2014 has really been the first year when there’s been enough new contenders to actually discuss it properly as a category, and certainly the first year where those contenders have started genuinely hitting the same marks as their combustion-engined counterparts. Such has been the change in the market, we’ve even said goodbye to some – the Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet Volt, to name two. So which are the real performers?
5) The VW E-Up! – Compact city car, perfectly suited to electric tech.
4) BMW i3 – a standalone electric model, excellent to drive but hampered by real world practicality
3) The VW GTE – class-leading hatchback in performance, electric form. Practical, cheap to run, and quick.
2) The Audi A3 e-tron – Audi’s version of the Golf GTE – every bit as excellent, a little more refined.
1) The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – a 7 seat SUV that can do 155mpg, is exempt from car tax, and emits just 49g/km of CO2.