STATE OF THE ART
Pure battery power, gadgets galore and funky styling – these e-machines are the ultimate tools for the road
Electric cars have come a long way since T3 tested them two years ago, with more range, more power and more gadgets - find out which one deserves to be hooked up to your mains.
Al thraenge
Just a coupl e of years ago, we woul dn’t have blamed you for tu rning your nose up at an electric car. Range anxiety has pl agued th e adopti on of batt ery-powered aut omobil es, but thi ngs have moved on si nce th en, and you can now travel far on a si ngle charge.
Lithium-ion battery technology has, unsurprisingly, got better since T3 compared electric cars in mid-2015. Back then, a Renault Zoe was capable of a maximum of 149 miles, but just how much have things improved? The three EV models we’re putting to test in this issue, almost two years later, represent a broad spectrum of what’s available in 2017. First up is the Kia Soul EV. Launched in 2015, the Korean manufacturer’s take on the electric car theme is the only one here that’s based on an existing model in its lineup. With up to 132 miles of range, it’s the lowest here by some way, but it’s packed with gadgets, and those love-it-orhate-it looks might be enough to swing you.
Then there’s Hyundai’s Ioniq. Released at the tail end of 2016, it’s the newest and most hi-tech car here, and its three-in-one car personality enables you to choose your preferred method of fueling, whether it’s hybrid, hybrid plug-in, or pure electric. Naturally, we’ve gone for the electric version, which promises 174 miles of range, coupe-style looks and a wealth of safety features.
Finally, the Renault Zoe - Europe’s bestselling EV in 2016 – blows the old model, and indeed, the competition, out of the water, with an astonishing 250-mile range thanks to an upgraded battery. But there’s more to an EV than just range - let’s look at all aspects of these models and find out which one you’ll want to hook up to your mains power.