► The best electric cars on Motability
► Accessible hatchbacks, SUVs and estates
► CAR picks its favourite 2024 Motability EVs
If you find it difficult to get around due to a disability or illness, you might receive a benefit that you could use to lease a car through the Motability scheme. This programme allows Brits suffering from a disability to use the mobility allowance to lease a new car at a discounted rate, helping them to maintain their freedom and independence – and the cars available even include several of the best electric cars.
Those interested in zero-emissions motoring specifically will often find north of 30 different electric cars on offer through Motability, ranging from electric SUVs to hatchbacks, and different grades and specifications also tend to be available for each.
The best at a glance
Consequently, if you want an electric car on Motability, the sheer number of options can be a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, we’ve tested all of the electric cars on sale and having browsed the electric car options available through Motability, we’ve picked out our favourites and listed them below.
Best electric cars available on Motability 2024
There’s a lot of choice if you’re looking to get an electric car on Motability, with your choices ranging from small electric hatchbacks through to large luxury EVs. We’ve looked through the all-electric Motability options to bring you a shortlist of the best, covering as many bases as we can in the process to help speed up your search.
Skoda Enyaq
Pros: Range of up to 339 miles, spacious, comfortable, good to drive
Cons: Moot for some, but it’s not an exciting or attention-grabbing car
Best for: Those seeking a luxurious and spacious electric SUV
Want an electric family car that’s effortless to live with? Then Skoda’s Enyaq should be at the top of your list. The big Skoda offers up stacks of space, a vast boot, loads of appealing, practical touches, and it’s comfortable and relaxing to drive. All in all, it’s a better choice than rival offerings such as the Volkswagen ID.4 (read our full review) and an ideal family EV.
Importantly, even the base Enyaq 60 is claimed capable of covering up to 246 miles on a single charge, based on the more realistic WLTP test cycle. Get into an 80 variant, and that range rises to an impressive 339 miles, providing additional peace of mind when it comes to range- and charging-related matters.
Read our full Skoda Enyaq review.
View Skoda Enyaq lease deals VIEW OFFER
All-electric Fiat 500
Pros: Easy to drive, good range, appealing design and detailing
Cons: Not very practical, a little dated in places
Best for: City dwellers who appreciate the Fiat 500 lineage.
There’s a lot of choice in the small electric car marketplace, but Fiat’s charming electric 500 is one of our favourites. Sure, it’s not the most practical small car – the rear seats are tight, and the boot’s not that big – but it feels modern, and it’s gratifying to drive, comfortable, and neatly finished. It’s also inexpensive, often undercutting many competitors.
Fiat’s electric 500 need not be limited to just runabout duties, either; you can get it with a 24kWh battery, delivering a 118-mile range, or with a 42kWh battery that grants a potential 201-mile range.
Read our full Fiat 500 review.
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MG 4 EV
Pros: Great value for money, rewarding to drive, long range
Cons: Quality is a little low in places, not the most spacious option
Best for: Those seeking an affordable EV that still has an impressive spec sheet.
The MG 4 is a remarkable electric car. It competes with the likes of the Volkswagen ID.3 and Cupra Born (read our full review), but despite costing significantly less than either, it outperforms both in several areas. And even though it’s inexpensive compared to some, it doesn’t skimp on range; the standard 51kWh model can cover up to 218 miles on a single charge, while the Long Range model can travel 281 miles before requiring a charge. A new Extended Range model ups this to an impressive 323 miles.
And, if you’re worried about electric cars being utterly dull to drive, fear not – the MG 4 is a pleasingly enjoyable car, as well as being comfortable, refined and swift.
Read our full MG 4 EV review.
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Citroen e-Berlingo
Pros: Extremely practical and flexible, easy to drive
Cons: Range isn’t that great, more expensive than some cars
Best for: Families seeking a spacious and affordable vehicle that can handle a variety of tasks.
For many, a conventional hatchback, SUV or estate simply won’t be practical enough. Fortunately, there are all-electric van-based alternatives around, such as the Citroen e-Berlingo, that offer up vast and flexible interiors. The primary snag, however, is that the 50kWh battery offered in the e-Berlingo grants it a range of up to 177 miles; like others here, if you factor in real-world efficiencies and throw in some curve balls such as cold weather, that range could shrink significantly.
If you bear that in mind, though, and if short trips are more your thing, the e-Berlingo is a great choice. Aside from being tremendously practical, it’s also good to drive; the Flair XTR model even comes with lots of equipment, including dual-zone climate control.
Read our Citroen Berlingo long-term test.
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Hyundai Kona Electric
Pros: Easy to live with, range of up to 300 miles, lots of equipment
Cons: Styling is divisive, not that much space in the back
Best for: Those seeking a pragmatic electric SUV with a combo of space, tech, and value.
The Hyundai Kona Electric is a zero-emissions SUV that rivals the likes of the Vauxhall Mokka Electric, MG ZS EV (read our full review) and Peugeot e-2008. It’s a competitive sector of the market, but the Kona is easy to recommend as it’s good value for money, effortless to drive, and well-equipped. And, usefully, it packs a good driving range out of the box; the standard model with the 39kWh battery can travel up to 189 miles, but the 64kWh model – the one you’ll probably want – can drive for up to 300 miles on one charge.
Sure, some other all-electric SUVs are more interesting and quicker, but they’ll also set you back a lot more. If outright speed and thrills aren’t essential, you won’t go far wrong with the Kona.
Read our full Hyundai Kona Electric review.
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Vauxhall Corsa Electric
Pros: Looks and feels like a normal Corsa, decent range
Cons: Not that exciting, some longer-range alternatives
Best for: Those looking for a mature and practical electric vehicle
The distinctive looks of many an EV might not be to the tastes of everyone, nor may be the interior styling. If you’re looking to make your first steps into the land of zero-emissions motoring, but you want a car that looks and feels conventional, it’s worth having a look at the Vauxhall Corsa Electric. It’s smartly styled but not overtly shouty about its electric nature, and it looks much like a regular Corsa inside.
Vauxhall’s electric Corsa also serves up a good amount of interior space and pleasant on-road manners, along with lots of safety kit. Its range? Up to 222 miles.
Read our full Vauxhall Corsa Electric review.
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Renault Megane e-Tech
Pros: Stylish appearance, lots of space, good to drive
Cons: Boot is a bit awkward, only one battery size option
Best for: Those seeking French style with EV practicality
Renault’s Megane e-Tech might strike you, at a glance, as just another competitor in the crowded electric SUV marketplace. But, despite its looks, it doesn’t have SUV-like proportions; it’s instead about the size of many conventional hatchbacks. It’s a bit more interesting to drive than some of its competitors, too, and it’ll do 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds, so if you’re looking for a warm electric hatch, then it’s a sensible shout.
It’s claimed that the Megane e-Tech will also cover up to 280 miles on a single charge, so it should also be a good option if you need something with longer legs. As with the other cars here, though, your mileage between charges may vary significantly, so bear that in mind before taking the plunge.
Read our full Renault Megane E-Tech Electric review.
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MG 5 EV
Pros: Rides and handles well, comes with lots of kit, good range
Cons: Seats can be uncomfortable, not as practical as you might hope
Best for: Those looking for both value and space
The MG 5 EV is one of those rare things: an all-electric estate. Okay, it’s not outrageously spacious or practical compared to regular hatchbacks, but it has other strong points that make it worth considering. It’ll set you back a lot less than some other alternatives, for starters, and it’s capable of covering up to 250 miles on a single charge.
Sure, there are some aspects that might leave you wanting – the quality isn’t amazing, and it’s a bit dull – but it’s an inexpensive and capable electric car with a decent range. Need a bit more storage space? Take a look at, say, the Volkswagen ID.4 instead.
Read our full MG 5 EV review.
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Hyundai Ioniq 5
Pros: Distinctive styling, great interior, relaxing to drive
Cons: Large size, some rivals have a better range
Best for: Anyone who appreciates sci-fi looks but also cutting-edge tech
If you want a futuristic-looking car packed full of high-tech features and capabilities, you should go for an Ioniq 5. That is, at least if you can handle its size – while it looks like a regular hatchback, it’s long, wide and tall, so it could be a pain if you regularly drive in built-up areas or on busy streets. If its size isn’t a problem, though, there’s a lot to like.
On the range front, the entry-level 58kWh model will potentially travel 238 miles between charges. If you regularly undertake longer trips, though, aim for the 77kWh model: it’s reputed to cover up to 315 miles before it needs a recharge.
Read our full Hyundai Ioniq 5 review.
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Citroen e-Spacetourer Electric
Pros: Lots of space, nine seats, comparatively affordable
Cons: Range of 136 miles could be limiting
Best for: Anyone who needs to carry around lots of people or cargo
If you need to lug about lots of stuff, or you find yourself needing to shuttle lots of passengers around, you’ll probably want to consider a van-based option – such as this Citroen e-Spacetourer Electric. You can get it up with up to nine seats and, thanks to features such as flexible seating and its sheer size, it’s a massively practical choice.
The stumbling block for some will be its range, which is up to 136 miles. One possible consolation is that it does support fast charging, and its battery can be charged to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes. If you’re only doing shorter trips, though, its range should prove more than adequate.
View Citroen e-Spacetourer Electric lease deals VIEW OFFER
What about wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs)?
If you’re looking to get a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) through Motability, and you want an electric option, you do have some choices. All-electric vehicles converted for wheelchair accessibility on offer through Motability include the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric and the Mercedes-Benz EQV, both of which are highly regarded options in the electric vehicle market.
Also, if you’re looking at electric cars on Motability and aren’t sure what would be good for you, check out the Motability website’s online guides. You enter in a few basic details, such as how many passengers you regularly carry and how much luggage you need, and it will narrow down the options so you can easily find out which type of vehicle would suit you best.
If you need any more assistance, the website also offers guidance on how to qualify for Motability, as well as information on topics such as getting required adaptations made to the car you are considering.
Which Motability electric car has the longest range?
On this list, the longest range belongs to the Skoda Enyaq iV which is capable of an impressive 339 miles between charges. Other cars do come very close to that, though, and it’s worth remembering that most journeys in the UK are less than five miles. You may be able to cope with significantly less range than you think.
However, there’s no denying that a long range car makes life a lot easier if you have to do regular longer journeys. Less requirement to regularly plug in saves time, and public charging stations can often be quite awkward to use for those with reduced mobility.
Can I get a Tesla on Motability?
Tesla does not currently participate in the Motability scheme and so its popular (and big-selling) electric cars are not available.
If Tesla continues growing in popularity in the UK it’s possible the brand might join up – vehicles such as the well-priced and long-range Tesla Model 3 would doubtless be very popular on the scheme, especially with access to Tesla’s extensive network of Supercharger stations.
Are there any electric cars on Motability with no deposit?
Yes – plenty. At the time of writing there were 13 electric cars listed on the ‘Find a Vehicle’ section of Motability’s website. Some, like the awkward ORA Funky Cat or short-range Mazda MX-30, are more difficult to recommend, but there are also options such as the fantastic MG 4, the surprisingly spacious BYD Atto 3 or the excellent Hyundai Kona electric.
Richard Kilpatrick is our used cars editor and has been writing about technology, photography and cars for longer than he cares to admit. He’s also driven every electric car on this list.