Prior to this year, I’ve spent a lot of time in large electric cars. My long-term automotive companions last year were a BMW i5 and then a Volkswagen ID.7 – and I’ve lost count of the number of electric C-SUVs I put miles on over the course of 2024.

I should point out that there were some very fine cars in that selection but, more recently, the tide is turning and there are some fantastic new smaller kids on the block. The downward shift in new EVs effectively started at the end of last year when Kia introduced the EV3 – which has since been voted UK Car of the Year 2025 – and Škoda’s Karoq was launched.

But 2025 has seen the arrival of the brilliant Renault 5 (along with its more driver-focused Alpine A290 sibling) and, more recently, the Hyundai Inster – which you can read about in this issue. There have also been a lot of positive noises around the new BYD Atto 2, Fiat Grande Panda and Mini Cooper Electric, while the popularity of the Peugeot e-208, Vauxhall Crossland and Fiat 500e shows no sign of letting up anytime soon.

As well as drivers and fleets, it seems vehicle manufacturers are getting to grips with transitioning to EVs (another topic you will see covered in the following pages) as they overhaul their lineups with new BEVs. It’s a learning curve for everyone involved in the world of fleets, but with the right approach, it needn’t be anything but a pleasurable experience. Small but perfectly formed? Many drivers might not go that far, but these new fun-sized motors prove that size DOESN’T matter.

From my point of view, I’m all for it. I swapped ‘my’ ID.7 for an ID.3 at the beginning of the year and in many ways, I prefer it. The efficiency is great, there’s loads of space inside and, given that a lot of time I’m on my own, I don’t miss not having all the space. Sure, it’s great to be able to think you look the part in a big SUV or electric saloon, but for those looking to run lean and efficient fleets, this new breed is evidence that good things DO come in small packages.

Enjoy the issue.

John Challen Editor