ELECTRIC CARS HAVE been around since Victorian times, but the Nissan Leaf is widely credited with bringing the concept into the modern age. Launched in 2011 - when the G-Wiz quadricycle was Britain's best-selling electric vehicle (EV) and the only Tesla you could buy was essentially a Lotus Elise stuffed with cells - it showed the world that battery power was a viable personal transport option.
So why has it taken Nissan more than a decade to follow the Leaf with another fully electric model (unless you count the E-NV200 Combi, which is basically a van with windows)?
Well, it's fair to say that EVs didn't take off as quickly as the Japanese brand hoped. It renewed the Leaf in 2017 but otherwise stuck to petrol and diesel engines. That's turned out to be a rather unfortunate decision, because while the Leaf was undoubtedly a pioneer, Nissan's new electric SUV, the Ariya, starts its life on the back foot. There are already more than half a dozen rivals on the market, including boxier options such as the Skoda Enyaq iv, coupé-like alternatives (including the Tesla Model Y and Volvo C40 Recharge), and slightly lower-riding cars like our 2022 Car of the Year, the Kia EV6.
The Ariya isn't exactly going to woo you with its low price, either. Starting at just under £42,000, it's far too expensive to qualify for the Government's electric vehicle grant (only cars priced up to £32,000 are eligible these days). That's true of all the direct rivals, to be fair, but for context, the Enyaq starts at £34,850 and the EV6 at £40,945. The C40 costs from £44,800, but then that does have a premium badge. There are some mitigating factors, though, as we'll explain later.
This story is from the May 2022 edition of What Car? UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2022 edition of What Car? UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Vauxhall Mokka 1.2 Turbo 136 GS
The Mokka is hot stuff in the sales charts, but does it deserve to be everyone's cup of tea? Let's find out
MG 4 VS TESLA MODEL 3 DO YOU GET MORE FOR LESS?
The new MG 4 Extended Range costs thousands less than the cheapest Tesla Model 3, yet it has a longer official range. Is that game over for the Tesla?
SAVER OF THE MONTH
These plug-in hybrid SUVS can all save you money on running costs, especially if you're a company car driver But which one will net you the most interest in return?
VOLVO EX30
As the Swedish brand enters uncharted territory with its smallest electric SUV yet, we ask the members of our reader jury to issue their verdicts
Vauxhall Corsa Electric
Small electric hatchback is brought up to date, gaining a slightly bigger battery option On sale Now Price from £32,445
Peugeot e-308
New electric family hatchback puts a French twist on the Vauxhall Astra Electric's recipe On sale Now Price from £40,050
BMW iX2
Electric coupé SUV promises up to 279 miles of range and will be joined by a new petrol-engined X2 On sale March 2024 Price from £56,540
Volkswagen ID Golf
Popular family hatchback gets electric power for an official range of up to 400 miles On sale 2027 Price from 33,000 est)
Citroën e-C3
Small hatchback is reinvented with electric power and an affordable price On sale Early 2024 Price from £22,000 (est)
BMW i5
Electric version of BMW's next 5 Series executive car guns for the Mercedes-Benz EQE On sale Now Price from £74,105