Eco-Cool | Trendy Electric Cars That Make Going Green A Real Statement

Cheap to run and substantially better for the environment they may be, but frugal credentials don’t have to be the only reasons for making an electric car your next vehicle purchase.

Indeed, the automotive market has come a very long way in a short space of time to transform BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) into must-have models for those who want to go leaner and greener.

That said, who says it has to be at the very top of your wish list? What if you want your car to catch admiring glances from passers-by and make you feel like a million dollars – in short, you want a cool and trendy car that just happens to be electric.

Fortunately, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to fresh and funky EVs at Vertu, so whether fashionable to you means chic design, fun features or exciting performance, here are our top picks for the coolest electric cars you can buy right now.

CUPRA Raval

As the sportier, youth-oriented off-shoot from SEAT, fast-growing Spanish manufacturer CUPRA has quickly carved a niche out for itself as one of the industry’s freshest, most in-demand brands around thanks to models like the CUPRA Formentor and CUPRA Born.

It is now bringing cool vibes to the compact electric car sector with the critically acclaimed CUPRA Raval, offering plenty of visual drama with its stylised alloy wheels, sharp detailing and moody paint schemes.

As the more engaging member of a platform-sharing triumvirate that includes the new Volkswagen ID. Polo and Skoda Epiq, the Raval may tug at the heart strings, but it makes a lot of sense for your head too.

Indeed, its 52kWh battery offers brisk performance while returning an impressive 272-miles of range, while the spacious five-door body style includes a class-leading 441-litre boot.

BMW i3

The BMW 3-Series has long been regarded as the benchmark when it comes to compact premium saloons, so it stands to reason that the Munich firm’s brand-new electric equivalent, the BMW i3, is also setting new standards for EVs.

Don’t be fooled by the name, which was first used on a quirky electric hatchback at a time when mainstream EV power was in its infancy, this i3 is a sporty four-door in the same vein as the 3-Series but without the emissions.

Framed by a fresh design language that takes BMW’s recognisable signatures into a brand-new direction, the i3 consolidates its handsome appearance with a high-tech, innovative interior that marries clever gadgets with unmistakable quality.

It’s under the skin where the i3 really sets the benchmark, however, with the 50xDrive trim capable of returning an incredible 559-miles of range, while it is possible to add 249-miles with just ten minutes of 400kW charging – now that is cool!

Renault 5 E-Tech

The Renault 5 E-Tech takes a lot of credit for the notion that electric cars can be both 100% electric and 100% cool at the same time.

With Renault tapping into its back catalogue to revive a classic nameplate for a thoroughly future-forward compact car, the 5 E-Tech oozes charm with its well-judged neo-retro touches.

If the design alone isn’t enough to win you over at first glance, the 5 E-Tech backs its eye-catching looks with a comfortable, well-built and functional interior that blends contemporary technology with quirkier features, such as an optional baguette holder.

With a 52kWh battery under the skin offering up to 259-miles of range too, it’s no wonder the Renault 5 E-Tech ranks as the UK’s most popular electric car right now.

Alpine A290

Don’t worry, you are (but also not) seeing double here. This is the Alpine A290, the Renault 5 E-Tech’s racier cousin that injects a bit more spark into that electric powertrain.

Drawing inspiration from Alpine’s motorsport efforts in Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship, the A290 takes the already desirable R5 package and remixes it with rallying-inspired daytime running lights and meaty multi-spoke alloy wheels.

It’s a similar story inside where Alpine’s signature blue and silver colourway gives the cabin a dash of sophistication, while drilled-metal pedals and stripped-back drive mode selector finish things off with finesse.

Alpine carries the tweaks through to the driving experience too with the 52kWh battery uprated to either 178bhp (GT+) or 216bhp (GTS+) power outputs for hot hatch performance, while new suspension geometry and the integration of F1-developed tech ensure pin-sharp handling too.

Hyundai IONIQ 3

With the likes of CUPRA and Renault raising the game when it comes to developing functional, nippy compact electric cars that exude kerb appeal, Hyundai is now getting in on the act with its distinctive new offering, the Hyundai IONIQ 3.

Having developed a signature style around its expansive electric line-up – which also comprises the Hyundai IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 9 – the IONIQ 3’s aero-efficient profile gives it the look of a small sports coupe.

With a brief that focuses on maintaining affordability without sacrificing personality, the IONIQ 3 chimes in with a competitive price tag while bettering nearly all rivals in terms of interior and boot space.

Coupled with Hyundai’s reputation for being easy to live with day-to-day and reliable too, the IONIQ 3 proves looking cool will leave you feeling fine as well.

Honda Super N

After a few fallow years, the advent of electric power has seen the humble city car make a comeback in a major way with several manufacturers rejoining the segment in a bid to lasso urban commuters who need a car to go from A-to-B with minimal cost and fuss.

Of the current crop, however, it is the Honda Super N that will draw the most curious glances from passers-by with its slim, small yet tall boxy shape, tiny wheels and – if you so choose – bold colourways.

What might seem unconventional looking here is the entire opposite in Japan, where models built to a similar specification – called ‘kei cars’ – are hugely popular.

Small in form but big on function, the Super N’s dimensions make it perfect for zipping through city streets, while 29.6kWh battery even has a fun ‘Boost’ button for when you need some extra juice for overtakes.

Full of character, the Super N is the car that will make you smile every time you walk towards it…

Audi e-tron GT

Electric cars don’t get sleeker, more stylish or cooler than the utterly elegant Audi e-tron GT.

Audi has been at the forefront of EV tech for a long time now, so it stands to reason that it has been ambitious with its application by creating the four-door luxury e-tron GT coupe.

The term ‘GT’ – or, Grand Tourer – is key here, for the e-tron GT is designed to gobble up the miles and do so at mind-bending pace, as demonstrated by its ‘blink-and-you-miss-it’ 2.5-secs 0-62mph sprint.

Even so, it still delivers impressive range, the e-tron GT able to travel up to 350-miles (combined WLTP) before needing to be replenished.

Renault Twingo – Nissan PIXO – Dacia Spring

There is a strong argument to suggest Renault is carving itself out to be the trend-setter when it comes to designing electric cars that are, pardon the French, en vogue.

We’ve already mentioned the Renault 5 E-Tech here, not to mention its sportier cousin the Alpine A290, and we could have easily included the neo-retro Renault 4 too.

Here, however, we’re shining the spotlight on the all-new Renault Twingo, which is not only making a comeback but is bringing cousins along with it this time; the Nissan PIXO and the Dacia Spring.

While we never had the honour of being offered the original Twingo first time around, it has been tapped as inspiration for its electric-powered revival. Much like the R5, it’s brimming with nostalgic touches with its famous frog-esque front-end and wedge-like profile, while the deliberately vivid colour palette should ensure eyes follow you wherever you go.

With prices for all three beginning under £20,000, Renault has employed ingenuity to keep costs down, meaning you’ll find plenty of smart touches, including a colour coded dashboard, embossed graphics in the roof headlining, sliding rear seats and pop-out panels to fill washer fluid and oil without opening the bonnet.

If the design of the Twingo isn’t for you, however, you might find favour with one of the two cars with which is shares its 27.5kWh battery, which will return 163-miles – perfect for showing off around town.

If the Twingo is retro-tastic, the PIXO (above top) has a more futuristic feel to it, while the Spring (above bottom) goes down a more rugged route in keeping with other models in the Dacia range, like the Duster and Bigster.