A silver Volvo EX60 driving along a country road.
A silver Volvo EX60 driving along a country road.

Best electric cars on sale in 2026: Top 10

Lawrence Allan

Lawrence Allan

Automotive Content Editor

7 minute read|11th Sep 2026

Think electric cars aren’t here to stay? Think again. With nearly 2.2 million of the things on UK roads to date, it’s becoming increasingly normal to fill your car up with volts rather than fossil fuels.

Electric cars have made up over 1 in 4 new cars sold in the UK in 2026. While that means there’s still some way to go to decarbonise our roads, EVs are outselling hybrid, plug-in hybrid and diesel cars by a big margin.

And it’s a small wonder why when there are more fantastic electric cars on sale today than ever. EVs are getting more capable and more affordable as time goes on, and now pretty much whichever type of car you want can be had with electric propulsion.

The best electric cars make range anxiety a thing of the past, offer an enjoyable driving experience, charge up as quickly as you can eat lunch and are packed full of the latest technology. Most importantly, they’re desirable, whether that’s for their funky design or sheer capability.

But which electric cars make it into our overall top 10? Our list is made up of the most popular cars according to RAC Drive readers. Read on to check out the best electric car picks.

You can also check out what we think are the best new cars on sale today with our RAC New Car Awards winners.

Best electric cars: the shortlist

A bright blue Kia EV2 parked on a gravel layby.

1. Kia EV2

Price: from £24,245          Range: up to 275 miles

Kia's smallest electric car has made a splash at launch, being awarded the RAC 2026 Car of the Year thanks to its class-leading range of abilities at a very reasonable price. Put simply, nothing else for the money beats it.

The Kia EV2 offers low running costs, a class-leading range on a charge, space for four adults, a practical boot, a high quality and easy to use interior along with a generous standard equipment list. Factor in its quiet, comfortable driving experience and Kia's seven-year warranty and it really does tick every box that matters most to modern motorists.

A silver BMW iX3 driving along an empty rural road.

2. BMW iX3

Price: from £53,250          Range: up to 500 miles

Expect to see an awful lot of the new BMW iX3 on the roads soon, because it's a real game-changer. Its outstanding range on a charge is only bettered by the Mercedes-Benz EQS at twice the price, while the BMW also offers a great driving experience that's confidence inspiring yet comfortable at speed.

You also get great technology, loads of space for the family, a premium feel and super fast charging. All that for a price that's pretty reasonable by posh SUV standards.

A silver Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake driving along a rural road.

3. Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake

Price: from £40,150         Range: up to 469 miles

The once game-changing Tesla Model 3 has finally met its match with the new Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric. And we reckon that in Shooting Brake estate form it's at its best.

This adds a dose of practicality to what is an exceptionally capable car, blending amazing efficiency and class-leading range with impressive technology and a very well-rounded driving experience. Factor in very fast charging and a surprisingly affordable price, and the CLA Shooting Brake is a brilliant midsized EV.

A light blue Renault 4 E-Tech driving along a rural road.

4. Renault 4 E-Tech

Price: from £23,445         Range: up to 249 miles

We love the Renault 5 E-Tech at RAC Drive, but we reckon with our rational head on the roomier yet barely more expensive Renault 4 E-Tech makes the most sense. It still has plenty of character and retro cues, but being able to squeeze adults in the back for longer trips gives it more all-round appeal.

It's very good to drive, with a lovely interior that blends funky materials with easy-to-use tech. You get a spacious and usable boot, too, plus plenty of comfort and a decent range. All for a very reasonable price.

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A green Skoda Elroq parked on wet tarmac with a dramatic cloudy background.

5. Skoda Elroq

Price: from £33,970         Range: up to 370 miles

We like the Skoda Enyaq, but the Skoda Elroq is very nearly as spacious for quite a bit less to buy. It's one of our favourite family-sized electric cars because it demands almost no compromise.

From its strong comfort, performance and refinement at speed, to its spacious and nicely made interior and its respectable range and efficiency, it's a great all-rounder. It's also packed full of Skoda's 'Simply Clever' practicality touches that add some extra versatility.

31-renault-scenic-2024-front-drivingkn_.jpg

6. Renault Scenic E-Tech

Price: from £33,245         Range: up to 381 miles

We really enjoyed our Renault Scenic E-Tech long term review - so much so that we reckon it's one of the best family electric cars you can buy. It's stylish, very well-priced, has loads of space, a long range on a charge and plenty of standard equipment.

It's also surprisingly capable on a twisty road, but the Scenic E-Tech does have a couple of niggles in the form of grabby brakes and a slightly firm ride.

A silver Volvo EX60 driving along a country road.

7. Volvo EX60

Price: from £56,860         Range: up to 410 miles

We reckon the Volvo EX60 is a crucial moment for the brand. It takes range, comfort, technology and performance to a new level, running cars like the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC really close.

We love that its road manners are so easy-going and smooth, while there's loads of space, plenty of equipment and very fast charging. The only flies in the ointment are that the touchscreen controls almost everything inside, and you'll have to wait a bit for the 500-plus mile long-range model to arrive.

A silver/purple Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric driving around a twisty bend.

8. Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric

Price: from £55,495         Range: up to 405 miles

The new Mercedes-Benz GLC Electric doesn't quite offer the range on a charge of the iX3 and EX60, but it's still a very impressive car. On the road, it sits somewhere in the middle between the sharp feel of the BMW and the cushy softness of the Volvo - a nice compromise. It's also very fast in 400 4MATIC guise.

Factor in the vast array of technology, spacious cabin and premium feel and it's an impressive premium SUV. But, like the Volvo, there are some usability issues with the screen-heavy setup inside.

A grey Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer parked next to a scenic viewpoint.

9. Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer

Price: from £52,225         Range: up to 422 miles

The VW ID.7 Tourer is arguably the best electric car the brand makes, and shows spacious EV estate cars really do have a place. It's massively roomy in the back and has a huge boot, while also feeling solidly built and offering plenty of comfort and performance.

The ID.7 also manages a decent range on a charge, but it can't quite match the (admittedly less roomy) CLA Shooting Brake in terms of range, drive composure and technology.

A silver MG 4 Urban driving along a rural road, viewed from the rear.

10. MG 4 Urban

Price: from £23,495         Range: up to 258 miles

If you're looking for the maximum amount of space for the minimum possible cost, the MG 4 Urban EV is well worth a look. It's a small electric car that delivers the kind of space and standard equipment you'd expect from the class above.

Alright, so a Renault 5 is nicer to look at, better to drive and posher inside, but the MG runs it reasonably close and doesn't make you compromise on practicality.

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Best electric car FAQs

Depending on your budget and needs, some of the best electric cars on sale right now include the fantastic new Kia EV2, the BMW iX3 and the Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric.

There’s never been a better time to buy an electric car, in our opinion, simply because the EV options out there are so much more compelling than they used to be. If you can charge at home and save money, that’s the icing on the cake.

Yes, since 1st April 2025 electric cars need to pay road tax for the first time, along with the Expensive Car Supplement added to EVs worth over £50,000. You can read more about these rules in our electric car road tax guide.