We review six of the best electric cars from price to economy and all their features
ELECTRIC DREAMS: SIX OF THE BEST SUPERCHARGED STARS TO SAVE THE WORLD
TWENTY years ago, our attitude to electric vehicles was a bit like how we view driverless cars today – something way off in the future so there’s no need to worry about it yet.
The Prius had just arrived and we were eyeing it suspiciously. We didn’t trust the way it made no noise, or the claims Toyota made about emissions and costs. But it was all true, and today there are around 75,000 hybrid and electric cars on Britain’s roads.
If you needed yet more proof that supercharged highways are the way forward, the ten best-selling car brands in the UK all offer at least one EV or hybrid in their range. The fact you can get up to £4,500 from the Government to buy a green motor is obviously one of the driving factors.
They are here to stay – so this week I’m bringing you an electric vehicle special. From plug-in hybrid SUVs to fully-electric city cars, here are six of the best.
Tesla Model S
PRICE: £58,335
RANGE: 340 miles
If money is no object, get yourself along to a Tesla dealership and whack down a deposit on the Model S.
The range-topping version does 0-62 in less than three seconds – faster than a lot of full-fat, petrol-powered supercars.
Inside it’s pure luxury, with Tesla taking aim at BMW and Jaguar.
But unlike most of their saloons, it comes with two rear-facing child seats in the boot.
Cheap to run, practical and bonkersly fast. What’s not to like? The future is here, my friends.
Nissan Leaf
PRICE: £26,030
RANGE: 125 miles
If you need a bit of space, the Nissan Leaf is a fully electric family hatchback.
It’s a five-door with 370 litres of boot space and Nissan claims it can do around 125 miles on a full charge.
It’s not hellishly slow, doing the 0-62 sprint in around 11 seconds.
And best of all, it’s mega- cheap. A full charge will cost you just £2 and you won’t pay a tax, or congestion charges, plus the Government will help you out with a whole load of dosh if you’re serious about buying one.
Lexus CT200H
PRICE: £21,190
RANGE: Over 300 miles
A hybrid offers an advantage over fully electric cars, in that when the battery runs out of juice, the petrol engine can get you home.
The CT200H works pretty much the same as the Toyota Prius, offering a phenomenal 78mpg, thanks to the batteries powering the car at slower speeds.
Considering there’s a 1.6-litre petrol engine helping, it’s slow to the 62mph mark at ten seconds.
But inside, it is typical Lexus high quality.
It’s not mega expensive either – for a Lexus.
Mitsubish Outlander PHEV
PRICE: £34,304
RANGE: Over 300 miles
Proof you don’t need to compromise on space and practicality to go green.
This plug-in hybrid SUV offers a claimed 156mpg and swallows 463 litres of stuff in the boot. The 2.0-litre engine powers the front wheels while charging two batteries, which in turn power the back wheels, making it a genuine 4x4.
It does 0-62 in 11 seconds, but then you are not buying it for blistering performance. 
Renault Twizy
PRICE: £6,795
RANGE: 60 miles
If all you want is something small and cheap to buzz around town in, the Twizy is the way to go.
Get over its stupid name and bizarre look and this zippy two-seater will feel like you’re driving the Mars Rover, and is a superb way to negotiate inner-city traffic.
Parking is a doddle and you can squeeze through the same small gaps as motorbikes and scooters.
On the downside it’s tiny and you may feel nervous if you end up stuck at the lights sandwiched between two articulated lorries.
BMW i3
PRICE: £32,330
RANGE: 125 miles
Designed for short trips around town, this lovely little Beamer is a joy to drive, with rapid acceleration (0-60 in seven seconds) and high quality throughout.
Its unique design means there is no B-pillar, so getting in and out is a breeze.
Beamer has even found a way to make the carbon fibre construction using renewable energy.
This not only keeps costs down, it makes the car extra green.
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