It's easy to be swayed by damning headlines that suggest demand for electric vehicles is waning to the point that major auto players are completely rethinking their strategies.
Of course, similar Porsche And Ford have have backtracked on their plans, introducing petrol engines and hybrid powertrains into models that were supposed to be purely electric, but that's not the case for everyone.
It's a slightly different story in the US, where the removal of incentives and tax credits has slowed the development of electric vehicles, often forcing many of the aforementioned brands to rethink their electric strategy in North America to ensure they remain profitable.
Polestar, Volkswagen, Audi and Mercedes-Benz have suspended or abandoned plans to launch models in the United States, but that hasn't stopped homegrown talent from prevailing.
Tesla and Rivian continue to attract new buyers, Hyundai and Kia remain popular, and the recently launched Nissan Leaf is making waves with its range and affordability.
1. Tesla Model Y
updated model Y It's by far the best car Tesla has ever made, combining excellent practicality, impressive range, reliable fast public charging and a quieter, more refined ride than previous generations.
Of course, the exterior styling is still divisive, but the recent update has certainly sharpened the approach, modernizing the lines and adding full-width light strips front and rear to ensure it's an eye-catcher on the road.
Having driven both the Premium and Performance versions, it's safe to say that unless you're really into rollercoaster-like acceleration, the latest model is the one to consider, especially in the long-range rear-wheel drive version.
If you can get past that badge and all its modern connotations, the latest Model Y is undoubtedly one of the most efficient and easy-to-use electric vehicles available.
2. MG IM5
Tesla has a new competitor every few weeks these days, and MG's latest premium badge, dubbed Intelligent Mobility, makes no attempt to hide the fact that it has the Tesla Model 3 firmly in its sights.
Hailing from China's huge automotive group SAIC, the car is built on an all-electric platform that powers a number of premium sedans in the domestic market. Although in Europe everything has been refined and changed to attract more discerning buyers.
The performance is impressive, with a range of up to 441 miles, 17 minutes on a 10-80% charge and 3.2 seconds from 0-60 mph in the 751 hp Performance model… it's Porsche Taycan territory at a fraction of the price.
It's a good-looking car from most angles too, with a little bit of Aston Martin in the back and a lot of Taycan up front. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, isn't it?
It also comes with plenty of advanced driver assistance systems and infotainment technology for little money.
If you ignore the overly harsh ride, the fact that it's all about a slightly irritating touchscreen and terrible rear visibility, it offers impressive performance, all-electric range and technology for less money than the Polestar 2, Mercedes-Benz CLA and, of course, the Tesla Model 3, which it's heavily promoting in Europe.
3. Be EV4
Kia's lineup of pure electric vehicles is very impressive, with the upcoming (and tiny) EV2, stylish sedans, crossovers and the massive seven-seat EV9 SUV at the very top of the range. There really is something for everyone.
EV4 It's one of the company's newest models, and it's designed to tap into Europe's love for the good old hatchback, taking elements from its larger EV6 and smaller EV3, but packaging them into something that isn't just another SUV or crossover.
The bold design, extremely comfortable ride and impressive range make it a tempting purchase, and Kia's latest infotainment system is the clearest and most technologically advanced ever, with ChatGPT integration for natural voice interaction.
It has a large, practical boot and, because it's not as tall as some of its SUV brethren, it handles quite well. Don't expect Golf GTI levels of fun, but otherwise it's a great all-rounder that's fun enough for most.
4. Citroen e-C5 Aircross
Sometimes the best cars are the ones that do the basics well, without any fuss or fanfare. Cars that value comfort and practicality over flashy design elements and stunning performance.
The latest Citroen e-C5 Aircross, the first Citroen model to be built on parent company Stellantis' STLA Medium platform, is one such car. It offers a range of 320 or 421 miles, depending on the specified battery, quite acceptable performance and one of the most comfortable rides.
The suspension with progressive hydraulic cushions makes it feel like it's floating in the air, and the large five-seater SUV offers a huge amount of storage space and very comfortable accommodations for everyone traveling on board.
Inside, it adds a bit of French design know-how and offers some of the most comfortable front seats I've ever seen. The infotainment technology isn't the best, but it all works and is easy to use.
Prices start from £34,065 (about US$45,400 / AU$68,600) for entry-level models, which is extremely competitive for such a practical and convenient electric car.
5. Renault 4 E-Tech
Even though this car was used very early in 2025, it still remains one of the most memorable thanks to its excellent combination of small car character, superb handling dynamics and a very tempting price.
Based on the equally excellent Renault 5 E-Tech, R4 adds extra practicality, with a bit more space in the rear for passengers and more practical storage space. However, it still retains some of the R5's brashness in its ride and handling.
First of all, it's one of the cheapest electric vehicles on sale in the UK and Europe, starting from just £23,445 (around $31,250 / AU$47,200), but still manages to deliver stunning looks, a premium interior and the latest in-car technology, including an Android Automotive-based infotainment system with Google Maps and other built-in applications.
6. Mercedes-Benz TsLA
Mercedes sank its engineering power to the latest CLA versionnot only packing it with a smart two-speed transmission (for efficiency, not performance), low drag coefficient and the latest 800V electrical architecture, but also debuting cinema-quality Super Screen technology inside.
This all adds up to a car that can travel around 480 miles on a single charge, but can still hit 60 mph in a respectable 4.9 seconds. Charging is also lightning fast, and the interior boasts the build and finish quality you'd expect from the German brand. Screen technology is on another level.
Base models in the UK start from £45,615, which is around US$61,000/AU$94,000 converted. This puts it on par with the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, but it will go further on a single charge and charge its batteries much faster.
7. Smart No. 5
Smart no longer makes small city cars (at least until the Smart #2 arrives), but instead produces a variety of SUVs that combine elements of Mercedes-Benz and China's Goliath Geely.
I wasn't really convinced by #1, as the Brabus model seemed too fast, the brakes were bad and looked, well, a little weird. The Smart #5 is better overall, looking a bit like the rounded Mercedes G 580 and overall offering more space and practicality than its smaller brother.
Interior technology is also much more impressive, with stunning 36-inch screens adorning the interior. There's also a 25.6-inch augmented reality head-up display if you need more screen space.
It's a great place to while away the miles, with some models capable of driving 366 miles on a single charge. Refill time 0-80% is also less than 18 minutes.
Of course, I drove the Brabus version, which produces a frankly stupid 637 hp. due to a twin-engine installation. That's a lot of power for a family SUV, and Smart simply doesn't have the engineering know-how to successfully translate that power to the road.
Opt for the Pro+ or Premium trim, and you get larger batteries, 800V fast-charging architecture, and all that interior for a lot less money and fewer wet-road hassles.
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