The ten best-selling electric cars of 2021
- Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3 (2019 onwards)
The Tesla Model 3 has set new sales records from EVs in the UK ever since it was launched, and 2021 was no different. Not only was it the most popular new electric car, with nearly 35,000 annual sales, but it ended the year second on the best-selling list of all new cars.
The Model 3 has received plenty of positive reviews, and currently holds an Expert Rating of 84% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index.
Tesla Model 3 (2019 onwards)
- Kia e- Niro
Despite being some way behind Tesla in sales figures, Kia sold more than 12,000 e - Niro SUVs in 2021, the highest sales of any EV available with the government’s plug-in car grant. However, we are set to see this generation of the e - Niro replaced soon, the new model expected in mid-2022.
Despite being one of the older EVs in the top ten, the e- Niro continues to be held in high regard, with an Expert Rating of 84% as of January 2022.
- Volkswagen ID.3
Completing the podium is the Volkswagen ID.3, an EV that is widely regarded as one of the leading examples of the new wave of electric cars arriving at our roads, picking up an impressive ten industry awards during 2021.
Praised for its performance and decent battery range, as well as overall comfort and ease of use, the Volkswagen ID.3 currently holds an Expert Rating of 76% – an identical score to the more traditional Volkswagen Golf.
- Nissan Leaf
Nissan Leaf (2018) The Car Expert
One of the most popular electric cars around the world, the Nissan Leaf has been establishing itself as a capable and cheaper alternative to the chart-topping Tesla Model 3, with more than 9,000 models sold during 2021.
The second-generation Leaf has had generally positive reviews, commended for its generous equipment levels and smooth ride. It currently holds an Expert Rating of 71% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index.
- Audi e-Tron
Audi’s first-ever all-electric production model, the e-Tron is a refined and practical premium SUV that is proving to be popular in the UK with British sales of nearly 7,400 in 2021.
The Audi e-Tron currently holds an Expert Rating of 71% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, with praise for its comfort levels. Other vehicles can go further between charges, however.
- Hyundai Kona Electric
The compact Hyundai Kona Electric SUV was facelifted in 2021 and continues to be a competitive value-for-money package for those looking for their first family-sized EV.
The Nissan Kona has been praised for its impressive battery range and practicality. It currently holds an Expert Rating of 79%, which is slightly behind the closely-related Kia e - Niro.
- Mini Electric
With just over 6,600 registrations in 2021, the all-electric version of the Mini hatchback has been praised for its upmarket interior but criticized for its underwhelming battery range.
Currently, holding an Expert Rating of 63% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index, the recently facelifted Mini Electric has one full year of production left, with a new generation expected to arrive in 2023.
- Renault Zoe
Offering an affordable entry to EV ownership, the Renault Zoe spent most of 2021 in the media’s good graces – until it was given an abysmal zero-star crash test rating from Euro NCAP in December.
In light of Zoe’s low safety score, Renault’s urban EV is now impossible to recommend. It currently holds an Expert Rating of 62%, which has fallen considerably since the crash test results were published.
- Vauxhall Corsa-e
The Vauxhall Corsa ended 2021 on top of the annual sales charts, with more than 40,000 registrations. However, the electric Corsa - e only made up around 5,600 of those sales, so Vauxhall will be hoping that it can attract more interest in its EV models in 2022.
The Vauxhall Corsa - e has received a mixed bag of reviews since its 2019 arrival, and currently holds an Expert Rating of 64% on our industry-leading Expert Rating Index.
- MG ZS EV
Rounding off what has been another year of strong growth for MG, the affordable ZS EV takes the final place in the top ten EV best-sellers list.
Recently facelifted, the MG ZS EV currently holds an Expert Rating of 60%, which is the lowest score of any of the vehicles in the top ten.
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