5 more Electric cars you can't buy in the UK (but still we wish we could)

By Tom Seymour

Last updated: Mar 6th 2024

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Be sure to check out part one here if you haven't already.

Like we said previously, despite being one of the biggest car markets in the world, the UK isn't easy to cater for due to being a right-hand drive. This means that we're often left behind in favour of other mature car markets when it comes to brand new EV innovations.

Here's a continuation of some of the most interesting and unique EVs that aren't available in the UK... Yet!

Nissan Sakura

The Sakura (cherry blossom in Japanese) is Nissan's tiny electric car that is aimed at converting the masses in its domestic market. It's a compact four-seat with an electric range of 112 miles and a top speed of 81mph.

Will the Nissan Sakura come to the UK?

It's a 100% no on this one. The Sakura is what is called a "kei car", which is its own segment in Japan with smaller, lower priced vehicles that are aimed at inner city driving and parking in mega cities like Tokyo and Osaka. If it was to go on sale in the UK, it would be priced at around £13,000, which would make it one of the best value four-seater EVs available.

Nissan Sakura alternatives

The closest alternative right now is probably something like Citroen's Ami electric quadricycle. It's not as car-like as the Sakura, but it offers around 60 miles of range and it's limited to 28mph, so it's strictly an inner city EV.

If you're talking about small EVs, we would be remiss to not mention the Mini Electric hatch. It's a bit pricier than something like the Ami or Sakura, but it's a great package with a more practical 250 mile range.

BYD Han

This is BYD's larger high performance flagship saloon rival to the Tesla Model S. The all-wheel drive Han has an electric range of around 320 miles and will reach 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds.

Will the BYD Han come to the UK?

BYD has already launched in the UK with models like the Atto 3, Seal and Dolphin, but currently the larger Han has only been available in European markets like Norway, Germany and the Netherlands since last year.

BYD Han alternatives

If you're specifically looking for a BYD saloon, your best bet is the Seal, which is currently the flagship model in the UK. The Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen ID.7 are also two electric saloon alternatives that are worth a look.

Zeekr 001

The Zeekr 001 is a raised shooting brake style electric car that is closely linked technically with its cousin brand Lynk & Co, which is also owned by the same Chinese parent company Geely. A shooting brake is a bit like a sporty estate car, with only two passenger doors.

The 001 is the launch model for Zeekr and has a combined WLTP range of 385 miles.

Will the Zeekr 001 come to the UK?

Not yet. Like many other new electric car brands, Geely-owned Zeekr has chosen other left-hand drive European markets to launch in ahead of the UK like Sweden and the Netherlands.

While the UK offers a mature market with space for growth, you also have to develop a right-hand drive model, which adds additional production complications.

Geely already has Volvo, Polestar, Smart and Lotus active in the UK, so there's a built in service network ready to go.

The Zeekr 001 might come to the UK eventually, with some reports suggesting a potential launch here in 2025.

Zeekr 001 alternatives

The Kia EV6 would be a good premium EV alternative with a unique design and up to 328 miles of range.

The 001 was also designed as a Model Y alternative in its native market in China.

Rivian R1T

Rivian is California-based "electric adventure vehicle" manufacturer that has launched with its unique R1T pick-up truck model.

It's actually beaten the Tesla Cybertruck to launch in the US as it looks to be the electric pick-up of choice in the massive US market.

The R1T has a zero emissions range of over 400 miles, it can wade through up to three feet of water, rock crawl a 100% grade slope and Rivian says it can traverse "just about any terrain" with 14.9 inches of ground clearance.

The R1T, which is larger in proportion than something like a Ford Ranger pick-up available in the UK, can tow up to 11,000 lbs and without pulling a load, it can hit 0-60mph in as little as three seconds.

There's a lot of utility and performance available and in the US, it's priced at around $67,000, which in UK money is around £52,000. It could be a pretty compelling pick-up option to trades, businesses and customers looking for an alternative utility vehicle.

Will the Rivian R1T come to the UK?

There's been no confirmation that the R1T will make it to the UK.

There are rumblings that Rivian may establish a production facility in the UK, which would make future UK model launches a certainty.

Rivian R1T alternatives

There are multiple car manufacturers that are gearing up electric pick-up rivals like the VW Amarok, Fisker Alaska and Isuzu D-Max.

However, currently, the only electric pick-up available in the UK is the Maxus T90 EV.

Ford F-150 Lightning

This is another big electric pick-up, but this time it's from industry giant Ford.

The Blue Oval has just a bit of experience making utility vehicles, having launched one of the first mass-produced pick-ups with its Model-TT in 1917.

The Lightning is the electric version of Ford's best-selling F-150 and essentially offers a muscle car with 320 miles of range, a sub four second 0-60mph time and storage under the bonnet (no engine!) and on that big cargo bed.

Will the Ford F-150 Lightning come to the UK?

The UK doesn't tend to take these larger pick-ups as they're generally oversized for European roads. Ford is already launching a plug-in hybrid version of the smaller Ranger pick-up.

An all-electric model could follow.

Ford F-150 Lightning alternatives

Like the Rivian, the closest rivals are the forthcoming VW Amarok, Fisker Alaska and Isuzu D-Max. UK customers looking for an electric pick-up can get a Maxus T90 EV right now.

Honourable mentions

Cadillac Celestiq

This is a pretty wildly futuristic ultra-luxury saloon destined for US roads. Each Celestiq is personally commissioned — no two will be alike.

Cadillac says customers work directly with their selected dealer and Cadillac designers "to realise their unique vision for the car, with unprecedented levels of personalization tailored to reflect the owner’s tastes".

The Celestiq combines a 111-kWh battery pack and a two-motor, all-wheel-drive propulsion system with parent company General Motors estimating a driving range of around 300 miles on a full charge.

Tesla Model S Plaid

Have you ever shot off from a standing start in your Model S and thought: "Nah, this just isn't quick enough." That was obviously the conclusion from Elon Musk and Tesla, which decided to create a bonkers 1,000 horsepower version of the Model S that can hit 0-62mph in just 2.4 seconds. That's even quicker than a hypercar like a Bugatti Veyron.

Tesla cancelled right-hand drive version of the Model S last year "for the foreseeable future", instead opting to focus its production on higher volume models like the Model 3 and Model Y. You can get still get a left-hand drive Model S if you really want, so technically you can also get a Model S Plaid as a lefty in the UK too. Order books are due to open in June 2024.

Aiways U5

Aiways, the Shanghai-based carmaker launched in the German market a few years ago, with other countries such as France, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy quickly following.

The U5 has an electric range of 250 miles of range on a single charge, with a 63kWh battery able to charge from 30 to 80% in 27 minutes.

The U5 was the first electric vehicle (EV) from a Chinese startup to go on sale in Europe, but the SUV hasn't made its way to the UK yet. Aiways was planning to launch in the UK last year and it's still expected to arrive soon.