12 Top Small Electric Car models in 2022 for the UK

With a brisk adoption of EVs across segments, the entry small electric car category has also witnessed some action in 2021. Small EVs might not offer the largest batteries with long-range for frequent intercity trips, but they’re certainly fit for intracity commutes and well-calculated long runs. They’re also practical, compact and easy to manoeuvre and don’t dig a hole in owners pockets as they’re mostly affordable.

Let’s take at 12 notable small electric car models on sale in 2022, in the UK market, and their specifications.

Peugeot e-208

The Peugeot e-208 caters to young people looking for a modern urban EV with a youthful and sporty exterior design. The Peugeot e-208 carries a 50 kWh battery pack, and the electric motor outputs 100 kW (136 hp) and 260 Nm. The electric range is 225 miles (362 km) according to the WLTP cycle. Using a 7 kW wall box charger, the battery can be juiced up entirely in 7.5 hours, whereas with the 2.3 kW domestic 3-pin plug socket, it takes 24 hours to fill the battery from 0-100%. Using a 100 kW DC fast charger, the battery can be charged from 0-80% in just 30 minutes. 

The OTR prices for the Peugeot’s small electric car start at GBP 28,260, including the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG) from the government of GBP 1,500.

Fiat 500 Electric

The new Fiat 500e electric hosts a familiar fascia with modern touches. The electric hatchback comes with a 42 kWh battery pack. The electric motor produces 87 kW (117 hp) and 220 Nm with a combined WLTP range of 200 miles (322 km). With a 2.3 kW AC charger (with MODE 2 cable), charging from 0-100% takes 15 hours 15 minutes which reduces to 4 hours 15 minutes with an 11 kW AC station (with MODE 3 cable). The 85 kW DC fast charging (with MODE 4 cable) allows 0-80% charging in 35 minutes.

There is also the option of a 24 kWh battery pack. The 500 electric makes 70 kW (93 hp) and 220 Nm in this configuration. As per WLTP, the combined electric range for this version is a mere 118 miles (190 km).

The OTR prices for Fiat’s small electric car (with 24 kWh battery pack) start at GBP 23,835 and the 42 kWh battery pack at GBP 28,835 before the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG) by the government.

Vauxhall Corsa-e

The Vauxhall Corsa is UK’s best-selling car, and the Corsa-e is its electric iteration. The small electric car is equipped with a 50 kWh Li-Ion battery, and the EV is capable of developing 100 kW (134 hp) and 260 Nm. The combined WLTP range is marked at 209 miles (336 km).

The domestic 2.3 kW AC charger takes 24 hours 21 minutes to fill up the battery completely. The onboard 7.4 kW charger takes 7 hours 33 minutes for 0-100% charging, while >100 kW rapid charging is capable of charging the battery from 0-80% in just 30 minutes.

The OTR prices for the Vauxhall Corsa-e start at GBP 25,805, including the government’s GBP 1,500 Plug-In Car Grant (PICG). Despite its size or affordability, it offers plenty of premium features.

Mini Electric

The Mini Electric hatchback is a popular offering in the UK market for people looking to have some driving fun with an electric car. The Mini Electric comes with a 32.6 kWh battery pack. The small electric car’s power and torque output stand at 137 kW (184 hp) and 270 Nm, respectively, with the combined WLTP range of 140-145 miles (225-233 km). 

The charging time from 0-80% with a 2.1 kW 3-pin plug at home is 12 hours, with a 7.4 kW Wallbox charger is 3 hours 12 minutes, with a 50 kW DC rapid charger is 36 minutes. The OTR price for Mini Electric starts at GBP 27,000, including the GBP 1,500 Plug-In Car Grant (PICG) by the government.

BMW i3S

Next on our list of the notable small electric car models in the UK is the BMW i3S, which comes with a 37.9 kWh battery pack. The electric motor churns out a healthy 135 kW (184 hp) power, and 270 Nm torque with a WLTP combined range of 173-175 miles (278-281 km). The charging time with a 3.5 kW AC charger from 0-100% is 13 hours and with an 11 kW Wallbox charger is 4.3 hours. With a 50 kW DC fast charger, a range of 62 miles (100 km) could be added in just 20 minutes. 

The BMW i3S small electric car costs GBP 34,805 OTR before any government grant. The BMW i3 will exit production in July 2022.

Honda e

The Honda e is a great city EV with a retro design. The small electric car from Japan comes fitted with a 35.5 kWh battery pack. The peak power and torque outputs read 100 kW (134 hp) (113 kW / 151 hp in higher variants), and 315 Nm, respectively, with a WLTP combined range of 137 miles (220 km). It also packs some zippy performance, with a 0-60 mph time of 8.3 seconds.

The Honda e takes 18.8 hours to charge completely using the home 2.3 kW AC Type 2 charger, 4.1 hours with the 6.6 kW Type 2 AC charger and 31 minutes (0-80%) with a CCS2 50 kW DC fast charger. The OTR starting price for the Honda e is GBP 34,365 before any government incentive.

Mazda MX-30

The Mazda MX-30 comes with a 35.5 kWh battery pack. The electric motor makes 107 kW (143 hp), and 271 Nm and the combined WLTP driving range is 124 miles (200 km). The domestic 2.4 kW 3-Pin charging socket takes 9 hours 5 minutes to charge the battery from 20-80% and 15 hours 8 minutes to charge from 0-100%. The 7.4 kW AC home charger takes 3 hours to juice up the battery from 20-80% and 5 hours (0-100%). The >50 kW DC rapid charger takes 36 minutes for 20-80%. 

Mazda’s small electric car costs GBP 27,145 OTR, including the GBP 1,500 Plug-In Car Grant (PICG) by the government.

Renault Zoe

The Zoe is Renault’s small electric car with plenty of features and respectable power and range figures. It has a 52 kWh Li-Ion battery. The R110 electric motor produces 80 kW (108 hp) and 225 Nm, whereas the R135 electric motor outputs 100 kW (135 hp) and 245 Nm. The WLTP combined range for the Zoe is 239 miles (385 km) and 238 miles (383 km) for the GT+ variant. 

The charging time for the Zoe from 0-100% using a 2.3 kW home charger is 34 hours 30 minutes, a 3.7 kW Wallbox charger takes 16 hours 10 minutes, a 7.4 kW Wallbox takes 9 hours 25 minutes, a 22 kW charging station (3-phase 32 A) takes 3 hours, and a 50 kW DC fast charger takes 1 hour 10 minutes (for 0-80%).

The OTR starting price for Renault’s small electric car is GBP 27,595, inclusive of the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG) by the government.

VW e-Up!

The e-Up! is VW’s small electric car offering in the UK, which comes with a 32.3 kWh battery pack. The power and torque output for the e-Up is 60 kW (81 hp) and 212 Nm, respectively. The WLTP combined driving range is 160 miles (257 km).

The charging time from 0-100% using a 2.3 kW AC charger is 16 hours 12 minutes, reducing to 5 hours 27 minutes with a 7.2 kW AC charger. A 40 kW DC fast charger allows the battery to charge from 0-80% in just 1 hour 56 minutes.

The OTR starting price for the VW e-Up! small electric car is GBP 22,585 after the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG) by the government.

Smart EQ Fortwo

One of the small electric car models on sale in the UK that earns our mention is the Smart EQ Fortwo. Being a mini car, it makes do with a 17.2 kWh battery. The maximum power and torque outputs are 60 kW (82 hp) and 160 Nm, respectively. Depending on the variant, the WLTP combined range could vary between 77 and 81 miles (124 km and 130 km).

The charging time from 10-80% using a 3-Pin domestic socket is 8 hours 30 minutes, using a wall box brings it down to 3 hours 18 minutes, and an on-board 22 kW charger does the job in 40 minutes. The OTR starting price of this small electric car is GBP 20,725, including the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG) by the government.

Citroen Ami

Aiming to cater to urban mobility solutions, Citroen Ami will make its way to the UK in the spring of this year (2022). It will have a 5.5 kWh battery pack and a range of 46 miles (74 km). The vehicle’s top speed is capped at 28 mph (45 km/h). The charging time for this battery will be just 3 hours. The UK pricing and delivery details will be announced closer to the launch date.

Also available through a monthly subscription, the Ami costs (outright) EUR 6,990 in France (GBP 5,842), and the UK model could be priced in the same region. Interested customers in the UK could reserve one for a refundable GBP 250 deposit. By September 2021, Citroen had received 1,130 reservations, and over 14,000 people had registered interest in the mini EV. It’s more of an electric quadricycle than a proper small electric car.

Dacia Spring (Unconfirmed)

Last on our small electric car models list in the UK for 2022 is the Dacia Spring. The four-seater, a proper ‘car’ (unlike the Ami, which is a quadricycle), is based on the CMF-AEV platform has a battery capacity of 26.8 kWh. The power figures are 33 kW (44 hp), and the WLTP combined driving range is 140 miles (225 km). The 2.3 kW home wall socket charges the battery from 0-100% in 14 hours, a 3.7 kW wall box charger takes 8 hours 30 minutes, a 7.4 kW wall box charger does the job in 5 hours and the 30 kW DC fast charger takes less than 1 hour to charge the battery from 0-80%.

The decision to introduce the Dacia Spring electric in the UK is awaited, with an announcement expected shortly.

Features image source: Peugeot/Stellantis