Electric vehicles have become a reality, and their offerings are becoming increasingly diverse. Recently, they have reached a certain level of autonomy, performance, and price that makes them the perfect choice for more and more drivers.
Large cities are the natural habitat for electric vehicles. On city roads, they are the ultimate weapon, showcasing significant superiority due to their absolute quietness, comfort, seamless driving agility without gear changes, and absence of emissions. However, let’s delve further into the current situation of electric vehicles.
The Reality of Electric Vehicles
In this comparison of electric cars, we will review several models available in the market, highlight the main advantages and disadvantages of each model, and focus on potential buying decisions. But first, let’s consider some things.
In the current technological moment, the real autonomy of electric vehicles exceeds 300 kilometers, but official figures close to 500 or even 600 kilometers should not deceive us; achieving these figures in all cases is challenging.
Since finding a charging point is not easy, and it takes a long time to fully charge the battery, in practice, it means it’s difficult to cover a long distance in any electric car. Under these premises, electric cars are the best friends of urban drivers but remain challenging for long-distance trips.
On highways, at high speeds, the battery depletes rapidly. If faced with a steep slope, the calculation must be more conservative. In contrast, in cities, they seem to last forever because the kilometers are slow, and the start-stop effect barely affects them.
The strength of electric vehicles lies in urban transport. So much so that once you try one in the city, you realize that all cars should be electric to navigate through the streets. Electric vehicles have no clutches or gears but feature an electric motor that rotates with the wheels and stops with them, and all the energy transforms into instant, silent motion.
Urban Electric Vehicles
As mentioned, urban areas are the primary choice for electric vehicles, and they feel particularly comfortable in city traffic. Compared to gasoline/diesel vehicles, they have no mechanical noise, vibrations, oily fumes, and the consumption level is minimal. Undoubtedly, electric vehicles are the most logical choice in urban environments.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the latest models on the market.
SEAT Mii Electric
The SEAT Mii Electric is the most affordable from the Spanish brand. It boasts optimal qualities for the city, including a range of 260 kilometers. It stands out for having a lower average consumption than its rivals, such as the Citroën AMI.
Smart EQ ForTwo Electric
The electric variant of the Smart ForTwo makes it the ultimate weapon in urban territory. Its small size and 160 kilometers of range make it an urban alternative to motorcycles. Additionally, it stands out for a quality interior and attractive design.
Renault Twingo Electric
The Renault Twingo Electric stands out with its 83 HP motor and a small yet sufficiently large battery for most urban users. It is agile, and its rear-wheel drive poses no problem in urban use, making it an excellent choice.
Fiat 500e Hatch Electric
The 500e Hatch excels in performance with a larger capacity battery than its direct competitors, providing a range of over 300 km. It also features better equipment and finish than combustion models in the Fiat 500 lineup.
MINI Cooper SE
The MINI Cooper SE is the 100% electric variant of the MINI. It offers a range of 270 km, positioning it at the lower end of electric vehicles in this size category. Its strength lies in design, exclusivity, and excellent performance, making it the best premium subcompact.
