That depends on what you want it for. There are some solid all-rounders on the market, while others excel in specific areas – like the best range, the smoothest drive or the best onboard tech.

The choice of electric cars is still limited compared to petrol and diesel, but we’re rapidly approaching the point where there’ll be an electric car for everyone.

If you’re looking for inspiration, take a look at our picks for the best electric cars for this year.

You have an option of using public charging points or charging at home.

Electric cars use one of three charging points: slow, fast or rapid. Each of these draw different levels of power (in kWh) and take different lengths of time to charge.

As different cars use different types of cable and connectors, you’ll need to check nearby chargers that support your car.

Battery technology in electric cars is rapidly advancing, so the distance you can travel on a single charge (called the car’s range) is constantly improving.

Older electric cars tend to have limited range, whereas brand new electric cars can travel up to 350 miles on a single charge, with 150-250 miles being the most common range in modern electric cars.

Most, if not all electric cars use Lithium ion batteries now. They’re the current standard and offer a longer range and retain energy better than older battery types.

When looking at an electric car, you should consider the life expectancy of a battery, plus any warranty, and the cost of replacing it should this be necessary.

Electric cars don’t need gears. They don’t need a clutch either. As electric cars can reach their top speed in a single gear, thanks in part to the fact their electric motors rev to a much higher rate than a standard petrol or diesel engine, they don’t have multi-speed gearboxes.

There’s something to be said for both. Hybrids offer a great starting point as they tend to have better range than the average fully electric car. But electric cars have zero-emissions, so they’re more environmentally friendly on the road and qualify for zero car tax.