Top 10 best Motability electric cars 2023

The Motability scheme gives eligible people in the UK the opportunity to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair in exchange for their mobility allowance. Those who qualify can pick any car, scooter or wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) they want, provided it’s offered on the Motability scheme.

But it’s not just a lease: insurance, breakdown assistance, tyre repair and replacement, windscreen repairs, servicing and maintenance are all included in the package, making it a convenient and hassle-free option.

Plus, every three months, the organisation negotiates discounted leasing rates with car manufacturers, potentially offering big savings that aren’t available elsewhere. And now, more and more electric cars are becoming available on the scheme, including city cars and family SUVs, to even larger and more practical options like the Citroen e-SpaceTourer nine-seat minibus.

After finding the car you want, you can also decide who drives the vehicle and which dealership to operate through, plus you’re eligible for a new vehicle every three years. Drivers still have to pay for fuel, however choosing an electric car could offer huge savings over the course of the lease compared to a petrol or diesel-powered equivalent. Motability has also partnered with Ohme to offer home charging points to clients who choose an electric model.

Below, we’ve listed what we consider to be the top 10 cars available on the Motability scheme. We've not only taken into account how good these cars are as standalone models, but also what value they represent taking into account the necessary advance payment. 

All the EVs below will use the entirety of your weekly Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PiP). Drivers aged under 25 are restricted to cars that sit in insurance group 16 or lower, and have a power output of 120bhp or less. Keep reading for our breakdown of who qualifies for Motability and what the scheme includes as a whole.

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1. MG4 EV

Advance payment: £0 (SE), £199 (SE Long Range), £999 (Trophy Long Range)

The MG4 was crowned DrivingElectric Car of the Year for 2023, so there’s no surprise that it tops this list as well. With a sporty driving experience and spacious interior, the MG4 is sufficient for use as a family car, with plenty of headroom and a flat floor in the rear. The boot might not be the biggest in its class, but it should be large enough to carry the weekly shop. MG says base cars can do just over 200 miles on a charge; if you think you’ll be travelling long distances, we recommend stepping up to the mid-spec SE Long Range with its 281-mile range and bargain £199 advance payment.

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2. Citroen e-Berlingo

Advance payment: £1,495 (Flair XTR), £2,345 (Flair XTR XL)

It may not be the cheapest entry on this list in terms of the advance payment, but boy does the e-Berlingo offer bang for your buck when it comes to interior space. The electric Citroen van is available with up to seven seats and, in long-wheelbase XL specification, offers up to 3,500 litres of space – more than enough for a wheelchair and luggage for a two-week family holiday. The five-seat Flair XTR model requires you to pay less up-front, and all models boast comfortable suspension, an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus plenty of cubbyholes to tuck away your belongings.

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3. Ora Funky Cat

Advance payment: £0 (First Edition)

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Ora’s electric city car really puts the cat amongst the Motability pigeons as, unlike most other entries on this list, doesn’t require an advance payment – even in lavishly-equipped First Edition specification. If you can get past the rather daft name, the Ora Funky Cat is a compelling package overall, with lots of rear passenger space, a striking and tech-filled interior and a near-200-mile range. The boot is a bit tight and the suspension can be a bit fidgety, but loads of standard kit including a 360-degree camera, heated seats and dual-zone climate control should help you overlook those niggles.

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4. MG ZS EV

Advance payment: £899 (SE), £1,149 (Trophy), £1,899 (SE Long Range), £2,199 (Trophy Long Range)

No, the Motability scheme isn’t just for small hatchbacks and boring MPVs – you can even get a fashionable, high-riding SUV for a reasonable advance payment. The MG ZS EV is an ideal family car, packing a big boot and cushy ride. While hard plastics usually make us wince here at DrivingElectric, they should at least be durable, meaning the ZS EV’s cabin will stand up to the toils of family life. Base versions have a range of around 200 miles, which should be fine if you don’t plan to take the car on long trips. Bump up your advance payment by an extra £1,000 and this’ll get you the Long Range model which can do over 270 miles on a charge.

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5. Renault Megane E-Tech

Advance payment: £995 (Techno), £1,895 (Launch Edition), £1,995 (Iconic)

The Renault Megane E-Tech is one of the finest electric family cars you can buy, and is nothing like its bland, petrol-power predecessor. A particular highlight for us is the Megane’s Google-based infotainment system which is one of the most responsive and intuitive units we’ve ever come across. It drives well, too, offering an ideal blend of comfort and driving fun. All Megane E-Tech models have an official range of 280 miles and can be topped-up in as little as half an hour, thanks to 130kW ultra-rapid charging.

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6. Vauxhall Mokka Electric

Advance payment: £499 (Ultimate), £799 (GS)

Last year saw the Vauxhall Corsa top the UK sales charts and the Mokka Electric is its roomier SUV sibling. Riding higher not only makes the Vauxhall Mokka Electric easier to get in and out of, it offers a clearer and more commanding view of the road as well – ideal for city driving. The Mokka’s 310-litre boot is larger than the 267 litres available in the Corsa Electric as well, with the SUV offering the same relaxed driving experience as its smaller sibling. Both share the relatively nippy-feeling electric electric motor, too, as well as a battery pack that offers just over 200 miles in pre-facelift models, and around 250 miles on updated cars.

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7. Skoda Enyaq

Advance payment: £1,999 (60), £2,199 (60 ecoSuite/Lounge/Suite), £2,699 (80 Loft), £2,899 (80 ecoSuite/Lounge/Suite)

Sharp looks, a plush and spacious interior and a strong electric range – the Skoda Enyaq SUV has it all. Its suspension may be on the firm side, but it does well to soak up all but the nastiest of bumps. You’ll be grateful for plenty of Skoda’s neat ‘Simply Clever’ features, too – such as an umbrella hidden in the door and a parking ticket clip on the windscreen. You do have to pay for it, though; the Enyaq is the most expensive entry on this list in terms of the advance payment, and we recommend, if you can, stepping up to the bigger-battery ‘80’ model with its superb 339-mile range. If you can stump up the cash, though, you’ll find the Enyaq to not only be one of the best cars on this list, but one of the most well-rounded EVs you can buy full-stop.

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8. Renault ZOE

Advance payment: £0 (Techno), £295 (Iconic)

The Renault ZOE has been around for a while now, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of our top picks if you’re looking for a cheap-to-run EV on the Motability scheme. Sharing its hi-tech interior with the petrol-powered Clio, the ZOE is whisper-quiet on the move and feels nippy around town. It’s much more practical than you might expect, too; the ZOE can seat four adults comfortably and its 338-litre boot is bigger than other electric superminis like the Peugeot e-208. The financial step up to the range-topping Iconic model isn’t a huge one – and we’d recommend doing so as it’s only around £300 more. Oh, and did we mention the ZOE is one of the few EVs on the Motability scheme that you can drive aged under 25?

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9. Kia Niro

Advance payment: £999 (2), £2,499 (3), £3,499 (4)

Sister car to the brilliant Hyundai Kona, the Kia Niro is a great electric family car and is fantastic value on the Motability scheme – particularly if you go for the entry-level ‘2’ model. While higher-spec cars will set you back thousands in advance payments, the base Niro is relatively affordable and comes packed with standard kit including a dual-screen infotainment system, climate control and rear parking sensors. All Kia Niros get a 270-odd mile range and 77kW rapid charging so you won’t be feeling short-changed by going for the base car. Throw in a comfortable and relaxing ride, what’s not to like?

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10. MINI Electric

Advance payment: £0 (Level 3)

A retro-inspired hatchback, much like the Fiat 500e, the MINI Electric is an extremely fun-to-drive and stylish option on the Motability scheme. Range is limited to 145 miles, but standard equipment is generous and performance is great from the 181bhp electric motor. For those looking for a car to do short distances or commutes in, the MINI Electric is ideal. However, it must be said that the MINI Electric isn’t the most practical entry on this list, as it remains unavailable in five-door form, and it’s not available to drivers under 25. 

Do I qualify for the Motability scheme?

To be eligible for the Motability Scheme, you must receive one of the following four mobility allowances:

Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (HRMC DLA)

£64.50 per week

Enhanced Rate Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (ERMC PIP)

£64.50 per week

Higher rate mobility component of Child Disability Payment

£64.50 per week

War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS)

£72.00 per week

Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

£64.50 per week

You must have at least 12 months left to run on any of the above allowances to qualify for Motability. There are also terms and conditions that need to be met: any car leased through Motability must be used for the benefit of the disabled person, even if it's predominantly or entirely driven by another named driver.

Any named driver must have a valid driving licence, and also meet RSA’s insurance underwriting criteria. Misuse of a Motability car – ranging from driving without insurance to sub-leasing the vehicle – could result in the termination of the lease and a bill to cover any repairs or loss of resale value. You may also be prevented from getting another car through the scheme.

What’s included on the Motability scheme?

As mentioned above, leasing through Motability lets you roll insurance, breakdown assistance, servicing and maintenance into one package, with all of the above organised for you. Insurance is provided by RSA Motability, and includes personal accident cover. Servicing is included, too, and if you give the dealership three weeks’ notice, it'll arrange a courtesy car so you can travel home while the service is being carried out.

Motability arranges full breakdown assistance, and you may have up to two named drivers. Cars have a mileage allowance of 60,000 miles, while MOTs and road tax are covered as well. Perhaps most importantly of all, the scheme allows you to choose a variety of adaptations to accommodate a variety of disabilities. Some adaptations are free, while others have a price attached.

All manner of adaptations can be arranged, including hand controls, steering aids, pedal modifications and personal hoists. Consult with your dealer to have these fitted. It’s important to note that there are cars on the scheme that cost less than a full week’s mobility allowance to lease, and therefore it could still be cheaper overall to run a petrol, diesel or hybrid vehicle. We've also made a list of the best Motability hybrid cars if you can't make the switch to electric just yet.