Kia Niro
Kia Niro
In response to climate change and changing consumer choices, the automotive industry is predicting that the future of driving will be electric.
But as the world of electric car ownership is relatively new, it can all be a bit bewildering for buyers. Will driving an EV always make you feel like your phone battery is at 2%? Will your emissions stay low and your blood pressure go through the (sun)roof? And which electric cars are the best for families?
To answer these questions - and give you a bit of inspiration – we’ve chosen some of the best electric family cars of 2017.
The Ioniq is Hyundai’s flagship electric model, the first car to be designed with three powertrains: hybrid, full electric and – later on in 2017 – plug-in (more on that later).
If you don’t want to switch to fully electric motoring just yet, the Ioniq hybrid is a brilliant place to start, combining a battery with a traditional petrol motor that kicks in over long distances. With emissions of just 70g/km, you will be environmentally virtuous, super quick to accelerate, and as it’s a roomy hatchback it generously accommodates a family of four and their gear. There are also tons of safety features like Keep Lane Assist, and its ultra high strength steel bodywork gives it a 5-star Euro NCAP rating.
As it’s designed like a coupé, it looks stylish from the outside, and inside there are lots of storage options, Apple and Android in-car connectivity and Isofix points in the rear seats. In fact, the Ioniq Hybrid gets all its sums right and deserves a gold star.
The ZOE is an all-electric, nippy small hatchback, and one of the cheapest fully electric cars on the market. If your family has ever owned a Renault Clio, it might feel familiar, as it’s modelled on the design. The good news is that it’s a bit larger, with space for five passengers. New models also have an improved driving range of up to 250 miles, one of the best available, so there’s less anxiety about running out of battery on the motorway. You will need a driveway or garage to charge it as it runs off the mains, and you rent your battery separately (for around £89 a month). However, Renault will very kindly provide you with a home charging station for free, and in return for your pioneering, zero emission choice, you’ll get a family car that’s quiet, smooth and infinitely practical. And just imagine – you will never, ever have to spend money on petrol again.
The Kia Niro is a convenient compact hybrid SUV that’s relaxing to drive (as it’s super quiet, with no unexpected noises when you switch driving modes) and spacious enough to have a 472-litre boot and front and rear storage cubbies. It’s great if you want a reliable family car that’s cheap to run and will manage school/nursery pick-ups and drop-offs with economical efficiency.
Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more sophisticated but still family friendly, you could opt for the Optima plug-in PHEV saloon. You top up your battery from either a plug socket at home or public charging point (Kia has charging points at all their branches). However, it’s the perfect choice if you want to do shorter journeys in electric mode, but want the reassurance of a petrol engine as back up during long adventures with the kids. Both cars come with Kia’s unique transferable 7-year warranty, which keeps you covered for repairs, no matter how much your children attempt to destroy it.
If you’ve found £30,000 in spare change under the sofa cushions, you could do a lot worse than purchase the BMW i3. This hatchback may have a price tag that could give some a shock to the system, but it’s a great investment in quality. The all-electric version has a healthy range of 195 miles, making it capable of handling longer journeys, and boasts some futuristic features that’ll make your children boggle-eyed, including doors that hinge at the back, rather than the front, a dashboard with two colour touch screens and a zingy metallic blue paintwork option as standard. OK, so admittedly this car is more for you than your kids – but if the parents are happy, the kids are too, right?
