Electric cars, small or not small, have their set of benefits. The choice depends upon the needs of each individual buyer. If you have a small family, then why go and spend $50,000 on a large SUV or sedan? You can choose to buy a small electric car.
To make things easier for you, I have made a list of the top 7 small electric cars. Read on to learn more about the specification of these cars!
Best Small Electric Cars
1. Volkswagen ID.3
ID series are some of the most anticipated cars from Volkswagen, and ID.3 is at the center of VW’s electric future. Unfortunately, Volkswagen ID.3 isn’t going to be launched in the US in 2023. But it is a great option in the category of small electric cars. In Europe, the base trims of Volkswagen ID.3 start at $35,000 and goes up to $42,000.
Volkswagen ID.3 is powered by a rear axle motor which is connected to a single-speed transmission. The electric motor is capable of churning out 201 hp at 229 lb-ft. The performance of the 4,000 lbs Volkswagen ID.3 on a 0-60 scale is pretty average. Unlike most electric cars, ID.3 takes 7.6 seconds to beat the 60 mph mark.
As far as the battery is concerned, Volkswagen ID.3 draws juice either from a 58 kWh or 77 kWh battery pack. What really impressed me is the driving range of the Volkswagen ID.3. The company claims that the ID.3 can go up to 341 miles on the larger battery pack and 264 miles on the smaller one. Even if ID.3 can achieve 80% of this range, it would be amazing.
2. Chevrolet Bolt
If you’re looking for a small-sized reliable electric car, then nothing can go wrong with the Chevrolet Bolt. The base 1LT trim of the Chevrolet Bolt EV is offered at an initial price of $27,495. The higher 2LT trim comes at $30,695, which is still quite affordable.
The range, battery, and motor specifications of both trims are the same. The only difference between 1LT and 2LT trims is the features such as heated seats, a 360-degree camera, a heated steering wheel, and a bunch of other ADAS systems. Both trims are powered by a 200 hp electric motor at 266 lb-ft of torque. The response time of the Chevrolet Bolt EV is sufficiently quick.
The most amazing aspect of the Chevrolet Bolt EV is its range. According to estimates, Bolt EV can deliver 300 miles on a single charge. The 66 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery of Bolt EV can be charged at a level-II charging station in 7 hours. At a DC fast charging station, it would take only 30 minutes to add 100 miles of driving range.
3. MG 4
MG has a long-known history of producing PHEVs. However, the company is now trying its hand at fully electric vehicles as well. MG 4 is a great electric hatchback that provides great value for your money and has a very interactive interior. MG 4 is offered in two different trim levels. The base trim is called SE, and the higher variant is called the long-range trim.
The base trim is powered by a smaller 51 kWh battery pack, and its electric motor can produce a maximum power of 168 hp. With the smaller battery pack, you can go up to 225 miles. The long-range variant is powered by a 201 hp electric motor and gets a 64 kWh battery pack. You will get a range of 281 miles with this battery pack.
MG 4 uses 400-Volt charging infrastructure instead of 800-Volt. The maximum power of DC fast charging is capped at 135 kW. At this rate, it takes about 40 minutes to fully charge the battery of MG 4. At the level-II charging station, the charging time is 3 hours and 30 minutes.
4. Mini Electric Hardtop
Mini electric hardtop is a two-door hatchback electric car. It offers plenty of features at an affordable price and on top of that it is quite affordable. Mini Electric is designed after the legacy model Mini Cooper. The front wheels of Mini Electric are powered by a 181 hp motor which draws power from a small-sized 28.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
Mini Electric has a punchy acceleration, and users love its go-kart-like handling. For an EV powered by a small-sized motor, Mini Electric can breach 60 mph real quick. It has a 0 to 60 mph time of under 6.1 seconds. This isn’t the fastest, but it is better than the majority of small EVs.
Mini Electric is offered in three different trim levels named Signature, Signature Plus, and Iconic. The prices of these trims are $30,895, $34,750, and $37,750, respectively. Mini Electric has a respectable driving range of 110 miles, and the battery pack can be fast charged up to 80% in 35 minutes. With an AC home charger, Mini Electric takes four hours to charge.
5. BMW i3
BMW i3 is a decent option in the category of small electric cars. All its features are at par with the industrial standards. But what makes it stand out in its category is the option of adding a gas engine as a range extender. For those who don’t have ready access to charging stations all the time, this becomes a sigh of relief. They can go anywhere without the fear of running out of juice.
The comfort level of the BMW i3 is unlike any other car in its segment. The response of suspension is amazingly smooth on deep potholes and rough roads. BMW i3 is powered by a 170 hp electric motor which is mated with a single-speed one-drive transmission.
BMW i3 draws power from a 42.2 kWh battery pack. It can go up to 153 miles on a single charge. Both these things are quite average, but what is exceptional is its DC fast charging capability. At a fast charger, it takes only 15-20 minutes to fully recharge the batteries of the BMW i3.
6. Renault Zoe
Renault Zoe is an exciting prospect in the segment of small electric cars. People are in love with its long-range and high specs interior. The price tag of $26,300 makes it a hard-to-ignore option. Zoe was previously offered in different power options ranging from 90 hp to 135 hp. However, this time Renault has dropped low-power motors and solely offered one with 135 hp.
I believe it is a great decision by Renault to drop low-power models. Because even with a 135-hp motor, Renault Zoe lags behind most of its competitors in terms of acceleration. Renault Zoe takes 9.5 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph. If it weren’t for the efficient drivetrain and instant torque delivery, driving Renault Zoe would feel severely underpowered.
But the highlight of Renault Zoe is its 239-mile long range. Real road testing has revealed that Renault Zoe can actually achieve its claimed range. This is an impressive figure for a car that draws power from a 52 kWh battery pack. This battery pack can be charged up to 80% in 60 minutes on a DC fast charger and nine hours at a regular home socket.
7. Fiat 500e
The exterior of the Fiat 500e gives you Sci-Fi vibes. The stylish interior and exterior of the Fiat 500e are sure to turn a lot of heads. It is a complete redesign of the 2019 Fiat 500. The model is already available for sale in Europe, and it is expected to arrive in North America by the end of 2023. The base price of the Fiat 500e is estimated at around $30,000, which isn’t too bad.
The European models of Fiat 500e are powered by a 117 hp electric motor on the front wheel. It can breach the 60 mph mark in about 8 seconds. This is a bit faster than the 2019 Fiat 500e, which came with a 111-hp electric motor. The interior of the Fiat 500e has been designed very elegantly. The matte black finish cannot get classier. The minimalistic design approach is really paying off.
The 85 kW DC fast charging capability of the Fiat 500e is great. At maximum power, it takes only 25 minutes to fully charge the battery pack of the Fiat 500e. At a level-II charger with a maximum power of 11 kW, the charging time is four hours. What impressed us most was the exceptional driving range of the Fiat 500e. It can go up to 200 miles on a single charge with its 42 kWh battery.
Final Word, Top 7 Small Electric Cars
Small electric cars are a great option for people with limited use. The major benefit of a small electric car is its affordable price and practicality. With small electric cars, companies are clear that user doesn’t want funky exterior or lavish interior.
What people want is a decent car with a long range that supports rapid charging. I’ve compiled a list of the top 7 small electric cars for you. These cars are affordable and really fun to drive. I have preferred the options with longer ranges over the shorter ones.
If you were to buy an electric car, small and sweet, what would be your choice? Let us know in the comments below. We would love to hear from you guys!
