New electric cars coming in 2024
New EVs are arriving thick and fast – here's your guide to what's coming this year
2024 continues to be a big year for the UK’s electric car market, as all major car makers are being forced to sell a significantly greater ratio of EVs under the new zero emission vehicle mandate.
In simple terms, slightly more than one in every five cars that a firm sells in the UK during 2024 has to emit no carbon; and without a hydrogen fuelling infrastructure to speak of, those cars are bound to be battery-electric.
It's a good thing, then, that most brands are massively expanding their EV offerings.
New entrants range from properly affordable options like the Citroën ë-C3 and Dacia Spring to multi-million pound works of art like the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. There’s something arriving to suit everyone.
Read on for our guide to the all-new electric cars going on sale in 2024 – or, if you’re curious to see what petrol and hybrid cars are also on the way, check our full list of the new cars worth waiting for.
*Abarth 600e*
The fun-focused version of Fiat’s cute new electric crossover is expected to receive a similar set of chassis tweaks as the smaller Abarth 500e, riding lower and stiffer to improve handling. It may also gain a slight power uplift compared with the base car’s 154bhp, plus an Abarth-typical lurid paintjob and more aggressive styling.
*Everything we know about the Abarth 600e*
*Alfa Romeo Junior*
Alfa’s first mainstream EV is a sporting sibling of the Jeep Avenger, taking Alfa Romeo back into the B-segment for the first time since the Mito was retired. It has 154bhp in base guise, while the top-rung Veloce makes 237bhp – and has a range of 215 miles.
*Everything we know about the Alfa Romeo Junior*
*Aiways U5*
The Aiways U5 is a competent, if uninspiring, family SUV from China that has been on sale in mainland Europe since 2020. It’s set to go on sale in the UK later this year, priced to rival the Skoda Enyaq.
*Read our Aiways U5 review*
*Alpine A290*
Alpine’s push into the mainstream market will begin with the A290, an electric hot hatch based on the forthcoming new Renault 5. It has been designed to prioritise agility, with torque vectoring to simulate a traditional limited-slip differential on the front-mounted motor and a series of chassis upgrades including hydraulic bump-stops to improve the ride without compromising handling, plus the four-piston brakes from the A110.
*Everything we know about the Alpine A290*
*Alpine GT X-Over*
Alongside the A290 will be an entry into the critical C-SUV class, based on the CMF-EV platform of the Renault Mégane E-Tech. It's expected to be a similar proposition to the Lotus Eletre and Polestar 3: a luxurious model with sufficient space for a family yet also a sporting character.
*Everything we know about the Alpine GT X-Over*
*Audi A6 E-tron*
The arrival of the electric A6 will bring with it a major shake-up in how Audi badges its cars: ICE models will receive odd-numbered designations, while EVs will use even numbers. The new A6 will be based on the PPE architecture (also used by the new Q6), delivering ranges north of 400 miles and the potential for power outputs above 500bhp.
*Everything we know about the Audi A6 E-tron*
*BYD Seal U*
Chinese giant BYD will expand its European line-up later this year with its foil to the Tesla Model Y, dubbed the Seal U. It's based on the same e-Platform 3.0 as the impressive Seal saloon, with battery capacities of 71kWh and 87kWh, plus the ability to recharge at rates up to 150kW. In keeping with BYD’s UK pricing strategy, it's expected to undercut the Model Y, which currently starts at £44,990.
*Everything we know about the BYD Seal U*
*Citroën ë-C3*
The electric version of the new C3 is one of the most important cars arriving next year, because it will be priced between £22,000 and £23,000, making it the one of the UK’s cheapest EVs by a significant margin. That nets a 44kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery pack that delivers an official range of 199 miles, with the ability to charge at rates of up to 100kW.
*Everything we know about the Citroën ë-C3 *
*Cupra Tavascan*
The sporting sibling of the Volkswagen ID 5 will be available with a dual-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrain outputting 335bhp and 501lb ft of torque. It packs an 82kWh battery – the same unit as in the ID 5 – good for 341 miles of range in 282bhp, single-motor models.
*Everything we know about the Cupra Tavascan*
*Dacia Spring*
The Spring is already a big seller in Europe but will have one of its biggest shortcomings – interior material quality – addressed before landing in the UK. In doing so, Dacia will take the fight to Citroën, potentially beating the starting price of the ë-C3 by several thousand pounds while offering similar on-paper specifications.
*Read our Dacia Spring review*
*Fiat Panda*
“Less is more” is the guiding philosophy behind the next-generation Panda, according to Fiat boss Olivier François. It will be a small, value-focused crossover similar to fellow Stellantis brand Citroën’s ë-C3, taking heavy inspiration from 2019’s Centoventi concept.
*Everything we know about the next Fiat Panda*
*Fiat Topolino*
Few cars are as bold a statement of a brand’s identity as the Topolino. It’s the Citroën Ami redesigned in line with Fiat’s ‘dolce vita’ mindset, gaining retro styling and one colour option: mint green. You can even have one with nightclub-style ropes instead of doors.
*Everything we know about the Fiat Topolino*
*Ford E-Transit Custom*
Perhaps the most consequential of all the year’s arrivals, given that it’s an electric version of the UK’s best-selling commercial vehicle. Twinned with the next-generation Volkswagen Transporter, the new E-Transit Custom van will be available with a choice of 134bhp and 215bhp rear-mounted motors, both making 306lb ft of torque. Its payload capacity tops out at just above a tonne.
*Everything we know about the Ford E-Transit Custom*
*Jeep Recon*
This electric alternative to the Jeep Wrangler will arrive with 600bhp and a 0-62mph time of 3.5sec. The doors can be removed, too, although we’re not sure how useful that will be in wind-swept Blighty.
*Everything we know about the Jeep Recon*
*Kia EV3*
Kia’s push to offer more affordable electric cars begins with the EV3, due to arrive with a price below £30,000. It's underpinned by the Hyundai Motor Group's E-GMP platform and will offer multiple powertrains, with outputs likely to range from 215bhp to 302bhp.
*Everything we know about the Kia EV3*
*Lotus Emeya*
Lotus’s first saloon since the infamous Carlton is effectively a slimmer version of the Eletre, offering the same 905bhp and 726lb ft powertrain as the SUV. It's said to offer a “broadly similar” range to the Eletre, which provides 304 miles between charges in its rapid R guise. Prices, too, are expected to mirror those of its Chinese-made sibling.
*Everything we know about the Lotus Emeya*
*Maserati Granturismo Folgore*
A trio of 402bhp motors provides this grand tourer with a combined 751bhp and 996lb ft – limited only by the battery’s inability to handle such power flow yet. The 0-62mph sprint is dispatched in just 2.7sec and top speed is 199mph.
*Read our Maserati Granturismo Folgore review*
*Maserati Grecale Folgore*
As one of six electric cars being launched by Maserati by 2025, the Grecale will prove instrumental in steering the future of the storied Italian brand. The SUV will pack more than 500bhp and deliver 0-62mph in 4.5sec.
*Everything we know about the Maserati Grecale Folgore*
*Maserati MC20 Folgore*
The flagbearer for Maserati’s electric sports cars is anticipated to share its powertrain with the Granturismo, but in a lighter, more compact body, with a greater focus on outright performance.
*Everything we know about the Maserati MC20 Folgore*
*Mini Aceman*
The new Aceman is a crossover sandwiched between the Cooper and the Countryman, based on a stretched version of the former's new Chinese-developed Spotlight platform. It will be offered with 181bhp and 215bhp electric motors, and a hot John Cooper Works version is set to arrive around 2026.
*Everything we know about the Mini Aceman*
*Polestar 3*
The Polestar 3 is effectively a Volvo EX90 wearing a tracksuit and trainers, promising a more sporting dynamic character. Time behind the wheel of a prototype suggests it’s genuinely good fun to drive, and that the interior lives up to its price tag – which also happens to undercut the equivalent BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
*Read our Polestar 3 prototype review*
*Polestar 4*
Polestar’s most environmentally friendly car yet is also its strangest, forgoing a conventional rear window in favour of a roof-mounted camera. This allowed Polestar to reposition the 4’s header rail, giving a more rakish roofline – and therefore a longer range.
*Everything we know about the Polestar 4*
*Range Rover Electric*
This has been a long time coming. The Range Rover will finally gain an electric powertrain in 2024, and JLR bosses promise it to be the most refined Range Rover to date, all while offering performance comparable with today’s V8 flagship. Even its off-road credentials look to remain intact, with the ability to wade through 850mm-deep water.
*Everything we know about the Range Rover Electric*
*Renault 4*
The revived Renault 4 will share much of its mechanical make-up with the smaller Renault 5 but package it in a larger and trendier crossover body.
*Everything we know about the Renault 4*
*Renault 5*
Fun comes first in the new 5 – according to Renault boss Luca de Meo, at least. Its Ampr Small platform (formerly named CMF-B-EV) features a multi-link rear axle that’s said to provide much greater agility than the torsion beam used by the outgoing Renault Zoe. Weight has also been shed where possible, with a new battery layout and motor design credited with significant savings.
*Everything we know about the Renault 5*
*Silence*
Spanish motorcycle company Silence has brought its Silence S04 quadricycle to the UK.
The firm was established in 2014 by former Dakar motorbike racer Carlos Sotelo and claims to be the biggest specialist EV maker in Europe. It makes around 40,000 bikes per year in Barcelona.
The S04 uses two hub motors, one in each rear wheel. They produce 19bhp in extended running and can briefly peak at 30bhp, making the S04 good for a top speed of 52mph.
There are two batteries, both of which can be taken out and charged via mains power. Range is officially 92 miles but in our testing it is more like 60.
*Read our Silence S04 review*
*Smart #3*
The #3 is a better car to drive than the #1 and good value too, but it still doesn’t quite meet the class standard, due to its poor infotainment and driver-assistance systems.
*Read our Smart #3 review*
*Volvo EX90*
Volvo’s electric flagship was delayed due to software issues but is on track to launch later this year. Priced from £96,255, it offers a veritable feast of technology, with lidar sensors, interior lighting that mimics sunlight and bi-directional charging, plus much more besides.
*Everything we know about the Volvo EX90*
*Xpeng G6*
Chinese EV maker Xpeng’s UK launch will begin with the G6, a rival to the Tesla Model Y. There are two battery sizes in the SUV, 66kWh and 87.5kWh, giving ranges of between 360 and 469 miles, according to China's CLTC test cycle.
*Read our Xpeng G6 review*
