Electric cars are the choice of environmentally aware drivers. And as technology improves, mileage ranges between charges improves, and prices become more affordable, more and more people are going electric. In fact, about a dozen countries are banning gas-powered cars from certain parts of city centers and some have suggested outlawing continued production of non-electric cars. The best electric cars (EVs) are meeting the changing needs of society. From the fastest to the cheapest, to the overall best, here’s an overview of the best electric and hybrid cars out there.
The Top Electric Cars
What makes an electric car one of the best? Competition among established car brands and newcomers has driven quality up, and prices down. Here are three EVs considered to be the cream of the current crop.
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S takes off so fast, it glues you to your seat. It can do 0 to 62 mph in 2.6 seconds, giving it the fastest acceleration of any production sedan out there. It has a top speed of 162 mph, and at 379 miles, the model S gives you the most range of any all-electric car on the market. You can recharge to a range of 133 miles in 15 minutes at any Tesla Supercharger site, and there are adapters to fit other EV charging stations. Oh yeah, and it can drive itself! Currently only available to rent with SIXT in the Netherlands.
BMW i3
Looking for a luxurious experience while touring the city? The BMW i3 is sure to please. The turning ratio makes an easy U-turn, and the plush interior feels like a luxury hotel. It goes from 0 to 60 in around 7 seconds. It can recharge in anywhere from 3 hours with a 220v home charging station, to over 20 hours on a standard outlet. On a full charge, the i3 can give you 80 to 100 miles of electric range depending on how and where you drive. Available at SIXT in Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
2020 Audi e-tron SUV Coupe
For an electric SUV with a bit of luxury, check out the 2020 Audi e-tron SUV coupe. With the beautiful interior you’d expect from Audi, and slicker than usual SUV looks, this EV is well rounded. It has smooth suspension over bumps, and there’s plenty of trunk space. At 5.5 seconds, 0 to 60 is a bit faster than the BMW i3. The 150 kW fast charger takes it from 0 to 80 percent battery charge in about 30 minutes, and it has 220 miles of range. Currently available with SIXT in Germany.
Best Hybrid Cars
The hybrid electric car is a great way to transition away from gas-powered vehicles. Driving a hybrid is also a good option for those who want to go electric but have to travel long distances. The following three vehicles are regarded as the best hybrid cars.
BMW i8
The BMW i8 will certainly appeal to those interested in both luxury and sustainability with the look and feel of a sports car. From the first glance this model demonstrates its move toward the future with its dihedral doors that open upwards like an eagle stretching its wings. It’s aerodynamic design keeps it low to the ground and its performance level high. It excels at gripping and handling the road thanks to its long wheel-base, wind resistance features, and innovative use of carbon fiber materials that are much lighter but still as strong as steel.
The BMW i8 demonstrates the future of luxury cars. The engineers at the Bavarian auto-giants have managed to combine the fuel efficiency of a compact car with the streamlined design and speed of a sports car with this plug-in hybrid. Imagine feeling the engines purr with potential as you wait to unleash their power on scenic drives. As you would expect, the i8 has all of the core capabilities and comforts of a BMW making it just as much of a thrill to drive. The i8 can be driven using its electrically charged 131 HP front engine, which can be supplemented by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine on the rear axle. When you fire them both up the i8 has a 0-60 mph time of just 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph. Maximize your driving pleasures while minimizing carbon emissions with the BMW i8. Available with SIXT in Austria, Switzerland, France and Spain.
2020 Toyota Prius Prime
As gas-saving hybrids go, there’s no beating the Prius Prime. On a full charge, it gets 133 miles per gallon. That’s more than 630 miles on one tank. This plug-in hybrid is sportier looking than the older Prius design, and the interior is downright futuristic. Its Toyota Safety Sense includes radar-adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking, lane-keeping, and pedestrian detection. Expect a 627-mile range and 54 miles per gallon.
Honda Accord Hybrid Touring
This comfortable and classy midsize sedan is efficient and really performs. The Accord hybrid gives you 48 miles per gallon in the city and calms your nerves with self-parking. Honda sensing lets you know about potentially dangerous situations, and paddles on the steering wheel provide regenerative braking control. You’ll be entertained with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it has convenient wireless charging. And you can go from 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds.
Most Innovative New EVs
Recent years have brought more and more advancements in electric cars. That includes models that are super fast (and super expensive), super cheap, and super futuristic. Here are 3 to look out for.
Aspark Owl
If the Tesla S doesn’t provide enough G-force, the Aspark Owl will push you through the seat! Forget 0 to 60, this all-electric sports car does 0 to 100 mph in 2 seconds. The Owl was developed by Japanese engineering firm Aspark with the goal to create the world’s fastest electric car. They did. The Owl has a full carbon body, a 93-mile range, and four electric motors. However, only 50 of the cars have been made and the price tag is a whopping $3.19 million.
Uniti One
And now for the cheapest electric car, costing $17,000. The 2-seat Uniti One comes from the Swedish car company Uniti. It’s intended as a car for everyday commuting, and not cross-country road trips. It gets 186 miles on one charge, is powered by a 22kw lithium-ion battery, does 0 to 50 in 3.5 seconds, and only takes 40 minutes to fully charge. It’s entering production in Europe in 2020, with no set date of when it will be for sale in the US.
Tesla Cybertruck
Tesla’s Cybertruck, announced in November 2019, could bring a bit of masculinity to EVs if it goes into production. You can take a sledgehammer to it, and it will even supposedly stop a 9 mm bullet, although a demonstration at the SpaceX headquarters in California went awry. It goes from 0 to 60 in up to 2.9 seconds. It’s got as much as 500 miles of range, and there’s more: the triple motor version of the Cybertruck has the best cost-per-mile range of any EV.
