Electric cars are coming thick and fast in all shapes and sizes, and if you're looking for an electric family hatchback, there's plenty of choice to be found. Here we've picked nine new models for sale in Ireland today, although our list could easily have been expanded to include more.
That's because a couple of the cars in our rundown (namely the Cupra Born and VW ID.3) share their running gear with SUVs (such as the Audi Q4 e-tron and Skoda Enyaq) that blur the boundaries between the hatchback and the SUV. Still, there's enough choice here already, with a range of budgets catered for.
Prices from: €34,373 0-100km/h: 9.0 seconds Range: Up to 357km
If you want to know about the benefits of electric drive, look no further than the Citroen e-C4. This crossover hatchback has SUV-inspired styling, and Citroen offers it alongside petrol and diesel C4s. However, the e-C4 is a far better car, thanks to its easier drive, a more comfortable ride and quieter cruising refinement.
Prices from: €44,140 0-100km/h: 7.3 seconds Range: Up to 548km
At the sporty end of the family hatchback spectrum, the Cupra Born shares running gear with the Volkswagen ID.3, but the Spanish firm has added its own suspension settings for a more involving drive. Higher-performance versions are due at a later date.
Prices from: €32,750 0-100km/h: 9.9 seconds Range: Up to 311km
One of the older EVs for sale in Ireland, the Ioniq also came as a hybrid and a petrol-electric plug-in, but like the e-C4, the all-electric version delivers far better refinement and comfort, and the hybrids are no longer sold. The electric Ioniq can't match newer rivals for range, though, and it's also a pretty forgettable car to drive.
Prices from: €38,995 0-100km/h: 5.2 seconds Range: Up to 481km
In stark contrast to the Ioniq, the 5 has shaken up the EV market. It's a lot bigger than it looks in pictures, but that means there's acres of space and room for a big battery with a fantastic range. Two- and four-wheel-drive versions are offered, and all models are packed with the latest technology.
Prices from: €41,250 0-100km/h: 7.5 seconds Range: Up to 455km
This model shares running gear with the original Hyundai Ioniq, but wraps it in a more SUV-like body. Like the Ioniq, it was sold with hybrid and plug-in drive, and while it's been around for a while, updates have kept its range competitive. There's an all-new Kia Niro coming later in 2022.
Prices from: €50,000 0-100km/h: 7.3 seconds Range: Up to 528km
Sister car to the Ioniq 5, the EV6 also has concept-car looks, but this time with a sportier appearance. There's the same spacious interior and tech-packed cockpit, though, while the EV6's slippery shape promises a longer range than the Ioniq 5's.
Prices from: €30,645 0-100km/h: 7.7 seconds Range: Up to 403km
It's technically an estate car, but the MG5 EV has to cram a battery into its compact dimensions, and as a result boot space is more on a par with a family hatchback than an estate car such as a VW Golf Estate. Still, a great-value price tag means the MG5 EV is one of the most affordable EVs for sale right now.
Prices from: €28,145 0-100km/h: 6.9 seconds Range: Up to 385km
The EV hatchback pioneer is in its second generation, and while rivals have overtaken it in some areas, the Leaf is still a decent choice. There's good space, plenty of equipment and Nissan's e-Pedal system means you can drive using just the accelerator to control the car’s speed, all the way down to a stop. Two battery options mean you can choose value for money or a longer range as you require.
Prices from: €39,285 0-100km/h: 7.3. seconds Range: Up to 415km
VW says that the ID.3 is as important as the Beetle or Golf were in the past, and it leads the firm's range of ID models. Its dedicated EV platform is used throughout the Volkswagen Group empire, but the ID.3's simple design, clean cabin and latest tech offer the purest experience of VW's new world of electric motoring.