factors including driving at an inappropriate speed for the conditions, impairment due to drink, drugs or tiredness, or even just a momentary lapse in judgement.

No driver is perfect all of the time, but bearing in mind that even a relatively minor shunt has the potential to drive up the cost of your insurance premium by hundreds of pounds every year does certainly focus the mind.

If you found our top tips for reducing your insurance costs useful, you will want to read that the fuel duty cut makes road pricing ‘more urgent’
Also check out our guide to synthetic e-fuels
Huge spike in demand for electric cars and bikes as fuel shortage crisis bites

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The post 12 ways to save money on your car insurance appeared first on Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times.

Car makers’ electric vehicle plans for 2023 and beyond

Gracekindred — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:56:34 +0000

Five years ago there were 20 electric cars available on the market; by the end of 2023 there will be up to 120, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders — the motor industry’s trade body. What that means for car buyers is unprecedented choice, while for us it means we have our work cut out keeping up to date this brand-by-brand guide to the current and upcoming battery-powered cars.

The reason for the flood of electric vehicles is in part due to governments around the world clamping down on exhaust emissions; in the UK there will be a ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, with hybrids following five years later, and car makers have been given a mandate to sell an increasing share of zero-emission vehicles up to that point. In other words, car makers have no choice.

But the good news is, electric vehicles can be really good to drive, and the increasing variety means that there’s something to suit everyone: superminis, SUVs, estates, sports saloons, hot hatches and supercars.

Here are all the pure-electric cars on sale in the UK right now, as well as all the models we know will be gracing a dealership forecourt near you soon.

Jump to car company by letter:

A ¦ B ¦ C ¦ D ¦ F ¦ G ¦ H ¦ J ¦ K ¦ L ¦ M ¦ N ¦ O ¦ P ¦ R ¦ S ¦ T ¦ V

Alfa Romeo electric car plans

On sale now None
Coming soon Brennero (2024); Stelvio EV tbc (2024);

Alfa Romeo only has a plug-in hybrid on offer right now — the Tonale PHEV — but from 2025 it plans to only launch pure-electric models, and by 2027 its entire line-up is expected to be electric.

The first pure-electric Alfa is now expected in 2024, and is thought to be an new entry-level compact SUV, perhaps called the Brennero, which will share its underpinnings with Stellantis stablemates such as the Jeep Avenger, Citroën C4, Peugeot 2008 and Vauxhall Mokka. It’ll be a plug-in hybrid as well as pure electric, but the latter should include a 134bhp electric motor driving the front wheels and a range of around 200 miles.

After that, CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato has said, will come a “full EV super-performing car”. The company has hinted that it will revive the GTV name as a four-door electric coupé – which could borrow from the Maserati GranTurismo Fulgore electic sports coupé (Maserati also being part of the Stellantis family).

Maserati also has a pure-electric version of the Grecale SUV coming, which means the replacement for Alfa’s sister car, the Stelvio, may also be available in electric form when it arrives in 2024.

Alpine electric car plans

On sale now None
Coming soon A290 hot hatch (2024); GT X-Over crossover (2024 – TBC); new sports car (2026)

Alpine is set to have an all-electric line-up by 2026, with three new models launching from 2024.

First up will be a hot version of Renault’s upcoming retro R5 supermini. Rather than the standard R5’s 134bhp electric motor, the Alpine R5 is expected to use the same 215bhp motor as the Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric, following some reworking to make it fit into the smaller car. We have seen the development car in action, though its central driving position and dual-motor set-up won’t be carried over to the production model.

Alpine has just shown off the A290_β, previewing its electric hot hatch. Impressive launch location in Bristol, the hanger where Concorde was built – a "bridge between the UK and France". Ocon and Gasly here to drive and they had an active part in development. What do you think? pic.twitter.com/SuR80VWTF6
— Will Dron (@wdron) May 9, 2023

Next in line is a sporty crossover, possibly to be called the GT X-Over, based on the same underpinnings as the Mégane E-Tech Electric. Alpine has hinted at something more potent — probably twin-motor and all-wheel drive — positioning it as a rival to the upcoming Porsche Macan Electric and Lotus Type 132.

Speaking of Lotus, Alpine’s third EV, launching in 2026, will be a sports car co-developed with Lotus due not just to replace the A110, but Lotus’s final petrol-engined model, too — the Emira. Given that it’s still quite some way away though, further details are scarce.

While those models have been officially confirmed by the company, there might be something else coming in the meantime to bridge the gap between the current A110 and Alpine’s future electric sports car.

In July 2022, the company unveiled the E-ternité concept, a fully electric version of the A110 with a 60kWh battery, 261 miles of range and, crucially, only a 258kg weight gain over the combustion-powered model. By the time the new electric sports car launches, the A110 will be getting on a bit and so, having proven that a fully electric A110 is at least technically feasible, something based on the E-ternité concept could potentially see the light of day in the coming years, though the packaging at present is not ideal.

Aston Martin electric car plans

On sale now None
Coming soon Pure-electric sports car in 2025; electric SUV in 2025 or 2026

Aston Martin had planned the development of the Rapide-E, an all-electric GT, but that project was sunk with the ousting of former boss Andy Palmer in May 2020, whose brainchild it was, following the brand’s disastrous stock market flotation and financial losses. At the same time, the company also put on hold (or likely cancelled) a reboot of the Lagonda badge as a luxury electric sub-brand.

That allowed Aston to focus on its first SUV, the DBX, which has unsurprisingly proved to be the firm’s most popular and profitable model. Then Aston was able to finalise its hybrid hypercar, the Valkyrie, deliveries of which began in early 2022 (somewhat later than planned and, reportedly, at great expense to the company).

Now the focus can shift to its electrification strategy proper. It no longer has to worry about developing its own electric powertrains, now that Mercedes-Benz has agreed to lend its considerable expertise, as well as its electric chassis underpinnings, in return for a larger slice of Aston Martin shares. More recently, Chinese behemoth Geely, which also owns Volvo and Lotus, has doubled its stake in Aston after owner Lawrence Stroll sold 35m shares, worth £117m. It’s a harmonious agreement as Geely and Mercedes jointly own and develop Smart’s new range of EVs..

Aston’s first plug-in hybrid model, the Valhalla supercar, is due to begin deliveries in 2024 with, according to the firm’s latest boss Tobias Moers, an electrified powertrain option across all product lines by 2026. The company intends that all of its core models will be fully electric by 2030.

Audi electric car plans

On sale now Q8 e-tron; Q8 e-tron Sportback; Q4 e-tron; Q4 e-tron Sportback; e-tron GT; RS e-tron GT
Coming soon Q6 e-tron; A6 e-tron; A6 e-tron Avant

Few car makers come close to matching Audi’s planned pure-electric product onslaught. The newly-renamed Q8 e-tron SUV and its Sportback counterpart are already available, as is the flagship Audi e-tron GT and sportier RS e-tron GT.

The Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback (based on the same Volkswagen Group MEB underpinnings as the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq iV) are also available. Next up will be the Q6 e-tron, a sporty large SUV built on a new platform shared with Porsche.

Audi has also confirmed that there will be an electric version of its next-generation A6 saloon and Avant estate.

Rumours abound of an electric A2, as well as battery-powered reinventions of the TT sports car and the R8 supercar. By 2025, Audi will offer more than 20 battery-electric models and is aiming for 40 per cent of its sales to be electrified.

Bentley electric car plans

On sale now None
Coming soon Five pure-electric models between 2025 and 2030

Bentley has announced a plan called ‘Five-in-Five’, which involves launching a new pure-electric model every year for five years from 2025 – after which the entire product range will be electric. Sadly that means the end of its wonderful, silky W12 engine.

Bentley boss Adrian Hallmark has made it clear that the company’s clientele are “desperate for a luxury electric product”. With Rolls-Royce almost ready to launch its first pure-electric model — the Spectre — Bentley needs to get a move on.

It makes things easier that the Crewe-based car maker can lean on sister-brands Audi and Volkswagen for electric drivetrain tech, though as ever, Bentley will want its own electric products to have a distinctive character.

BMW electric car plans

On sale now i4; i5 (deliveries 2024); i7; iX1; iX3; iX
Coming soon iX2 (2024)

BMW’s plans to expand its EV offering are nothing if not ambitious, aiming to ramp up the number of electrified and pure-electric cars significantly in its line-up by 2025. The company turned heads (and a few stomachs) when it revealed the polarising iX in 2021, but the SUV, which has a range of up to 370 miles, is an impressive technical package.

The ahead-of-its-time i3 has been discontinued and the new entry-level BMW EV is the iX1, an electric version of the company’s compact X1 SUV. That will be joined by an electric version of the next X2, called the iX2.

On the saloon car side there’s the accomplished and attractive i4, with the i4 M50 being the first EV to which BMW’s performance M division has turned its attention. An all-new BMW 5 Series has been revealed, along with an electric version called… you guessed it… the i5.

At the top of the saloon line-up is the i7 (pictured top). The i7 xDrive60 features a 101.7kWh battery, twin front and rear electric motors, 537bhp, a range of up to 388 miles and a 0-62mph time of 4.7 seconds.

Like the iX, the i7’s styling won’t be to everyone’s taste but in the metal it does look imposing, particularly in all black, and the interior is a sumptuous affair with huge amounts of tech. The range-topping i7 M70 xDrive with 659bhp is properly punchy, too.

BYD electric car plans

On sale now Atto 3, Dolphin
Coming soon Seal (2024), Han (TBC), Tang (TBC)

Yes, BYD cringingly stands for “Build Your Dreams”, and yes, two of the Chinese company’s models are named after aquatic animals, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it shouldn’t be taken seriously. BYD manufactured more electric cars in 2022 than Tesla, making it the biggest producer of EVs in the world. And that’s before it started its offensive on the European market in seriousness.

The BYD Atto 3 crossover is the first of its models to arrive in the UK and while it has value on its side, that’s not the only reason to buy one – think of it as an alternative to the Volkswagen ID.4. Hot on its heels is the less-impressive Dolphin hatchback, though it makes up for its shortcomings with a good specification and low price.

BYD will regain credibility with its next model, the Seal. It’s an impressive sports saloon in the same vein as the BMW i4 and should give Tesla Model 3 buyers something to think about, too. BYD also makes the Han luxury saloon and Tang SUV, but it’s not clear if those will be sold in the UK. Nevertheless, it has stated that up to nine new models will be added to its European line-up, so watch this space.

BYD Dolphin review

Citroën electric car plans

On sale now Ami, ë-C4, ë-C4 X, ë-Berlingo, ë-Dispatch, ë-Spacetourer
Coming soon ë-C3 (2024)

Citroën and then-PSA stablemate Peugeot were early adopters of modern electric cars, releasing the C-Zero and iOn electric city cars around the same time as Nissan launched the Leaf, in 2010. Citroën has also previously sold an electric version of the Berlingo van.

More recently, the car maker has committed to launching a pure-electric or plug-in hybrid version of every new model by 2025.

The new wave of Citroën electric vehicles started with the ë-C4, which has broadly similar electric stats to the successful Peugeot e-208 and e-2008 — that’s a 50kWh battery pack enabling an official 219 miles of range. There are two MPVs in the range with the Citroën ë-SpaceTourer and ë-Berlingo (and their commercial equivalents), all using that same Stellantis electric powertrain.

Stellantis has already revealed the next evolution of this, however, pairing a battery of higher energy density with a more powerful electric motor. The first Citroën to use this system – a 54kWh battery and 154bhp motor – is the ë-C4 X, a niche fastback/crossover/saloon sharing the ë-C4’s underpinnings though with more space. It’s already on sale in the UK.

Adding to Citroën’s electric line-up is the Ami, which is technically a “quadricycle” rather than a car, which means it can be driven in Europe by anyone over the age of 16, with or without a driving licence — like the now-departed Twizy from rival Renault (though driver and passenger sit side-by-side in the Ami, rather than in line).

Next year we are promised a new ë-C3 model, set to start a new range of electric cars from the French brand focused on value for money.

Cupra electric car plans

On sale now Born
Coming soon Tavascan crossover (2024), Raval city car (2025)

Opening Cupra’s electric range at present is the Born, a lightly reworked version of the Volkswagen ID.3 with which it shares its underpinnings. The Born has a reasonable claim on being the world’s first electric hot hatch and, with its sporty chassis set-up and plenty of power on tap, it’s more fun to drive than its German cousin. Pricing for the Cupra Born starts from £36,475 and, hot hatch credentials notwithstanding, it’s still a fine electric car with a spacious, eco-friendly interior.

Going head-to-head with the likes of the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Kia EV6 from 2024 will be the Cupra Tavascan with styling based on that of the company’s 2019 concept car and whose interior is set to be a funky, modern affair, giving the whole vehicle an entirely different look and feel to the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5.

Following the Tavascan in 2025 will be the cool little Raval, which aims to compete in the same electric supermini segment as the Renault Zoe, though with a sportier edge than other cars in its class and with a lightweight 3D-printed and 3D-knitted construction for lower weight and greater eco-credentials.

Dacia electric car plans

On sale now None (in the UK)
Coming soon Spring (TBC)

“Great news!”, as James May might say: Dacia will soon launch its very first pure-electric vehicle. It comes in the form of the Spring SUV, which is touted to be Europe’s cheapest electric car.

Rivalling models including the Seat Mii Electric city car, it is diminutive in size but also adopts SUV styling cues like a high stance and roof rails. A Napoleon complex in a car, if you will.

Hiding beneath all that is a 26.8kWh battery, which should allow the Spring to travel 140 miles on a single charge — with an extra 43 added onto that if you’re only doing urban driving.

The bad news is that the Spring isn’t coming to the UK — for now at least. Dacia’s CEO, Denis de Vot, said that the company is “actively considering” producing right-hand-drive versions of the Spring and a decision on whether to sell it in the UK may be made later this year.

DS Automobiles electric car plans

On sale now DS 3 E-Tense
Coming soon DS 4 E-Tense (TBC)

DS Automobiles has stepped out from the shadow of Citroën and has several of its own models currently on sale, one of which is pure-electric: the DS 3 E-Tense, the car maker’s contribution to the burgeoning market for electric compact SUVs – formerly known as the DS3 Crossback E-Tense. With the name change came an upgrade to the electric system and now there’s an official range of up to 250 miles between charges. As before, the DS 3 is luxuriously appointed and loaded with kit.

DS plans to introduce a fully-electric version of its DS 4 model, which is already offered with a plug-in hybrid option to sell alongside the DS 7 and DS 9 PHEVs. The brand plans to go all-electric by 2024, which, if it happens, will make it the first marque under the Stellantis umbrella to do so.

Some of DS’s expertise with EV powertrains is derived from its work with Techeetah, a team that won the Formula E drivers’ and constructors’ championships in 2019 and 2020.

Ferrari electric car plans

On sale now None
Coming soon Pure-electric model expected in 2025

After years of dismissing the idea, Ferrari has confirmed that it will produce a pure-electric car by 2025. Ferrari’s parent company, Exor, struck a deal in September 2021 with design-duo Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson – formerly of Apple, and the styling hands behind the iMac and iPad.

Their first assignment will be to help develop an electric Ferrari.

While it’s dabbled with hybrid tech in the LaFerrari — and the newer Ferrari SF90 plug-in hybrid and 296 GTB have some electric range, albeit only 16 miles — its first pure-EV isn’t expected until at least 2025. Leaked patent documents from earlier this year appear to suggest that the first fully electric Ferrari could be a GT in the vein of the 812 Superfast.

At the Ferrari Capital Markets Day in June 2022, Ferrari gave a few more details: it’s expanding its factory for electric vehicle production; batteries will be produced by suppliers at first but to Ferrari specifications; the electric motor will be produced entirely in-house, though, as will the controller, and the company is aiming for the most power-dense motors available; and the sound of a Ferrari EV is of critical importance.

At the end of 2020, former Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri said his company would never go fully electric, and in fact not even 50 per cent of the model line-up will be pure-electric. In June, chief executive officer of Exor clarified that by 2030, 40 per cent of Ferrari’s output will be pure-electric, with 40 per cent hybrid and the rest remaining pure-petrol powered.

Fiat electric car plans

On sale now 500, Abarth 500e
Coming soon e-Ulysse (2023), e-Doblo (2023), electric Panda (2024 – TBC), 600e (2024)

One of the criticisms of some electric cars is that they lack character. The phrase “laptop on wheels” has been thrown around, while Jeremy Clarkson has referred to them as “husks”. However, with the new pure-electric 500 city car, Fiat seems to have done a fairly stellar job when it comes to retaining the cuteness that has made the modern Fiat 500 such a popular model, adorning it with a number of characterful features such as a melodic acoustic alert and a key fob that looks like a pebble. Bringing with it even more character is the hot Abarth version of the 500

In the meantime, the company’s second electric car, the e-Ulysse, due to arrive in 2023, will be a rather more prosaic affair. Based on the Scudo van and sharing its underpinnings with its Stellantis stablemates – the Peugeot e-Traveller and Citroën ë-SpaceTourer – the e-Ulysse is an MPV with plenty of space, a choice of body lengths and, with the larger 75kWh battery, a range of up to 205 miles.

Next up will be the new Fiat E-Doblo, available in both commercial and passenger versions, based on the same underpinnings as the Peugeot Partner and Citroën Berlingo and sharing the now ubiquitous 100kW electric motor and 50kWh battery giving the E-Doblo around 174 miles of range.

As well as that, an electric Panda is on the way, hopefully with styling based on the Centoventi concept that Fiat displayed at the 2019 Geneva motor show, and the 600e crossover has already been leaked in a marketing video.

Fisker electric car plans

Coming soon Fisker Ocean SUV (2024), Pear city car (TBC), Ronin roadster (TBC)

Fisker Inc. is an American electric vehicle company started by the famous designer, Henrik Fisker. Its first model is the Ocean, a five-door SUV launched in 2023, first in the US and will eventually roll out to Europe. The headlining model of the line-up is called the Ocean Extreme, claimed to have a WLTP range of up to 440 miles. It’s expected to go on sale in the UK from 2024 starting at less than £40,000.

It will be followed by the Pear city car and Ronin sports car, though details on those are scant at this stage.

Ford electric car plans

On sale now Mustang Mach E; E-Transit van
Coming soon Explorer (2024), E-Tourneo Custom (late 2023), E-Transit Custom (late 2023), E-Tourneo Courier (2024), E-Transit Courier (2024), Sports Crossover (2024), Puma Electric (2024)

Following the Mustang Mach-E’s launch in 2021 to considerable acclaim, Ford of Europe announced in March 2022 that it would introduce seven new electric models by 2024. While a few of these models are set to be vans (the E-Transit with a 196-mile battery range arrived in 2022, for example), others are aimed squarely at a particularly hot section of the passenger car market.

Revealed in 2023 was the Explorer medium-sized crossover based on the same Volkswagen MEB electric vehicle architecture as the VW ID.4, ID. Buzz and Skoda Enyaq as part of a platform-sharing agreement between Ford and Volkswagen. That’ll be followed by electric versions of the Transit Courier and Tourneo Courier, the latter of which is a passenger model, also sharing its underpinnings with the VW Caddy.

Also from Ford’s commercial vehicle department are the E-Tourneo Custom and E-Transit Custom, a mid-sized van and MPV in between the smaller Courier and full-sized Transit.

Next in line will be what Ford describes as a “sports crossover”, again based on the MEB platform and likely a sort of VW ID.5 to the previous model’s ID.4. After that comes an electric version of the Puma, set to be built in Romania alongside the petrol-powered model.

In launching these models, Ford is attempting to follow-through on its plan to sell 600,000 electric vehicles annually in Europe by 2026. Not only is the company investing some £1.54bn in its Cologne plant and an attached battery-production facility, but it is expanding its battery-making capacity in Turkey and Romania, too.

Genesis electric car plans

On sale now GV60, GV70, G80
Coming soon TBC

Currently on sale from the Korean brand Genesis is the GV60, a crossover sharing the same underpinnings as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, so think 77.4kWh battery, 350kW rapid DC charging, a choice of single or dual motors and a range of up to 321 miles. As a car from a premium brand, the GV60 is more upmarket than its Kia and Hyundai cousins and makes a convincing rival for the likes of the Mercedes EQA and Volvo C40.

Also on sale is the Genesis G80, a large saloon with dual motors, up to 364bhp and a similar 320-mile range to the GV60 thanks to an 87.2kWh battery. Completing Genesis’ fully-electric line-up for now is the firm’s first electric SUV, a version of the GV70 with 429bhp.

Genesis plans to only launch electric models from 2025 onwards.

HiPhi electric car plans

On sale now HiPhi X, HiPhi Z
Coming soon HiPhi Y

HiPhi is yet another new Chinese electric car manufacturer with its eye on the European market. The HiPhi X SUV and Z GT have already gone on sale in Norway and Germany, targeting the top end of the market with big batteries, lots of technology and plenty of performance – think Porsche Taycan. The company has also revealed its ‘Y’, a more affordable SUV that may even compete with the Tesla Model Y. Right-hand-drive production has yet to start, but we’ve been assured that the HiPhi brand will arrive in the UK by 2025 “at the latest”.

Hispano-Suiza electric car plans

On sale now Carmen
Coming soon TBC

Initially expected to be just another electric hypercar start-up making big promises before going mysteriously quiet, Hispano-Suiza, a revival of an old Spanish luxury car marque, has begun delivering cars.

Making an appearance at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Hispano-Suiza Carmen is the company’s oddly-styled electric car looking a blend of 1930s streamliner and mid-2000s Audi. Reports vary as to how many Carmens the company plans on building (no more than 25), but one thing’s for sure: with an 80kWh battery supplying power to a pair of electric motors sending 1,005bhp to the rear wheels, it’s quite quick.

If the standard Carmen’s sub-three-second 0-62mph time wasn’t fast enough, there’s an even hotter version, the Carmen Boulogne, with 1,098bhp and which can make the 0-62mph dash in 2.6 seconds. The starting price for Hispano-Suiza’s electric hypercar is somewhere around the £1.3m mark.

Honda electric car plans

On sale now Honda e
Coming soon e:Ny1 crossover (2023)

Despite being an early pioneer in the field of hybrids, Honda has become something of a laggard in the field of electric vehicles with just one EV currently on sale, the admittedly accomplished and roundly well-liked Honda e city car.

Its plans for the next decade are a bit more ambitious, however, with plans to launch 30 new EVs by 2030, for 40 per cent of its sales in Europe to be either electric or fuel-cell vehicles by the same year (80 per cent by 2035) and to phase out internal combustion globally by 2040.

To this end, over the next decade the firm will invest £31.2bn in electrification and will form joint-ventures with companies such as General Motors and Sony to reduce the overall cost of electrifying its range globally.

Due to arrive late in 2023 is the e:Ny1, which is an electric vehicle around the same size as the current HR-V crossover, sharing many of the HR-V’s handsome styling cues. The e:Ny1 is based on the Honda e:NP1/e:NS1 models that are sold in China, and it uses the same 68.8kWh battery, giving it a range of just over 250 miles.

Rumours suggest that Honda is working on an electric successor to the S2000 sports car, too.

Hyundai electric car plans

On sale now Kona Electric, Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6
Coming soon new Kona Electric (2023), Ioniq 7 SUV (2024)

Hyundai is an incredibly accomplished maker of electric cars. The now-discontinued Ioniq Electric was praised as a good electric family car in its day, a standard now borne by the Ioniq 5, a hugely impressive car from the brand, mixing high performance with a long range and eye-catching design.

Meanwhile the Nexo, which converts hydrogen to electricity in a fuel cell stack, rather than storing it in a battery, shows Hyundai’s looking down several avenues towards a zero-emission future.

On sale now is the sleek, streamlined and ultra-efficient Ioniq 6, the production version of the well-received Prophecy concept. The Ioniq 6 uses the same underpinnings as the Ioniq 5, meaning there’s a 77.4kWh battery in top models, up to 321bhp, a choice of single or dual motors and a very impressive range of up to 379 miles.

If that wasn’t exciting enough, coming later in 2023 will be an “N” performance version of the Ioniq 5 and, further down the line, a hot version of the Ioniq 6 if the company’s RN22e concept is anything to go by.

Also on the way in 2023 is a new Kona with fresh, futuristic looks. First revealed at the end of 2022, the 2023 Kona was designed from the ground up as an EV, with the architecture subsequently adapted to petrol and hybrid variants.

The last model confirmed by Hyundai is the logically-named Ioniq 7, a large SUV launching in 2024. The brand hopes that these releases can make it the world’s third-largest electric car maker by 2025.

Jaguar electric car plans

On sale now I-Pace
Coming soon J-Pace; All models to be electric by 2025

The Jaguar I-Pace made quite the impact when it was launched in 2019 — so impressed were we with it here at The Sunday Times, it was crowned Car of the Year at our inaugural Motor Awards.

A bigger impact came in February 2021, when Jaguar Land Rover boss Thierry Bollore stunned the world by announcing Jaguar would become an “all-electric luxury brand” by 2025. A new large SUV, the J-Pace, is expected to be launched next.

However, plans for an electric version of the XJ limousine have been put on ice (as predicted by The Times), and the fate of the XE, XF, F-Pace and E-Pace are to be confirmed.

Richard Porter reviews the Jaguar I-Pace

Jeep electric car plans

On sale now Avenger
Coming soon Wagoneer S (by 2025); Recon (by 2025)

Jeep’s first pure-electric car, the Avenger, sits on the same underpinnings as the Peugeot e-2008, Vauxhall Mokka-e and other electric models from brands under the Stellantis banner. The Avenger is a smaller model than Jeep’s current Renegade equipped with a 54kWh battery supplying power to a 154bhp electric motor that powers the front wheels only, to deliver a WLTP range of up to 248 miles.

Jeep also currently sells plug-in hybrid (4xe) versions of its Renegade and Compass models in the UK, while an all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is due by the end of 2023. These will be joined by two more pure-electric models before the end of 2025; a large SUV called the Wagoneer S and a Land Rover Defender-rivalling Recon, which will be “very boxy and very capable”, according to Antonella Bruno, head of Jeep in Europe.

The famous Wrangler, which is available as a plug-in hybrid in America, won’t be converted to right-hand drive for the UK market in its current generation, Bruno has said.

Kia electric car plans

On sale now Niro EV, EV6, Soul EV
Coming soon EV9 (2024); 11 new pure-electric models worldwide by 2025

Like sister brand Hyundai, Kia has firmly cemented itself as a key player in the electric car market. It already has three battery-powered models on sale in the UK: the Niro EV crossover, the quirky Soul EV and the distinctive EV6.

An all-new version of the Niro EV went on sale in 2022, replacing the old e-Niro, which though accomplished in its time, was getting a bit long in the tooth. That said, the powertrain hasn’t changed significantly — there’s a 201bhp electric motor driving the front wheels through a single-speed automatic gearbox, and it’s fed by a 64.8kWh lithium-ion battery, all of which is around the same as the old model. Officially, it has a 286-mile range, which, at less than four miles better than the old e-Niro, isn’t much of an improvement and is one of the factors preventing the Niro EV from sitting at the top of its class.

By 2025, the Korean car maker expects to have 11 pure-electric models on sale worldwide. That includes the hot GT version of the EV6 that takes aim at the Audi e-tron GT and Porsche Taycan, with a 0-62mph time of 3.5 seconds, and the impressive three-row Kia EV9 SUV.

There are also rumours of an electric Sportage joining the line-up at some point, though those are unsubstantiated.

Lamborghini electric car plans

On sale now None
Coming soon New fourth model will be pure-electric (2028); Urus BEV (2029)

Lamborghini is slightly behind Ferrari in terms of electrification but has committed to all three of its models being hybrids from 2024, then introducing two pure-electric vehicles in 2028 and 2029.

First on the agenda is the Revuelto, a replacement for the Aventador, the firm’s halo supercar. It is a plug-in hybrid marrying an all-new V12 petrol engine with an electric motor for 1,001bhp. Then the Urus SUV (pictured) goes hybrid in 2024, followed by the new Huracan, which will be a PHEV of some description, by the end of that year.

But for emissions-free Lamborghinis, buyer will have to wait until 2028, when an all-new fourth model will be added to the line-up. Details are to be confirmed, but given we get a pure-electric Urus the following year, and CEO Stephan Winklemann is on record as saying the company’s supercars won’t go electric, a smaller SUV to rival the likes of the Porsche Macan might be a good guess.

Winklemann said the first two EVs will help reduce Lamborghini’s overall emissions by 80 per cent compared with 2023 levels.

Land Rover electric car plans

On sale now Range Rover PHEV, Defender PHEV, Discovery Sport PHEV
Coming soon Electric Range Rover, Discovery and Defender (from 2024)

In February 2021, Jaguar Land Rover boss Thierry Bolloré stunned the world with an aggressive electrification strategy. While Jaguar will become a pure-electric luxury brand by 2025, Land Rover will welcome an onslaught of six pure-electric variants over the next five years, with the first set to arrive in 2024. The six variants will span all three Land Rover families: Range Rover, Defender and Discovery.

JLR expects three of every five Land Rovers sold by 2030 to be zero-emission models, the same year in which the UK government will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.

All diesel Land Rovers will be phased out by 2026, and Land Rover projects 100 per cent of its sales will be pure-electric by 2036. In the UK, sales of new hybrids, including plug-in hybrids, will be banned from 2035.

Lexus electric car plans

On sale now UX 300e, RZ
Coming soon RZ (2023)

Having just come in for a mild visual refresh, the Lexus UX 300e packs 201bhp, can manage 196 miles on a single charge and recharges to 80 per cent in 50 minutes using a 50kW charging station. That means it’s not the cheapest or longest-range EV, but it comes with Toyota’s reputation for reliability attached, and will be more luxurious than some of its competitors.

Lexus launched its new electric SUV in 2023, the RZ, based on the same underpinnings as the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. As a clean-sheet design, the RZ features several innovative features such as steering-by-wire, dual electric motors and the option of a Tesla-style yoke instead of a steering wheel. Powering those motors is a 71.4kWh battery pack that, according to Lexus, is good for up to 271 miles between charges.

As for the future, the Japanese car makers don’t like to show their hands too early, but there are high hopes that the sensational Electrified Sport concept will inspire a new Lexus sports car.

Lotus electric car plans

On sale now Evija
Coming soon Eletre SUV (late 2023); Type 133 saloon (2024); Unnamed electric sports car (2026)

Fifteen years after production of the legendary Esprit ended, Lotus returned to making to supercars. The extraordinary Lotus Evija (pronounced “eh-vai-ya”) was the firm’s first pure-electric production car and its most extreme car ever. Lotus says its 1,973bhp and 1,254lb ft of torque are good enough for a 0-62mph time of under three seconds, a staggering sub-nine-second time for 0-186mph and a top speed of over 200mph.

The mid-mounted battery pack, developed by the Williams Formula 1 team’s Advanced Engineering division is good for 250 miles per charge under the WLTP test cycle, and is capable of charging speeds of up to 800kW meaning an ultra-rapid full recharge will be possible in just nine minutes, Lotus claims. Not that there are any chargers capable of that output on the market as yet…

Lotus boss: Evija hypercar back on track as company expands after lockdown

Lotus has also launched an electric SUV, called the Eletre (el-etra). The SUV is based on bespoke underpinnings from Lotus’s parent-company, Geely, and is built at Geely’s facilities in China.

Lotus then plans to launch a four-door electric saloon in 2024, codenamed Type 133, and is expected to add an electric sports car by 2026.

Don’t discount the idea of further variations on the SUV theme in the interim, as they’re profitable and popular, which would allow the further development of electric sports cars. Like it or not, that’s business.

Lucid Motors electric car plans

On sale now: Air
Coming soon: Gravity SUV (2024 – TBC)

At Lucid Motors’ helm is Peter Rawlinson, the man who led the development of the Tesla Model S and who has vowed to beat Tesla when it comes to luxury, acceleration, price and range. By a couple of metrics, Lucid already has; its Air Dream Edition model has been officially certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States as having a range of 520 miles, which is some 25 per cent more than a Tesla Model S Long Range. It achieves that partly through ultra-smooth aerodynamics but mainly through efficient battery management techniques derived from the company’s experience with the Atieva Formula E team. The fact that the Air Dream Edition features a substantial 113kWh battery helps too.

Not every Lucid Air has the Dream Edition’s all-wheel drive, efficiency and 1,086bhp power figure though. The Air Pure opens the range with rear-wheel drive, an 88kWh battery and a range of 406 miles. At the other end of the spectrum, the Dream Edition Performance offers up to 1,111bhp with 0-60mph dispatched in just 2.5 seconds.

The Air is currently on sale in the US, but hasn’t yet made it to Europe. Lucid, however, has said that it will bring the Air to Europe including a right-hand-drive version for the UK market. The company also plans to launch an SUV, likely called the Lucid Gravity and based on the Air’s running gear.

Maserati electric car plans

On sale now None
Coming soon MC20 (TBC), Grecale SUV (TBC), GranTurismo Folgore (2023), electrified versions of Levante and Quattroporte (TBC)

Maserati relaunched its entire brand with the unveiling of the MC20 supercar in 2020, which has given it a boost of productivity, with three electric models due from the company in the next few years.

There’s an electric version of the MC20 coming, which will, in swapping the twin-turbo V6 for a tri-motor set up, add around 100kg to the ICE model’s 1,500kg, as well as 80bhp or so.

The Maserati Grecale SUV features V6 power as well as mild-hybrid options, but the option of a pure-electric powertrain is on the way. The company’s electric models will be badged “Folgore” — Italian for “lightning” — and the replacements for the Levante and Quattroporte models will receive the option of fully-electric powertrains, too.

In October 2022, Maserati revealed details of the GranTurismo Folgore powered by three 300kW electric motors, one in the front and two at the rear. While the 800-volt electric system can generate a continuous 750bhp, by delving into the driving modes, drivers can access the Folgore’s full 1,185bhp for short periods, enabling 0-62mph in as little 2.7 seconds. Energy is supplied by a battery pack with a 92.5kWh capacity, which is similar to the capacity of the 245-mile Porsche Taycan Turbo S’s battery, allowing an official range of up to 280 miles.

Mazda electric car plans

On sale now MX-30
Coming soon TBC

Like many of its fellow carmakers, Mazda is making the mass-production foray into the world of electric motoring with a compact crossover — unsurprising, given the appetite for them.

Potential buyers may be put off by the small 124-mile range of the Mazda MX-30 — smaller even than the Honda e — but Mazda says it has done its research, and thinks that its clientele aren’t looking for anything more than that. Plus, a smaller battery (35.5kWh, in the MX-30’s case) is better for the environment, and means less weight.

For those still antsy about the range, a plug-in hybrid version with batteries charged by a rotary-engine range extender is due by the start of 2024.

Mazda plans to launch a dedicated EV platform by 2025 and has said it will launch three new EVs in the meantime, though details are scarce.

Mercedes-Benz electric car plans

On sale now EQA, EQB, EQC, EQE, EQE SUV, EQS, EQS SUV, EQV
Coming soon EQT (late 2023), EQG (2025)

Mercedes is another car maker going on the offensive when it comes to electric car releases. It already has nine fully-electric models on sale under its EQ sub-brand. The EQC SUV and EQV MPV are joined by the EQA, a compact SUV based on the GLA, and the compact seven-seat EQB SUV.

The EQE, launched in 2022, should prove a popular and less-expensive alternative to the flagship EQS, (not least because we awarded it overall Car of the Year at The Sunday Times Motor Awards 2022). The EQS crowns the current EQ line-up and is the company’s flagship electric car with a massive 478-mile range. There are also AMG versions of the EQE and EQS with greater performance outputs, as well as SUV versions of both.

At the Munich motor show in 2021, the company announced a number of upcoming models including a Maybach SUV based on the EQS SUV, and an electric G-Class set to arrive by 2025 – probably called the EQG. Later this year will also see the launch of the EQT, Mercedes’ electric MPV based on Renault Kangoo running gear.

In the longer term, Mercedes will launch three new electric-only vehicle platforms that will underpin most of its future models across its luxury Maybach and AMG performance sub-brands plus its commercial vehicle line-up.

A better of idea of what the company says will be its approach to EVs going forward was seen with the unveiling of the Vision EQXX at CES in Las Vegas in January 2022. The sleek concept car won’t make series production, but will remain a “road legal research prototype” claimed to be capable of 621 miles between charges through efficient battery management, smooth aerodynamics and a lightened design. Mercedes says this will be its approach towards electric cars in future rather than just applying bigger and bigger batteries to solve the issue of range.

MG electric car plans

On sale now ZS EV, MG5, MG4
Coming soon Cyberster (2024), MG4 XPower

Chinese-owned MG has emerged as a bit of a dark horse in the electric motoring world, thanks to the success of its well-priced ZS SUV and the similarly priced MG5 electric family estate which has seen a recent facelift.

Both hit a sweet spot financially and in terms of range: the MG5 Long Range costs £30,995 and has a 250-mile range; the ZS EV comes in both standard- and long-range guises with prices starting from £30,495 for the former (with 198 miles of range), while a longer-range version with a 72.6kWh battery and 273 miles of range is also available. Add in MG’s mammoth seven-year warranty and they make attractive, practical propositions.

The MG4 hatchback that went on sale at the end of 2022 is designed to take on the likes of the Volkswagen ID.3 and Nissan Leaf. Based on MG’s MSP (Modular Scalable Platform) architecture, the MG4 is rear-wheel drive only (for now — a 450bhp all-wheel-drive range-topper called the XPower is on the way) and is available with battery capacities from 51kWh to 64kWh, which gives it a range of 218 miles or 281 miles (depending on the version) between charges. The MG4 is something of a game-changer in this section of the market with a lot of spec, performance and quality for its £26,995 starting price. MG’s competitors should be very worried.

What’s lined up next for MG is something quite different indeed: the company’s first sports car since the demise of the elderly TF in 2011. It’s called the Cyberster and it’s a pretty two-seat roadster with dramatic, McLaren-style doors. Underneath is an all-electric powertrain, with rear- and all-wheel-drive options. The latter, using a dual-motor setup, will produce more than 500bhp. Revealed in 2023, it’s expected to go on sale in early 2024.

MG4 review

Mini electric car plans

On sale now Mini Electric, Mini Electric Convertible
Coming soon New Mini Electric (2023), Countryman E (2024), Aceman crossover (2024)

With the launch of the Mini Electric in 2020, Bernd Körber, head of Mini, told Driving.co.uk that he felt that driving the new Mini Electric (which Will Dron tested long-term throughout the second half of 2020) is even more fun than its internal-combustion compatriot, thanks to a “go-kart feel” that he said suits the ethos of the brand.

Körber revealed that Mini was planning the release of two new electric models by 2023 or 2024: an all-electric version of the Mini Countryman SUV as well as a then-unnamed small crossover to sit below the Countryman in Mini’s range.

In July 2022, the company unveiled the concept car on which that small crossover would be based. Dubbed the Aceman, it previews the company’s future design language as well as offering a fairly accurate preview of the crossover that will go into production mostly unchanged. The design represents a departure for Mini, eschewing the soft, rounded lines and chrome fittings of previous models in favour of stronger, sharper lines and a cleaner design.

The next-gen Mini Hatch will also be offered with an electric powertrain option from the start in two different guises. Interestingly, it won’t be based on the same platform as the petrol-powered model, but rather on architecture co-developed with BMW’s Chinese partner, Great Wall.

The Aceman will fit into Mini’s range between the new Mini Hatch (which is set to shrink compared to previous models) and the new Countryman, which is due to grow.

Before any of those new models launch, there’s a limited-edition electric version of the Mini Convertible to consider, using the same underpinnings as the Mini Electric hatch. Just 150 will be sold in the UK.

Nissan electric car plans

On sale now Leaf, Townstar, Ariya
Coming soon Micra replacement (2024 – TBC), seven other electric models worldwide by 2023, possibly including large SUV

Despite being one of the early pioneers of modern mass-market electric cars, until 2022 Nissan’s electric vehicle range wasn’t that extensive, comprising only the Leaf hatchback and van-derived e-NV200 people carrier.

That comparatively meagre line-up has been bolstered by the Ariya crossover SUV, which has arrived with up to 329 miles of range and a host of powertrain options including a choice of two battery sizes — 63kWh or 87kWh — and two- or four-wheel-drive versions. There’s also a new electric van, the Townstar.

Coming down the line is an electric replacement for the Nissan Micra supermini set to be based on a Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance platform, which is due to arrive in 2024. Nissan says the underpinnings will provide a battery range of around 250 miles and be shared with Renault’s revival of its own R5 retro-styled supermini. The new Micra will be engineered by Nissan, but built in France by Renault.

Ora electric car plans

On sale now Funky Cat
Coming soon Ora 07 saloon (2023 – TBC)

Ora is a Chinese manufacturer and a sub-brand of car-maker Great Wall that once sold pickups in the UK until it fell afoul of emissions regulations. The company now sells the amusingly named Ora Funky Cat, a cute electric hatchback with styling cues seemingly drawn from Mini, Alpine and even Porsche.

Pricing for the Funky Cat starts from £31,995 and customers get plenty of spec for their money with a reversing camera and 18in alloy wheels, as well as LED headlights, wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise control, electrically adjustable front seats, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring featuring as standard.

Using a 48kWh battery, the Funky Cat will manage 193 miles (WLTP) between charges and feature rapid charging at up to 80kW.

While the Funky Cat is definitely competitive in terms of its aesthetics and spec, until the company introduces its planned cut-price versions, it’s not a huge car with a fairly low range for the money (compared with, say, the MG4). In terms of its size it straddles the divide between city cars such as the Fiat 500 and Mini Electric and hatchbacks such as the VW ID.3, MG4, Smart #1 and Cupra Born.

In the next year or so, the company plans to launch an elongated saloon version dubbed the Ora 07, a sort of Tesla Model 3 competitor, aping the styling of the Porsche Panamera, with twin electric motors and up to 267 miles between charges.

Peugeot electric car plans

On sale now e-208, e-2008, e-Rifter, e-Traveller
Coming soon E-308 (2023), E-3008 (2024)

Peugeot is attempting to electrify its entire line-up by the end of 2023, meaning that all models will have some form of plug-in variant. With its smaller offerings, like the already-available (and well received) 208, it’s going full bore with pure-electric, while larger models like the 5008 will be hybrids.

The next pure-electric model will be the 308 hatchback and its 3008 SUV counterpart. The E-308 and its estate variant are powered by a single 154bhp motor driving the front wheels with power supplied by a 54kWh battery to deliver a range just short of 250 miles. That same powertrain is set to be used in both the 3008 SUV and the Peugeot’s Stellantis stablemate, the new Vauxhall Astra Electric.

Polestar electric car plans

On sale now Polestar 2, Polestar 3
Coming soon Polestar 4 SUV (2024), Polestar 5 saloon (2024), Polestar 6 convertible (2026), Polestar 7 fastback (2027)

Most brands are (understandably) continuing to flog their engine-based wares while they make the transition to electric motoring. Polestar, though, started as an electric car brand.

Its first offering, the stunningly-designed Polestar 1, was a plug-in hybrid, while the Polestar 2 arrived in 2020 as the brand’s first pure-electric car, to strong reviews.

The company’s next model is the Polestar 3, a mid-sized performance SUV with the same running gear as the upcoming electric Volvo EX90. Powering the Polestar 3 is a huge 111kWh battery pack endowing the model in its most efficient guise with a range of up to 379 miles. The new electric architecture allows for rapid DC charging at up to 250kW with up to 510bhp on tap in the most powerful all-wheel-drive versions. First deliveries of the Polestar 3 are expected towards the start of 2024.

Following that, another, smaller SUV, the predictably named Polestar 4, made its debut in 2023, set to go on sale in 2024, while the Porsche Taycan- and Tesla Model S-rivalling Polestar 5 saloon is also expected in 2024, based on the well-received design of the company’s Precept concept.

The innovative, lightweight bonded aluminium architecture of the Polestar 5 will also be employed by Polestar’s first sports car, the Polestar 6, expected to arrive in 2026. Based on the stunning O2 roadster concept revealed in March 2022 (which, like the Polestar 5, borrowed its design language from the Precept), Polestar said that with the enthusiasm shown by the press and public for the design, that it would make the sports car a production reality.

While little else has been confirmed about the final production model, Polestar did promise some pretty impressive performance figures, with a power output of up to 872bhp and 664lb ft of torque from a dual-motor system, giving the Polestar 6 a potential 0-62mph sprint time of 3.2 seconds.

Pricing, it said, would be around the £165,000 mark and that while it won’t be a high-volume car like the Polestar 2, it won’t be ultra-low-volume like the Polestar 1.

Eventually, the Polestar 7 will replace the Polestar 2, though that won’t happen until at least 2027.

Porsche electric car plans

On sale now Taycan, Taycan Cross Turismo, Taycan Sport Turismo
Coming soon Macan Electric (2024), Cayman and Boxster Electric (TBC)

Sports car maker Porsche has no qualms about embracing the potential of electric power. Its first pure-electric model, the Taycan, has received rave reviews, and there’s now a little family of them including the 4S, the Turbo and the Turbo S (even though electric cars can’t technically be turbocharged).

A rugged estate version of the Taycan, called the Cross Turismo, is available too, and it’s a compelling mix of high performance, long range and crossover-like ability. Or you can have the Sport Turismo, which is effectively the same thing without the ruggedness.

An electrification of Porsche’s wider line-up is scheduled to take place next, with the Macan SUV due to be made electric for its next generation in 2024 (delayed due to software development issues), and pure-electric versions of the 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster models being developed. It will come as welcome news to many that an electric version of the much-adored 911 is not expected this side of 2030.

Pininfarina electric car plans

On sale now Battista
Coming soon Three new models by 2024

More than 90 years after it was founded as a coachbuilder, Pininfarina has finally begun deliveries of its first homegrown car: the pure-electric Battista hypercar, which rivals the similarly ludicrous Lotus Evija (see above). The Battista’s sensational performance claims include 1,874bhp, a top speed in excess of 217mph and 0-60mph in less than two seconds, all thanks to underpinnings from Croatian hypercar-maker Rimac (see below).

Pininfarina is set to build just 150 Battistas which, if you’re interested, will set you back £2m plus tax, with personalisation options allowing customers to spend well in excess of £3m to get the car they want.

Pininfarina has also said it’s working on a new pure-electric car platform that will underpin three future models to be released in the three years after the Battista hits the road. Two of these will reportedly be SUVs, but that’s not been officially confirmed.

Renault electric car plans

On sale now Zoe, Mégane E-Tech Electric, Kangoo E-Tech Electric (van)
Coming soon R5 (2024), R4 (2024), four other new electric models globally by 2025

Like sister company Nissan, Renault got into the electric car game very early, with the likes of the Fluence Z.E., Twizy and Kangoo Z.E, and, while its line-up remains quite limited, the arrival of the electric Mégane heralds the start of a major electric product push for the firm.

Powertrains in the Renault Mégane E-Tech consist of two power outputs and two battery options. Both 128bhp and 215bhp electric motors are available, the latter allowing a 0-62mph time of 7.4 seconds. A 40kWh battery delivers an official range of 186 miles, while the larger 60kWh pack manages 292 miles.

Both the Mégane and the Zoe supermini are set to be joined in Renault’s electric stable soon as the company plans to have eight pure-electric models in its global portfolio by 2025.

Highly exciting is the reinvention of two iconic old Renaults, the R5 and the R4 — the former as a good-looking electric hatchback, the latter as a funky retro-styled crossover. The Renault 5 EV is promised to be cheaper than the current Zoe when it goes on sale.

Rimac electric car plans

On sale now Nevera
Coming soon TBC

The Croatian company, Rimac, famous for creating the Concept One hypercar that Richard Hammond infamously crashed on the Grand Tour, has been collaborating with more established manufacturers like Aston Martin, Jaguar and Seat lately on battery and drivetrain technology and has even taken a controlling stake in Bugatti.

Watch Richard Hammond have another go at fateful Rimac hillclimb in The Grand Tour Game

Its only car, the Rimac Nevera is capable of mind-bending performance figures. A 340-mile WLTP range is promised and fast, 500kW charging delivering 0-80 per cent charge in around 19 minutes. That’s good, but not as impressive as Rimac’s claimed performance figures including 1,888bhp, 258mph and 0-60mph in 1.85 seconds. Rimac plans to build just 150 units starting at £1.7 million each.

Rivian electric car plans

On sale now: R1T, R1S

When American electric vehicle company Rivian began producing its quirkily styled pickup, the R1T, in September 2021, not only did it beat established manufacturers such as Ram, Ford and Jeep to market with an electric truck, but Tesla too, the arrival of whose Cybertruck still appears to be some time off.

Rivian is initially focusing on what it believes is the most profitable market segment — pickups and SUVs. The R1T and R1S use a 135kWh battery pack to deliver 314- and 316 miles of range respectively according to figures released by the EPA in the United States; longer-range models are expected to follow. Prices for the R1T start from the equivalent of just under £50,000 while the seven-seat R1S is priced from around £51,000.

While Rivian’s vehicles, having won praise for their style, appear to be in high demand relative to the company’s production capacity, Rivian is currently devoting a lot of its energies to fulfilling an order from Amazon for 10,000 electric delivery vans by 2025.

That means if, as it says, it plans to launch in Europe by the end of 2023, it’ll need a factory on this side of the Atlantic. Rivian is currently in negotiations with two European countries to build a battery and vehicle assembly plant, and the UK government even offered the company significant financial incentives to set up a facility on a 635-acre site in Somerset.

Rolls-Royce electric car plans

On sale now none
Coming soon: Spectre (2023)

Rolls-Royce is due to launch its first electric vehicle, to be called the Spectre, in late 2023. A large coupé taking up where Rolls’ old Phantom coupé left off, the Spectre will be based on Rolls-Royce’s “Architecture of Luxury” platform that it will share with the current Phantom, on sale since 2017. The underpinnings are exclusive to Rolls-Royce models and not used by any other members of the BMW group, the parent company of Rolls-Royce.

The official range figure is just over 320 miles between charges for the Spectre, while it produces maximum power and torque figures of 577bhp and 664lb ft, respectively, giving the coupé a 0-62mph time of 4.5 seconds — quite brisk considering that it weighs 25kg shy of three tons.

The Spectre is currently undergoing testing around the world that will see up to 1.6 million miles covered to simulate, what the company says, is more than 400 years of use. Its maker has described the Spectre as “the most perfect product Rolls-Royce has ever produced.”

Seat electric car plans

On sale now none
Coming soon TBC

Seat’s next pure-electric model, after the plug-in version of the Mii Electric, was supposed to be the el-Born hot hatch but the marketing people at Volkswagen Group HQ have decided to stick a Cupra badge on that car instead (see above), meaning that Seat will have to wait a bit longer for its new electric model.

Indeed, there are rumours that the Seat brand will stop making cars entirely and become an ‘urban mobility’ brand instead.

Skoda electric car plans

On sale now Enyaq iV, Enyaq Coupé iV
Coming soon Four all-new pure-EVs by 2026: Elroq crossover, estate, seven-seat SUV and compact crossover

The Skoda Enyaq iV shares its MEB platform with the Volkswagen ID range and is Skoda’s equivalent of the ID.4. With the 77kWh battery fitted, the Enyaq can go a quoted distance between charges of 330 miles, though a shorter range (and cheaper) Enyaq iV 60 model is also available.

Joining the Enyaq is the Enyaq Coupé, a very similar car but with a sloping, coupé-like roofline, making it Skoda’s version of the VW ID.5. It’s available as the 295bhp all-wheel-drive vRS and a tamer rear-drive model with 201bhp and a 339-mile range – thanks in part to improved aerodynamics over the standard Enyaq.

In April 2023 Skoda announced its electric car plans for the next few years, including the launch of four new EVs between now and 2026. The Elroq will be an electric crossover to replace the Skoda Karoq; there’ll be a smaller – and much more affordable – crossover below that in the line-up; the Vision 7S concept car previews a seven-seat EV; and there will also be an electric C-segment estate.

Skoda has also confirmed that the two Enyaq models will be significantly revamped in 2025.

Smart electric car plans

On sale now #1
Coming soon TBC

Smart ditched combustion engines entirely in 2019 and has now launched its first purpose-built EV, a compact SUV around the size of Mercedes’s EQA crossover.

Named the #1 (ridiculously pronounced “hashtag one”), the new model is a collaboration between Smart’s parent companies Mercedes and Geely, with the latter undertaking the engineering and construction and the former responsible for interior and exterior styling. Its architecture is based on the same Geely platform that will underpin the Volvo EX30.

That Geely platform means that the Smart #1 gets a 66kWh battery, which means a range of 273 miles. Power comes from a 267bhp electric motor, making it by quite some distance the most powerful Smart model yet, while a Brabus version with even more performance was made available from launch in the UK.

The #1 is built at Geely’s plant in China alongside replacements for the ageing Smart fortwo and forfour. In the UK it went on sale in January 2023, with deliveries from the autumn.

What comes after that is yet to be announced, though Smart did confirm to us it is already working on the follow-up. We’d expect a smaller option based on the same platform, perhaps with two doors, but at the moment that’s pure speculation. We’d like to see a new Roadster at some point, too, but is that type of car popular enough for the ambitious new Smart?

Sony electric car plans

On sale now none
Coming soon Vision-S saloon (TBC), Vision-S 02 SUV (TBC)

When Sony unveiled the Vision-S saloon at CES Las Vegas in 2020, it tried to quash rumours that it had plans to become a car maker, insisting that the model was a development testbed for sensor and communications technologies. With the reveal of Vision-S 02 SUV at CES in 2022, however, it said that it was actively considering entering the car business with a new division, Sony Mobility Inc, to be established later in the year.

Both the Vision-S saloon and seven-seat SUV are based on the same underpinnings and use a pair of 200kW electric motors to send around 540bhp to the front and rear wheels. Beyond that, however, there’s little indication of battery size or range.

In January 2023 Sony and Honda announced the creation of the Afeela joint venture with a view to launching its first EV by 2026. It is expected to be a saloon.

SsangYong electric car plans

On sale now None
Coming soon Korando e-motion (2023 – TBC); J100 mid-sized SUV (2023 – TBC)

SsangYong’s first pure-electric vehicle, a version of its Korando SUV model that will be known as the Korando e-Motion, has already gone into production, and though it had been slated to go on sale in the UK in 2022, the end of 2023 now looks to be the earliest it will launch. When it arrives, it should offer low-cost electric SUV competition to the likes of the MG ZS.

The Korando e-Motion is set to be driven by a single motor producing 187bhp and will provide a range of around 200 miles.

SsangYong plans to launch a larger, mid-sized electric SUV, currently codenamed the J100, which it envisages launching in 2023 and which may include a pick-up variant.

The company is working to develop an all-new EV platform and aims to launch its first vehicle on that platform by 2024.

Subaru electric car plans

On sale now Solterra
Coming soon TBC

Subaru’s brand-synonymous “Boxer” combustion engines are on borrowed time, it seems, as the car maker has been working with Toyota on a new pure-electric car platform.

The fruits of that collaboration come in the form of the Solterra SUV, which shares its underpinnings with the Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ.

The production model isn’t as alarmingly angular as its concept and, like the bZ4X features a 71.4kWh battery pack. Subaru only sells the Solterra in the UK with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup, which uses an electric motor on each axle for up to 215bhp. The entry-level Limited model has an official range of 289 miles.

Suzuki electric car plans

On sale now None
Coming soon Compact electric car (date TBC)

Suzuki will soon enter the electric car fray, as it’s currently co-developing a new pure-electric model with the Japanese car making giant Toyota. We don’t yet know when it will go on sale or whether it will be offered in the UK, though it has been confirmed the car is being pitched as a compact vehicle — suggesting the pure-electric Suzuki will either be a small hatchback or a small SUV.

Tesla electric car plans

On sale now Model 3, Model S, Model X, Model S Plaid, Model Y
Coming soon Cybertruck (TBC), Roadster (TBC)

Tesla has one of the most impressive EV line-ups in Europe, including the incredibly successful Model 3 and its SUV-like alter ego, the Model Y. Price reductions this year meant more buyers could afford a Tesla, which is sure to put a squeeze on other car-makers’ profit margins.

Unfortunately, Tesla also announced that right-hand-drive production of the Model S and Model X was suspended “indefinitely” so it’s suspected that UK buyers will have to wait for the next generation of those models before they will be available again.

The next-gen Tesla Roadster, which the company is claiming will be able to do 620 miles on a single charge and sprint from 0-60mph in under two seconds, was expected to launch in 2023, but there’s no sign of that happening.

Likewise, the stainless steel Cybertruck, which has already been pushed back several times and was most recently slated for arrival in 2022, has been delayed further, any reference to its 2022 launch date being removed from Tesla’s website. Recent rumours suggest that it still hasn’t advanced much beyond a prototype stage.

Don’t expect to see versions of either car in the UK until 2024 at the earliest.

Toyota electric car plans

On sale now Mirai FCEV, bZ4X
Coming soon 10 pure electric models globally by 2025

Toyota has long been a world leader in hybrid cars, with the ubiquitous Prius hitting the road more than two decades ago. It’s taking the transition to electric cars at its own pace, though, and exploring all avenues in the case of the second-generation Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car.

It has also partnered with a number of other Japanese car makers, including Mazda, Subaru and Suzuki, to develop future battery-electric models, and expects to have 10 models in its global portfolio by 2025.

Toyota did launch the bZ4X in 2022, which is a crossover based on the same underpinnings as the Lexus RZ and Subaru Solterra, and features a 71.4kWh battery pack offering 330 miles or so of range, with front- and all-wheel drive versions.

TVR electric car plans

On sale now None
Coming soon Three EVs, one of which could be based on the Griffith (TBC)

To call TVR’s revival long-delayed is quite an understatement. The Griffith model was originally planned to spearhead that revival, having been first seen in 2017.

Production still isn’t underway at the company’s plant in Wales, but with a new financial backer in the form of South American lithium mining firm Ensorcia, it has been suggested that maybe, just maybe, production of the Griffith could begin within the next year.

As well as hinting that the Griffith was closer to production than before, in April 2022, TVR announced that it was partnering with the Formula E racing series to promote its electrification ambitions. It said that following the launch of the V8 Griffith, it would launch an electric version in 2024, to be followed later by two other electric models. Further details, however, remain elusive.

Vauxhall electric car plans

On sale now Corsa Electric, Mokka Electric, Combo Life Electric, Vivaro Life Electric, Astra Electric
Coming soon possible Monza crossover (2024), Manta (2025)

With its sister brands Citroën, DS and Peugeot pursuing their own pure-electric projects, it’s no surprise that Vauxhall is also adding plug-ins to its line-up. By 2024, every car it makes will have a hybrid or electric variant, and by 2028 the brand plans for all its models to be electric.

Vauxhall’s electric car range currently consists of the Astra Electric (in hatchback and estate forms), the Corsa Electric supermini (a facelifted model was revealed this year) and the Mokka Electric crossover, along with electric variants of the Combo Life and Vivaro Life people carriers, as well as their van equivalents.

There are also rumours that Vauxhall will reboot the Monza name as an electric crossover, but that won’t be revealed until at least 2024 if confirmed, and we expect the Manta to be reborn as an electric car in 2025.

Volkswagen electric car plans

On sale now ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7, ID. Buzz
Coming soon ID.2 (2025)

Volkswagen placed great importance on the ID.3 at its launch calling it a third chapter in the brand’s history — after the Beetle and the Golf. It put special emphasis on its environmental benefits: it’s produced in a carbon neutral manner, which is great PR for a brand still haunted by the spectre of the dieselgate emissions scandal. A facelifted version launched in 2023.

Order books are open for the ID. Buzz, the long-awaited revival of Volkswagen’s iconic Microbus model, concepts for which were first revealed way back in 2001. Though featuring retro styling, it’s an entirely modern MPV with roughly the same dimensions as VW’s T6.1 Multivan, built on the same underpinnings as the ID.3 and ID.4 and using a similar dash layout to both. Also shared is a 77kWh battery promising around 250 miles between charges. It’s available as both a passenger MPV and a commercial van and will be sold in GTX and long-wheelbase guises at a later stage.

The Volkswagen ID.7 hit the market in late 2023 as the range-topping EV in the line-up. It follows on from the ID. Aero concept car and continues that vehicle’s theme of aerodynamic efficiency with a coefficient of drag as low as 0.23. This translates into an electric range between charges as high as 435 miles when fitted with a new 86kWh battery pack, though high-performance all-wheel-drive variants are also expected.

In March 2023 Volkswagen took the wraps off its ID. 2all concept car, previewing a new direction for the company’s smallest EV. It is said to preview an affordable new small VW launching in 2025 and likely to be called the ID.2.

Volvo electric car plans

On sale now XC40 Recharge, C40 Recharge, EX30, EX90
Coming soon TBC

Volvo plans for its sales to comprise entirely either pure-electric or plug-in hybrid models, in a 50:50 split, by 2025, and in order to make that happen it will release a pure-electric model every year until then. All its new car sales will be pure-electric from 2030.

Four purely-electric cars are now officially on sale from Volvo in the UK. The XC40 and C40 Recharge soldier on, though they’ve been updated as part of the ‘2024 model year’ refresh and are now either rear-drive or all-wheel drive, where before, the single-motor cars were front-wheel drive. There has also been a boost in efficiency for the twins thanks to a new battery, and faster charging speeds.

Meanwhile, the EX90’s design is very much an evolution of the XC90 SUV, and the model features the same underpinnings as the upcoming Polestar 3. Powering the EX90 will be a hefty battery pack with a 111kWh capacity, supplying energy to electric motors front and rear to give the Volvo all-wheel drive, 510bhp, 671lb ft of torque and a range between recharges of up to 373 miles. Though listed as for sale on the Volvo website, deliveries have yet to begin – and are not expected before 2024.

Volvo’s next pure-electric model is the stylish EX30. It’s the smallest and most affordable EV in the line-up, but it’s also somehow one of the most desirable thanks to its Swedish design inside and out. To keep pricing down, there’s a relatively small 51kWh battery pack as the entry-point, with a range of 214 miles, though even then it’s paired with a powerful – 286bhp – electric motor. A 69kWh battery pack allows for a range of up to 298 miles, while a dual-motor version offers up to 422bhp.

After reading all the car-makers’ plans for EVs, you might be interested to read about the Volkswagen ID. Aero electric saloon
Keen to go electric? Here are the top 10 longest-range electric cars
Or read Will Dron’s review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5

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