Top 10 Compact EVs

Criteria

All the cars in this list are in the compact segment, they all require a driving license and are expected to be able to easily sustain highway speeds.

When there are multiple battery pack options for a car i choose the smallest one, the 30kWh average in this compact section is about half of that of the other cars i surveyed, the same is true for the average price and the real world range, they are all half of their bigger siblings.

In terms of aerodynamic performance being rather short and tall the height average is close to the one of the crossovers and mpv’s, these compacts are not slender and the drag coefficient shows, it’s only their diminutive tyres and weights that make them come up at 3.6 miles per kWh just a bit above their full size competitors.

Winner

The Skoda Citigo-e iV is the winner by quite a margin but there is a significant drawback in that this is the only compact in the list without fast charging capabilities unless you go for the bit more expensive SE version.

The solid contenders unless you only plan to charge at home are the Seat Mii, VW eUP and Fiat 500e, the main thing to note about them is that they are all built on the legacy ICE platform, as opposed to the Chinese contender Kandi, a new player with no established European presence but an electric only highly competitive platform.

The Mini Electric, VW eGolf and Honda E are slightly less value for money but each have a unique temperament and aesthetic, the Honda a fully new electric platform with rear wheel drive that is definitely a different experience inside out.

Losers

The Smart EQ is a Mercedes through and through and with a price to match, i fail to understand their placement really, they would haver made more sense half a decade ago and i doubt they will sell too well which is a shame, here’s hoping Daimler updates them with better range soon enough.