The era of big cars seems to be over, because the small, economical city cars are rolling out of the factories by the thousands and are eagerly bought by car dealers. In the field of electric cars, the picture is no different, the smaller, economical electric cars are particularly popular. Which small electric car is suitable for your situation and what should you pay attention to when comparing compact electric cars?
City cars are particularly popular
When purchasing a new electric car, the main focus these days is on the car's consumption and the engine's power. No matter how you look at it, these factors are best for smaller cars. This is mainly due to the lower weight of the car itself, which allows the power of the electric motor to be used much more optimally. Also, the costs for a smaller car are in most cases (considerably) lower than the costs for a large electric car. This development is not new.
It's a movement that's been on the way out for years, since the rise of the SUV put a serious damper on the popularity of the hatchback and larger cars. In fact, many major automakers have stopped producing entire lines to focus more on the compact cars, which were in high demand.
Compact electric cars are often called city cars, which may seem like a derogatory name. However, it is not, the name refers to the compact size of the cars, which makes the models particularly suitable for the city. This can include, for example, the smaller turning circle, lower consumption and easier parking.
These small electric cars are particularly suitable
'Small' is of course a relative term. For example, a small electric family car does not immediately fall under the smallest electric cars, but can be a very compact family car with a plug. When compiling the list of electric cars, the main focus was on size compared to similar models. These are interesting small electric cars that are available at the time of writing (mid-2024):
- The electric Opel Corsa (in various versions)
- Mitsubishi I-miev Mini (electric version, multiple variants)
- Fiat 500 (again multiple versions)
- Citroën C-Zero
- Peugeot 208
- Renault Twingo
- Renault Zoe
- Various electric versions of the Smart (ForTwo and ForFour)
What should you pay attention to when purchasing a small electric car?
If you are looking for a small electric car, it seems attractive to look mainly at the size of the car and the consumption, since this is the biggest advantage of these models. However, it is good to look at a few more factors, including the maximum charging speed at the charging station at home and the fast chargers along the road. A maximum charging speed that is too low ensures that the battery takes a long time to fully charge, which is not ideal.
The maximum charging capacity of the charging station is also important. Also keep in mind that this has a negative effect on the ideal charging curve, which can cause even more delay during charging. It is also good to look at the features and functions that are incorporated in the car, such as the ADAS systems. Especially with intensive use in the city, cameras, parking assistance and some extra sensors can make a big difference.
Also look at factors such as the connection to the car for the charging cable. Most small electric cars come from Asia and that can mean that they have a type 1 connection on the car. Although this is not a big problem, it is good to know that the type 2 connection is the standard in Europe and that this can mean that you need an adapter or a new charging cable.
Will there be more small electric cars?
Yes, car manufacturers worldwide are betting on compact cars and electric driving, which means that there will soon be a significant increase in small electric cars. This does not only concern Asian car manufacturers, but also European brands that are betting on compact electric cars.
