- Up until recently, electric convertible cars were a fairly uncommon sight on the road.
- As manufacturers continue to electrify their model portfolios before various zero-emission vehicle mandates come into place, there are more options than ever when it comes to a roof-down, electric experience.
- From affordable options to EV supercars, here are our picks of the best electric convertible cars available around the world right now, along with some models on the horizon.
What electric convertible cars are out there?
For the purposes of this article, prices are listed in British Pound Sterling.
MG Cyberster – Longbow Speedster – Fiat/Abarth 500e Convertible – Smart EQ ForTwo Cabrio – Maserati GranCabrio Folgore
MG Cyberster
The MG Cyberster is the first electric sports car to come out of the MG brand, since China’s SAIC acquired the brand back in 2007. The entry-level single motor form comes in at £54,995, offering up 335 horsepower and a 0-62mph time of five seconds – and let’s not forget its scissor doors. While it’s certainly not the cheapest electric car on the market, compared to ICE convertibles with similar levels of performance, it offers more value than you might think.
For those who want the Cyberster’s performance and looks but can do without a convertible top, watch this space. Last summer, MG revealed a hardtop concept take on the model, called the Cyber GTS. It remains to be seen whether this hardtop variant will make its way to production, however.
Unfortunately, it looks like the MG Cyberster won’t be coming to the North American market anytime soon.
Longbow Speedster
Whilst technically not a convertible as the Longbow Speedster doesn’t actually have a roof, it still deserves a place on this list as one of the most revolutionary EVs for top-down driving.
Created by a group of ex-Tesla and ex-Lucid Motors executives, the Speedster aims to create a new category of ‘featherweight’ EVs. With a kerb weight of 895 kilograms, this EV aims to bring driving fun into the electric era – and could be the perfect car to sway devoted petrolheads.
Fiat/Abarth 500e Convertible
Fiat’s latest all-electric 500 is also available with the roof off, starting at around £34k. With its retro styling and small carbon footprint, it’s the perfect summertime city car. But, with a quoted range of 199 miles, cruise control, and a top speed of 93mph, it’s equally as capable on longer journeys.
The rapid charge facility can add up to 30 miles of range in 5 minutes, or 80% in around 35 minutes. As standard, it also comes with a 10-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
If you’re looking for something a little sportier, Fiat’s in-house performance brand Abarth offers a hotted-up 500e convertible. This comes with sports seats, tweaked exterior styling, and an improved 0-60mph time of 6.8 seconds. This model also comes with an engine sound generator, emulating the sound of previous petrol-powered Abarth models.
The convertible variant of the Fiat 500e isn’t sold in North America, but the standard hardtop Fiat 500e is still available there – and is one of the cheapest electric cars available in the USA.
Smart EQ Fortwo Cabrio
Smart’s two-seat convertible is one of the best electric convertible cars for the city, with a length of just under 2.7 metres. It’s also the cheapest electric convertible car you can buy on our list. With a starting price of £24,645, it comes with heated seats and a heated steering wheel, along with Apple Carplay/Android Auto integration.
Maserati GranCabrio Folgore
Hitting the market this year, Maserati has released its first fully-electric convertible in the form of the GranCabrio Folgore. It’s certainly the fastest droptop EV on this list, with a 761 horsepower electric motor delivering a top speed of 180mph and a 0-60mph time of 2.7 seconds. It’s definitely the most expensive on this list, too, with prices set to start from £185,610.
Our wishlist
BMW i4 Cabriolet
Whilst BMW offers the ICE version of its 4 Series in convertible form, that unfortunately doesn’t apply to the similar electric BMW i4. While BMW has no plans to release such a variant, it would be a welcome addition to its EV range. The brand is set to release an i4 Cabriolet later this decade however, based on the upcoming Neue Klasse platform.
