Best selling electric cars 2022
So far, 2022 has been a challenging year for the automotive industry, largely due to the pandemic and global semiconductor shortage. According to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, UK car production dropped by 32.4% during Q1 2022. That said, demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles continued to rise as many drivers decided to make the switch from a petrol or diesel vehicle.
As more electric cars get added to the market and technology improves, it’s easy to see why electric cars are becoming so appealing. But, with a great selection of EVs to choose from, you may wonder which one is ideal for you? Well, here’s a breakdown of some of the best selling electric cars for 2022 and key highlights on each option. We hope this helps you to make your decision.
1.Tesla Model 3
Once again, the Tesla Model 3 remains one of the best selling electric cars, providing the ultimate fully electric driving experience at a sensible cost. When this Tesla was first released in 2016, it was an immediate success as almost 500,000 reservations were made within the first few months. As Tesla’s cheapest model to date, the Tesla Model 3 RWD is priced from £42,990. In Q1 this year, 32,767 units of the Model 3 were sold in Europe.
In terms of range, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range offers the best figures with an impressive 360-mile range. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for optimum performance, the Tesla Model 3 Performance version can achieve 0-60mph in just 3.3sec! This has four-wheel drive and features two electric motors making it super-fast. As for charging it’s claimed the Tesla Model 3 can recharge up to 172 miles in just 15 minutes using a Supercharger.
Like all Tesla car models, the Model 3 has a luxury feel to it thanks to high quality materials used throughout. In terms of the design, the prestigious interior features a 15-inch touchscreen which can be used to access all driver controls. As for luggage space, the 425-litre capacity includes a ‘frunk’ located under the car’s bonnet.
2.Kia e-Niro
The Kia e-Niro is proving to be strong competition for its rivals, having received various awards worldwide. This practical family car combines phenomenal range, practicality and excellent styling.The Kia e-Niro has quickly become one of the best-selling zero-emission cars on the market.
In 2019, Kia introduced the Kia e-Niro in the UK as an electric variant of the Kia Niro. We think the e-Niro stands out for its highly competitive pricing and its ability to provide up to 282 miles on a single charge. Meanwhile, charging the e-Niro, is also quick and easy. It can be charged overnight using a 7kW home charger, while a motorway rapid charger will provide a healthy boost in the time it takes to buy a coffee and use the facilities.
As for performance, the Kia e-Niro can accelerate from 0-62pmh in 7.8 seconds and has a max speed of 104mph. Undeniably, this isn’t the fastest of cars, although for an electric SUV these figures are very reasonable. Also, there are two battery sizes available: a 39kWh battery (134 bhp) or a 64kWh battery (201 bhp).
As for the standard warranty, the Kia e-Niro is covered by Kia's 7 year or 100,000 mile warranty, whichever occurs first. This cover also applies to the battery pack and motor(s) for peace of mind. This is great to have as many new cars by other manufacturers are only covered by a three-year warranty.
3.Tesla Model Y
Another best selling electric car UK is the incredible Tesla Model Y. First deliveries in the UK for this Tesla car only began in February 2022, however orders could be placed before this. Tesla ended Q1 this year having sold 7,678 units of the Tesla Model Y in Europe.
The new Tesla Model Y has an elegant design and dual motor AWD. In terms of size, this Tesla is bigger than the Tesla Model 3 and has up to seven-seats thanks to the optional third row. Plus, it has an enormous storage capacity of over 2,100 litres. In five seat form, the boot space is a whopping 854 litres which is much bigger than key rival – the Volkswagen ID.4.
The Model Y is available in two versions – the Model Y Long Range and Model Y Performance. In terms of range, it’s claimed the Tesla Model Y Long Range can achieve up to 315 miles (WLTP). This figure is very impressive, although it doesn’t quite match the maximum 360-mile range of a Tesla Model X.
If you’re looking for an upmarket electric car with a sophisticated design, then the Tesla Model Y could be a great contender. The Model Y offers excellent range, storage capacity and design, all for a reasonable price. In fact, The Tesla Model Y price starts from £54,990 – considerably less than the Jaguar I-Pace.
4. Hyundai Ioniq 5
Almost exactly a year before the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai launched the new Hyundai Ioniq 5. This Hyundai is a solely electric model in SUV form, and during Q1 this year, 9,219 units were sold in Europe. So, as another best selling electric car UK, let’s see what makes this a truly fantastic electric car.
Firstly, in terms of range, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has a maximum range up to 298 miles, depending on the battery size. Meanwhile, its performance is also impressive with a 0-62mph time of just 5.2 seconds (AWD model). Although this doesn’t quite match the range or performance of the Kia EV6, budget conscious customers are likely to be influenced by the Hyundai’s lower price tag. In fact, the price for the entry-level Hyundai Ioniq 5 starts from £36,995 (RRP), which is around £4,000 cheaper than the entry-level EV6.
As for design, the Ioniq 5 has a minimalistic structure, although it remains stylish and modern. The distinctive LED lighting on this Hyundai look very sleek, along with the exclusive 20" alloy wheels. Furthermore, depending on the battery size, the Ioniq 5 is able to tow up to 1600kg, which is the same as the Kia EV6.
5. Kia EV6
Named European Car of the Year 2022, the Kia EV6 was introduced as Kia’s first dedicated electric vehicle. Although first deliveries in the UK for this Kia car only began in October 2021, it hit the ground running. Kia ended Q1 this year having sold 7,678 units of the Kia EV6 in Europe.
The Kia EV6 has two battery options, however in the UK all the EV6 models have the bigger 77.4kWh battery as standard. In terms of range, the entry-level Kia EV6 with RWD can travel up to 328 miles on one charge (WLTP). As for charging, the Kia EV6 can recharge from 10-80% in under 18 minutes using Ultra-fast Charging (800V).
Furthermore, we think the Kia EV6 has a unique and inspiring design. The front of this electric car has wide headlights and a small grille. To the rear, there’s a full-length taillight bar. Meanwhile, inside the Kia EV6, there’s a smart cockpit design with an ultra-modern looking infotainment system. In particular, we like the Kia EV6's augmented reality head up display which is available on GT-Line S models and above.
As well, the Kia EV6 UK provides an excellent level of safety and driver assistance features as standard. This includes hill start assist control, highway driving assist, ABS and driver attention warning, just to mention a few. During recent testing by Euro NCAP, the Kia EV6 received a full five-star safety rating.
6. Ford Mustang Mach-E
Last but not least, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is one of the UK’s best selling electric cars for 2022. As a rival to the Tesla Model 3, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s first all-electric SUV. The Mustang Mach-E has impressive range capability, as well as easy and cost-effective charging options. In particular, the RWD Extended Range model has an estimated range of 379 miles on one full charge (WLTP). This makes it one of the longest-range electric cars available in the UK.
As for the design, some car enthusiasts have been quick to point out that the Mach-E lacks the original look of a Ford Mustang, in their opinion. Although, innovative and sleek comes to mind when considering the design of this SUV. With versatile storage in both the front and rear of this car, we think it largely appeals to families.
Furthermore, the Ford Mustang Mach-E has three different Selectable Drive Modes – Active, Whisper and Untamed. Choose the Drive Mode to match your mood and ensure you have an excellent driving experience. We expect this Ford electric car is largely popular due to its stylish design, reasonable price and array of driving technologies.
So, there you have it – a selection of the best selling electric cars 2022. But as time goes on, will the trend continue for the rest of this year, or will we see a different collection of electric cars taking the lead? If you would like to find out more about electric car leasing, or our current electric stock cars, then get in touch today. Whether you’re looking for a small electric city car or a large family SUV, GB Vehicle Leasing here to help. Also, check out our guide to electric car maintenance. By following these tips, you'd be able to keep your electric car running like new for years to come.
