Do you drive mainly in the city and want to go electric? No need for a giant sedan or SUV! The supply of electric urban cars is abundant and that is why we have chosen the best for you.
The best electric city cars in 2023
If it’s easy to fantasize about monsters like Tesla cars or the Porsche Taycan, you have to admit that city cars are much better headliners than electric cars. More compact, they are much more suitable for European cities. Above all, range concerns are much less visible than in sedans called for on long trips.
Finally, city cars are, above all, frankly cheaper, to the point of being the only really affordable electric cars for the vast majority of potential buyers. If you are looking for an exclusively urban use, do not hesitate to look at electric cars without a license. For this reason, we have chosen for you the best urban electric cars on the market.
To have an overview of the market, do not hesitate to read our comparison of the best electric cars as well as these specialized comparisons:
8 /10
- clean finishes
- Good behavior on the road
- Ideal for the city
Available in €33,700 in Renault
It is the best-selling electric car in France and for good reason! This city car has everything it takes to satisfy anyone who wants to switch to electric without breaking the bank. This second generation is entitled to significant improvements in finishes, especially in the cabin.
Sold as a 5-seater, it will comfortably accommodate only 4 people. The trunk of 338 liters is located in the upper average of the category.
Once on the road, we are pleasantly surprised by its behavior. On the autonomy side, there are 360 km, more than enough for urban use. Too bad, though, that charging is capped at 50 kW where the competition typically goes up to 100 kW.
Without being revolutionary, the Zoé stands out for us as the best urban electric car, with a price starting at 32,300 euros. We tell you more in our Renault Zoé test.
- Dimensions (L x W x H) : 4.08m x 1.73m x 1.56m
- Chest : 338 liters
- 0 to 100 km/h: 11.4 seconds
- Consumption : 17.2kWh/100km
- Battery : 8 years or 160,000 km warranty
where to buy the
Renault ZOE at the best price?
8 /10
- a seductive look
- The successful booth
- nice behavior
Available in €33,830 in Peugeot
The other must-have for city dwellers is also a bit of French! The electric 208 version takes a more aggressive approach than its Renault rival, both in appearance and handling. With a few exceptions, the finish is neat and generally a cut above Zoe’s.
Once behind the wheel, the 208 really shines. The beast is agile and relatively twitchy despite significant weight for a city car. It is also enduring since we exceeded 400 km of autonomy during our test. We also appreciate the 100 kW charging and Free2Move service giving access to 150,000 charging stations in Europe and 30,000 in France for 5 euros per month.
A very good city car that will be able to venture a bit further out of town on occasion. Its high price, particularly for the more sophisticated finishes, is likely to put some off. For more information, head over to our Peugeot e-208 test.
- Dimensions (L x W x H) 4.05mx 1.75mx 1.43m
- Chest : 309 liters
- 0 to 100 km/h: 8.1 seconds
- Consumption : 17.5kWh/100km
- Battery : 8 year or 160,000 km warranty (if capacity is less than 70%)
where to buy the
Peugeot e-208 at the best price?
8 /10
- an iconic look
- Autonomy
- comfortable in front
- Little space in the back.
Available in €30,400 in Fiats
Unsurprisingly, the historic “yogurt cake” from the Italian manufacturer is entitled to an electric version. Compared to its predecessor, the modern Fiat 500 has become overweight compared to its thermal counterpart. However, it retains its timeless and very attractive appearance.
The interior is clean, spacious and features a large center screen for infotainment. Be careful, the 185-liter trunk is really tiny.
Relatively light (1.4 tonnes), the Fiat 500 is a lively little beast that is a joy to drive around town and has the added bonus of comprehensive driving aids. In terms of autonomy, the announced 320 km translates into about 400 km in the city. Enough to get through your week without stressing too much.
In exchange for its excellent performance, the Fiat 500 is expensive, with 24,500 euros for the basic model before options. Keep in mind for those who love the outdoors that a convertible version is also available for 3,400 euros more. We detail it in our test of the electric Fiat 500.
- Dimensions (L x W x H) 3.63m x 1.74m x 1.52m
- Chest : 185 liters
- 0 to 100 km/h: 13.8 seconds
- Consumption : 14.43kWh/100km
- Battery : 8 year or 160,000 km warranty (if capacity is less than 70%)
where to buy the
Fiat 500 at the best price?
8 /10
- impeccable driving
- comfortable
- Accessible in terms of price
Available in €23,200 in Opel
On the subject of electric city cars, incumbent manufacturers are making their mark with models that are high-performance, but remain affordable. The Opel Corsa-e 40 uses the historical nomenclature of the brand. The car is presented as a technical cousin of the Peugeot e-208 with a compact format capable of going almost anywhere in the city.
Inside the vehicle, the cabin is surprisingly comfortable, particularly thanks to the tartan upholstery. The car leaves enough space for each passenger. However, the integrated technologies are a bit lacking compared to what exists on the market. The 7-inch screen suffers from a rather poor definition for readability.
In terms of performance, the car allows for a reasonable range measured at 273 kilometers. For city use, this resistance is more than enough, but it can be more dangerous for the highway. It is manageable and powerful with a 0 to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds.
Above all, the Opel Corsa-e 40 is interesting in terms of price. The first version of the car without additional options is listed at 23,200 after deducting the ecological bonus. It is well placed in the electric city car market. For more information, read our review of the Opel Corsa-e 40 at frandroid.
- Dimensions (L x W x H) 4.06m x 1.96m x 1.43m
- Chest : 267 liters
- 0 to 100 km/h: 8.1 seconds
- Consumption : 16.1kWh/100km
- Battery : 8 year or 160,000 km warranty (if capacity is less than 70%)
Where to buy
Opel Corsa-e at the best price?
7 /10
- controlled consumption
- driving behavior
- a comfortable cabin
Available in €35,700 in Mini
Here is another historic name that has established itself in the electric city car sector. In its electric version, the Mini Cooper SE has a design similar to its predecessor. Except for some details, the lines are similar to offer you the same features as the thermal version.
Under the hood is a 184 horsepower engine with a 32.6 kWh battery. Its status as an urban car gives it a fairly reduced autonomy with a maximum autonomy of 234 kilometers in total. However, the car supports fast charging up to 50 kW. You can recover 80% in just 30 minutes with mains power.
When driving, the Mini Cooper SE retains its playful side with remarkable power. The speed is limited to 150 kilometers per hour while 0 to 100 is achieved in 7 seconds. Several driving modes are available to provide comfort in any situation. During city driving, the Cooper SE is responsive.
However, the car is expensive. With a total invoice of 30,000 euros once the ecological bonus has been discounted, but in exchange many standard equipment is included in the vehicle. Read our full Mini Cooper SE review to be convinced.
- Dimensions (L x W x H) : 3.84m x 1.72m x 1.43m
- Chest : 211 liters
- 0 to 100 km/h: 7.3 seconds
- Consumption : 16.8kWh/100km
- Battery : 8 year or 160,000 km warranty (if capacity is less than 70%)
where to buy the
Mini Cooper SE at the best price?
Choosing the right urban electric car
What are the conditions of the ecological bonus?
From January 1, 2023, the ecological bonus has changed again:
- Bonus of €5,000 for households that buy a vehicle of less than 47,000 euros including taxes and weighing less than 2.4 tons
- Bonus of €7,000 for households whose reference income per share is less than 14,089 euros
- Bonus of €3,000 for legal entities that purchase a vehicle for less than 47,000 euros;
To go into more detail, we refer you to our article dedicated to the ecological bonus.
How to choose the right electric car?
We will never repeat it enough, but the best electric car is the one that best suits your uses. This is even more true for a city car that will rarely get a chance to legally exercise its power. Before buying an electric car, it’s important to take stock of what you’ll be using it for.
Despite the democratization of recent years, there are still important elements to take into account, especially when it comes to charging. To know everything before buying an electric car, do not hesitate to consult our dedicated article: “Electric car: range, charge and price, things you should know before buying”.
How to install a charging station at home?
If you use an electric car on a daily basis, the installation of a home charging station will probably be necessary. Public terminals exist, but they are still few in number. For greater comfort, installing a reinforced socket or a Wallbox may be a good choice.
Whether you are an owner (and even co-owner) or a tenant, there are several solutions. And since we love to help you, we have a complete file on the subject that explains how to install an electric car charging point at home.
What are the different maintenance costs of an electric car?
With a smaller motor, no gearbox, batteries guaranteed for several years, and less worn brake pads, electric cars simply require less maintenance than a conventional thermal vehicle. The most restrictive and expensive operation will be the battery.
But here again, their design is fairly simple, and most of all, they come with strong warranties, usually for up to eight years after the vehicle is purchased. To find out everything about the maintenance of an electric car, we recommend that you read our file dedicated to the cost and maintenance of an electric car.
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