Small cars are extremely popular, regardless of whether they are electric or not. No wonder, after all, they are the perfect companion for an ever-growing target group, especially in the course of urbanisation. Especially in the case of small electric cars, there are a number of additional advantages. In addition to private individuals, many small and medium-sized companies are opting for small e-cars in their fleets after analysing their intended use. Short journeys to appointments and customers in particular can be made more sustainably. At the same time, you can charge your own e-fleet in the company car park and build up a sustainable infrastructure. It is therefore not surprising that the question of a suitable small electric car is frequently asked. What are the advantages and disadvantages of small electric cars? Are there also affordable electric cars? Our Top 5 Small Electric Cars 2022 offers you a practical overview of the models that our experts recommend.
Table of contents
Why an electric small car: Advantages and disadvantages
Before you decide on an e-car small car, it is extremely important to know about the advantages and disadvantages. Only then can you evaluate for yourself whether an e-car small car suits your driver profile and your intended use.
Electric small car advantages
Have you ever wondered whether there are also affordable electric cars? Then you'll find it in the small electric cars! Due to the compact size and the smaller built-in batteries, the price drops considerably - after all, the battery is the most expensive part of an electric car. The smaller capacity of the battery reduces the range, but the charging time is also significantly shorter, especially in the case of small electric cars that can also be charged quickly. This combination is attractive in urban traffic and on short journeys. In a city, the supply of charging infrastructure is also very good, which enables many of these short charging stops and thus leads to a very high everyday suitability of e-car small cars. Two other important factors are lower running costs and sustainability. The start-stop traffic of a city is more difficult for a combustion engine to drive through efficiently than for an e-car. So in comparison, with an electric small car you not only protect the environment, but also your wallet due to the more efficient driving style and low consumption. In addition, of course, there are all the other advantages that come with a small car, such as simplified parking or safety and comfort.
Electric small car disadvantages
As already described, the battery in a small electric car is automatically smaller, which reduces its range. If you mainly travel long distances, a small electric car is probably not the ideal choice. Due to the lower price and the smaller batteries, the possibility of fast charging is less common in small electric cars than in more expensive and larger models. Since the ability to regain an acceptable range in a very short time is very important for many people, you should pay special attention to this feature when buying.
Advantages
- Low price
- Sustainable mobility solution for short distances and urban traffic
- All the other advantages that a small car brings with it
Disadvantages
- Low to medium range
- Often only slow loading
- Little storage space in the vehicle
The best small electric cars: Our top 5
Which small electric car models are recommended? Our experts have compiled a top list of five models and the most important technical data. The models are not listed in order of value, but sorted according to their entry price. It is important to note that the prices do not include any subsidies, so you can mentally deduct the 9,000 euro environmental bonus for your considerations.
FIAT 500e
- Price: 23,560-32,560 euros
- Range: 190 km and 320 km
- Battery: 23.8 kWh and 42 kWh
- Power: 87 kW/118 hp
- Quick charge: Yes
- Number of doors: 3 to 3+1
- Boot capacity: 185 l
The Italian classic is also available as an electric version. The smaller version for just under 23,500 euros is particularly interesting. Thanks to the more compact 23.8 kWh battery, it offers a range of 190 km. That doesn't sound like much at first, but it is easily enough for many people who only have a second car for city driving. If you now mentally subtract the 9,000 euro environmental bonus from the price, you can see why the car could be very attractive. Companies could also add one or two all-electric urban runabouts to their fleet. Another new feature is the option of a model with 3+1 doors. The small extra door is located on the right side of the vehicle, making it much easier for children to get in, for example.
Opel Corsa-E
- Price: from 29,900 euros
- Range: 359 km
- Battery: 50 kWh
- Power: 100 kW/136 hp
- Quick charge: Yes
- Number of doors: 5
- Boot capacity: 267 l
If you are looking for an all-round package, the Opel Corsa-E is the right choice. Here you get a solid range, driving pleasure and low power consumption. All this for an attractive price of just under 30,000 euros. Whether this small electric car appeals to you is a matter of taste. The competition may be more modern, playful and eye-catching, but the Corsa-E is down-to-earth and unagitated.
Renault Zoe
- Price: 29,990-35,990 euros
- Range: 316-386 km
- Battery: 41-52 kWh
- Power: 80-100 kW
- Fast charging: Yes (1100 euros surcharge)
- Number of doors: 5
- Boot capacity: 295l
The Renault Zoe is a true veteran among e-cars. The latest version impresses with a large battery capacity and its strong driving performance. The boot capacity of almost 300 litres is also impressive for a small electric car! It should be noted that, according to the ADAC crash test, the basic version only offers inadequate protection. If the Zoe appeals to you, you should consider the larger version with better equipment. Here you have all the advantages and still drive safely! Don't forget: Upgrading to fast charging costs an extra 1,100 euros.
Peugeot e-208
- Price: from 34,150 euros
- Range: 340 km
- Battery: 50 kWh
- Power: 100 kW/136 hp
- Quick charge: Yes
- Number of doors: 5
- Boot capacity: 265 l
The Peugeot e-208 is a real little city runabout. With its powerful engine and nimble handling, it impresses in everyday use. Thanks to its comfortable suspension, all kinds of routes can be covered in a relaxed and fun way. The interior also has a very high-quality feel. Fans of small, sporty electric cars on a budget are well advised to choose this model!
BMW i3
- Price: from 39,000 euros
- Range: 330-359 km
- Battery: 42.2 kWh
- Power: 125 kW/170 hp to 135 kW/185 hp
- Quick charge: Yes
- Number of doors: 5
- Boot capacity: 260 l
BMW has taken a completely new approach with the i3. The model is largely made of sustainable materials and has little in common with other models of the Bavarian car manufacturer. A special feature is the "one-pedal driving", which is made possible by recuperation. This is a method of converting the kinetic energy during braking into electricity that can be used by the e-car. For fans of lots of power, there is the powerful S variant. As the only model with a carbon passenger cell, the i3 saves a lot of weight and is therefore very direct to drive. Disadvantages of the i3 are the low availability, an impractical door concept with counter-rotating rear doors that cannot be opened without also opening the front doors and the price of at least 39,000 euros.
Cheap electric cars: That's how little a new car can cost!
Electric cars don't have to be expensive. Thanks to subsidies, there are currently affordable electric cars for small budgets as well. The best example is probably the Seat Mii electric. You can buy it for as little as 20,650 euros. If you subtract the 6,000 euro purchase premium alone, the total price is less than 15,000 euros! For that you still get 61 kW/83 hp of power and about 250 km of range. That's a damn good deal! Since the model is identical in construction to the VW e-up! From a technical point of view, even fast charging is possible. In reality, however, it is probably a rather slow version of fast charging. If you want an even better deal, take a closer look at the Renault Twizy. It has a purchase price of only 7,000 euros! Those who now think they have found a way to earn money thanks to the subsidy will be sadly disappointed. Technically speaking, the Twizy is a quad bike, so there is no subsidy for it. Nevertheless, it is a good and inexpensive way to take a first step towards electromobility.
By the way: The Dutch start-up Squad Mobility has designed a solar-powered e-car with its "Squad" model, which costs only around 6,000 euros and is perfect for city traffic. The little runabout can reach a speed of 45 km/h and has a range of 100 km. On sunny days, charging is unnecessary. Like the Twizy, this model is not subsidised, but is still a real alternative for some people!
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Which small electric car has the longest range?
If range is the decisive factor for you, small e-cars naturally have a harder time. After all, a large battery is crucial for range. However, a large and heavy battery is harder to pack into a small car than into an SUV or sedan. In our opinion, the best compromise between range and e-car size is the VW ID.3. Opinions differ as to whether the ID.3 is still a small car or already a compact. But it has many of the advantages of a typical small electric car, plus an impressive range of up to 553 km!
Which e-cars can still be ordered and which are no longer available?
As we already mentioned in our article "Delivery times for e-cars - what you can count on", it is currently quite difficult to get hold of a new e-car at short notice. This problem is even more pronounced for small electric cars than for e-cars in the upper price categories. This is hardly surprising, after all, lower-end e-cars are being sold thanks to the BAFA subsidy of up to 9,000 euros, electric cars in the lower price range become real bargains. The sobering reality is that many manufacturers are severely limiting or have suspended orders for their small electric cars. If you are interested in one of the models we have listed, or any other model, you should regularly check the car manufacturers' online offers to be quick if necessary. An alternative is always the local dealership, which may have some stock. It may be worth asking.
Inexpensive, small, agile and nimble: The electric small cars of today
Small electric cars are the perfect companion for a certain driver profile. If you fit this driver profile and are looking for a small electric car, it is worth taking a look at our top 5 small electric cars 2022. The electric small car is by no means associated with poor workmanship, little power and low range. In 2022, there is a small electric car for every taste, including yours!
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