Best Small Electric Cars For 2024 And 2025

What are some of the best small electric cars of 2024 and 2025? You might be shocked to learn that very few small EVs are part of the mix in the United States, which requires us to expand our search and find a few models that tool around on historically tight European roads.

Most small electric cars are meant for short drives and easy city riding, and they tend to lack real performance. You’ll find a few exceptions, including the Tesla Model 3, which stands out among small cars with good electric range as one of the few small electric luxury cars. Outside of that, most of them feel sluggish compared to larger, more powerful EVs on the road, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be fun to drive around town!

Using information from various automakers and authoritative sources like U.S. News & World Report, Top Gear, and Edmunds, we’ve compiled the best small electric cars of 2024 and 2025. These EVs offer various driving manners, styles, and range levels to fit many needs.

UPDATE: 2024/03/20 16:00 EST BY ANDREW KOOPMAN

The automotive industry seems to change on a day-to-day basis and nowhere is that truer than with electric cars. When this article was originally written, there were only a few small electric cars to choose from, but automakers have kept innovating in recent years and now there are far more compact EVs to take a look at. To keep up to date with all the newest EV offerings, we’ve expanded this list to include some of the best small electric cars on the road today.

1 Nissan Leaf: A Classic Continues With Good Driving Manners

The Nissan Leaf is one of the best small electric cars in the world, with sales that rival those of Tesla models. The Leaf provides good driving range in the Leaf Plus trim, achieving 212 miles of driving on a single charge. The standard model has 149 miles of range, which could be enough for most city dwellers.

Pros

• Cheapest new electric car in U.S.
• Eligible for Federal EV Tax Credit
• Award-winning ownership costs

Cons

• Mediocre cabin materials
• Short driving range
• Only two trims are available

Small electric cars are worth the cost of some new and larger gas-powered vehicles. EVs have an average cost of more than $60,000, but spending less than $30,000 for the Nissan Leaf can be worth it for most drivers.

2 BYD Dolphin: An Unknown Game-Changer From China

Stepping away from small electric cars you’ve probably heard of, let’s take a look at the BYD Dolphin. Brother of the slightly larger BYD Seal, the Dolphin is another ocean-inspired compact SUV from Chinese automaker BYD. With its lighting system designed to mimic the movement of dolphins breaching the water in the ocean, this car from BYD takes styling and design to a whole new level.

Pros

• Extensive, unique design
• 265-mile range
• Adequate performance

Cons

• Low-grade handling
• User interface is lacking
• Difficult (if not impossible) to import into the US

The BYD Dolphin may be small and relatively unknown here in the States, but it offers reasonably impressive performance for its class. The Dolphin can go from 0 to 60 in seven seconds, which will seem like a snail’s pace compared to the next model on this list, but its performance is right up there with many of the other small EVs on the market.

3 Tesla Model 3: More Range And Premium Qualities Than You’d Expect

Not exactly a small car, but it still counts as ‘compact’. The Tesla Model 3 has the longest driving range, with 341 miles of EV driving in the Long Range trim. This small Tesla is an excellent alternative to the more luxurious Model S, making it a great choice for some drivers looking for their first electric vehicle.

Pros

• Excellent driving range
• Zippy acceleration and sporty handling
• Simple and elegant cabin design

Cons

• Firm ride
• Cramped rear seats
• Overreliance on touchscreen controls

4 GWM Ora 03: A Great Car From The Great Wall

Next up is the Great Wall Motors Ora 03, a retro-futuristic luxury EV that’s small in size but big in fun. The Ora 03 is available with either a 48 kWh (Pure+) or 63 kWh (Pro+) battery pack, allowing customers to pay a bit more for some added performance and extra range.

Pros

• Retro-futuristic styling
• Multiple battery options
• Tech-filled interior

Cons

• A bit pricey for what it is
• Not available in the U.S.
• Tough to find some details and specs

We might not have access to some of these Chinese EVs just yet here in the States, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get excited about them in the hopes that they arrive soon. The Ora 03 is just one of the small EVs produced by GWM, with the brand-new Ora 07 just missing this list, but it would fit right in as an honorable mention.

5 Fiat 500e: Small Electric Italian Style

When you only need a small car to tool around in the city, the Fiat 500e can be an excellent option. This little car brings style and driving qualities that you want to enjoy while also providing up to 199 miles of driving range using the 42-kWh battery pack.

Pros

• Stylish good looks
• Decent EV range for a small car
• Useful tech

Cons

• Cramped rear area
• Poor driving manners on highways
• Not as adventurous as some might like

The new Fiat 500e is the epitome of what small electric cars offer. Incidentally, these small EVs go by several other names, including micro-cars, mini-EVs, tiny cars, neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), and low-speed vehicles (LSVs). What name would you use for the small and useful Fiat 500e?

6 Dacia Spring: A Newcomer Hitting The UK Markets In 2024

Slated to hit the streets later this year, the Dacia Spring is going to shake things up in the European EV market. As of now, the Dacia Spring is expected to start at right around $25,000 once it hits the market, which will make it competitive with the cheapest all-electric cars that money can buy. If you’re looking to get into an EV for as little as possible and can deal with the battery that leaves you lacking, the Spring just might be the answer.

Pros

• One of the most affordable EVs
• Tight, responsive handling
• Lightweight makes it feel quicker

Cons

• 140-mile range at the most
• Tiny 26.8 kWh battery
• Not available in the US yet

Its affordable price tag will be enticing for prospective buyers, but you’ll need to keep in mind that it comes with a very small 26.8 kWh battery that provides a claimed 140-mile range. In practice, this will likely max out closer to 100 miles on a single charge, which can limit where you can take it.

7 Vauxhall Corsa: A Subtle Approach To The Small EV Space

With many EVs, two of the most exciting things to look forward to are exciting performance specs and futuristic design. But for anyone who doesn’t really want either of those, the Vauxhall Corsa is the perfect solution. A relatively basic EV, the Corsa is a compact electric car that will fit right in with just about any other basic vehicle on the streets.

Pros

• Simple design and styling
• 222-mile range
• Easy to drive

Cons

• Interior feels small
• Lack of performance
• Expensive compared to other models

It may not offer the most exciting performance specs that deliver mind-blistering acceleration, but the Corsa provides a respectable driving range in the real world, easily eclipsing 200+ miles on a single charge.

8 Mini Electric/Mini Cooper SE: British Styling And EV Driving

Another small electric car with unique styling is the Mini Electric. Based on the Cooper, this little car brings impressive driving qualities as the only all-electric Mini. The Mini Electric is called the Cooper SE in America. This small electric car has a driving range of 140-145 miles on a full charge, and it’s been a big seller, with more than 43,000 models sold in 2022.

Pros

• Agile driving manners
• Useful acceleration
• Battery doesn’t take cabin space

Cons

• The ride is tougher than the gas-powered model
• Limited driving range
• Pricey compared to rivals

Most small electric cars accelerate slowly and don’t yet use the instant torque associated with EVs. That said, the Tesla Model 3 is an exception to the plodding nature of these city dwellers. Although small electric cars aren’t considered fast or quick, they don’t need to be. Most of these cars spend time on cramped city streets, not highways.

9 MG4 Hatchback: A European EV With Over 320 Miles On A Single Charge

A newcomer to the EV space, the MG4 is coming out of the gate with a vengeance as it tries to become one of the best small electric cars you can get your hands on. The sporty hatchback is going to be available with either a 51 kWh, 64 kWh, or 77 kWh battery, which will provide either 217, 280, or a whopping 323 miles of range, respectively. This is one of the best ranges you’ll find in an EV of this size, even if you opt for the smaller battery.

Pros

• Available 443 horsepower
• 323-mile range
• 50:50 weight distribution

Cons

• Top trims are expensive
• Base model is slower than the competitors
• Back seats can feel cramped

In addition to the impressive range, the top-tier MG4 is expected to pump out an impressive 443 horsepower, which will reach 60 MPH in less than four seconds, making it easily one of the most impressive compact EVs on the road.

10 Renault Zoe: Small Renault Electric Driving

The Renault Zoe is the best-selling small electric car in Europe. This car brings impressive style, useful driving range, and an affordable build making it one of the best options for European drivers. The Zoe rivals many other small electric cars but delivers more of what drivers are looking for with impressive size and good looks.

Pros

• Efficiency and driving range
• Choice of motors
• New interior

Cons

• Fast-charging is not standard and only achieves 50-kW
• Rear seats aren’t adult-friendly
• Driver’s seat lacks height adjustment

The Zoe isn’t a quick car, taking nearly ten seconds to reach 60 mph, but it’s meant for slow-moving city traffic and relaxed rides through the European countryside. This Renault electric car provides 245 miles of driving range and can add 90 miles of range in 30 minutes using the fast charger.

11 Renault 5: The Zoe’s Successor Hits The Streets In 2025

As a follow-up to the wildly popular Renault Zoe above, the newest addition to the company’s EV line is the Renault 5, which is set to hit the streets in 2025. Designed to combine the retro look of the 1980s with modern styling, the Renault 5 is going to bring generations together, packing a big punch for such a small electric car.

Pros

• Multiple battery options
• Low starting price
• Up to 248 miles on a single charge

Cons

• Not all specs have been released yet
• Modern-retro look isn’t for everyone
• Smaller battery is expected to have a low range

The Renault 5 is currently slated to come with a 52 kWh battery that can go nearly 250 miles on a single charge. It will also be offered with smaller 40 kWh batteries down the road following release for anyone looking to save money. That said, the starting price is expected to be under $30,000, making it one of the most affordable EVs on the market.

12 Alpine A290: An F1-Inspired EV Ready To Take On Its Competitors

Owned by Renaut, Alpine is a French automaker that takes the standard production cars to a whole new level, and the Alpine A290 is the spruced-up version of the Renault 5. Originally designed with a three-seat setup including a McLaren F1-inspired center-mounted steering wheel, the design has been refined ahead of the 2025 model year release date.

Pros

• High-tech, speed-inspired design
• 248-mile range
• Tight handling

Cons

• Futuristic styling could be a turn-off
• Can’t hit the road until the standard Renault 5 does
• Design is not entirely finalized yet

As cool as the three-seat setup with a captain’s seat in the center is, it’s likely that this configuration won’t actually reach production, with the company opting for a more standard interior setup to draw in more customers.

13 Honda E: The Only Small Electric Honda

The Honda E takes qualities from the Urban EV Concept to become one of the best small electric cars tooling around Europe. This is Honda’s first mass-market pure-electric car, and it’s ideal for city driving with its small size and agile handling. The Honda E brings 137 miles of driving range and up to 152 horsepower for your drive.

Pros

• Unique dashboard
• Stylish looks
• Engaging handling

Cons

• More expensive than other small electric cars
• Limited driving range
• Small cargo area

The Honda E might not be the most affordable car in its class, but it has plenty of great features. This forward-thinking Honda has cameras for the side mirrors, a 100-kW DC fast-charging system, and an app to pre-condition the batteries on cold mornings. The Honda E provides impressive features for its class and price, but it’s a little pricier than most small EVs.

14 Peugeot e-208: The All-Electric Version Of The Popular 208

The standard gas-powered Peugeot 208 is a popular compact car for what it is, providing a comfortable, reliable vehicle that gets you from Point A to Point B day after day. But the all-electric version, the Peugeot e-208, cranks it up a notch to provide one of the best small electric cars on the market.

Pros

• Solid range for its class
• 248-mile range
• Popular Peugeot 208 platform

Cons

• Rear seats can be tight
• Loose suspension
• Excessive body roll

The Peugeot e-208 comes with two different powertrains, one offering 136 horsepower and the other topping the charts at 156 horsepower. Both models provide a respectable range and can charge up to 80-percent battery life in just 30 minutes, making it easier to get back on the road as quickly as possible.

15 Jeep Avenger: A City Jeep Powered By Electricity

The new Jeep Avenger isn’t heading to America as one of the first electric Jeeps, but it is a useful small electric city car that provides smooth driving and easy handling around town. The Avenger is smaller than the gas-powered Renegade, providing 200 miles of driving range from the 51-kWh battery pack that returns 156 horsepower.

Pros

• Useful as a city car
• Practical interior with ample storage space
• Fresh, modern design

Cons

• Not a real off-roading Jeep
• FWD only, no AWD version yet
• No Frunk

The Jeep Avenger brings the recognizable blocky Jeep style we admire to the road. This little electric Jeep isn’t as cheap as the Wuling Motors Mini EV, which costs $4,300, but most electric vehicles are much more expensive than this small Chinese electric car. The Jeep Avenger could be an excellent alternative to the traditional small European cars.

16 Volkswagen ID.2: The Newest And Smallest Member Of The VW ID Family

Ever since Volkswagen released the ID.3 half a decade ago, the company has kept producing all-electric cars under the ID name. The ID.3 turned into the ID.4, and the ID.5 was recently released as a bigger all-electric SUV. Now, VW is going in the other direction, with its smallest electric car yet, the ID.2, which will hit the streets in 2025 (or 2026 at the latest).

Pros

• Reliable VW ID line
• Affordable starting price
• Up to 280-mile range

Cons

• 2025 production at the earliest
• Moderate functionality with touchscreens
• Some details are still unknown

The ID.2all concept, as it’s officially being called ahead of release, is set to start at just over $27,000, making it more affordable than most other EVs on the market. Once it hits production, the ID.2 is expected to be one of the most popular small electric cars available, especially following the success of the ID.4 in recent years.

17 Citroën Ami: A Small Electric Car With Little To Offer

Those driving the Citroen Ami only drive it because they love it for what it is. This little car isn’t fun to drive, but it is fun to use in a city. The simplicity of the Ami makes it attractive. The tiny Ami is more of a quadricycle with an electric motor. The electric driving range is only 47 miles, but that could be enough for those who never need to get on the highway.

Pros

• Simple, fun, cheap
• Better than cycling in the rain

Cons

• Slow and basic
• Only useful in the city

The tiny Citroën Ami costs about $6,000 and should arrive in the United States as part of a subscription service in the Free2Move car-sharing program. This little car isn’t meant to be driven far or for long, but it can be one of the best small electric cars for tiny city streets in Europe.