New electric cars 2025 – top EVs to watch in the UK

Electric cars are becoming more and more popular in the UK with official figures from SMMT showing that 20 per cent of all new cars sold so far this year are fully electric – and that’s growing every month.

 

New car buyers are being turned on by the savings they can make by owning an electric car. Playing with Renault’s own Total Cost of Ownership Calculator reveals that an electric Renault 5 E-Tech Techno 120hp Urban Range can cost as little as 1.9 pence per mile versus 9.4 pence per mile for a still super-efficient petrol-powered hybrid Clio Techno E-Tech 145. It could be even less if you’re on a low-rate overnight energy tariff.⁵

 

Taking fuel or energy costs, finance, servicing and road tax (VED) into account over a four-year period, the Total Cost of Ownership Calculator shows a potential saving of around £1,308 by going for the Renault 5 E-Tech electric car compared to a Clio full hybrid E-Tech.*

 

Renault is a leader in the electric car revolution with a range of award-winning new electric cars from the current European Car of the Year, the Renault 5, to last year’s European Car of the Year, the Renault Scenic. There’s also the fabulous and fun Renault Megane, plus the already award-winning Renault 4.

 

As well as the real-world savings to be made by buying a Renault electric car in 2025, you’ll also enjoy one of the best driving experiences you can right now. Electric cars are quick, quiet, easy to live with and reliable, too.

 

We’re also seeing cars with longer ranges – the new Renault Scenic will go for up to 381 miles between charges. And today’s buyers are more aware than ever about how far they need their EV to go and what size battery they should be getting in their car. With the average car driver covering less than 20 miles a day according to the latest government data, many EV owners don’t need to charge their car more than once a week.

 

Charging is no longer the issue it once was – according to Charge UK public charging stations opening at a rate of one every 30 minutes. There are now well over 75,000 public charging points all over the UK at the roadside, on suburban streets, at supermarkets and shopping centres, at some of Britain’s favourite restaurants and in your local car park.

 

There are more and more fast chargers in the UK, too, which can give some Renault 5 a 15 to 80 per cent battery charge in around 30 minutes.⁸

 

EVs are becoming more affordable, too, with prices coming down all the time. The new Renault 5 evolution, for example, is available from just £22,995² with a range of finance offers making EVs even more affordable.

 

There are plenty of savings on running costs, too. On a low-rate home energy tariff such as Octopus Intelligent Go, you may be paying as little as seven pence per kWh of energy. On that tariff, if your electric car will go for four miles for every kWh of energy used**, it will cost you £1.75 for every 100 miles you drive in an electric car. In an equivalent petrol car that does on average 45mpg based on the average price for unleaded as at publication, that may cost you nearly £13.50.

 

There are savings on road fund licence or road tax, too. The standard rate of road tax for a new EV in 2025 is just £10, rising to £195 from year two.

No new car has had such a massive impact in the past few years as the new Renault 5 E-Tech electric. It’s been named European Car of the Year, What Car? Car of the Year and Top Gear Car of the Year, amongst others. 

 

What I love most about the new Renault 5 is its sense of fun – confirming what a joy it is to drive an electric car. Just looking at the new 5 makes you smile, while the quick acceleration, fun and secure handling, awesome Google-powered⁴ tech with voice control and the sheer value it offers make it one of my favourite electric cars of 2025. It’s no wonder the new Renault 5 has rapidly become a big favourite with UK car buyers. 

 

The value the new 5 offers is clear when you check out some of the incredible finance deals you can choose from, making one of the best cars you can buy more affordable than you might think.

The new Renault 4 E-Tech electric isn’t even in the UK just yet and it’s already a major award winner – Top Gear has named it the best electric car of 2025.

 

I’ve driven the new Renault 4 and loved how easy it was to drive, the fantastic tech with Google-powered⁴ infotainment and the practicality with a big boot and decent rear space.

I’m a big fan of the Megane E-Tech electric. It’s a nicely sized hatchback that oozes quality, has some of the best tech you can get and drives really nicely with a comfortable ride, but still with a sporting edge. 

 

Quality is impressive, too, and the equipment puts it ahead of rivals when it comes to value – you even get a heat pump as standard, which improves efficiency of the car in cold weather. Few rivals get that. 

 

The range is nice and simple now with one choice of battery and motor – an efficient 60kWh battery and motor that produces 220hp – with an impressive range of up to 285 miles.⁶

 

There’s a choice of three trim levels that all come nicely equipped, plus a wide range of colours. 

 

And there are some really tempting deals to make a Megane one of the most affordable cars in its class.

 

*Model shown is techno with wheels that are unavailable in the UK. 

If you need a family-friendly EV, then the Renault Scenic E-Tech electric would be my pick. It’s a cleverly thought-out car with plenty of smart features to make life easy and more enjoyable for all the family. 

 

Whether it’s the wide-opening rear doors that make loading the family in the back super-easy, the clever Ingenious Armrests that make it easy for the kids to watch their tablets or smartphones, or the huge and easy to access 545-litre boot, this is one really easy and enjoyable car to live with. 

 

It’ll also take care of the family with up to 30 advanced safety systems⁷ on board, plus zero exhaust pipe emissions and 89% recyclability³. 

 

The Scenic is really good to drive, too, erring on comfort as it should. And as with the rest of the Renault EV range, it features Google⁴ tech to seamlessly link your car to your phone and your home life. 

 

It does all the EV things brilliantly, too. The range is up to 381 miles¹.

 

As with the rest of the Renault range things are simple with three well equipped trim levels and just the one, long-range 87kWh battery. Plus, right now, there’s a range of low-rate finance packages to make the best family EV more affordable than ever.

*based on Renault 5 E-Tech Techno 120hp Urban Range vs Clio Techno full hybrid E-Tech 145 using the Total Cost of Ownership Calculator

 

**WLTP figures shown are for comparability purposes only. Actual real world driving results may vary depending on factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted after registration, weather conditions, driving styles and vehicle load.

 

¹up to 381 miles based on techno version. WLTP figures shown are for comparability purposes only. Actual real-world driving results may vary depending on factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted after registration, weather conditions, driving styles and vehicle load. 

 

²MRRP excluding metallic paint. 

 

³Vehicle Family Type homologated in accordance with European directive 2005/64/CE (type-approval of motor vehicles with regard to ensuring that at the end of a vehicle’s life, its component parts and materials can either be reused or recycled or recovered) and as certified by UTAC and certified 89.72% recyclable by CNRV.  

 

⁴Google, Google Play, Waze, Google Maps and other marks are trademarks of Google LLC. 

 

⁵The information provided in this calculator is for guidance only and should not be relied upon. There may be additional costs associated with owning a car which are not included in these figures, such as insurance, MOT and other maintenance costs. Imagery and information shown throughout this website may not reflect latest UK specifications, colours may vary, options and/or accessories may be featured at additional cost.

 

⁶up to 285 miles based on techno version. WLTP figures shown are for comparability purposes only. Actual real-world driving results may vary depending on factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted after registration, weather conditions, driving styles and vehicle load.

 

⁷Always follow road safety regulations. It is your responsibility to stay alert, drive safely and be in control of the vehicle at all times. Driver assistance features have speed and other limitations and should not be solely relied on. For more information, please refer to the owner’s manual or visit renault.co.uk/safety.

 

⁸Figures quoted are for a new Renault 5 techno with a standard 100kW charger. Indicated rapid charging time requires use of a 100kw DC charger, available only on public charger network - visit MyRenault for coverage details.

 

This article is advertorial content reviewed by Renault prior to publication.

 

Steve is a leading UK automotive journalist, EV editor at The Independent, editor of Auto Express, Autocar and What Car?, and a global car awards judge and broadcaster.

 

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