There are many reasons why electric SUVs have seen a surge of popularity over recent years. With the protection of the environment becoming a bigger concern, and the growing availability of electric vehicles, more and more people are choosing to invest. In February, it was also announced that the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars would be brought forward to 2035. This will no doubt have a knock-on effect, and the sales of fully electric SUVs will soar.
Once, we associated electric cars predominantly with small, sporty vehicles. Tesla’s 2008 release, the Roadster, was one of the first examples of this. This design utilised lithium battery cells and was able to travel up to 200 miles after one full charge. This marked the beginning of the age of electric vehicles, which has now developed into the age of the electric SUV.
The very first pure electric SUV was also a Tesla creation. In 2016 the pioneering company created the Tesla Model X, which has led the way for many other electric SUVs since. There have been many contenders to the ‘best SUV’ throne since Tesla’s Model X. In 2019, the Mitsubishi Outlander proved to be the most popular SUV, with a fleet size of 41,265. This vehicle proved more popular than even the Nissan Leaf, proving that there is a huge demand for larger, family–friendly electric vehicles.
Electric SUVs seem to be the way forward. Here in the UK, we’ve long favoured larger vehicles in comparison to our European neighbours, but with new emissions legislations being introduced, we need to scale back our fuel consumption and turn towards the eco-friendly option.
So, it’s been decided: the electric SUV is the car of the future. That still leaves you with the all-important question however — which SUV is right for you? Here is our round–up of the best SUVs on the market today.
Audi E-Tron — the deluxe SUV
On the other end of the price scale, we have the luxurious Audi E-Tron. This vehicle is packed full of all the latest gadgets and features — truly a dream come true for any SUV connoisseur. The interior of this car lives up to Audi’s high standards, and the in-built touchscreen infotainment system is second to none.
To top it all off, the Audi E-Tron only takes an impressive ten minutes to fully charge and can handle light off-road terrain as well as 204 miles of pure electric capacity.
BMW X5 xDrive45e — the hybrid SUV
If you’re not yet fully sold on the idea of the pure electric SUV, but still want to reduce your carbon footprint, a hybrid is the perfect option for you, and the BMW X5 xDrive45e is the perfect hybrid! This impressive vehicle contains two extra cylinders and an increased battery capacity (now 24kWh, up from just 9.2kWh), making for a drive that is both environmentally and economically friendly.
The electric to hybrid switchover in this vehicle is also very impressive — a transition hardly more noticeable than a gear change!
Mercedes-Benz EQC — the fashionable SUV
This luxury vehicle is stylish and very appealing to look at. Similar in appearance to a brand new Mercedes C Class, but with a slightly longer wheelbase (the EQC stretches 187.4 inches compared to the GLC’s 183.3 inches), this vehicle ticks all the boxes. This SUV is comfortable, silent, and efficient, with a battery charge time of 41 hours at 220V, or 0.67 hours at 440V.
Hyundai Kona EV — the budget-friendly SUV
If you’re looking to lessen your carbon footprint and upgrade your vehicle within an affordable budget, the Hyundai Kona EV is the perfect choice for you. After a full charge, this vehicle can go from 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds and reach up to 258 miles. For the price you pay, this vehicle is a great deal.
As well as all this, the Hyundai Kona EV was named 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, proving that you don’t need to incorporate the most flashy features for an electric SUV to really excel.
Whatever your reason to make the switch to electric, there is a plethora of fantastic options for you to choose between. We all want to lower our carbon footprint and adhere to the post-Brexit pollution legislation, and the introduction of the new Low Emission Zone (LEZ), but if your priority is also to have a larger vehicle that can tackle various types of terrain, then one of these electric SUVs will be perfect for you.