All the highlights from the Festival of Speed Electric Avenue

We went down to the Goodwood Festival of Speed to find the best electric cars on display at Electric Avenue, the Festival’s home of electric mobility.

Here are the highlights. 

Abarth 500e Turismo

Arriving as an electric hot-hatch earlier this year, the Abarth 500e immediately turned heads with its sporty looks and intriguing artificial exhaust note. Powered by a 42kWh battery, the front-wheel-drive EV develops 113kW and 173lb ft of torque, helping it to a 0-62mph time of 7sec. 

While its 167-mile range isn’t special, it’s one of the best small electric cars to drive and offers plenty of charm thanks to that exhaust not played through a speaker under the car.  

Alpine A110 E-ternité

The experimental E-ternité isn’t heading for the production line, but proved that a future lightweight electric sports car from the French brand is on its way. Tipping the scales at 1378kg, the 178kW concept weighs 62kg less than the Mini Electric hatchback, and can do the 0-62mph sprint in 4.5sec. 

An electric successor to the A110 is due to launch in 2026, before which Alpine will launch an electric crossover and hot hatchback. 

Alpine A290 Beta Prototype

Based on the inbound Renault 5, the A290 will arrive next year as a sporty all-electric hot hatchback. Alpine is aiming to take a slice of the mainstream market with its new model, which features a FIA-approved racing chassis and dual motor set-up. The A290 is expected to arrive fitted with a 52kWh battery and offering a range of around 240 miles. 

Charge ‘67 by Charge Cars

British firm Charge Cars has put a 21st Century spin on the storied Mustang by creating a brand new electromod based on the classic muscle car. Powered by a 64kWh battery and developing 400kW of power, the ‘67 Fastback has a range of up to 200 miles and can achieve a 0-62mph time of just 3.9sec. 

Just 499 Charge Cars electric Mustang recreations will be produced, each costing an eye-watering £350,000. 

Ford Explorer

Set to rival the Jeep Avenger and Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford’s new SUV marks a “significant milestone” for the brand, with the Explorer designed primarily with a focus on conquering the European mass market. Sitting on Volkswagen Group’s MED electric platform, the Explorer has a target range of 311 miles, and will likely use a 77kWh battery. The Explorer is one of nine electric vehicles that the firm will offer in Europe by 2024. 

HiPhi Y

Fancy an EV with supercar-like gullwing doors? Then the HiPhi Y SUV might inspire you to make the switch to electric motoring. Powered by a large 115kWh battery and claimed to offer more than 500 miles of range, the Y SUV is the brand’s third production model and is set to launch in Europe later this year. Like many Chinese firms, HiPhi is focusing on the left-hand drive market first, before bringing right-hookers to the UK. 

Kia EV9

Primed for a UK launch later this year, the £65,000 Kia EV9 is set to rival the Audi Q8 e-tron, BMW iX and inbound Volvo EX90. Following in the footsteps of the EV9, the new seven-seat SUV will be offered in two variants. 

The entry-level car gets 149kW and 258lb ft of torque from a rear-mounted motor, while the range topping version gets two electric motors – front and rear – developing 281kW and 442lb ft. Range is up to 336 miles. 

Maserati Grecale folgore

The Grecale Folgore is the one of six all-electric Maserati’s that the brand will launch before 2025, and is set to challenge the likes of the upcoming Porsche Macan EV and Audi Q6 e-tron. Technical details of the Maserati EV remain under wraps, but it is expected to launch with a 105kWh battery and a 350-mile range. 

Ora Funky Cat

Arriving in the UK at the end of last year, the Funky Cat has struggled to make its mark in the UK, with buyers choosing the MG 4 and Volkswagen ID 3 over the Chinese hatchback. Power is drawn from a 47kWh battery, with the Funky Cat capable of 193 miles on a single charge. Inside, the Chinese hatchback is spacious, with a welcoming fake leather trim on the seats. Prices in the UK start from £31,995. 

Polestar 3

The Sino-Swedish brand’s new flagship electric SUV will rival the BMW iX and Jaguar I-Pace when it arrives in the UK later this year. Sporting a dual-motor set-up developing 380kW and 669lbft, which is good for a 0-62mph time of just 4.7sec. 

Promising a range of up to 379 miles and a 10-80% charging time of 30 minutes, the Polestar 3 costs from £79,900 in the UK and will soon be joined by the Polestar 4 coupe-SUV and Polestar 5 sports saloon. 

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

The German brand is celebrating its 75th Anniversary at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year, so it’s only right for its flagship electric car to be on display at the Electric Avenue. The Cross Turismo is an estate version of the Taycan EV, offering all the excellent performance and handling credentials of the Taycan but in a more practical package. 

Depending on the model variant the Cross Turismo can travel between 280 and 305 miles on a single charge, and costs from £88,000.

Renault Megane E-Tech

This stylish family hatchback was launched as a rival to the Volkswagen ID 3, and has proved popular thanks to its £36,995 starting price. Fitted with a 60kWh battery, the Megane E-Tech can travel up to 280 miles between charges. It’s great to drive, has a practical interior and with a real-world range of 230-250 miles, you needn’t worry about range anxiety.

Smart #1 Brabus

If you want your #1 to come with a bit more punch, the Brabus-tuned version will be the model for you. Developing 318kW thanks to additional electric motor, the #1 Brabus is seriously quick, achieving a 0-62mph time of 3.9sec. While it lacks a bit of dynamic finesse, the #1 Brabus can do 248 miles between charges and costs from around £43,000.

Toyota bZ4X

The brand's family electric SUV is a hugely signifiant car for the brand being its first bespoke electric model. Powered by a 71.4kWh battery, the bZ4X is offered in a number of specifications, with the electric SUV offering maximum range of 317 miles in single-motor guise. Its spacious, has a good level of standard kit and costs from £46,110.