ID. Polo 99 kW - 37 kWh (MY27)

The Volkswagen ID. Polo 99 kW - 37 kWh (MY27) is a 5-seat hatchback with front-wheel drive, on sale in the UK from £23,555. It accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 9.5 seconds, slower than 87% of the electric cars on sale in the UK. Its estimated real-world range is 152 miles (245 km) in a mix of town, country and motorway driving. That puts it among the shortest-range 10% of the 471 electric cars on sale in the UK, and 53rd of 67 hatchbacks.

It uses around 4.1 mi/kWh (153 Wh/km), more efficient than the typical EV on sale (3.5 mi/kWh). The usable battery holds 37.5 kWh and on a rapid charger it averages 70 kW between 10% and 80%. With one 15-minute charging stop, it can cover an estimated 170 miles (273 km) at motorway speeds.

It has a heat pump, which helps preserve range in cold weather, and it supports vehicle-to-load (V2L), so it can power appliances from its battery. The battery uses LFP chemistry, which manufacturers generally allow to be charged to 100% routinely.

Its UK starting price works out at £155 per mile of real-world range, higher than the median for hatchbacks (£142 per mile).