Worried about fuel prices? The best electric cars to buy this year
Our motoring expert shares his pick of the best EVs for 2026 - from spacious SUVs to compact city cars.
Our motoring expert shares his pick of the best EVs for 2026 - from spacious SUVs to compact city cars.
If the thought of queuing up to pay high prices at the petrol pump is filling you with dread, you might be wondering whether switching to an electric car would be cheaper.
Rising petrol and diesel prices are driving EV (electric vehicle) popularity, with demand up by 28 per cent, according to Autotrader. Many energy providers offer low tariffs for EV drivers, making it cheaper to charge your car at home overnight.
A new Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) starts in April 2028, charging owners 3p-per-mile for all EVs – including plug-in hybrid models, which will raise an estimated £1.1 billion in the first year.
While car-makers have vented their anger over the announcement, EV owners are still likely to be hit with only half the fuel duty paid by drivers of petrol cars, according to the Office of Budget Responsibility.
And with car manufacturers committed to an electrified future, 2026 could be the year to get rid of a car powered by a polluting combustion engine and finally go electric.
Here’s our choice of the best EVs on the market, however deep your pockets.
Zut alors! The return of a French favourite dating back to the 1970s has been a success for Renault. That original Renault 5 was a cost-effective hatchback loaded with the feelgood factor. The new version is fantastically stylish, cheap to own and the current European Car of the Year.
Chic and desirable, even Scrooge would smile at the Renault 5, a car equipped with a baguette holder and priced from just £23,000.
They’re good for the planet, but following the 2025 budget, are they still good for your pocket? The experts at Saga Money do the sums.
The lovable Volvo EX30 starts at around £33,000 and looks refreshingly different from other hatchbacks. Standard equipment on all versions includes heated seats and steering wheel, a brilliant Harman Kardon sound system and 12.3-inch infotainment screen.
Like all Volvos, safety features abound – there’s even a sporty, all-wheel-drive model called Performance Plus for an extra burst of speed.
The original, all-wheel drive Frontera was a rather dull affair. Not so the new electric version. This midsize SUV stands out because it represents superb value for money at around £24,000.
The Vauxhall Frontera is a great family car, offering lots of space, high levels of standard equipment and a comfy ride. Opt for sophisticated Khaki Green paintwork, or standout from the crowd with Canyon Orange.
Find out more with the Saga Insurance guide to electric cars and insurance, and its breakdown of the total costs of buying and running electric cars.
The seven-seat Kia EV9 is a brilliant car for large families, or those who need extra load room. The space-age design is a refreshing break from the norm, choosing a model with four-wheel drive also means better road-holding and a modest amount of off-road ability.
The cabin is beautifully appointed and feels even more premium than the £73,000 price-tag. It’s one of the biggest and most practical EVs on the road, backed by Kia’s seven-year warranty.
If your pension pot will stretch to a luxury limousine, look no further than this swanky BMW i7. Fast, refined and supremely quiet, the opulent i7 is filled with cutting-edge technology.
That includes an optional rear cinema screen that rolls down from the roof – perfect for entertaining the grandchildren. Prices for first-class luxury start from just over £100,000 but an extensive options list is likely to prove tempting.
Secondhand values won’t be attractive – so only buy for long-term ownership.
Saga Money has a guide to how to safely buy a car online, and get the best price and avoid risks when selling.
A high-performance electric saloon, with breathtaking acceleration and superb handling to match. If you enjoy driving, the Porsche Taycan is hard to beat – especially the latest model, which features improved battery efficiency and sharper styling.
Even entry-level cars costing £88,000 boast air suspension, while the low-slung driving position make this four-door saloon feel every bit as engaging as the iconic Porsche 911.
The ID.7 was originally available only as a Fastback saloon – now the more practical estate mode has joined the range. A highly accomplished EV, the VW ID.7 Tourer is big and roomy, with comfortable ride and excellent handling.
VW has included plenty of driver-assistance technologies too, as well as ChatGPT to control various functions by voice! Prices from around £52,000.
The N version of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 costs £65,000 and is astonishingly quick. This five-door hatchback will happily keep up with performance cars costing double the price, yet it is practical enough to be a family car.
One of the first sporting EVs, enthusiasts will enjoy 650bhp and 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds. Truly exciting, the road thrills are backed up by a simulated exhaust soundtrack.
Understated looks hide a brilliant all-rounder. The Audi Q4 e-tron is an affordable, large family SUV that blends premium feel with practicality. The all-electric e-tron is quiet and comfortable, with a well-constructed cabin that’s built to last.
Price new is from £47,000 but snap up a three-year-old version for less than half that figure. Also consider a BMW i3, Nissan Leaf, or the Kia e-Niro.
(Hero image credit: VW)
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