small cars should be fun to drive on the daily commute, inexpensive to maintain, compact enough for the city and at the same time offer enough space for passengers and luggage. With real-world ranges of up to 300 kilometers, lively acceleration and particularly efficient use of space, small electric cars are ideal for everyday driving.
But small electric cars differ greatly in price, range and features. The low-priced smart forfour is 22.600 euros before BAFA funding quite cheap, but with an everyday range of about 120 kilometers is only suitable for the city and the surrounding area. The test winner, the BMW i3, is the most powerful car on the market at around 40 percent.000 euros considerably more expensive, but also drives more than twice as far and is also far better equipped.
DRIVERS.Com compares e-cars in different vehicle categories according to the official classification of the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). The EFAHRER.Com-comparison for mini electric cars can be found here. The EFAHRER.Com comparison for mid-range electric vehicles read here.
The best small electric cars
The best small electric cars in the EFAHRER comparison test are also among the oldest on the market: the BMW i3 and the Renault Zoe. The renault zoe impresses with by far the highest range and a fair price. The BMW i3 also goes a long way, but is much more expensive and better equipped.
You can also read about this in this article: DRIVERS.Com introduces you to the best small electric cars in the rankings with detailed test results for the best models. Then you can read about the criteria used by DRIVERS to decide which car is best for you.Com conducts the e-car tests.
Finally, find out what makes a good e-car and answer your most important questions about buying an e-car in our buyer’s guide.
1. BMW i3: test winner
The BMW i3 has been on the market since 2013. It will not have a direct successor and will continue to be produced in its current form until 2022. For BMW, the i3 was a success and at times even Germany’s best-selling e-car.
With the large 42-kwh battery variant, the i3 can travel about 235 kilometers at highway speeds. At the 50-kW CCS charger, the empty battery of an i3 recharges to 80 percent capacity in half an hour.
With its carbon body, it is lighter than all other electric compact cars and also the sportiest: with its 170 hp, it is lighter than the competition and accelerates to 100 km/h in around seven seconds.
the i3’s design is polarizing – it still stands out on the road more than seven years after its launch. The rear-opening, very narrow rear doors are extravagant, but take some getting used to. The interior lacks a transmission tunnel and thus has an airy feel to it. The high-quality, sustainable materials are superbly crafted.
But according to the price list, the i3 is no bargain. Almost 40.000 euros for the basic version, the sport version i3s is priced at around 42.000 euros in the list. With many options, the i3 quickly cracks the 50 mark.000-euro mark.
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2. Renault zoe: price-performance tip
For more than seven years, renault has been selling its first all-electric car, the zoe. For a long time it was europe’s best-selling electric car. And not without good reason: the ZOE scores particularly well with its attractive starting price and long range. Renault’s electric compact is designed purely as an electric vehicle. This allows particularly efficient use of space.
On the outside, the car is smaller than a Renault clio; on the inside, it even offers a bit more space for up to five passengers. With its 92 electric horsepower, the Zoe can travel 330 kilometers, which is absolutely suitable for everyday use, and around 250 kilometers on the highway.
EFAHRER test conclusion: the zoe has matured well over the years and is very reliable. dealers and users report maintenance costs that are less than half of a small car with an internal combustion engine.
The zoe is fun to drive and very practical, as long as you stay in your natural habitat (city and countryside). then the range of the 56-kwh variant is more than ample, the basic model with 22 kwh is practically just as suitable as a small car used intensively on a daily basis. Although the Zoe can’t quite match the high quality and driving dynamics of the BMW test winner, it’s much cheaper and goes even farther.
3. Opel corsa-e
The corsa is the most important vehicle in the model range of the traditional german manufacturer opel. Almost one in four opels sold is a corsa. The electric version of the corsa-e will be available from the end of march and shares a technical basis with the french small car peugeot e-208. The small opel comes with a large 50-kWh battery, but is too power-hungry on the highway: instead of the promised 330 standard kilometers, the corsa-e only travels around 180 kilometers on the highway at speed 130.
The corsa-e keeps up well with charging times. At a 100-kW fast-charging station, the 50-kilowatt-hour battery is 80 percent full after 30 minutes. However, the onboard charger only manages a maximum of eleven kW during AC refueling, so it takes five and a quarter hours before the batteries are filled to the same level. Only a single-phase onboard charger is standard; the much faster three-phase charger costs 1 euro in the "edition" and "first edition" equipment lines.190 euros extra.
Opel claims a power consumption of 16.8 kwh/100 km. During our test drives through berlin, 19.7 kWh flowed through the power lines. The driving performance is also good: the corsa-e reaches 50 km/h in 2.8 seconds, 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and 150 km/h is the final speed.
There’s almost as much space in the e-corsa as in its combustion-engine brother. There is enough space for four passengers and luggage. Only the back seats are a bit cramped for adults.
The corsa-e costs 29 euros without subsidies and rebates.000 euro. This is not a special offer. If you’re looking for a pure city car, you’ll find it cheaper elsewhere, but the corsa-e offers more comfort, more equipment and, last but not least, more range for relaxed excursions into the countryside without having to keep checking the battery gauge.
Alternative: peugeot e-208
The peugeot e-208 is identical in construction to the opel electro-corsa. It impresses with its solid workmanship and chic interior as well as good infotainment and assistance systems. Like the corsa-e, the e-corsa is technically impressive with its long range and powerful driving and charging performance.
With its 260 newton meters of torque, the 136-hp electric motor has an easy time of it with the little french car. From a standstill, the e-208 accelerates to 50 km/h in 2.8 seconds.
The recharging time range is known to be wide, from 16 hours at a household outlet to half an hour at a 100-kW charging station (for 80 percent). As the in-house PSA warranty promises, the battery in the underbody is replaced after eight years or 160 kilometers.000 km, the battery still has a capacity of more than 70 percent.
In terms of price, the base-208 e-208 is priced at 30.000 euros at the level of an averagely equipped VW golf – without a government subsidy of 6000 euros. The GT equipment line tested is about 4000 euros more expensive than the basic version.
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4. Fiat 500e
Fiat’s best-selling 500 small car is now only available as an electric car. Visually, the 500e is clearly based on the retro car cinquecento, but it is significantly larger – even inside. Still, it’s a bit cramped in the trunk and on the back seats. At a fast-charging station, a discharged battery should be 80 percent charged again in around half an hour. That’s easily enough for everyday trips in town and country, and even for the occasional long-distance drive.
The 95-hp e-motor with 220 newton meters of torque delivers lively performance. The little 500 sprints from zero to 100 km/h in under ten seconds. At 135 km/h, the 500e is sealed off and can even cruise along on the freeway.
The driving assistance systems of the 500e also function solidly and are geared towards the city. A drowsiness assistant monitors the driver’s concentration, an autonomous emergency braking assistant detects cyclists and pedestrians, and a lane departure warning system warns drivers if they leave the lane.
The limited range of around 130 kilometers on the highway costs the fiat 500e important points in the comparative ranking. Its good equipment and fast CCS charging with up to 85 kW cannot compensate for this shortcoming.
But the fiat 500e’s high price is the final straw: just under 30 euros.000 euros before subsidies for the small electric fiat. For those who are more interested in style and less in money, the 500e is still a chic small electric car for city and country driving.
5. Mini cooper SE
The first all-electric mini is a resounding success. After its market launch, mini parent BMW immediately lost more than 45.000 reservations received for the all-electric mini cooper SE. The technical basis of the electric mini is the same as that of the gasoline and diesel mini.
the mini shares its electric drive with the BMW i3. Battery capacities, ranges and engine performance are similar. But the mini is slightly cheaper than the BMW and sends its power to the front axle.
The electro-mini costs 32.500 euro. After deducting the environmental bonus and corresponding rebates, the average price drops to around 20.000 euro. While the mini brand normally skimps on equipment, it doesn’t dare do so with the electric version: LED headlights, navigation system, dual-zone automatic air conditioning and the heat pump, which is so important for electric cars, are all on board as standard.
Thanks to its practical exterior dimensions, the mini is a real city car, a parking king with a high driving fun factor. Here, it’s not 75 kilograms of human weight that move two tons of SUVs, as opponents of this class of vehicle like to etch, but instead they really concentrate on the essentials. But with a chic look, the mini cult factor and a mix of high-tech and retro charm.
On the other hand, the mini lacks autonomous driving functions like those offered by tesla or the german premium manufacturers. The round central monitor offers a navigation screen that can only be described as tiny by today’s standards – despite the basically well-structured navigation and menu navigation. The moderate range at a fairly high price and the limited space available cost additional points in the e-car comparison.
6. Honde e
The last-place finisher in the small car rating is a winner of hearts: the honda e is neither particularly inexpensive nor particularly spacious. The electric Honda is also mediocre in terms of assistance, charging and range. But thanks to its rear-wheel drive and good handling, the honda e is a fun-to-drive grenade and impresses with its high-quality workmanship, classy interior, chic styling and rich equipment with special extras such as HDMI input and Schuko sockets.
The honda e is not a car for the average consumer who wants good value for money. Rather, it is the ideal city car for those who want to stand out, who demand nonplusultra equipment even in their small car, and who also insist on lively driving pleasure. In a comparison of small electric cars, it is only good enough for last place.
DRIVERS.Com compares e-cars in different vehicle categories according to the official classification of the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). The EFAHRER.Com-comparison for mini-stromers read here. The DRIVER.Com-comparison for mid-range electric vehicles read here.
How we test
DRIVERS.Com tests hydrogen cars, plug-in hybrids and electric cars itself. The test procedures are based on what the driver is really interested in: how far an electric car will go? How long does it take to charge? How well does the car drive?? Which equipment is up-to-date today?? Does the industry really deliver on its advertising promises??
In each vehicle class, there are different electric car models, various designs, performance levels, sizes and usage scenarios. It’s not so easy to keep track of all this. In order not to lump all cars together, EFAHRER divides.Com e-cars into different categories: affordable subcompacts like the VW e-up!, small cars like the renault zoe, compact power cars like the tesla model 3, compact SUVs like the tesla model Y, larger electric SUVs like the audi e-tron, family cars like the nissan evalia E-NV200, and expensive electric sports cars like the porsche taycan.
While inexpensive small electric cars such as the VW e-up! Particularly inexpensive cars for everyday use in the city and the countryside are those that are designed for frequent long-distance trips, with large batteries that provide plenty of power for long ranges and fast charging – which are then correspondingly more expensive.
Wherever possible, EFAHRER measurements are based on recognized test methods or ISO standards – and are as accurate as they need to be in order to make a truly practical statement. For example, the EFAHRER testers not only read the consumption of electric cars and hybrids from the on-board display, but also measure the real consumption at the calibrated 22-kW wallbox or the gas pump.
For new car categories, engineers and experts spend weeks designing customized tests and closely coordinate the evaluation criteria with EFAHRER’s editors – after all, the test results are the basis for all editorial reporting in the test and buying advice section. EFAHRER also constantly develops established test procedures to ensure that the results always meet the current requirements of users.
DRIVERS.Com rates the five most important aspects of electric carsrange, consumption, charging, performance, assistance systems, space and comfort. In each of these sub-ratings, the best electric car received a score of 1.0, while the others received correspondingly lower scores. The various test results are then evaluated and arithmetically weighted, forming the basis for the EFAHRER.Com test rating in school grades and e-car ranking. These are the EFAHRER test criteria:
- Range: "and how far does the?", is probably the most frequent and for many the most important question when buying an electric car. For many people interested in electric vehicles, range plays a major role, because for a long time electric cars had the reputation of being purely city cars without long-distance qualities. Range of just under 300 kilometers and a poor charging network deterred many buyers in this country. Today, even small city cars offer standard ranges of 260 kilometers. Those who often travel long distances without time-consuming charging breaks are the ones who really need a long range. EFAHRER test data is not based on manufacturer specifications, but the testers themselves measure how far e-cars travel in the city, on the highway and on the country road during fuel consumption tests.
With electric cars, the practical consumption and thus the range depend not only on the technology, driving style and speed, but also on the outside temperature. The EFAHRER range calculator shows how far you can drive with an electric car under everyday conditions.
- Consumption: with gasoline or diesel cars, most drivers can estimate realistic fuel consumption. This is not yet the case with electric cars. Just as with gasoline engines, the consumption of an electric car is calculated per 100 kilometers – but in this case, of course, in kilowatt hours of electricity and not in liters. exactly how much an electric car consumes depends on various factors, but above all on the vehicle and the efficiency of the motor. As with a combustion engine, the rule is: the bigger and heavier the car, the higher the fuel consumption. As in the case of an internal combustion engine, the consumption of an electric car also plays an important role in the ecological balance sheet and the running costs. Even electric cars of the same class can differ considerably in terms of fuel consumption. The manufacturer’s specifications are often far higher than those of EFAHRER.Com real-world consumption figures. When "refueling of all e-cars there are charging losses, i.e. part of the electrical energy from the charging port is lost as heat in the charging electronics and battery. Although the energy is ultimately lost, the customer still has to pay for it. To determine the real-world consumption of electric cars, EFAHRER measures.Com determines the usable battery capacity on a 22-kW alternating current wallbox and determines how efficiently the drive uses the electrical energy and what range results in the end during consumption drives on specified routes in the city, over land and on the highway.
- ChargingIf you have an electric car, you’ll never need gas again. But electric cars need electricity. Refueling However, charging from electricity is completely different from filling up with fuel: electric cars can be charged at home power outlets, at various alternating current wall boxes and at direct current fast chargers. EFAHRER.Com determines the maximum practical charging power of e-cars on 16- and 32-ampere wallboxes (corresponding to maximum 11 kw and 22 kw charging power). If the electric car has DC connections, EFAHRER determines the maximum charging power and checks how long a car can maintain this charging power. In the end, two questions are particularly interesting: how long does it take an electric car to charge up for 100 kilometers at the wallbox or at the DC fast-charging station??
- PerformanceAnyone who has ever driven a scooter or slot car knows that electric cars are a lot of fun to drive. A whole range of technical features make e-cars real driving dynamics guarantors. The experience of driving an electric car includes a rich torque from a standstill and acceleration without delay when you step on the gas pedal. DRIVERS.Com checks the manufacturers’ performance data in practice and checks whether the often high theoretical performance values provide a real advantage in everyday life: this includes power, torque, acceleration from 0 to 60 and to 100 km/h, as well as top speed. In order to bring the high performance of e-cars onto the road and to bring the often relatively heavy e-vehicles safely out of curves or over wet road surfaces, even at higher speeds, many electric cars have all-wheel drive. Good traction earns bonus points. Useful driving modes such as a particularly economical eco mode, a particularly intelligent automatic mode or a dynamic sport mode also have a positive effect on the performance rating.
- Assistance systemsmany electric cars are not only advanced in terms of propulsion. They also want to be at the forefront when it comes to assistance systems: some even promise autonomous driving or autopilots. The DRIVERS experts put the manufacturer’s promises to the test and check how intelligently cruise control systems behave in various situations, for example, how reliably they accept speed limits, whether the car overtakes others on the right, how reliably lane departure, pedestrian and emergency brake assistants function, whether they recognize traffic lights and take a look at cross-traffic alerts.
- Space and comfort: many electric cars are developed from the ground up as electric cars. This enables completely new space and vehicle concepts: the transmission tunnel is eliminated, and where the engine compartment is in an internal combustion engine, some e-cars have additional storage space. other manufacturers simply convert their combustion models to electric drive. In the best case, there is just as much space in the electric version as in the combustion engine, because the electric technology is accommodated in the underbody and engine compartment. In the worst case, space for passengers and luggage suffers. DRIVERS.Com checks the space available for passengers and luggage, the isofix connections for child seats, and the size and usability of the luggage compartment and the storage compartment for charging cables. They also pay attention to good all-round visibility. For high payload and towing capacity, there are further plus points. Together with the electronics experts from CHIP, EFAHRER checks out.Com testers also rate the infotainment system. They check the head-up display, the integration of apple-car-play and android auto, and test the integrated navigation system and the car’s connectivity in terms of charging and climate control.
This test of the most affordable electric cars available is based on data from the EFAHRER electric car finder. The E-car Finder is a constantly updated database that lists over one hundred popular electric cars and filters them according to useful categories:
- range: from affordable e-city runabouts with small batteries to luxurious long-distance vehicles with a range of well over 500 kilometers.
- seats: sporty two-seater, electric compact with five seats, or family SUV with room for seven. For the test on affordable electric cars, we defined at least four seats as a criterion. The only exception is the smart EQ, which is available as a two- and four-seater.
- Budget: from light electric car for under 10.000 to the luxurious electric sports car for several 100.000 euros. For our test, we sorted the electric cars in the E-car Finder in ascending order of price. The e-up! And its derivatives are the most affordable. After subsidies, they cost around 15.000 euros. The BMW i3 is the most expensive. After subsidies, it is around 30.000 euro.
- Vehicle type: from small cars to convertibles, station wagons, vans and minibuses. In our test, we only took small and compact cars into account to ensure better comparability.
- availability: it’s a long way from the first sketch to a hit car produced in its millions. Many cars are announced, available for pre-order, but not yet available. The E-car finder takes this fact into account and allows filtering by availability. For this test of the most affordable electric cars, we have only selected cars that are currently available or will be available within a few days and can be test driven.
Find your very own dream electric car with the e-car finder!
Are e-cars cheaper?
electric cars can already be cheaper than comparable cars with internal combustion engines today. This is what a new study by the Berlin-based eco think tank "forum okologisch-soziale marktwirtschaft" (FoS) suggests. The price advantage would result from the much lower running costs of electric cars. Gasoline and diesel cars are still cheaper to buy. The FoS results coincide with the EFAHRER test results.Com
The price advantage of the electric cars is also due to government subsidies in the form of the environmental bonus of 6,000 euros. But the decisive advantages of electric vehicles lie in their significantly lower fixed, operating and workshop costs, according to the FoS study.
Information from the ADAC database was used as the basis for the study. This made it possible to compare six vehicle types that are similar in size, equipment and performance. An annual mileage of 15 kilometers was used as a basis.000 kilometers and a useful life of five years. For every vehicle pairing, e-cars have proven to be more cost effective. Even in the premium segment, where electric vehicles do not receive an environmental bonus, the stromers were more cost-effective.
With the absolute cost advantage over five years, the tesla model 3 long distance with AWD is over 24.500 euros cheaper than the comparable combustion vehicle. Even the electric luxury sedan tesla model S is still 5.760 euros and the e-golf 6.360 euros cheaper than comparable combustion engines.
The conclusion of the FoS study: "The analysis shows that under the current subsidy conditions, electric cars can already compete with comparable combustion engines in terms of price in all vehicle classes and are often cheaper when the total costs for purchase, operation and maintenance are taken into account.
The EFAHRER shows when an electric car pays off financially compared to a comparable combustion engine.Com cost calculator based on various popular models. Values such as annual mileage, electricity and fuel costs can be customized.
"With the right car, electromobility means low operating costs, great drive comfort and real driving pleasure," says reitberger.
What are the best electric cars?
There are various electric car models in each vehicle class, with different versions, performance levels, sizes and usage scenarios. It’s almost impossible to pick a winner in all classes.
While inexpensive small electric cars such as the VW e-up! Particularly inexpensive cars for everyday use in the city and in the countryside are those that are designed for frequent long-distance journeys and have large batteries with plenty of power for long ranges and fast charging – which are then correspondingly more expensive.
In order not to have to lump all cars together, EFAHRER divides.Com e-cars into different categories and determines the best car there. Low-priced microcars like the VW e-up!, small cars like the renault zoe, compact power cars like the tesla model 3, compact SUVs like the tesla model Y, larger electric SUVs like the audi e-tron, family cars like the nissan evalia E-NV200 and expensive electric sports cars like the porsche taycan.
All EFAHRER practical tests of individual vehicles can be found here.
What is the cheapest electric car??
electric cars are becoming increasingly popular in germany – and cheaper: the cheapest electric car in the EFAHRER database is the electric two-seater renault twizy with a purchase price of under 7000 euros.
The number of affordable models under 20.000 euros is growing steadily. The current environmental bonus of 6 percent is making an important contribution here.000 euro. It is primarily intended to promote small and affordable electric models with shorter ranges and smaller batteries. However, the twizy does not receive an environmental bonus, since it does not officially run as a car, but as a quad.
The cheapest fully-fledged electric car comes from germany: the seat mii electric is identical in construction to the german electric microcar e-up! From volkswagen.
What does a new e-car cost??
Most electric cars are still more expensive than comparable combustion engines – at least when it comes to purchasing them. Due to lower running costs, many models already pay for themselves today. The price range is huge.
The most affordable new electric cars are already under 10.000 euros: for example, the renault twizy mini two-seater. The cheapest fully electric car is the seat mii electric. After government subsidies, it can be had for as little as around 15 euros.000 euro. The most expensive electric cars on the market, such as the audi e-tron or the tesla model X, can cost more than 100 euros.000 euros, but offer absolutely long-distance range, extreme charging performance, excellent driving dynamics, luxurious equipment and state-of-the-art infotainment and assistance systems. mid-range electric cars like tesla’s model 3 are priced similarly to the classic combustion cars of the premium competition, such as a BMW 3 series.