A Look into the Future of Sustainable Transportation

As the world shifts towards more sustainable  transportation options, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. We’ve reviewed the newest and most innovative electric vehicles that are set to hit the market in 2023, and what we can expect to see in the not-so-distant future.

From hardy hatchbacks to spacious SUVs, we’ve got you covered with all the details you need to know about the top electric vehicles of the year – some of which we recently tested first-hand at Fully Charged Live South. Plus, the EV we are most excited for, the Volkswagen ID 2all, makes an appearance in this review. So, get comfy, pour yourself something nice, and check out the top electric vehicles of 2023.

On the market:

BYD Dolphin (2023)

Starting price: £28,000

Our rating: 8/10

Pros:

• Affordable starting price.
• Sleek and modern design with a large sunroof and LED lights.
• Spacious with a 12.6in touchscreen and digital dash.
• Long-range with a 50kWh battery that can take you up to 301 miles.
• Fast charging capabilities that can power up to 80% in just 30 minutes.

Cons:

• Limited availability in the UK.
• Dated interior colours and design.

The BYD Dolphin is an electric car with a modern exterior design that stood out amongst other cars that we saw at Fully Charged Live. The car has a 50kWh battery that can take you up to 301 miles before needing a recharge. Inside, the Dolphin offers a spacious and comfortable environment with a 12.6in touchscreen and digital dash. Sadly, we think the interior design is dated with its pink and purple colour scheme and curved edges. Although, there is a black and cream version of the BYD Dolphin that compliments the exterior of the car. Despite the attractive price point and impressive range of the BYD Dolphin, it is hard to overlook the fact that there are other electric vehicles with superior interior design available in the UK at a similarly affordable price. Therefore, we were unable to rate the car any higher than a 7 out of 10.

MG HS (2023)

Starting price: £31,040

Rating: 7/10

Pros:

• Bold and contemporary design with sleek lines and bright colours.
• Ample engine options including petrol and hybrid powertrains with good fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
• Spacious and comfortable cabin with soft-touch surfaces and quality upholstery.
• Offers sufficient boot space and versatile folding rear seats.

Cons:

• Limited all-electric range for the hybrid variant (electric range is a very small 30 miles).
  

The MG HS SUV is a practical and stylish car that offers a range of features to enhance your driving experience. The car is available in petrol and hybrid, providing good fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. We think the MG HS is a great steppingstone for people not yet ready to go fully electric, and this SUV is a great way to make that transition. The MG HS comes with features like cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. The hybrid variant has an all-electric range of up to 30 miles when fully electric, and we wish it would go further. Overall, the MG HS is a practical and well-equipped SUV that should be considered if you're interested in going electric but aren’t quite ready yet, which is why we scored the HS a 7/10.

GWN Ora Funky Cat (2023)

Starting price: £31,940

Rating: 6/10

Pros:

• Unique and playful retro-inspired design.
• Made from sustainable materials, including recycled plastics and plant-based fibres.
• Quick and nimble with a top speed of 81 mph.
• Spacious and colourful interior with seating for up to four passengers.
• Equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system and features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Cons:

• A limited range of 155 miles means you may need to charge more frequently.
• High starting price for low range.

The ORA Funky Cat is an electric vehicle with a distinctive and fun design made from sustainable materials. The Funky Cat has a range of up to 155 miles, making it perfect for city driving and short commutes, but the car will need to be charged if you are traveling for longer distances. Despite its small size, the Funky Cat has a surprisingly spacious interior with comfortable seating for up to four passengers. For the price point, we would like to see more range and more seats inside the Funky Cat. Although the design is unique, it isn’t enough to counterbalance the low range and high starting price.

MG4 (2023)

Starting Price: £26,940

Rating: 8/10

Pros:

• Affordable starting price.
• Sleek and modern design.
• Impressive acceleration reaching 62mph in 7.9 seconds and top speed of 100mph.
• Generous driving range of up to 214 miles.
• Spacious and comfortable cabin with ample support and comfort.
• Large boot capacity of up to 344 litres, expandable to 1,042 litres.

Cons:

• Limited availability and distribution compared to more established car brands.
• Some reviewers note minor issues with interior build quality and handling.
  

The MG4 EV is an all-electric hatchback that offers a balance of efficiency, practicality, and affordability. It features a sporty and modern design with a sleek and stylish appearance and is powered by a 105 kWh electric motor that delivers 141 horsepower. It has a driving range of up to 214 miles on a single charge, making it suitable for both city commutes and long road trips. The interior is spacious and comfortable with high-quality materials and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone integration and navigation. The MG4 EV also has a spacious boot with a capacity of up to 344 litres, which will be more than enough for your weekly food shop. We love that the boot can be expanded to 1,042 litres when the rear seats are folded down, which should make the task of transporting much easier. The starting price is competitive with many other EVs, and being paired with its moderate range and sporty design left us with big smiles on our faces.

Soon to be released:

MINI Aceman (2024)

Starting price: £40,000

Rating: 6/10

Pros:

• The MINI Aceman concept car has a futuristic and aerodynamic design that's sure to turn heads.
• The lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) material makes it more efficient and lightweight.
• The electric motor delivers a max power output of 201 horsepower (150 kW), which is impressive for a small electric SUV.
• It has a range of 249 miles, which is more than enough for most daily commutes and weekend trips.

Cons:

• While the minimalist interior may be appealing to some, others may prefer a more traditional dashboard with physical gauges and buttons.
• The starting price for the MINI Aceman isn’t as affordable as other options.
  

The MINI Aceman concept car is an impressive two-seater electric SUV with a futuristic and minimalist design that's sure to make you stand out on the road. Its lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic body and powerful electric motor make it efficient and fast. With a range of 249 miles, it's perfect for daily commutes and weekend adventures. However, as a concept car, there's no guarantee that it will ever make it to production, and the minimalist interior may not appeal to everyone. Although the MINI Aceman plans to revolutionise the EV market, we do not think that the higher starting price and moderate range is enough to put it on the EV leaderboard.

Volkswagen ID. 2all (2025)

Starting price: £22,000

Rating: 9/10

Pros:

• Affordable price point of around £22,000.
• Impressive range of up to 250 miles on a single charge.
• Spacious and comfortable interior with seating for up to four passengers.
• Aerodynamically designed to maximise efficiency.

Cons:

• Not yet in production, so availability is still uncertain.
• Only has a single electric motor with approximately 100 horsepower, which may not provide as much power as some drivers are looking for.
  

The Volkswagen ID.2all is a new, affordable, and practical electric car with a modern and aerodynamic design. It has a range of up to 250 miles on a single charge, a spacious interior, and a price point of around £22,000. However, it's not yet in production, and the smaller battery pack may sacrifice some range compared to other electric cars. Additionally, with only a single electric motor, it may not provide as much power as some drivers are looking for. Overall, it's a promising addition to the electric car market that's worth keeping an eye on. The fantastic starting price and desirable range will guarantee that the Volkswagen ID. 2all will be many peoples first EV. This is why we thought theID. 2all is worth no lower than a 9/10.

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Exploring the Top Electric Vehicles Set to Transform Sustainable Transportation in 2023 and Beyond

From the eco-friendly and comfy BYD Dolphin to the practical and well-equipped MG HS, the sleek and sustainable GWN Ora Funky Cat and the cool MG4; we’ve covered all the details you need to know about the top electric vehicles of the year. Plus, we couldn't leave out the not so distant and minimalist MINI Aceman, and the futuristic and cost-effective Volkswagen ID. 2all.

The future of sustainable transportation looks bright and these electric vehicles are leading the way. With their advanced technology, clever designs, and eco-friendly features, these cars are proving that sustainable transportation is also stylish, practical, and enjoyable.

So, let's embrace the future and make the switch to electric vehicles. Together, we can help create a cleaner and more sustainable future for our planet. Safe travels!