In truth, which electric car you should buy depends on your budget and what you’re looking for in a car. To make things easier, we’ve put together a list of the top picks for range, space and budget.

Which electric car should I buy for range?

Range is arguably the most sought-after feature for electric vehicles. With a higher range, you can go further on one charge, eliminating the need to search for charging points or stop along the way. While electric cars used to be limited to 100-200 miles, it’s not uncommon to see models with a range in excess of 300 miles today. Here are two of the best options…

Mercedes EQS

The Mercedes EQS has an impressive maximum range of 485 miles – more than double some other electric cars. The 450+ model has a 107.8kWh battery paired with a low coefficient of drag, meaning it slides through the air with minimal resistance. Inside, you’ll have plenty to keep you happy during your 400+ miles of driving, as this EV somehow balances luxury with minimalism.

Tesla Model S

Mercedes takes second place as well as the top spot for range, with the EQE achieving a maximum of 410 miles. However, that’s closely followed by the Tesla Model S at 405 miles for its 100kWh Long Range model. Topped off with a 0-60 time of 3.1 seconds, the Model S pips its Mercedes counterpart when it comes to performance – though it can’t quite match the luxury interiors.

BMW iX

With its top-of-the-range xDrive 50 model, the BMW iX offers a maximum mileage of 380 miles from a full charge of its 105kWh battery. But unlike the Tesla and Mercedes offerings, this electric car is an SUV. That means you get the higher roofline, driving position and even more storage at the back.

What about space?

Whether you’ve got a large family, an insatiable love of camping, or a mixture of the two, spacious electric cars are a good way to balance your room-requiring lifestyle with an eco-friendly drive. Which electric car should you buy for space? Here are some options with nine, seven and five seats…

Vauxhall Vivaro-e Life 

If you’re looking for space and happy to sacrifice style, the Vivaro-e Life is definitely the answer. One of very few electric minivans, the car can sit up to nine passengers with plenty of configuration options. The second row of seats can be faced backwards for a conference vibe, with the option to remove the seats further back to maximise on luggage space.

Tesla Model X

If you want to pair space with style, the Tesla Model X is the car for you. Available with seven seats, this SUV is a unique offering if you’re wondering which electric car you should buy for plenty of passengers. A sliding middle row of seats makes it easier than most cars to get into the back two spaces. That’s all topped off with ‘Falcon Wing’ rear doors that lift from hinges at the top so it’s a breeze to get in and out.

Audi Q4 e-tron

We’ve looked at a nine-seater and seven-seater. But what if you just want a five-seater with plenty of room? That’s where the Audi Q4 e-tron excels. A flat floor provides plenty of room for your feet, paired with plenty of headroom up top. That’s complemented by 520 litres of boot space with the seats up.

Which electric car should I buy on a budget?

It has to be said – whichever electric car you buy, it’s going to be more expensive than a similar model powered by petrol or diesel. If you want to keep costs down as you go greener, you’re in luck. Check out these three budget-friendly options, starting small and working up to a compact SUV…

VW e-Up

The Volkswagen e-Up is available from around £22,000 new, or as little as half that price for a used model. It’s a relatively affordable option that provides up to 130 miles from a full charge, with room for four people and five doors as standard. The result is a practical car for urban driving, commuting and even shorter road trips.

Nissan Leaf

Need a touch more space? The Nissan Leaf offers a good balance of budget, space and range. Pioneers in the EV game, Nissan has been able to tweak and improve its offering while other manufacturers were still getting to grips with technology. The Leaf provides room for five adults with a decent boot size, plus as much as 168 miles for its 40kWh model. Cost-wise, it comes in at about £27,000 brand new – and much less used.

MG ZS

You don’t have to go for a hatchback or supermini when you’re wondering which electric car you should buy on a budget. The MG ZS EV is available for just a tiny amount more than the Nissan Leaf at £27,500 – including the higher driving position and spacious interiors that come with an SUV. Even better, it provides up to 273 miles of range from a full charge, putting it head and shoulders above some of its budget counterparts.

Buying your chosen electric car

Which electric car should you buy? There are some great options for range, space, budget or a mixture of the three. Make sure you do your research and check reviews from people who’ve been behind the wheel, so you can get a better idea of its real-world performance.

Once you’ve decided, the next question is how to finance your purchase. Not many drivers have the money to purchase a car outright, never mind those with the extra up-front cost that electric brings.

Thankfully, My Car Credit can make things easier. Check your car finance eligibility online in a matter of minutes, then let us compare deals from a huge network of trusted lenders. You’ll get an affordable deal with manageable monthly payments to spread the cost of your electric car.