In pictures.. the best electric family cars for 2021
Since the battery pack is usually hidden in the floor, most are SUVs, but there are some hatchbacks and saloons to choose from as well.
Battery technology has also come a long way, driving down prices for new electric cars and also that worrying about range is a lot less of an issue than it used to be.
The charging infrastructure still leaves a lot to be desired, but if you can charge at home, you may never need to visit a public charger.
And add to the fact that electric vehicles allow you to travel in silence and produce zero emissions, are exempt from road tax and congestion charges in London, and qualify for a government grant if they cost less than £35,000, and it's starting to become a really viable alternative to the models that run. Gasoline or diesel.
The British site "autocar" published a list of the best electric cars for families at the affordable end of the market, compiled taking into account factors such as range, ease of use, driving dynamics and value for money.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
In pictures.. the best electric family cars for 2021
It would have been surprising 20 years ago to see a slate like this dominated by Hyundai and Kia, but the Korean duo have not only managed to build an impressive lineup of mainstream cars, but were also quick out of the gate with electric versions of their regular cars.
The Ioniq 5 is a really serious start to electric vehicles, built on a custom EV model platform with 800v electronics, the 800v system allowing for much faster charging, the only others doing something similar are the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT. Very good company.
Skoda Enyaq iV
In pictures.. the best electric family cars for 2021
Skoda often takes mechanical equipment from the Volkswagen Group and wraps it up in a more sensible and spacious package which is a better value to boot, as is the case with the Skoda Enyaq iV.
The car uses the same VW Group MEB electric 'skateboard' platform that supports the VW ID 3 and ID 4, and the Audi Q4 E-Tron.
Intelligent design choices ensure that it reaches a good place in the EV SUV market, and impresses with its spacious and cleverly thought-out cabin that matches Audi in terms of tangible quality and personalization.
And the chassis proved so mature during road testing that it won't appeal to enthusiastic drivers, but it does feel medium firmness and fairly tight control to inspire confidence without any meaningful damage to the range.
The 201bhp '80' that the British site tested showed performance that should satisfy most drivers and a 333-mile range that makes the Enyaq very usable on long trips as well.
Kia EV6
In pictures.. the best electric family cars for 2021
Kia has come closer than anyone else so far to bringing true driver appeal to the market for usable and affordable "regular" electric vehicles.
And with the EV6, sister car to our class champ Hyundai Ioniq 5, it took a typical all-electric platform, dressed it up with a sleek body, dumped it in a good-sized cabin, and finished off a package with a solid driving feel and control delivered by a more exciting, authentic rear-wheel drive chassis that includes: Driving more than many electric cars so far.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
In pictures.. the best electric family cars for 2021
The Blue Oval has lagged a bit in the full-size electric car market, but it achieved something great anyway by customizing the much-loved sub-brand Mustang for its first production battery electric model.
The Mustang Mach-E isn't a square-jaw coupe, but it's a decent five-seater with an attractive-looking crossover body, plus amazing real-world range capabilities and a more affordable price than some of the cars listed here.
It's available at just over £40,000 in the UK, so it's not as affordable as some of the main competitors.
If you want to get the 379-mile Extended Range version of the WLTP, you'll need roughly £50,000.
However, it is a convenient and usable family car that outperforms premium competitors by up to 30% in terms of range and value claimed.
