Tesla is always in the news. You could say that with his grip on social media, Tesla’s founder, Elon Musk, is the news. But look beyond the space rocket, Musk’s astronomical salary, the Cybertruck, and plans for robotaxis, and you still have cars that kick-started the shift to EVs.
First, there was the Tesla Roadster, then the Model S and the Model X. In the UK, we can currently lease the Tesla Model 3 and the Model Y. Since they’ve been on sale since 2019 and 2021, respectively, plenty of new competition has appeared – hence price cuts and discounts – but the fact remains that Teslas are still really good cars.
Clearly, Fleet Alliance customers agree.
Models from all-electric US brand Tesla have been most popular in our order bank, with the Model 3 topping the charts and its Model Y stablemate in second place. And the budget-oriented MG4 has been a revelation claiming third place.
In the first five months of 2024, 77% of Fleet Alliance vehicle orders were electrified —the highest market share to date, as more employees saw the cost-saving potential and switched to electric and hybrid models.
EVs, in particular, combine the most advantageous tax breaks with a sustainable solution for fleet managers, whether as company cars or through EV salary sacrifice provision.
So, how about a closer look at Fleet Alliance’s top 10 most popular EVs?
The 2024 Model 3 saloon may look familiar but it’s had a very intelligent update aimed at better efficiency, comfort and more user features.
The front has slimmer and sleeker headlights, and there are new taillights. Tiny aerodynamic changes have meant that while the motors and battery stay the same, the Model 3 is 8% more efficient – up to 390 miles between charges.
Inside, the interior is still airy and minimal (the indicators have even moved from a stalk to the steering wheel!) the fabrics are nicer and rear passengers get their own infotainment system. There’s better sound insulation, new road-noise reducing tyres and smoother suspension.
The Model Y was last year’s favourite with Fleet Alliance’s customers, and it was also the best-selling EV in Europe. If you want more space than a Model 3 and a hatchback – rather than a separate boot – the Model Y is a family-friendly SUV. It’s a lot taller than the Model 3 but not much longer, with the same long range and performance potential.
The hatchback reveals a huge boot, with no fiddly parcel shelf (the rear screen has one-way glass, so you can’t see in) and there are two big underfloor wells, in addition to Tesla’s famous ‘frunk’ (front trunk or boot). Stand out-features? How about rear seats which recline (when there’s not much luggage), or a dog mode which will keep your pet pooch cool while you shop.
The fact that the all-electric MG4 is riding high in fourth place in the Fleet Alliance order books shows how far this famous brand has come in recent years. The award-winning MG4 is a compact but spacious hatchback that offers a very healthy range for its class (over 300 miles depending on the version). It can take a fast charge too: from 10 – 80% in as little as 35 minutes.
The design is distinctive, with a choice of six colours including the unmissable Volcano Orange, and all can be paired with a black roof. All MG4s have a 10.25in touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and because the retail prices have always been very competitive, so are the monthly lease costs.
With its fastback styling, the BMW i4 is as handsome as its petrol relative the 4 Series Gran Coupe but with electric power under the skin. It’s a five-door hatchback with room for five adults and their bags to cruise in near silence, but if you want some interesting noise, the ‘Sport’ button plays an electronic soundtrack from composer Hans Zimmer…
You can choose from the full range of BMW options and there are two power versions: the 335bhp eDrive 40 with one electric motor and rear-wheel drive and range-topping performance with the twin-motor four-wheel drive 536bhp M50. Both have an official range of over 300 miles.
Audi’s stylish mid-sized electric SUV has been a hit with both private buyers and company car drivers. It’s 10cms longer than the Q3, which benefits rear legroom, and inside has the classy premium feel you’d expect from Audi.
The driver gets a virtual cockpit with configurable digital displays and an augmented-reality heads-up display, which projects arrows on the road in front of you when navigating. There are no gears to change, but on Black Edition models, you can have steering wheel paddles, which allow you to vary the level of brake regeneration.
Up to 281bhp and 329 miles of range are available if you opt for the Q4 Sport 45 e-tron and you can get a 335bhp twin-motor Quattro four-wheel drive version.
The Mercedes-Benz EQA is the smallest electric car in the Mercedes range. A compact SUV crossover, it’s basically an electric version of the existing GLA model.
You can choose the 250+ model that offers 190hp and a really decent 346 miles of range, or the more powerful 300 (228hp) and 350 (292hp) models which feature four-wheel drive for better driving security but have less in the way of battery range: 266 miles on a charge. The good news is the cars can take 100kW charging for rapid electric fill-ups.
Inside the car is typical classy M-B, with plenty of space in the front but less so for rear passengers; the boot is also on the small size. The infotainment system, however, is excellent. This is good news because the ride is quiet and refined on motorways where it really excels; it will lose some of this composure on twisty A-roads, though.
The Cupra brand has split apart from SEAT as a premium and sporty offering with eye-catching design. The Born was its first EV and took a little help from Volkswagen by using the very good ID.3 family hatchback as its base.
That means you get great cabin space for its size and Cupra adds distinctive front and rear styling and interior details such as bronze trim highlights and sports seats. The suspension is tuned for a more sporty drive.
All models come with two battery choices and rear-wheel drive offering 204bhp and 230bhp while the e-Boost button on the steering wheel gives a quick surge of power for overtaking. Maximum range can be up to 343 miles.
The Mercedes-Benz EQB fits into the rare category of seven-seater electric SUVs. The rearmost two seats fold flat into the boot floor when not in use for heaps of luggage space.
The twin 10-inch screens running across the dashboard are standard for the Mercedes family and offer plenty of infotainment. You can also choose from 64 shades of ambient lighting, too.
You can choose from three different power outputs and two battery options.
The EQB 250+ features 70kWh battery pack powering the 190hp electric motor and the front wheels. For those who want their Mercedes to go further, then the EQB’s 321 miles is the pick of the range.
Otherwise there are two dual-motor versions. Both have a 66kWh battery and you can either chose 228hp EQB 300 or the more powerful 292hp EQB 350. Range is 255 miles on both.
A 10-80% charge boost takes about 35 minutes on a rapid 100KWh charger.
The Enyaq is Skoda’s electric SUV which shares much with the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Audi Q4 e-Tron. Choose from the 40 or 85 versions, which relate to the size of the battery plus four-wheel drive.
It looks smart but doesn’t shout about being electric, although go for the top-of-the-range vRS in Hyper Green, and nobody will miss you. This is the fastest Skoda ever, with up to 340 bhp and four-wheel drive. The Enyaq also comes in a Coupé version, which trades a little headroom for a sportier fastback look.
All models get a 13-inch central touchscreen and a reversing camera; you can add as much luxury as you like, including eco-friendly leather.
The fact that the Polestar 2 hatchback still makes it into our 2024 top 10 says something about the appeal of this car, which arrived in 2020 but has been thoughtfully updated ever since by over-the-air software changes.
The Polestar 2 had a major technical upgrade last year including a new battery pack and greater range. It is a direct rival to the Tesla Model 3. Choose between standard, long range single motor, long range dual motor or 469bhp performance pack versions – Polestar really is gunning for Tesla. Up to 406 miles of range is claimed.
The Polestar 2 has plenty of options, including a panoramic glass roof and light ash wooden trim. Safety is high-tech with three radar units, five cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors to monitor the world around you and avoid collisions,
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