- The variety of electric cars on the market continues to grow, and that will continue throughout 2026, with a number of important EVs set to hit the market this year.
- Thanks to reduced battery costs and improved production techniques, this also includes a number of new ultra-affordable EVs, making the electric car market more accessible than ever.
- 2026 is shaping up to be one of the best years yet for EV enthusiasts. These are the new and upcoming EVs to look out for in 2026, which reach new highs in performance and value.
New electric cars to look out for in 2026
Volkswagen ID. Polo
The Volkswagen ID. Polo will mark the first time that the Polo has been made available in fully-electric form, over 50 years since the wildly popular Polo model originally entered the market. At a starting price of €25,000, when the ID. Polo goes on sale later this year, it’ll match the outgoing ICE model on price. This will help make the ID. Polo one of the most affordable electric superminis on the market.
The ID. Polo will also be one of first Volkswagen Group EVs to run on the brand new MEB+ EV platform, bringing improved range, efficiency, and charging times. An even cheaper Volkswagen EV, the ID. EVERY1, is also on the way, targeting a starting price of €20,000, but you’ll need to wait until 2027 for that vehicle.
Volvo EX60
Revealed at the start of 2026, the Volvo EX60 is expected to go on sale in late 2026 or early 2027. The EX60 will also become the longest range Volvo EV sold to-date, offering up a claimed battery range of 503 miles, eclipsing that of its competitors. For that reason, the EX60 could be one of the most important electric cars in 2026, with a mainstream manufacturer proving that electric cars can truly go the distance when it comes to range.
As well as being the longest range electric Volvo, the EX60 will also be the fastest charging EV from the brand – with a 400kW potential charging speed allowing the EX60 to add over 200 miles of range in as little as 10 minutes.
Kia EV2
Also revealed in January 2026 was the Kia EV2, which, when it goes across sale in Europe this summer, will become the cheapest electric car offered by Kia – a title previously held by the EV3.
The EV2 enters an increasingly competitive small electric SUV market, which includes models already on the market such as the Renault 4. Despite its small proportions, the EV2 will still be a capable vehicle on longer trips, with an optional long-range battery pack allowing the EV2 to travel 278 miles between trips to the plug.
Nissan Leaf
The all-new third-generation Nissan Leaf is being rolled out to markets across the globe this year, and just like the original 2010 Nissan Leaf which was a pioneer of mainstream electric cars, this third generation model is set to be just as revolutionary.
Gone are the days of the original Leaf, which would struggle to crack 100 miles on a single charge. Even with the smallest battery pack option, the new Leaf will still travel 271 miles between charges.
This new model, like its previous generations, also remains an affordable route into EV ownership. In the USA, the third-generation Nissan Leaf is ready to become one of the cheapest new EVs in the country, with pricing there confirmed to start from $29,990 at launch.
Rivian R2
The Rivian R2, which will be its most affordable EV yet with a US starting price of $45,000, is on track for a 2026 debut. This R2 is not only priced significantly lower than the $76,900 Rivian R1S, but is also more compact, which should help it appeal to a wider audience. It’s clear that Rivian anticipates strong demand for this car, with new facilities being created to allow for R2 production.
The Rivian R2 will also be the first Rivian passenger EV to be sold in Europe, marking a new brand entrant to the increasingly competitive electric SUV sector in the region.
Honda Super-N
Honda’s initial attempt at an electric city car, the Honda e, was discontinued just four years after launch, owing to lacklustre sales from its high price and poor battery range.
The Super-N will arrive across Asian markets and the UK in 2026, and hope to succeed where the Honda e largely failed. This will be an ultra-compact EV which also looks to appeal to car enthusiasts, with Honda implementing fake engine noises and simulated gear shifts to increase driving fun. Unlike the Honda e, the Super-N is also expected to be priced more reasonably, helping it compete with other small electric cars on the market.
