Small Electric Utility Vehicles
Small electric utility vehicles, or LSVs, are growing in popularity. They’re often found in professional applications, such as farms that replace their big tractors with smaller, more compact vehicles that are easier to drive and less noisy.
These vehicles can get a decent range from their batteries. Some also have solar panels that can add up to a few extra miles of range per day when parked outside.
Hyundai Kona Electric
If you’re looking for a small electric utility vehicle that’s able to handle both daily commutes and longer road trips, the Hyundai Kona Electric is an excellent choice. It offers an impressive list of features for the price, plus Hyundai’s renowned 10-year warranty.
The Kona Electric’s nimble handling is particularly enjoyable, and the acceleration is quick and responsive. It also has a pleasant feel around town, thanks to its relatively light weight and nippy powertrain.
Its 201-hp electric motor and 64-kilowatt-hour battery pack provide plenty of grunt for a car of this size. Acceleration is quick and smooth, with instant torque to help you move quickly out of slow traffic.
We especially enjoyed the way the EV’s Sport mode adds a bit of extra pep to our drives. The Kona’s nimble feel and the way it can re-align itself for tight corners make it a joy to drive, even when you’re not on the open road.
Like the gas-powered version, the Kona Electric’s interior small electric utility veh is comfortable and well-designed. The center console is more prominent and the controls are laid out differently, but they’re easy to understand and don’t distract you.
There’s a lot of standard safety and convenience features, too. It comes with a rearview camera, blind spot warning, forward collision warning with automatic braking, lane departure warning, a driver attention monitor and rear-seat occupancy alert.
The Kona Electric also has a 7.2-kW charging unit that can charge the battery from 10% to 80% in 43 minutes, according to Hyundai. It also has a list DC fast-charging capability of up to 100 kW, though we were never able to get that far in our tests.
There’s no doubt the Kona Electric has some competition, but it remains one of the best all-around EVs available. It’s a good choice for someone looking to drive an EV that doesn’t break the bank, and is still eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. The EPA estimates it will use about 23 kWh of electricity per 100 miles, making it one of the more efficient EVs in the class.
Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 is the latest addition to the small electric utility vehicle segment, and it has a lot going for it. It has a wide range of standard and available features, and its 800-volt architecture lets it charge from 10 to 80% in 18 minutes at an ultra-fast 350-kW highway charging station.
Unlike most other electric vehicles, the Kia EV6 doesn’t require a converter to use public charging stations and can also recharge its battery from home. It also has a lot of features that make it a good choice for driving in the city, including regenerative braking that reclaims energy from the brake pedal when you aren’t accelerating.
When you’re in the city, the EV6’s regenerative braking is especially useful for slowing down in stop-start traffic. You can control the regen braking strength using paddles mounted behind the steering wheel.
Inside the EV6, you’ll find a wide range of features, including heated and power-adjustable seats. There are also USB ports embedded into the front seatbacks, a rear-seat audio system with an integrated Bluetooth speaker, and a remote vehicle start system.
There’s also an impressive range of safety technology, including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist that detects cars, cyclists and pedestrians on the road and can automatically apply the brakes if you are in an accident. Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist can also be activated to help you avoid collisions with cars and other vehicles in your blind-spot.
Its interior is well-equipped and comfortable for long trips, thanks to fully reclining heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-position memory, and simulated suede and leather upholstery. The dashboard has a flat-bottom steering wheel and exclusive design elements that add a sporty touch to the cabin.
The EV6 GT is the fastest and most powerful Kia model ever built, with 576 horsepower from two electric motors and all-wheel drive. It can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and is faster than some Lamborghini and Ferrari models. Its performance is designed to draw supercar buyers to the brand, and it will likely serve as an inspiration for future model releases.
Chevrolet Bolt EUV
The Bolt EUV takes the hatchback’s underpinnings and adds sheetmetal to make it look more like a small electric utility small electric utility veh vehicle. Its cabin is 6 inches longer than the hatchback, which increases rear legroom and makes it a better choice for families.
Chevy offers a wide variety of options for the EUV’s infotainment system, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These systems allow you to access music, podcasts, navigation, and more. In addition, a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot lets you connect with a wireless network for internet service and charge your phone while on the road.
One of the Bolt EUV’s most notable features is its Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving system, which enables hands-free operation in certain situations. It has been tested on more than 200,000 miles of pre-mapped roads in the U.S. and Canada, but it still requires the driver to be aware of the road ahead at all times.
Another useful feature is the one-pedal drive mode, which captures energy from deceleration and returns it to the battery pack. It’s especially helpful when traveling long distances.
The regenerative braking system is also well-tuned, which means you can drive at a steady pace and come to a stop with ease. The Bolt EUV also excels around turns, with quick, responsive steering and a smooth ride quality.
When you’re ready to recharge, the EUV has an onboard charger and a dual-level charging cord that plugs into both 120- and 240-volt power outlets. It’s compatible with a network of public charging stations, as well. In addition to regular charging, a DC fast-charging station can bring the EUV’s battery up to 95 miles of range in 30 minutes.
Volvo XC40 Recharge
The Volvo XC40 Recharge is one of the best small electric utility vehicles available on the market. It has all of the features and luxury that drivers want from a Volvo, with all the performance and efficiency of a pure-electric vehicle.
It is one of the most advanced small electric utility vehicles on the market, with a full suite of driver-assistance features to keep you safe during your travels. It includes lane departure warning, blind-spot detection, Adaptive Cruise Control, and more. It has an excellent crash-test record and it was awarded the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award in 2022.
If you plan on driving your XC40 Recharge long distances, you’ll need to find an overnight charge location near you. This can be done by installing a home charger or securing ready access to a public charging station near your apartment, work, or wherever you’re going.
With the XC40 Recharge’s 208 miles of range on a single charge, it is able to cover most commutes and road trips. However, you will need to plan your routes ahead of time and use a 220-volt Level 2 home charger or a public charging station that is near you.
You can also use the XC40 Recharge’s standard Volvo On Call app to track your charge, lock and unlock the doors, heat and cool the cabin with remote start, and much more. This is a convenient feature that is available for free on all models and it can be used with any compatible smartphone.
This is a great feature to have if you’re planning on sharing your vehicle with other drivers, as it will allow them to view the charge status and remotely access your car for a specified amount of time. It’s a great way to share the thrill of driving an electric vehicle while also enjoying the benefits of a full suite of innovative technology that has been designed and built by the experts at Volvo.
Besides the great interior and infotainment systems that are included with every XC40 Recharge model, Volvo’s safety features and technology continue to be a main focus for the brand. They include a rearview camera and a 360-degree view camera system to help you park your vehicle safely. You can also get a blind spot information system, which uses steer assist to help you stay in your lane when traffic is heavy.