Tesla, BMW, Hyundai: most energy-efficient electric cars

With rising energy bills, identifying the most efficient motors will help you keep your charging bills to a minimum.

Electric cars have become increasingly sought after by drivers in the UK in recent years, driven by a combination of the desire to support the planet and the rising cost of petrol and diesel.

However, the energy crisis has cast the attractiveness of electric cars into a different light.

After all, there’s not much benefit to avoiding the mounting prices at the petrol pump if you end up spending a fortune on your energy bill in order to charge up your new motor.

As a result, one of the big considerations for any motorist interested in an electric car has to be how energy efficient it is.

But how do you go about working that out?

One place to start is with the electric car experts at Electrifying.com, which has come up with a rating system to judge electric cars, covering things like the miles it manages per charge, the speed at which it can be recharged, and any added features which can improve its efficiency, such as climate control preconditioning.

The electric motors are then graded, from A++ to E, based on their efficiency.

Let’s take a look at the motors which have been awarded A++ and A+ ratings to date by Electrifying.com.

BMW i4

The BMW i4 is one of only two vehicles to gain the A++ rating.

It averages 4.53 miles per kilowatt hour (kWh), has a battery sized 80 kWh and has a range of between 316 and 367 miles. 

It may help you keep your energy costs low, but it’s a costly motor, with an RRP starting at £52.575. That money does bag you a great car though, with the reviewers at WhatCar? praising its “brilliant performance”.

Tesla Model 3

The other motor to get the highest rating is the Tesla Model 3., which boasts an RRP starting at £47,500.

When it comes to performance, the Model 3 boasts a range of between 305 and 374 miles, though it has a slightly smaller battery of between 55 and 75 kWh.

However, it does boast a better conversion into miles on the road, at 4.80 miles per kWh.

The reviewers at WhatCar? describe it as “ridiculously” fast, while all around it’s a “brilliant choice”.

Citroen Ami

The Ami is a bizarre-looking motor, and even Electrifying.com warn that it is “painfully slow” on anything but urban roads.

It does manage a whopping eight miles per kWh, but its small battery (5.5 kWh) means that you’ll only get a range of up to 46 miles.

Prices start at around £7,675, and it has an A+ rating from Electrifying.com.

Citroen e-C4

The e-C4 is much more pricy, with an RRP starting at £30,995, but you’ll get a much longer range at 217 miles.

It has a battery of 50 kWh and converts that into 4.82 miles per kWh.

WhatCar? describes it as a “stylish looking coupe”, with a quality interior and a “good quality interior”.

Fiat 500e

The Fiat 500e has an RRP starting at £29,435, and comes with a range of battery sizes, from 24 to 42 kWh.

That then converts into a range of 115 to 199 miles, converting its charge into 4.74 miles per kWh.

The team at Electrifying are big fans, praising it for keeping the “charm” of the original 500 but adding efficiency and tech.

Hyundai Ioniq

The Ioniq comes with a large battery of 72.6 kWh, which converts into a monster range of 298 miles, managing 4.1 miles per kWh.

It wins praise from the WhatCar team for its “enormously spacious interior”, as well as being “very quiet on the move”.

It will set you back upwards of £37,420.

Hyundai Kona Electric

The Kona also manages an A+ rating, with prices starting at £30,450.

Electrifying.com note that its one of the few motors that can match the Tesla for range, with its largest battery of 64 kWh translating into a range of 300 miles.

It manages 4.69 miles per kWh. 

Mercedes EQS

A costly option is the EQS from Mercedes, which will cost you a whopping £102.160.

Its range is frankly incredible at 479 miles, with a battery of 108 kWh and a conversion rate of 4.44 miles per kWh.

It gets some fulsome praise from the WhatCar? team, which reckons it provides “effortless performance” and “impressive refinement”.

Kia EV6

The EV6 uses many of the same components as the Ioniq 5, so it’s perhaps not surprising to see it’s also a great performer.

Its battery of 77.4 kWh translates into a range of 328 miles, and a conversion rate of 4.24 miles per kWh.

The WhatCar? team reckon it is “huge in the back and good to drive”, but it’s not cheap, with prices starting at £44,195.

Peugeot e208

The e208 may be a little easier on the bank balance, costing upwards of £30,195.

Its 50 kWh battery is turned into a range of 217 miles, through its conversion rate of 4.82 miles per kWh.

WhatCar? reckons it is “decent to drive”, and well equipped.

Seat Mii

The Seat Mii is a charming car according to Electrifying, particularly given its price point of £22,800.

It boasts a range of up to 223 miles, courtesy of the conversion rate of 5.23 miles per kWh and a battery of 32.3 kWh.

The Electrifying team reckon it’s fun to drive, with an “unfussy” cabin.

Tesla Model Y

Another Tesla makes the list here, this time with an A+ rating.

It will cost you upwards of £60,000 so it’s certainly not cheap, and boasts a beefy battery of 75 kWh. It converts that energy well, managing 4.2 miles per kWh, delivering a range of up to 351 miles.

It won praise from WhatCar? on account of its rapid acceleration, and its great range.

Vauxhall Corsa-e

Electrifying.com argues that the Corsa-e is a demonstration of the way that electric cars have become normal, given that one of the best-selling traditional motors is now available as an electric vehicle.

Its 50 kWh battery translates into a range of 222 miles, with a conversion rate of 4.64 miles per kWh.

The Electrifying.com team describes it as “pretty good value”, as it will cost you from £28,555.

Volkswagen ID.3

Finally, we have the ID.3 from Volkswagen, which will set you back upwards of £36,195.

Its battery of 58kWh can be used to enjoy a range of a whopping 264 miles, at a conversion rate of 4.36 miles per kWh. 

The WhatCar? reviewers praise it for being “remarkably well rounded”, delivering a “sprightly performance”.