Best Electric Cars to Lease in the UK
By FergusGuide overview:
- The best electric cars combine real-world range, rapid charging speed and everyday practicality.
- For families, the Kia EV3, Skoda Enyaq and Renault Scenic lead the way, with the seven-seat Peugeot e-5008 for bigger households.
- City drivers are spoilt for choice: the stylish Renault 5, comfort-focused Citroen e-C3 and clever Hyundai Inster are all available for an affordable monthly rental.
- At the luxury end, the Porsche Macan Electric, BMW i5 and Audi Q6 e-tron pair long range with the lowest company car tax band.
Electric cars are no longer a unique corner of the industry that's kept at arm's length. They're here and now and becoming more popular every day.
Nearly one in four new cars registered in the UK in 2025 were fully electric, with over 473,000 electric cars hitting the road in 2025 alone (SMMT).
That popularity brings a new dilemma: choice. With more than 160 electric models on sale in the UK and more arriving seemingly every day, finding the right one is tough.
In this guide, we've picked the best electric cars to lease, whether that's a spacious family SUV, an affordable city car, or a luxury EV with all the features you could ask for.
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When researching for your next electric car, it's worth knowing what separates a great electric car from an average one:
- Real-world range - Every EV comes with an official WLTP figure, but achieving this on the road is highly unlikely. As a rule of thumb, expect around 80% of the official figure in everyday use.
- Charging speed - Charging speed is essential if you don't have access to home charging. You'll want to make a note of the car's 10 to 80% time, which is how you'll charge on longer journeys.
- Efficiency - Miles per kWh is the EV equivalent of MPG. The higher the number, the less each mile costs you.
- Practicality - Boot space, rear legroom, ISOFIX points, and visibility matter just as much in an EV as any other car. Some electric cars use their flat floors brilliantly, while others waste the space.
- Total monthly cost - The lease price is only part of the picture. Factor in charging, insurance, and as of April 2025, road tax (included in your lease contract), which electric cars now pay.
“Electric cars come in all different shapes and sizes, and there's no single best option. Different drivers have different needs, so ensure you get the correct range, charging capabilities, and efficiency for your day-to-day. ”
1. Kia EV3
The EV3 is a small SUV that makes bigger (and pricier) EVs look a bit silly. It's ideal for families who want serious range without splashing out the cash on a luxury electric grand tourer.
You get up to 375 miles of range, which could easily allow you to go a week without plugging into charge. When you do need a top up, it gets back to 80% in about 30 minutes. The 460-litre boot takes the weekly shop and the dog without complaint, and you're covered by Kia's seven-year warranty.
- Range - up to 375 miles
- 10-80% charge - around 30 minutes
2. Skoda Enyaq
If you just want a family car that happens to be electric, with no fuss surrounding it, the Enyaq is your car.
Let's start with the boot, because it's the biggest here: 585 litres means the pram, the shopping and the dog all go in, no Tetris required. You'll get up to 359 miles from the long-range battery, and if you're stopping at services, pre-conditioning gets you 10-80% in around 28 minutes.
- Range - up to 359 miles
- 10-80% charge - around 28 minutes
3. Renault Scenic E-Tech
Do a lot of motorway miles with the family? The Scenic was built for exactly that.
Up to 379 miles of official range means the holiday drive to Cornwall stops being a charging spreadsheet exercise. It's also packed full of handy features like ISOFIX points on both outer rear seats, wide-opening doors, and a 545-litre boot.
- Range - Up to 379 miles
- 10-80% charge - around 30 minutes
4. Peugeot e-5008
Need seven seats but don't fancy £70,000 worth of electric SUV? Have a look at the e-5008.
Go for the Long Range version and you'll get up to 415 miles officially — the longest range of any car in this guide. Most of the week you'll probably run it as a five-seater with a huge 916-litre boot, then pop the third row up when it's your turn for football drop-off. A heat pump comes as standard, so your range won't fall off a cliff in January either.
- Range - up to 415 miles
- 10-80% charge - around 30 minutes
1. Renault 5 E-Tech
The Renault 5 E-Tech is one of the most in-demand on the market. It looks great, has a nice interior, and is fantastic to drive.
You can have up to 255 miles of official range from the bigger battery, and around town it's a gem, with the 10.3-metre turning circle makes tight multi-storeys feel easy. The 326-litre boot is one of the biggest in the class and the bigger-battery version qualifies for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant
- Range - up to 255 miles
- 10-80% charge - around 30 minutes
2. Citroen e-C3
If your priorities are a low monthly cost and a comfortable life, the e-C3 will suit you down to the ground.
Comfort is Citroen's whole thing, and you feel it straight away. There's soft, armchair-like seats and a suspension that shrugs off potholes most cars bounce through. The 199-mile official range is plenty for city life and local trips, a 20-80% top-up takes about 26 minutes.
- Range - up to 199 miles
- 10-80% charge - 26 minutes
3. Hyundai Inster
Don't let the size fool you, step inside the Inster and you'll wonder where all the space came from.
The clever bit is the back row. Slide it back for legroom your passengers won't believe, or forward for a 351-litre boot when it's an IKEA day. You'll get around 229 miles officially from the Long Range battery, and Hyundai's five-year unlimited-mileage warranty means one less thing on your mind.
- Range - up to 229 miles
- 10-80% charge - around 30 minutes
1. Porsche Macan E
Wondering whether an electric Porsche still feels like a Porsche? Drive a Macan Electric and you'll have your answer inside a mile.
There's up to 398 miles of official range, and charging at up to 270kW, which takes the battery from 10-80% in as little as 21 minutes, quicker than almost anything else you'll share a motorway with. It corners the way a Porsche should, yet the 540-litre boot is bigger than a lot of its rivals.
- Range - up to 398 miles
- 10-80% charge - around 21 minutes
2. BMW i5 Saloon
If your working week involves serious motorway miles, the i5 might be the most relaxing way to do them.
You'll get up to 356 miles officially from the eDrive40, and the heat pump comes as standard, so cold-snap commutes won't dent your plans. Stop at a rapid charger and 205kW means 10-80% in half an hour. The cabin's a lovely place to spend a day and the 490-litre boot is more than enough.
- Range - up to 356 miles
- 10-80% charge - around 30 minutes
3. Audi Q6 e-tron Estate
Looking for a luxury electric SUV that gets everything right without making a fuss about it? The Q6 e-tron is exactly that car.
It's built on Audi's advanced 800-volt platform, which means seriously quick charging. You'll get 10-80% in around 21 minutes, so a proper top-up doesn't take too long out of your day. There's also up to 380 miles of range depending on the variant, and the cabin is beautifully built and packed with tech.
- Range - up to 380 miles
- 10-80% charge - 21 minutes
Choosing the car is the fun part, and if you've found one here that fits, you're most of the way there.
For everything else, our Electric and Hybrid guides cover the practical details, from charging costs to the benefits of going electric.
Ready to make the switch? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has been helping UK drivers lease with confidence since 2002, with more than 180,000 leases arranged. Browse today's electric deals or call us on 0345 811 9595.
Guide Information
Originally published: 13th December 2019
Last updated: 8th July 2026
Due to be reviewed: 4th February 2027
