These are the 12 most aerodynamically efficient EVs on sale in the UK

The crown for the slipperiest of them all on these shores goes to Mercedes with its EQS electric saloon. Of course, the German brand has got form when it comes to slippery streamliners – see the IAA and EQXX concepts – so it comes as little surprise to see it leading the way here.

The first purpose built EV from the German brand (previously it had replaced its existing cars’ engines with electric gubbins) features several details to optimise airflow including a smooth underbody, active radiator shutter and cooling air control system.

Merc’s super saloon has claimed top spot ever since its launch in 2021, but that hasn’t meant the firm has stood still, with an update in 2024 increasing the range by 11 per cent. Up to 511 miles speaks for itself, with the EQS able to cut through the air like a hot knife through butter.

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The most aerodynamic Audi in history is the claim, thanks to exhausting streamlining work carried out on the A6 e-tron by aerodynamicists.

Contributing factors include the flush grille up front, which only opens when the car’s motors need cooling, air curtains that guide the air flow around the front bumper, and ‘3D bumps’ ahead of the front wheels to channel air in the most efficient way possible. And we can’t forget the optional virtual door cameras, which, says Audi, add four miles of extra range alone. Four!

Special mention to the Avant version too, still one of very few electric estates available on these shores, which claims a slightly reduced 0.24Cd. Still hugely impressive, mind.

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Hyundai’s on a bit of a roll these days and the Ioniq 6 looks set to continue that trend, with the automotive and aeronautical worlds cited as inspiration behind its slippery streamlined shape.

These include the 1947 Stout Scarab, Phantom Corsair and Saab Ursaab streamliners, along with the Supermarine Spitfire and peregrine falcon. Yep, the 6’s rear spoiler winglets, which absorb the air flow from the roof and reduce drag, are reportedly inspired by the World War II British fighter plane, while the peregrine falcon’s shape while diving after prey was also studied. That’s a new one.

Unsurprisingly there’s active aero at play too, while the 6 also faced 124mph speeds in the wind tunnel, all of which contribute to 100km (62 miles) further per charge over the Ioniq 5.

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The Lotus Emeya is the Hethel firm’s first four-door hyper GT, and follows on from its Eletre SUV as the second of four electric cars in the upcoming pipeline by the brand.

So, its shape already lends itself to a low drag coefficient, but there’s much more at play here too. Namely, active aerodynamics, including an air dam under the front bumper and rear spoiler, which help to increase downforce and stability when deployed and reduce drag when not.

It all contributes to downforce of 150kg at 250km/h (155mph), and a low drag coefficient of 0.21Cd. Sure, it might not be a Lotus as we know it, but it’s the future face of the brand.

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The third fully electric model from Chinese firm BYD – aka Build Your Dreams – to make it to the UK is this, the Seal, a rather suave-looking sports saloon (at least to our eyes).

And maximising range matters here. Which means minimising drag does too. BYD claims the Seal's 2,920mm wheelbase and 1,460mm height gives it a perfect 1:2 “golden ratio”, with its low-to-the-ground body allowing it to “slice through the wind”. Mostly marketing spiel, but you get the gist.

The end result is a 354-mile range and 0.219 drag coefficient. But is it enough to convince you over the likes of the BMW i5, Tesla Model 3 or Hyundai Ioniq 6? Click the blue words below…

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The Model 3 has been a huge success story since we named it our saloon of the year back in 2019, becoming the first electric car to pass the one million global sales milestone in 2021.

But time waits for no one, and to keep it looking fresh it was given a mid-life update back in 2023, complete with a fresh look, more range and improved materials. Indeed, one of the ways Tesla achieved that increased range was by lowering the drag coefficient, with various aero enhancements contributing to an improved 0.219Cd, down from 0.23Cd.

It’s not hard to see why the Model 3 has become a global standard-setter for EVs. Its biggest challenger, in fact, has come from within…

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Yep, the Model Y was not only the best-selling electric car in the UK in 2023 and 2024, but the best-selling car worldwide full stop.

After 3.5 million sales in five years, Tesla gave the Model Y a significant update in early 2025. One of the biggest changes was the sharper suit, which helps see its drag coefficient reduced from 0.23Cd to 0.22Cd. 

That contributes to a maximum 387 miles of range (up 14 miles on the outgoing variant), with additional changes resulting in a car that is night and day better to drive than the old one.

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Porsche’s first all-electric car is a cracker – handsome to look at, great to drive, and up there amongst the very best for aerodynamic efficiency.

Indeed, Porsche claims its 0.22Cd drag coefficient is the lowest of any Porsche model, a figure achieved through extensive 3D CFD simulations, around 900 hours in the wind tunnel as a 1:3 model, and then another 1,500 hours in the wind tunnel once full scale.

Aerodynamic measures include air curtains around the front headlights, aero blade wheels, flat underbody panelling and a wide rear diffuser, while there’s also much active aero cleverness in the form of cooling air intakes and a three-way adjustable spoiler. Did you expect anything less?

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Just as night follows day, Mercedes’ medium-sized electric saloon follows the EQS onto this list. Based on the same platform, the S is only slightly slipperier due to its longer tail.

But like that car, there’s much aero trickery at work in this EQE, including a mostly closed front grille, air inlets in the bumper to guide air along the sides, a streamlined A-pillar design, a smooth underbody, 19- or 20in aerodynamic wheels plus wheel spoilers front and rear, and a spoiler lip on the boot lid.

The result is a car that’ll cut through the air with the same drag coefficient as the A-Class and S-Class saloons. And while it won’t go quite as far on one charge as the EQS, 429 miles isn’t to be sniffed at.

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The BMW i5 isn’t just one of the most aerodynamically efficient EVs on sale today, it’s one of the best electric cars on sale today full stop. There’s also some extremely clever tech at play too.

Take the front air flap, which only opens as required, to increase range by 16 miles. The air curtains, meanwhile, direct the airflow past the front wheels, increasing range by up to 1.25 miles, while the specially designed lightweight alloys themselves increase the electric range by up to six miles. Then there’s the sealed underbody and aerodynamically shaped diffuser, which help to optimise the airflow under the car and increase the electric range by up to six miles.

Combined, you get a car that manages up to 356 miles of range from a single charge, aided by a drag co-efficient of just 0.23. But this is a car that’s so much more besides… 

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When designing the ID.7, Volkswagen’s designers reportedly spent a year and a half working on computer simulations in efforts to make the ID.7 as aerodynamic as possible. This was then followed by testing of life-sized clay models in the wind tunnel, with 3D printing used for the more intricate parts, such as the wing mirrors. The result is the most efficient Volkswagen in the ID family.

Finished details include a front radiator roller blind, air curtains at the sides of the front bumper which direct the air around the front end, flared side sills which prevent the air from flowing into the (almost completely enclosed) underbody area and shield the rear tyres, trim panels which guide the flow of air along the underbody, and specially designed wheels and a diffuser.

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Where the standard Enyaq electric SUV has to make do with a pitiful 0.257Cd drag coefficient, the Enyaq Coupe tops that with its 0.234Cd rating, thanks in part to its sloping roofline.

Other wind tunnel-friendly details shared with the full-fat model include aero wheels, an active cooling roller blind in the central front air intake and specially shaped exterior mirrors positioned on the front doors rather than in the window triangle of the A-pillar.

That new bodyshape doesn’t impact too much on practicality, however, with the boot a mere 15 litres smaller and only a small difference in rear headroom. Just leave your taller mates at home, eh?

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