Spoilt for choice

Those people who are looking to change or upgrade their daily driver next year will not be short of electrified options. John Challen picks out seven of the best

Audi A6 Avant e-tron

Renault 5 E-Tech

Audi A6 Avant e-tron

There is a lot of excitement and expectation around this booted BEV, both within Audi and beyond. SUVs might be one thing, but this Audi EV looks set to get the company back to its roots with an electrified Avant version of a classic. Expect 800V architecture, 270kW charging capacity and a driving range of up to 435 miles.

BMW iX2

Following in the footsteps of the popular iX3 and iX1 comes the ‘2’ version from BMW, opening up EV driving to a new section of BMW drivers. The German manufacturer is looking to combine practicality and performance in the small SUV Coupe. Power in the xDrive30 model comes from dual motors with combined power of 313hp and 494Nm, alongside a 64.8kWh battery that helps achieve a driving range of up to 279 miles.

Citroën ë-C3

Looking at electrification through a more efficient lens, Citroën claims the ë-C3 is “the first European affordable electric car”. Priced from £22,000, the French supermini will travel up to 199 miles on a single charge and feature a 44kWh lithium ion battery pack. A single electric motor provides 113hp and the battery can be charged via rapid chargers – the 20-80% charge being achieved in as little as 26 minutes.

Cupra Tavascan

Following the Born, Tavascan will be the second BEV from Cupra and the brand’s first all-electric SUV Coupé. Staying true to its 2019 concept’s roots, the car will sit on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform and be offered with two power outputs: 282hp and 335hp. Drivers will be able to travel up to 341 miles on a single charge, thanks to a 77kWh battery pack.

Ford Explorer

There’s been a bit of a wait for Ford’s electric SUV and drivers will be hanging on into 2024 to get behind the wheel, having seen the launch put back from late 2023. It should be worth the wait, however, as it prepares the brand for a new generation of EVs from the brand. Explorer is laden with kit, including a 14.6-inch moveable screen, clever cabin storage and a mix of German engineering with American styling.

Polestar 5

As far as EV startups go, Polestar is a lesson to all pretenders to its crown as it continues to steadily build on its ever-growing product lineup. The Polestar 5 will arrive in 2024, with the high-performance four-door GT using a new mechanical platform and upgraded rear electric motor alongside 800V architecture. The result is a car that aims to deliver some 884hp and 900Nm.

Renault 5 E-Tech

While some legendary car names have been consigned to history, others have been revived, such as the Renault 5. The French manufacturer has taken a bold – but very popular step – in bringing back the small car in BEV form, sitting on the Renault-Nissan CMF-BEV platform. The final design hasn't yet been revealed, but the hope is that it stays largely true to its concept.