Small Electric Cars with Long Range: Top 10 of the Best City Cars

Looking for a small electric car with long range? The best models now offer over 400 km of real-world range. Gone are the days when small electric cars meant limited range. Between electric city cars and urban compacts with long range, the 2025 market now offers solutions for driving long distances with peace of mind.

Discover and try our app
Exclusive price and features

Rated 4,5/5 by users

Download the app

Download the app

Our Top 10 Small Electric Cars with the Best Range in 2025

The Definitive Ranking of Long-Range Electric City Cars and Compacts

*Cost per 100 km calculated based on €0.20/kWh (average domestic rate)

Comparison: WLTP Range vs. Real-World Range of Small Electric Cars

Real Range Figures According to Your Daily Use

WLTP range remains the marketing reference for automakers, but real-world figures for these long-range small electric cars reveal significant differences depending on usage. Electric city cars perform particularly well in urban environments where they regularly exceed the announced WLTP values. In the city, with an average speed of 30 to 50 km/h and intensive use of regenerative braking, small electric cars show remarkable performance. The Renault 5 E-Tech, rated for 410 km WLTP, easily reaches 470 km in exclusively urban use. This electric city car optimizes every kilowatt-hour thanks to its modern design and contained weight.

On mixed routes combining city and departmental roads at 80 to 110 km/h, the range of small electric cars stabilizes between 90 and 95% of WLTP values. The MG4 compact, with its 450 km homologated range, actually travels between 410 and 430 km under these mixed conditions, confirming its position as a reference among long-range urban electric cars. Models like the Volkswagen ID.3 or Cupra Born also maintain excellent performance on secondary roads.

It's on highways at a steady 130 km/h that the range of city cars and electric compacts suffers the most degradation. Aerodynamic resistance increases exponentially with speed and directly impacts electric consumption. The ID.3 Pro S thus goes from 568 km WLTP to about 410 km of real range on the highway, while the MG4 drops from 450 to 330 km. These values remain sufficient for most long-distance trips with a single charging stop.

Climate Conditions Impact the Range of Small Electric Cars

In negative temperatures, the lithium-ion battery loses efficiency and cabin heating consumes additional energy. Small electric cars experience a 15 to 20% range loss in standard winter conditions. Models equipped with a heat pump like the new Renault 5 E-Tech, Volkswagen ID.3, or Peugeot e-208 limit this degradation to 10%, equipment that has become essential to maintain long range year-round on these modern electric city cars.

Which Small Electric Car for Which Range?

True Compact Electric City Cars (Under 4.10 Meters)

Compact electric city cars prioritize urban maneuverability without sacrificing range. The Fiat 500e, at just 3.63 meters, remains the most compact on the market while offering up to 320 km range in its 42 kWh Icon version. This small Italian car combines iconic style and remarkable efficiency with only 14.4 kWh/100 km average consumption. Its French sister, the new Renault 5 E-Tech, establishes itself as the reference for French electric city cars with 410 km range in the 52 kWh version for just 3.92 meters in length.

The Citroën ë-C3 represents the affordable entry point for long-range small electric cars. At 4.01 meters and 320 km WLTP range, this versatile city car offers the best price-to-range ratio in the segment at €27,300 before incentives. The Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsa-e, technical cousins sharing the same e-CMP platform, both offer over 410 km WLTP range in their recent 2025 versions with 54 kWh battery. The Opel Corsa-e stands out particularly with 429 km range and an ultra-competitive entry price of €21,900, positioning these city cars as the best options for urban and suburban use.

Urban Electric Compacts with Very Long Range (4.20-4.35 Meters)

Urban electric compacts optimize their range without compromising urban practicality. The MG4 establishes itself as a reference with up to 450 km WLTP range in its Long Range version. This Chinese compact revolutionizes the market with an unbeatable quality/price/range ratio starting at €22,990. Its dedicated MSP platform optimizes interior space and weight distribution for optimal efficiency.

The Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S holds the category range record with 568 km WLTP thanks to its 79 kWh battery and exceptional efficiency of 14.1 kWh/100 km. This German compact demonstrates that a small electric car can rhyme with very long range without compromise, all at a now accessible price of €34,990. The Cupra Born, the sporty version based on the same MEB platform, offers 511 km range while adding a touch of dynamism with its 231 hp, available from €33,890 or €369/month in LLD.

The BYD Dolphin introduces revolutionary Blade Battery technology to the urban compact segment. With 427 km WLTP range and enhanced safety thanks to its LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery, this Chinese car is disrupting established codes starting at €29,990 or €333/month. The Smart #1, the brand's first urban SUV, completes this premium offering with 440 km range in a compact 4.27-meter size starting at €35,815.

Criteria for Choosing a Small Electric Car with Long Range

Energy Efficiency: Key Factor in Real-World Range

Energy efficiency directly determines the real-world range of your electric city car or compact. Efficiency champions like the Volkswagen ID.3 (14.1 kWh/100 km) or Fiat 500e (14.4 kWh/100 km) maximize every kilowatt-hour on board. This efficiency results from global optimization of aerodynamics, weight, thermal management, and power. The new Renault 5 E-Tech displays excellent efficiency of 14.9 kWh/100 km, positioning it among the most economical electric city cars.

The most efficient models share several technical characteristics. An optimized drag coefficient (Cd) like the ID.3's 0.26, reduced weight through the use of light alloys, low rolling resistance tires, and sophisticated battery thermal management. These combined elements allow for maximum range even with a moderately sized battery.

Battery Capacity and Technology: The Range Equation

Battery capacity remains the main factor in range, but the technology used also makes a difference. NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) batteries equip most European small electric cars like the Renault 5, Peugeot e-208, or ID.3. These batteries offer high energy density, allowing more energy to be stored in a reduced volume, crucial for compact city cars.

LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries are gaining ground with models like the BYD Dolphin or certain versions of the MG4. Less energy-dense but more durable and cheaper, they allow offering long-range small electric cars at competitive prices. BYD's Blade technology optimizes integration to compensate for lower density, reaching 427 km range in the compact Dolphin.

Price and Real Budget: What Does a Long-Range Small Electric Car Really Cost?

Purchase Incentives Still Relevant

The 2025 market for long-range small electric cars benefits from the new CEE (Energy Savings Certificates) replacing the ecological bonus. This aid reaches €4,242 for low-income households and €3,100 for others, applicable to electric vehicles produced in Europe. The Opel Corsa-e thus becomes one of the most accessible on the market with a starting price of €21,900, positioning this German electric city car as one of the most attractive on the market.

The MG4 is revolutionizing the market with a starting price of just €22,990 for a range of up to 450 km. Despite its Chinese production limiting incentives, it remains the most competitive compact electric car on the market, at only €51 per WLTP range kilometer. The Volkswagen ID.3, now from €34,990, offers the best range-to-price ratio with its 568 km WLTP.

Used Market: Opportunities to Seize

The used market for small electric cars is beginning to reveal interesting offers with the arrival of 2021-2023 models. The Peugeot e-208 is available between €20,000 and €24,000 for 2022-2023 versions. These electric city cars still benefit from the 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty transferable to the second owner. The Opel Corsa-e benefits from a more pronounced depreciation reaching 40%, allowing this long-range German city car to be acquired for less than €20,000.

Total Cost of Ownership: Complete 4-Year Calculation

The total cost of ownership analysis over 4 years reveals the economic advantage of long-range small electric cars. For 15,000 km annually, an MG4 at €22,990 costs €341 per month all-inclusive including depreciation, insurance, maintenance, and energy. A comparable thermal city car costs €485 per month, saving €144 per month or €6,912 over 4 years.

The Opel Corsa-e with its long 429 km range generates even greater savings for high-mileage drivers. At 20,000 km annually, the monthly cost is €385 compared to €612 for a gasoline Corsa, saving €227 per month. Over 4 years, the total savings reach €10,896, more than enough to compensate for the initial higher purchase cost of this German electric city car.

Charging Solutions for Long-Range Small Electric Cars?

Home Charging: Daily Infrastructure

Installing a home wallbox remains the priority investment to fully exploit your long-range small electric car. The installation cost ranges from €500 to €800 after deducting the €300 tax credit and reduced 5.5% VAT. For electric city cars with batteries up to 50 kWh like the Citroën ë-C3 or Peugeot e-208, a 7.4 kW single-phase wallbox is more than sufficient, allowing a full charge in 6 to 8 overnight hours.

Electric compacts with batteries over 60 kWh like the MG4 or ID.3 Pro S benefit from an 11 kW onboard charger. The three-phase installation then reduces 20-80% charging time to just 4 hours, ideal for professionals making multiple daily trips. Smart programming optimizes off-peak hours, reducing the kilowatt-hour cost to €0.13 at night rates.

Public Charging for Long Trips

DC fast charging performance determines the real versatility of your small electric car on long trips. Leaders like the ID.3 Pro S accept 185 kW, recovering 350 km range in less than 20 minutes. The MG4 and Cupra Born with 135 kW remain very performant. The Smart #1 impresses with 150 kW allowing 10-80% charging in less than 30 minutes. French city cars like the Renault 5, Peugeot e-208, and Citroën ë-C3 are limited to 100 kW but compensate with smaller batteries that charge quickly.

Electra's fast charging station network has over 500 strategic locations. Rates remain competitive with the Electra+ subscription or with the app pricing. For an efficient city car consuming 15 kWh/100 km, this represents only €4.35 per 100 km with subscription, cheaper than gasoline even on highways.

Which Small Electric Car with Long Range for Which Use?

For Urban Drivers with Occasional Long Trips

For essentially urban use with weekend suburban getaways, the Opel Corsa-e at €21,900 is the rational choice with its 429 km range. This German electric city car offers remarkable versatility and unbeatable value for money. The Chinese alternative, the MG4 at €22,990 with up to 450 km, remains excellent. Overnight charging on a reinforced outlet is sufficient for this use, avoiding the investment in a wallbox.

For Suburban Drivers with Significant Commutes

The Opel Corsa-e again represents the optimal solution for drivers covering 50 to 100 km daily. Its 429 km WLTP range guarantees a full week without charging even in winter. This German electric city car combines advantages with an ultra-competitive price of €21,900, good efficiency, and a compact 4.06-meter size facilitating urban parking while offering a spacious interior. The Renault 5 E-Tech remains an excellent French alternative with 410 km range.

For High-Mileage Drivers Seeking Extended Range

The Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S dominates this segment with its record 568 km WLTP range, allowing Paris-Lyon trips without charging. This German electric compact combines the best range on the market with an accessible price of €34,990, high-performance 185 kW charging, and exceptional 14.1 kWh/100 km efficiency. For tighter budgets, the MG4 Long Range with its 450 km range at just €22,990 represents the perfect alternative for high-mileage drivers.

For Tight Budgets: Best Used Deals

The used market offers excellent opportunities for 2022-2023 small electric cars. The used Peugeot e-208 around €21,000 retains 95% of its battery capacity and benefits from warranty until 2030. The Opel Corsa-e, technically identical, benefits from greater depreciation, available for under €20,000. For very tight budgets, the 2022 Fiat 500e from €16,000 remains an excellent entry into electric with style and 300 km real range.

Technology: The Future of Long-Range Small Electric Cars

Batteries: Always More Range

Next-generation batteries promise to revolutionize the range of city cars and electric compacts. Solid-state batteries, expected around 2027-2028, will double energy density, allowing 700 km range in a Renault 5-sized package. Silicon-lithium metal cells under development at Mercedes and Stellantis promise 30% additional range as early as 2026.

The 800V architecture is gradually becoming democratized in small electric cars. After premium models, this technology will allow future city cars to charge at 250 kW, recovering 400 km in 10 minutes. The MG4 XPOWER prefigures this evolution with its high-voltage architecture on an affordable compact.

Optimizing Range: Every Kilowatt-Hour Counts

Manufacturers are multiplying innovations to improve the efficiency of small electric cars. New synchronous motors with wound rotors without rare earths improve efficiency while reducing costs. Active aerodynamics with controlled flaps and intelligent underbody fairing is progressing on premium city cars. Energy recovery is intensifying with systems capable of recovering up to 150 kW during deceleration.

Intelligent thermal management is becoming crucial for range. New-generation heat pumps recover heat from power electronics and motors. Smart preconditioning anticipates thermal needs based on your planned route. These combined optimizations promise 15 to 20% additional range with the same battery on future generations of electric city cars.

These Long-Range Small Electric Cars Are Transforming Urban Mobility

The 2025 market for long-range small electric cars demonstrates the technological maturity of the segment. Between the MG4 and its 450 km range for just €22,990, the Opel Corsa-e democratizing electric at €21,900 with 429 km range, and the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S reaching 568 km for €34,990, every profile finds their ideal electric city car or compact. Ranges far exceed daily needs, even in winter conditions.

Usage costs are revolutionizing urban mobility economics. With €116 to €137 per month all-inclusive for 1,000 km compared to €280 to €350 for an equivalent thermal vehicle, these small electric cars divide transportation budgets by two or three. The initial investment pays for itself in less than 3 years thanks to fuel and maintenance savings.

Discover and try our app
Exclusive price and features

Rated 4,5/5 by users

Download the app

Download the app

The charging network perfectly adapts to needs with over 500 Electra fast charging stations guaranteeing peace of mind on all trips. Overnight home charging covers 90% of daily needs while fast charging enables long journeys without constraints. The future looks even more promising with next-generation batteries promising 700 km range in a true compact city car by 2027.

Written by Nicolas - Electric Mobility Expert at Electra