Best Seven-Seater Electric Cars 2024: The Complete Guide For The UK

Mercedes-Benz EQS



Electric Cars: The Basics


For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we would recommend a read of the following articles:


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Overview


Despite the significant increase in the availability of electric cars, in all body types and budgets, the availability of seven-seater electric cars has been relatively limited. Nevertheless, there is still a wide enough choice for families and company-car drivers seeking environmentally-friendly 7-seater electric vehicles. It is worth noting that seven-seater cars have been gaining popularity over the past few decades, in particular, MPV’s and SUV’s that offer 7 seats.

In our list of the best 7-seater electric cars, the majority of the EVs are battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), with only two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) making the list. Given the significant increase in the pure electric range and performance of BEVs (also known as pure electric cars), a zero-tailpipe emission pure electric car is a better choice than a plug-in hybrid electric car.

In fact, on our list, two 7-seater pure electric SUVs have a claimed electric range over 360 miles, the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and the all-electric Volvo EX90. Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the electric SUVs will deliver a useful and practical emission-free electric range (300 miles +).

Moreover, the costs per mile for driving electric is lower than driving an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. Depending on the cost of charging, electric driving per mile will be below 10 pence. Pure electric cars have also benefit from lower service and maintenance costs.

The two 7-seater plug in hybrid electric cars on our list, include, the Hyundai Santa Fe plug-in hybrid and the Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid. Both 7-seater PHEVs have a 13.8 kWh onboard EV battery, with a similar claimed EV range up to 36 miles. Expect a real-world electric range below 30 miles. For those of you living or driving in areas with very limited access to residential or public charging, and with a need to cover long distances on a regular basis, these two plug-in hybrids maybe worth considering.

Not surprisingly, we have a number of seven-seater pure electric MPVs on our list. The majority of these multi-purpose vehicles incorporate a 50 kWh onboard EV battery with a claimed electric range between 135 – 175 miles. However, an exception is the all-electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz, a favourite of ours. It is the first all-electric family MPV from Volkswagen.

The VW e-Van is available in one EV battery size (77 kWh). The manufacturer claims a zero-emission electric range up to 260 miles (WLTP). Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the EV delivers a useful and practical electric range, for most day-to-day needs and for longer distance motorway driving. A pure electric range closer to 225 miles is more realistic.

Though many of the 7-seater electric vehicles (EVs) on our list offer a strong ‘value for money’ proposition, it is worth highlighting the following, for those with a limited family or company-car budget: Citroën ë-Berlingo, Citroën ë-Spacetourer, Vauxhall Combo Life and Vauxhall Vivaro Life. These pure electric cars are priced between £30,000 – £40,000. Of course, company-car drivers also have the added benefit of a lower benefit-in-kind (BiK-2%) tax charge for battery-electric vehicles.

For those seeking a premium 7-seater SUV with a more affordable price tag, the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQB SUV is certainly worth considering. Priced just over £50,000, the EV has much to offer. The EV is available in one EV battery size option (66.5 kWh), with a WLTP emission-free electric range up to 253 miles. The onboard EV battery is neither small nor large. It is really a mid-range battery size, appropriate for city and motorway use.

The electric EQB offers DC charging up to 100 kW DC. Not the fastest DC charging speed, nor the slowest. Again, a mid-range charging speed, appropriate, given the size of the onboard EV battery, The pure electric SUV can be charged up to 80% in 32 minutes. The manufacturer also offers a 3-phase 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard.

In general, the latest crop of seven-seater electric cars do offer decent performance. Of course, EVs also benefit from instant torque. As an example, the all-electric Volvo EX90 is available in two powertrain variants. The all-wheel drive Twin Motor and the all-wheel drive Twin Motor Performance. The Twin Motor can achieve 0-62 mph in 5.7 seconds (maximum power: 408 HP/ torque: 770 Nm). The higher performance variant, the Twin Motor Performance, can achieve 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds (maximum power: 517 HP/ torque: 910 Nm). The top speed for the EV is 112 mph.

For those seeking more than 7-seats, there are a few options. As an example, the all-electric Citroën ë-Spacetourer offers up to 9 seats. Another option worth considering is the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric MPV.

We do envision the choice and availability of seven-seater electric vehicles to increase, as manufacturers continue to position their respective portfolio for the mass-migration to electric driving. You can read a complete guide on each of the electric cars listed below on the e-zoomed Electric Living Blog by following the links.


Buying a seven-seater electric car: Top Tips
Should I buy a seven-seater BEV or PHEV?Where possible, choose a BEV over a PHEV: zero-tailpipe emissions, cheaper to driver per mile.
What EV battery size is best for a 7-seater electric car?Larger the onboard EV battery, longer the electric range, the more versatile its use. Except, if your driving needs are limited to short urban driving, then a smaller EV battery will be suitable.
Is DC charging capability of an electric car important?Yes! The faster the DC rapid charging capability of an EV, the shorter the charging time. In general, most rapid DC charging sessions achieve 10%-80% in 30 minutes. Also, most pure electric cars offer DC charging capability at varying levels. As an example the ID.Buzz offers up to 170 kW DC rapid charging, while the Citroën ë-Berlingo, offers up to 100 kW DC. Most PHEVs do not offer DC charging capability. The two PHEVs on our list do not offer DC charging capability.
Is the AC onboard charging capability of an electric car important?The faster the capability of the onboard AC charger, the better. Single-phase EV charging is well suited for residential AC charging, while a three-phase onboard AC charger well suited for faster three-phase AC charging (usually workplace and public).
How do I assess practicality of a seven-seater EV?There are many factors to consider when assessing the real-world practicality of a seven-seater EV. Some of these include: ease of access to the seats (third-row), available headroom and legroom for the passengers seated at the rear, impact on rear-view visibility for the driver, available boot space for luggage etc. The Tesla Model X is a great example of an EV with easy access to the third row, given the unique ‘falcon-wing’ doors.


Best Seven-Seater Electric Cars 2024


Citroën ë-Berlingo, Citroën ë-Spacetourer, Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid, Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz EQB, Mercedes-Benz EQS, Mercedes-Benz EQV, Tesla Model X, Vauxhall Combo Life, Vauxhall Vivaro Life, Volkswagen ID. Buzz, Volvo EX90


Best Seven-Seater Electric Cars


Brand/ ModelBattery Size (kWh)Electric Range (WLTP)Body Type EV Type
Citroën ë-Berlingo50 kWh153 milesMPVBEV
Citroën ë-Spacetourer50 kWh136 milesMPVBEV
Hyundai Santa Fe Plug-In Hybrid13.8 kWh36 milesSUVPHEV
Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid13.8 kWh35 milesSUVPHEV
Mercedes-Benz EQB66.5 kWh253 milesSUVBEV
Mercedes-Benz EQS108.4 kWh365 milesSUVBEV
Mercedes-Benz EQV90 kWh213 milesMPVBEV
Tesla Model X95 kWh348 milesSUVBEV
Vauxhall Combo Life50 kWh174 milesMPVBEV
Vauxhall Vivaro Life50 kWh141 milesMPVBEV
Volkswagen ID. Buzz77 kWh260 milesMPVBEV
Volvo EX90111 kWh363 milesSUVBEV


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Author

Ashvin Suri

Ashvin has been involved with the renewables, energy efficiency and infrastructure sectors since 2006. He is passionate about the transition to a low-carbon economy and electric transportation. Ashvin commenced his career in 1994, working with US investment banks in New York. Post his MBA from the London Business School (1996-1998), he continued to work in investment banking at Flemings (London) and JPMorgan (London). His roles included corporate finance advisory, M&A and capital raising. He has been involved across diverse industry sectors, to include engineering, aerospace, oil & gas, airports and automotive across Asia and Europe. In 2010, he co-founded a solar development platform, for large scale ground and roof solar projects to include, the UK, Italy, Germany and France. He has also advised on various renewable energy (wind and solar) utility scale projects working with global institutional investors and independent power producers (IPP’s) in the renewable energy sector. He has also advised in key international markets like India, to include advising large-scale industrial and automotive group in India. Ashvin has also advised Indian Energy, an IPP backed by Guggenheim (a US$ 165 billion fund). He has also advised a US$ 2 billion, Singapore based group. Ashvin has also worked in the real estate and infrastructure sector, to including working with the Matrix Group (a US$ 4 billion property group in the UK) to launch one of the first few institutional real estate funds for the Indian real estate market. The fund was successfully launched with significant institutional support from the UK/ European markets. He has also advised on water infrastructure, to include advising a Swedish clean technology company in the water sector. He has also been involved with a number of early stage ventures.

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