These small city electric cars exemplify an outstanding balance between comfort, practicality, and value for money. They also are among the least expensive electric vehicles on the market. Short trips in urban areas are highly recommended because of their low operating costs, compact size, and ease of parking.
If you don't need a lot of cargo capacity and spend most of your driving within the city limits, one of these compact electric vehicles should suffice.
Skoda Citigo-e iV
The Skoda Citigo-e iV is a low-cost, low-maintenance electric vehicle ideal for city people. Skoda's small electric cars has a lot going for it if you get over the initial price tag: low noise levels, quick urban performance, and affordable running costs. When Skoda's parent firm Volkswagen made a massive conversion to EVs, it carried all its brands with it. Therefore, the Volkswagen e-Up, Skoda Citigo-e iV, and SEAT Mii Electric are all remarkably similar.
Skoda Citigo-e iV can be had in the base SE and the more expensive SE L configurations. The Citigo-e iV SE L has a Combined Charging System as standard; this system allows for an 80% charge in an hour using public fast-charging points.
The Citigo-e iV isn't the greatest in its class, but its official range of 161 miles is outstanding nonetheless. There's a ton of torque for rapid takeoffs from a stop, and you can tweak the amount of regenerative braking to reduce your foot pressure on the brake pedal.
BMW i3
Although the first BMW i3 debuted in 2013, it is still one of the market's most modern and forward-looking compact electric cars. Newer models' batteries have a 120Ah capacity, giving them an official range of 182-190 miles for the basic BMW i3, the smaller batteries in the older cars only allowed them to travel 80-100 miles. Something to think about if you're in the market for a pre-owned version.
BMW's i3 is a lot of fun to drive and handles nicely in traffic because of its lightweight and uses several composite materials. There is no evidence of BMW skimping on the i3's interior materials; instead, it is a very contemporary and up-to-date space. In addition to comfortably seating four persons, it also features rear-hinged doors for easy access to the vehicle's cargo area. The trunk isn't huge, but it holds 260 liters, and you can fold the back seats down if you need even more room.
The BMW i3 is an extravagant compact electric vehicle, but it's worth it for the premium feel and head-turning style.
Volkswagen e-Up
Anyone who lives in the city takes many short trips and has access to a charging station will find a place for the latest VW e-Up. A high probability exists that you are not eligible because of your residence in a high-rise condominium.
The Volkswagen e-Up only has one preset configuration, so there are fewer options to consider. Also included as standard equipment are climate control, heated seats, cruise control, a rearview camera, alloy wheels, and smartphone integration. The inside is understated but stylish, and the e-Up drives better than the fuel version.
A 32.3kWh battery powers the 82PS electric motor in the newest e-Up version, which provides an official range of 161 miles.
Honda e
The Honda e is the iPhone of electric cars. It's tiny, pricey, and will require frequent charging. Nonetheless, EV buyers will purchase it despite its flaws due to its appeal and aesthetics. Young customers will prefer this to, for instance, a Renault Zoe because of the excellent blend between current and retro style, even though it comes with a higher price tag and a lower electric range.
And speaking of range, the official number is 137 miles or 125 miles if you opt for the more aesthetically pleasing 17-inch alloy wheels. That's an improvement over the Smart EQ Forfour, but it still can't compare to cheaper alternatives like the Skoda Citigo-e iV and the MINI Electric. But in terms of technology, it's much ahead of the competition. With two dedicated infotainment displays and digital screens installed in place of traditional mirrors, the dashboard features five screens.
Despite its modest proportions, a flat floor means it feels surprisingly big up front. However, room for rear-seat passengers is limited.
Fiat 500 Electric
Fiat Automobiles struck gold with the legendary Fiat 500 when it came back to the market in 2008, with its bold vintage style a hit with those searching for a smart city car. In 2022, the newest Fiat 500 is an all-electric vehicle.
Two battery options are available for the Fiat 500 Electric, which makes it slightly longer than the original car but still relatively compact. The entry-level model is equipped with a tiny 24kWh battery that gives a range of up to 118 miles, but a 42kWh battery pack also increases the Fiat 500's range up to 199 miles. The Fiat 500 Electric can also be rapidly charged to 80% of full battery power in 30 minutes (you'll need to use a fast-charging public station to achieve this, though).
For 2022, Fiat has improved the 500's aesthetic and made it available as a cabriolet with a retractable hardtop—one of the rare electrified vehicles of its kind. Customers can select from three trim levels: Action, Passion, or Icon. The base model doesn't have a touchscreen and relies on a smartphone connection, while the high-end model has a massive 10-inch display.
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