5 Great First Time Cars For New EV Owners

As we head into 2023, the feeling is EV sales are going to have another strong year. With many countries and governments around the world looking to reduce their carbon footprint, electric vehicles are very high on a list of priorities. 

So if this year is the year you're looking to come away from petrol and diesel, then carry on reading as we have selected 5 terrific first-time electric cars for new EV owners. 

1 Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is a well-priced EV which is why it's popular among new EV owners. Add to that its impressive range of 235 miles and the fact you can charge up to 80% in less than 60 minutes with a 50kW charger, it’s no surprise it's many people's first choice. 

It’s a brilliant city car and its light steering allows for smooth turning around corners. It’s not the biggest in terms of size but is perfectly capable for a small family or a couple needing a reliable car. Overall, its great size, excellent value for money and driving experience make it the perfect purchase.

2 BMW i3

If you have a slightly bigger budget for your first EV, then the BMW i3 is certainly one to consider. Its got excellent responsive handling and a good turning circle, which makes it enjoyable to drive. It also benefits from a regenerative braking system which means you can drive with just one pedal if you wish. 

It has a range of 180 miles and if you're wondering what sort of time it will take when charging at home, then you can have the BMW i-Wallbox fitted which charges your EV to 80% in under four hours.

3 Hyundai Ioniq

This model is actually available as a hybrid, fully electric model and plug-in hybrid so you can decide what you prefer. One of the key benefits of this model is that it's affordable but has generally low running costs. The fully electric model has a range of 174 miles which is good and it has a touchscreen infotainment system and reversing camera. 

It has agile handling and provides a smooth driving experience around towns and on motorways. It’s also a traditional hatchback which means there is a decent amount of space for both front and back passengers.

4 Renault Zoe

By far one of the cheapest EV’s on the market, but it doesn’t cut corners when it comes to quality and features. It may not be the most stylish of electric cars out there but it has a superb driving range of 250 miles and has fast charging times as well. 

Don’t let its compact shape fool you, there is actually quite a bit of space in the back and boot. Depending on what spec you decide to go for, some have a bose sound system and a reversing camera.

5 Volkswagen e-Golf

This superb family car is easy to manoeuvre and ideal for new EV drivers looking to get to grips with one and build confidence. Its driving range is far below that of the Leaf and Zoe at just 144 miles but it does benefit from quick charging. From a 7.2kW home charger, your e-Golf could be charged to maximum capacity in less than six hours.

It has full LED lights at the front and rear, parking sensors and a 9.2-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay. The Golf is definitely one of the more appealing vehicles to look at and still benefits from 342 litres of capacity. 

Conclusion 

We hope this list helped you discover some new makes and models that you may not have heard of. It’s always a good idea to go for a slightly smaller EV as your first one as this will allow a smoother driving experience and they are far cheaper upfront and on running costs. 

If you prefer something a bit bigger there are other options such as the Kia Soul EV which is an SUV or maybe a Hyundai Kona Electric which is also an SUV. They are both still excellent for new EV drivers, they're just more expensive and larger. 

By Callum Russell at https://chargingathome.co.uk/