To secure the best deals, shopping in end-of-season sales is a well-known trick. This includes BBQs, dining furniture, outdoor seating, lighting, and storage as clearance sales commence. What’s more, a recent Which report details the sharp rise in prices for outdoor furniture over the past year meaning that buying out of season could actually save you a lot of money.

Here are some deals so you can prepare your garden to host in summer 2022.

1. Dakota Fields Sun lounger

First up is a pair of reclining sun loungers by Dakota Fields. Made from weaved rattan and, being both water and UV resistant, the loungers are durable to the ever-changing British weather. Each lounger is padded with a matching head cushion for maximum comfort. The padding is detachable from the frame to protect it from the elements. With a matching side table, handy for placing drinks and sun cream, for extra convenience.

With five adjustable positions, for maximum relaxation and equipped with wheels to make them easily movable; the loungers are great for making afternoons in the summer sun feel extra luxurious.

Find out more at wayfair.co.uk

2. Crank & Tilt Parasol

Spending endless hours sat out in the sun’s direct rays can get a little too much, especially during the height of summertime. Therefore, a parasol can be an essential way to provide respite and, of course, shade. Available in dark grey and neutral tones and made from steel with a polyester canopy, this parasol is both stylish and functional.

With a manual hand-crank, the parasol is easy to set up. It also has the ability to be tilted, allowing you to get perfect shade from the sun.

Find out more at homebase.co.uk

3. Blakeley Garden Deluxe Rope Portable Hanging Chair

One of the best ways to relax on a summer afternoon is in a hammock. The Blakeley Swinging chair is perfect for spending lazy afternoons in the sun, listening to birds, podcasts, or reading books and socialising with friends. The striped, blue, red, and white colours are also a throwback to classic beach towels on British sea-sides.

The seat comes without a stand and can be easily moved. Meaning the chair is suitable for outdoors and indoors in the colder months. The material is a quick-drying polyester and cotton blend, suitable for machine wash.

Find out more at wayfair.co.uk

4. Texas Stardom 4 Burner Gas BBQ

No summer is complete without a BBQ. As soon as the weather forecast predicts sunshine and moderate temperatures, BBQs up and down the country are wheeled out of their sheds and the ever-familiar smoky smell fills the air.

The Texas Stardom four burner Gas BBQ is not your basic outdoor cooking appliance either. Boasting being able to cook up to 25 burgers at once, this BBQ is perfect for hosting garden parties.

Find out more at homebase.co.uk

5. Corrugated Garden Metal Storage Shed

Number one on Which’s report of rising garden furniture prices is the garden shed, making finding a reasonably priced one in the sales a top priority.

Outsunny’s corrugated shed is a reliable and during option for garden storage. Created as a stable and durable structure, the shed’s topcoat is weather resistant – allowing whatever you store inside to be kept dry and protected all year round. The angled roof prevents rainwater from building up and damaging or rusting the shed. Available in both green and grey, the shed is a staple for outdoor storage.

Find out more at therange.co.uk

6. Zipcode Design Felicity Sofa

When spending hours relaxing outside, choosing a sofa-style seating set over a dining table and chairs can be a comfier alternative. The Felicity sofa set comes with two corner pieces, a middle piece, footstool, and matching coffee table.

The rattan base comes in either brown or black and is both UV and rust-resistant. The cushions, both large and small, have removable covers, allowing them to be easily removed and washed. The smaller cushions are in a lime green to add a pop of colour.

Find out more at wayfair.co.uk

7. Solar powered fairy lights

Fairy lights are an easy way to add some atmosphere to your garden. More intimate than standard garden wall lights, a string of fairy lights will make you garden space feel warm and welcoming to visitors.

These lights are solar-powered, removing the need to be attached to mains electricity. The accompanying solar panel should be fixed somewhere with plenty of access to direct sunlight, allowing the lights to charge up throughout the day. With the simple design and warm white LEDs, these lights will make a lovely addition to gardens both big and small alike.

Find out more at amazon.co.uk

8. Lyra Garden Bench

The Lyra two-seater sofa is an elegant and beautiful design for those looking for unique garden furniture. With its simple, sleek design the sofa would work in both bigger and smaller gardens, unlike larger outdoor seating – perfect for people who don’t want to overcrowd their back garden.

The finely weaved poly-rattan and simple steel framework give the seat a lovely retro feel while the durable material means it’ll be able to withstand being outside all year round. The seat also has available matching armchairs and a dining table.

Find out more at made.com

9. Gold Art Deco Geometric Garden Lantern

Creating the perfect outdoor living space is not just down to choosing the comfiest sofa or best BBQ, paying attention to the details, and choosing items to give the perfect accents will really bring your garden together.

The Gold Art Deco Garden Lanterns from Homebase have a simple and complementary style. Available in both a geometric and leaf pattern, the gold finished lantern is a perfect statement piece and can be brought indoors for the colder months.

Find out more at homebase.co.uk

10. Pillar Votive Candle

Candles are perfect for creating a cosy atmosphere, however burning them in your garden can sometimes be a little tricky with wind. However, the Bolsius Pillar Candles from The Seasonal Aisle are made from a premium wax blend and suitable for outdoor use.

Lasting for around 43 hours per candle and coming in a set of six, these candles are a great addition for long summer evenings spent outside with friends and family.

Find out more at wayfair.co.uk

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email laura@hurstmediacompany.co.uk or editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

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Over the past year, we’ve been at home than ever. More time at home means more time to notice all the places which would benefit from some attention.

One of those spaces is our hallways. When we come home, we want to feel like we are walking into a warm, safe, and inviting space – and this of course starts with our hallways. But if you have a small or narrow hallway, how can you decorate it without over-filling the limited space?

We spoke to the design experts at Essential Living who have provided us with their top tips on how to create an inviting hallway in a quick and easy way.

Mirrors

Mirrors are known as a great trick in opening up a narrow room, making it appear bigger than it is – ideal for narrow hallways. They’re also handy for when you’re rushing out the door or wanting to check your outfit looks good.

You can get great statement mirrors for your hallway, which can make for the perfect hallway feature and conveniently do not take up any floor room.

1. Wilko Art Deco Fan Mirror

This retro art deco-inspired mirror from Wilko is a classic and simple design, adding a touch of style to your hallway. By forgoing a large or colourful frame, the mirror is made to be versatile and easily suited to your other furniture.

Find out more at wilko.com

2. Oliver Bonas Aurora Glass Mirror

For a more of a statement option, Oliver Bonas have a vintage-inspired glass wall mirror. The coloured frame makes it harder to style than the previous choice, however the mirror comes in a range of colours, including green, grey, blue and bronze.

Find out more at oliverbonas.com

3. Oliver Bonas Black Round Wall Mirror with Hidden Storage

Looking to combine to pieces of furniture into one? If you are short on floor space you can even find mirrors that have hidden storage inside.

Oliver Bonas have a round wall mirror with a shelving unit behind. The sleek and classic design would be near-universal in complementing décor while providing space for miscellaneous items such as change, keys, and post.

Find out more at oliverbonas.com

Shelving units and shoe cupboards

Shelving units are a great way to add character to your space without actually taking up the space needed to get through the hall. The shelves could simply be a great place for displaying things like candles, to give a great ambience as you enter your home or even to double up as storage.

4. Wilko Arthouse Circular Gold Shelf

This styling on this arthouse-inspired, gold circular shelf from Wilko provides a little more style than a standard shelf while providing a space to place decorations or place your keys somewhere easily accessible.

Find out more at wilko.com

5. Matalan Antique White Coat Rack

For a classic shelving option, Matalan have a classic option for shelves combined with a coat rack. The coat rack will allow an easily accessible place to store your coats and jackets, keeping them from being piled up staircase bannisters.

Find out more at matalan.co.uk

Speaking of storage places, shoe cupboards are a great place to tidy up your hallway and make it look less cluttered.

6. Wayfair Wooden Flip Down Shoe Storage

A succinct and stylish way to store your shoes, thus decluttering the hallway space, is the flip-down shoe storage. The narrow depth of the cabinet (18cm) will particularly suit the narrowest of hallways, keeping the area tidy and not overcrowded.

Find out more at wayfair.co.uk

7. IKEA Ställ Shoe Cabinet

A slightly bigger but still compact option is the Ställ shoe cabinet from IKEA. While larger than the previous option, the double rows in each compartment allow for plenty of room for storage. Perfect for families or people with large show collections.

Find out more at ikea.com

Bold Colours

Your hallway is the entrance into your home and gives an immediate impression to guests as well as creating the mood each time you re-enter your home.

While some people prefer lighter and calming colours such as off-white or pale greens, which create bases for your furniture shine on, others prefer a bold statement wallpaper that gives their hallway the extra wow factor.

8. Milton and King Park Avenue Petite Wallpaper

If you wanted to go all out on creating a feature wall for your hallway, wallpaper is a great choice. This Milton and King Park Avenue Petite wallpaper provides a unique but not too overpowering choice to make your space stand out.

Find out more at miltonandking.com

9. Pantone Ultimate Grey

For paint options both neutral and bold, Pantone released their 2021 colour (or in this case colours) with one of these being Ultimate Grey. The grey would complement a statement feature wall or work as a neutral background to decorate with mirrors, shelving and pictures.

Find out more at pantone.com

10. Pantone Illuminating Yellow

In contrast to Ultimate Grey, the second colour of 2021 is Illuminating Yellow, a bright and fresh tone ready to breathe light into your home. Perfect for opening up a narrow hallway with a breath of fresh air.

Farrow and Ball have a wide range of paint shades including Lamp Room Grey and Yellowcake which are similar to the Pantone shades. Alternatively, B&Q’s brand Valspar offers paint mixing services, allowing customers to get as close as possible to their desired shade.

Find out more at diy.com

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

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Networking is essential for advancing in your field or if you’re seeking out new opportunities, but it can often appear to be much more daunting than it really is. Working on your networking skills can open up new career avenues and income streams for you.

Virtual networking

Traditional networking scenarios have become much more difficult since the start of the pandemic, but this doesn’t mean we can’t build professional connections in other ways.

E-mentoring has swiftly filled a gap left by face-to-face events, meaning that connecting with leading industry professionals is now more accessible than ever. From tech to business to journalism, online networking and webinar events are now commonplace allowing you to add to your professional circle from the comfort of your own home. Search through sites such as Eventbrite for virtual networking events relevant to your career field. Find networking events also has filters specifically for online and career meetups. 

LinkedIn is still the obvious choice for building your network, but this doesn’t mean that other social media platforms, such as Twitter, can’t be used as well. Taking the initiative and actively seeking out like-minded professionals online can help you build networks in lieu of official events. Hoping to rival LinkedIn, recently launched platform Guild is a site for a networking and professional community building within a mobile friendly app.

Think about how it will benefit you

To make sure you can get as much out of networking as possible its worth spending time considering what you’d like to get out of it, from new sharing professional ideas to finding a mentor.

Planning your conversation topics beforehand and doing your research on experts us easy yet a crucial way to maximising what you can get from the event. Think about what strengths you have in your field and what you can bring to the table. Confidence is also key to success with networking. For those who are less confident, TED has a guide to succeeding at networking as an introvert written by tech executive Karen Wickre.

Join specialised networks

Specialised websites and groups for networking are readily available online and face to face. I like networking (ILN) is a platform created specifically for women and non-binary individuals who are working within creative industries but feel stuck.

Aiming to tackle gender inequality within the field, ILN works internationally to support mentees for three months to help them refine their skills and introduce them to industry experts. They also have a membership programme for access to regular networking events. 1MWIS is a global network for women in traditionally underrepresented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) industries through celebrating diversity and creating positive role models.

Reconnecting with university peers and lecturers through alumni networks are a simple yet effective way to build contacts which could come in use at some point in the future. Employee networks are another way to build up your connections. The Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (ENEI) look to promote diversity and inclusion within UK workplaces.

Look for a mentor

Similarly, mentoring is another way to build professional connections while furthering career development, both as a mentor and a mentee. Mentors can be found through a range of official schemes, for example, the CFA institute mentoring scheme for investment professionals or The 30% Club scheme to address gender imbalance within senior management globally. Mentors can also be discovered through more informal channels as well. For example, several early career professionals have found mentors through reaching out via social media.

For established individuals looking to establish networks for the next generation, Princes Trust aims to provide mentoring and support for budding entrepreneurs aged 18-30 through a range of initiatives including mentoring a young person.

Following up and building a relationship

Now that you’ve made a whole new network of professional contacts it’s just as important to maintain these relationships. Keeping in touch is crucial to keep hold of your contacts, consider ways you could help your network professionally and remember to regularly thank your new contacts when they help you out.

To see your company in any upcoming features we are arranging please email editorial@hurstmediacompany.co.uk

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After spending the past year and a half in and out of lockdown, it’s no surprise home and garden DIY renovations are a popular way to pass the time. Now with restrictions lifting and summer in at its height, it’s time to give your outdoor space a revamp ready to greet your guests.

Here is a rundown of 10 styles to restyle your garden and make it truly stand out.

1. Japanese Garden

Coming top of Horticulture’s list this year are Japanese inspired gardens. PDC-Qualified Garden designer Elizabeth Waddington shared the following advice for creating a Japanese garden: “Japanese gardens are spaces which evoke a certain philosophy. They were designed to suggest an ancient, far-away natural landscape, and to express the fleeting and fragile nature of life. Achieving the feel of a Japanese garden means combining plants and other natural elements to achieve this feel.”

Waddington’s tips for creating an authentic Japanese inspired garden include winding pathways, a water feature or koi pond and a zen garden. Waddington also recommends a red painted bridge over the water feature. Bridges in Japanese gardens symbolise crossing into the spiritual world while the colour red represents wisdom. Key plant choices for this style of garden include acers, azaleas, bamboo, cypress, and cherry blossom.

2. Herb Garden

Not only a garden but also a worthwhile hobby, herb gardens are a good starting point for people looking to grow their own produce. The best part about creating your own herb garden is that you don’t actually need tonnes of space in order to create one. Herb gardens can be sprawling or no bigger than the size of a planter box.

The key to a successful herb garden is sun, your plants will need between six to eight hours of sunlight each day in order to grow happily. While established herbs can live in your garden all year round, new plants can be sown inside until they’re ready to love outside. Grown herb plants can go straight into the garden whereas seeds can be cheaper but harder work for a first-time plant grower. Another tip is to prepare the soil before planting the herbs, make sure your soil is well-drained with nutrient-rich soil. Good plant choices for your herb garden include Basil, Oregano, Chives, Mint, Sage, and Dill.

3. English Country Garden

You don’t need to live in a sprawling countryside cottage to create a dreamy fairy-tale garden. Cottage gardens have a quintessential, English country vibe and would be perfect for hosting garden parties in summer afternoons.

To create your perfect country paradise, look for a rainbow of soft pastel flowers, fragrant rose bushes, a vegetable patch, fruit trees and vintage cast iron garden furniture. When looking for the perfect country garden plants, RHS flowers recommend the following hardy geraniums, pinks (dianthus), delphiniums, honeysuckle, lavender, peonies, roses, hollyhocks, foxgloves, sweet peas. Honey scented phlox are particularly recommended by butterflies and other pollinators. To create an authentic feel, allow your plants to grow in a non-uniformed manner and including aerial climbers, such as Ivy, to decorate your fences and walls.

4. Rustic Garden

The rustic garden is probably the easiest and most laidback way to transform your outdoor space. A perfect style to recreate without breaking the bank, the key to creating a rustic garden is to make it look charming and inviting but without appearing too stylised.

Scour second-hand markets and websites to find retro plant pots to create an authentic look, without shelling out on stylised vintage furniture. Buying second-hand furniture and repurposing old unused things you already have will not only save you money but add to the rustic charm. Another method is to repurpose and recycle any existing furniture you already have, just make sure they’re appropriately weatherproof. Gardening etc runs through several ideas for how you can up-cycle old furniture to give it a rustic charm. One example is to give your old garden shed a new lease of life with a layer of bright or quirky paint.

5. Rock Garden

Rock gardens are a simple and uncomplicated way to add some character to your backyard. Also known as alpine gardens, they consist of piles of rocks, arranged to allow plants to grow out between the cracks. Choose stones which are differing in size to create a natural look and here possible, use the same type of stone (think cooler tones for contemporary houses and earthy tones for traditional houses, see gravel garden). Arrange the rocks in a manner which will keep the plants and the arrangement in place.

The most important factor when creating your rock garden is choosing the correct location, plants suitable for rock gardens thrive with lots of sunlight so making sure you choose somewhere with high exposure to sunlight and well-drained soil. Plants which are best for a rock garden are: Pasque flower (pulsatilla vulgaris), pinks (dianthus), thyme, houseleeks, succulents, candytuft, and dragons blood stonecrop.

6. Balcony Garden

Beautiful gardens are not only confined to people who have large, sprawling outside spaces, especially considering most city dwellers live in apartment buildings. If you utilise your space well, you can create an outside paradise on an urban balcony without it being overcluttered.

The key to your balcony haven is getting the size and height of your plants correct. Plant vertically, with climbing plants and plants which will dangle off balconies. Avoid plants which will grow too big and focus on what’s functional for the space. To create the illusion of extra space hang mirrors on the balcony walls, select furniture which doubles up as storage and compact appliances. Use light and bright colours and make the space feel more open and dangle fairy lights for a cosy atmosphere. Small gardens don’t have to be sterile.

7. Moroccan Garden

Feeling down about being unable to travel abroad this year? Instead transform your garden into something which resembles a warmer climate and bring your lost summer holiday home. Designs inspired by Moroccan gardens and architecture are a great way to liven up your garden in the summer and stand out from your neighbours. Perfect for re-styling a tired courtyard, Moroccan style gardens are inspired by their climate as well as French and Moorish designs. Key to perfecting a Moroccan garden is the use of colour, think cobalt blue, bright red, emerald as well as mustard yellows and pinks. Intricate mosaic tiles, water features, carved wooden furniture, lanterns and awnings will also add to the charm of a Moroccan garden. Just make sure your choices are weather appropriate.

Plant wise consider succulents, cacti, palms, aloes, aeoniums and foliage. As well as fragrant flowers and plants. The biggest obstacle for creating a Moroccan inspired garden is the climate, however you could use Terracotta pots for plants which will need to come inside for the winter.

8. Gravel Garden

Gravel gardens are an ideal low maintenance choice. Working out on average cheaper than turf, the gravel can come in a range of sizes and colours to complement the rest of your garden. Your gravels colour should also match the exterior of your home. Real Homes suggest earthy brown for homes built with traditional materials and cooler tones for more contemporary builds.

Climate consideration is also important. The key to a gravel garden is drought resistant plants. In order for drought resistant plants to thrive, they’ll need to be somewhere which can be well drained, its also worth noting some of these plants will struggle in persistently rainy weather. Decorative aggregates suggest using silver foliage plants to resemble a hotter climate. Lavender, Rock Rose, and Euphorbias are also good options. Alternatively, as a safer option, you can always use the gravel as a border around your plants if your back garden sees a lot of rain.

9. Tropical Garden

One of the harder styles to recreate due to temperature constraints but nonetheless rewarding is a tropical garden. Tropical plants came to the UK during the Victorian times, often found in botanical gardens, but you don’t need a giant greenhouse to recreate an exotic garden at home.

The hardest part of recreating a tropical garden at home is finding plants which are both tropical but also durable. House Beautiful lists a range of plants which fit the tropical vibe but will be able to survive in a colder climate. These include Chusan palms (popular for their fan-shaped leaves), Ginger Lily (bright orange), Arum Lilies and Fatsia plants. Other plant choices which appear tropical but will survive in colder climates are Dwarf fan palms, Cabbage palms and Lady Fern. Middle-sized garden recommends layering your tropical plants and using taller plants to create a ‘jungle canopy’ which will resemble naturally occurring jungle plants as well as doubling as a protective barrier in the winter. Alternatively, you can always plant all your weather sensitive plants in pots and bring them in for the winter.

10. Wildlife Garden

Perhaps the most natural and environmentally friendly choice, the goal of a wildlife inspired garden is to create a mini woodland on your doorstep.

As you’re creating a garden which has a naturally occurring appearance detailed planning is less important than other more stylised choices. Create a path which is winding dotted with moss and allow your flowers to grow in a more un-uniformed style. The central, and arguably most rewarding, part of creating your wildlife garden is to produce an environment in which nature will thrive. So, think garden ponds, insect-friendly spaces, pollinator plants and wildflowers in abundance. Country Living lists ideal plants for a wildlife garden as cornflower, corn marigold, poppies, daisies, and chamomile. Water features, birdbaths and bird boxes will also encourage more creatures to make your garden their home. Finish with some natural wooden furniture to sit and enjoy your new wildlife sanctuary from.

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While electric cars are still relatively new to the market, with 80% of car sales are still being petrol or diesel, the production of EV has come along immensely and is set to only improve as more people make the switch. Hybrid cars are also another choice for people who aren’t ready to make the complete switch, which combines a combustion engine with electric power batteries.

With that said, here is a roundup of the best electric and hybrid cars on the market in terms of price, environmental impact, and lifespan.

1. Tesla Model 3

From £40,990

With their striking design and Elon Musk’s eccentric Twitter presence, Tesla’s are probably the most recognisable electric cars on the market today. However, there’s more to them than a flashy design and outspoken owner. With the standard Tesla Model 3 you can enjoy 0-60mph in just over five seconds or as little as three seconds with the Performance Model 3. There’s also a range of high-tech customisation options including auto lane change, enhanced autopilot, and self-driving capability.

The downside is the high price tag. At £40,990 for the standard Model 3 this is the second most expensive car included in the list and this is one of the cheaper models, a Model S will set you back £83,980 minimum. However, while a Tesla may seem out of your price range now it won’t be forever. The company have announced they are working on an affordable hatchback Model 3, unfortunately there is no official price or release date as of yet.

Find out more at tesla.com

2. Fiat 500

From £25,495 (hatchback) and £30,495 (cabrio)

The easily recognisable Fiat 500 is well known for its stylish design and compact size. It’s now had a revamp as an electric car for the environmentally conscious, equipped with either a 15-mile range or a 42kWh battery that gives it a 199-mile range which places it well amongst its competitors. The Fiat 500 can be charged publicly or at home and if you choose to upgrade to a charging station Wallbox the car can be recharged in less than 4 hours.

The Fiat 500 comes with an optional connected wall box for to make at home charging much simpler. What’s more, you can charge the car remotely through the use of Bluetooth, 4G and Wi-Fi. With its compact size will make it easy to drive and par around cities. However, the downside is also the size. Like it’s engine powered cousins; the three-door electric 500 is on the small side in terms of back seats and boot space.

Find out more at fiat.co.uk

3. Nissan Leaf

From £25,995

One of the first popular electric cars, the Nissan Leaf has been one of the best-sellers since it arrived on the market and remains a strong choice for EV buyers. The standard Nissan Leaf can drive around 168 miles between charging or 239 between charging for a Leaf e+. Quick time charge from 20 to 80% is 60 minutes for the Leaf and 90 for the Leaf e+ due to having a larger battery.

Charging the Leaf from home will cost you around £5.76 which works out at 3p per mile compared to a petrol which costs around 12p per mile. What’s more, charging at off-peak times is cheaper – costing around £4 to charge overnight. The Leaf comes with Sat-nav, smartphone mirroring and a digital driver’s display as standard as well as four different driving modes. As a five-door car, the Nissan Leaf will be more comfortable for backseat passengers compared to the Fiat 500 or Mini, making it the choice for carrying more people.

Find out more at nissan.co.uk

4. Volkswagen ID.3

From £32,300

With its simple and classic design, the Volkswagen ID.3 is commonly billed as the electric version of the Golf. Well rounded, compact, and clean looking the five-door ID.3 combines the space smaller cars lack without looking oversized and clunky.

Setting the ID.3 aside from its counterparts is the choice in battery size. The options of small, medium, and large battery sizes allows customers to cater the car to their driving needs. The ID.3 can reach 0-62 mph in 7.3 seconds and has a maximum speed of 99 mph meaning the VW is well placed amongst its competitors in terms of speed and acceleration. One of the strongest features of the ID.3 is the range. With up to 336 miles of range on a completely charged battery, depending on size, and driving conditions, makes the car a strong and well-rounded choice for an electric vehicle.

Find out more at volkswagen.co.uk

5. Renault Zoe

From £27,595

The Renault Zoe is another solid choice for a midrange electric car. The car has a good range. With a 52-kWh capacity, the battery in Zoe electric allows you to drive up to 245 miles between charges, making the car suitable for both daily commutes and longer trips. Using a public charger, the Zoe can reach 75 miles of range within one hour or 90 miles in 30 minutes using a DC 50kW rapid charger. The car comes with 5 years (or 100,000 miles) warranty.

The Zoe is a great and more affordable option but like the Fiat 500, and many other three door cars, it doesn’t have great backseat space. It’ll be fine for a school run but three adults would struggle to fit in the back.

Find out more at renault.co.uk

6. Mini Electric

7. KIA Soul

From £33,795

KIA’s latest remake of their Soul model shows a vast improvement on their original model, both in style and spec. The biggest selling point for the newest KIA Soul is the improved range. With drivers being able to get 280 miles of driving on a single charge thanks to the improved 64 kWh Lithium-ion battery pack the new KIA Soul sees an improved range of around 150 miles.

The Soul also has around 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds and features such as smart cruise control and lane follow assist to improve the driving experience. Style wise, the KIA is a large, spacious five door SUV suited for families. With reviewers highlighting how the Soul is easy to drive despite its large size, the car is a strong choice and shows KIA’s commitment to improving their electric vehicles.

Find out more at kia.com

8. Toyota Prius Active

From £24,880

The Prius has definitely cemented itself in history being of the most popular petrol-electric car. As a hybrid the Prius uses an internal combustion engine with an electric motor, making it the midpoint between petrol/diesel cars and electric.

The Prius comes with five doors, a 0-62 mph in just over 13 seconds and low running CO2 emissions. Toyota says the Prius battery will last between 100,000-150,000 miles or between 8-10 years. Equipped with a 1.8 petrol hybrid, automatic engine and front wheel drive the Prius is a neat car meaning there’s no wonder it’s widely popular. The only downside is that as a hybrid, the Prius is not eligible for the government EV grant.

Find out more at toyota.co.uk

9. BMW iX3

From £55,850  

With the latest BMW electric vehicle release developers have focused on giving the car a cosmetic uplift. Unlike its predecessor the i3 which was unusual and clunky looking, the newer iX3 looks almost identical to the petrol versions. Blending the pros of having an electric vehicle while looking no different to a regular petrol BMW SUV, the iX3 is for those who want an electric car without looking as though they do.

Equipped with a 279-mile range per charge and 0-62 mph in 6.8 seconds, the iX3 is a solid and practical choice for drivers. The car comes with a spacious interior as well as driving and parking assist built in (these include steering and lane control, cruise control, speed limit assist). The BMW also comes with comfort and sport programmes allowing you to adjust any given driving situation, the sport edition has the noise and pitch similar to what a petrol engine would create.

Find out more at bmw.co.uk

10. Porsche Taycan 4S

From £83,580

Busting the myth that electric cars are plainly practical, the Porsche Taycan 4S is the upmarket choice for an electric vehicle. The Taycan, like Tesla, is a luxury car for the environmentally conscious. With an impressive 254-mile range, dependant on driving conditions, the performance battery makes the Porsche suitable for long haul journeys.

Mixing supercar with practicality, the Taycan is a four-wheel drive and a low centre of gravity. While the Taycan is much heavier than its petrol cousins due to battery weight, a larger battery is needed for the long range, the weight is focused low down in order to preserve the car’s agility. Equipped with safety tech, such as lane assistance and emergency braking as well as an eight-year warranty for the battery. In terms of charging, Porsche provide a RFID card or app, allowing users access to a network of Porsche charging centres.

Unsurprisingly, the biggest negative with the Porsche Taycan is the price. If the Taycan is in your price range it’s a good option, but it’s also worth considering that the Tesla has similar features for a lower price.

Find out more at porsche.com

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