► Cars with seven seats and zero emissions
► Choice of SUVs and some van-tastic alternatives
► Variety of brands and price points on offer
It used to be the case that if you were shopping for the best electric car and needed seven seats, you’d have little in terms of choice. Nowadays, though, there’s a good range of seven-seater EVs to choose from.
Their growing number is driven in part by demand, changing legislation, advancing technology and falling costs. Many brands, such as Volkswagen and Peugeot, have also expedited seven-seat electric car development and deployment by bolting seats into the rear of their electric vans.
You’re not constrained to the utilitarian if you need seven seats, though, thanks to luxury options from companies such as Tesla and Mercedes-Benz – so read on to find out about the best eco-friendly seven-seat options on sale in the UK today, including electric SUVs, MPVs and vans.
Best seven-seater electric cars 2023
Mercedes EQB
The Mercedes-Benz EQB is one of the more sensible options here. It’s a pure-electric version of the utterly pragmatic Mercedes GLB, which means it shares the same level of equipment and the same passenger-carrying ability. The rearmost seating row is only suitable for children, but there’s enough room everywhere else for most adults to get comfortable.
It also drives much like the petrol-powered GLB, while its 66.5kWh battery pack gives it a very reasonable range of 260 miles. That should be more than enough for daily family duties – but if you get caught short on a longer journey, it supports 100kW DC rapid charging which can top the battery up to 80 percent capacity in around 30 minutes. If you don’t need seven seats, though, you could consider some of the other best electric SUVs on sale at the moment.
Read the full Mercedes-Benz EQB review
Tesla Model X
Tesla took a different approach when it designed its seven-seat electric SUV, the Model X. Rather than building a square box and filling it with seats, it took the same swoopy silhouette as the Model S saloon, jacked it up on tall suspension and fitted a pair of “look at me” vertically opening Falcon Wing rear doors.
The Tesla Model X’s appearance and tech might be a love-or-hate affair, but you can’t discredit its capability. Buy the entry-level Dual Motor variant and you’ll get a maximum range of 348 miles and a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds. Opt for the flagship Plaid variant and the latter figure drops to a supercar slaying 2.5 seconds – and you’ll still be able to travel more than 300 miles on a single charge.
Read the full Tesla Model X review
Mercedes EQV
The Mercedes-Benz EQV is effectively a posh electric van with windows. It features the same plush interior as the Mercedes V-Class but its diesel engine and fuel tank has been swapped for a 201bhp electric motor and a 90kWh battery pack. Potter around like a middle-class school run parent and you’ll eke out more than 200 miles of range, which should be enough for many.
Sure, it isn’t the fastest option on this list – but it is one of the most comfortable. It’s loaded with luxury touches like leather-trimmed captain’s chairs, electrically operated sliding doors, pillowy air suspension and a Burmester sound system. Prices start from £82,670, though. For that money, it should be luxurious.
Read more about the Mercedes-Benz EQV
Peugeot e-Rifter
We’re now heading to the other end of the electric van-based MPV spectrum. The electric version of the Peugeot Rifter, which is called the e-Rifter, is a lot more affordable than the EQV and costs a comparatively paltry £32,300. It a lot less luxurious, mind, and its 50kWh battery pack means it only has an official WLTP range of 172 miles – but it represents good value for money if you’re only making shorter journeys.
It’s a practical choice, too. There’s plenty of space on the inside and the hard-wearing interior plastics should stand up to the trials of family life well. It’s also quite comfortable, and if you don’t like the Peugeot badge then you can always opt for the mechanically identical Vauxhall Combo Life Electric or Citroen e-Berlingo. Interested in finding out what other electric vans are available? Check out our guide on the best electric vans.
Read the full Peugeot Rifter review
Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
The Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric comes from the same family of vehicles as the Peugeot e-Rifter – it’s just a bit bigger. It shares the same 50kWh battery pack and 134bhp electric motor as its smaller sibling which, because it’s hauling around a larger vehicle, returns a rather measly official maximum range of 143 miles. Still, that’s enough for the average daily school run and commute.
Like the Rifter, the Vivaro’s biggest selling point is space. You can squeeze nine passengers into the cheapest Combi variant, while the Ultimate specification is available with six captain’s chairs, turning it into a cut-price rival for the luxurious Mercedes EQV.
Read more about the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
The ID. Buzz is Volkswagen’s pure-electric homage to the iconic Microbus from the 1960s. It shares the same cutesy styling as the classic, but the same MEB platform as the brand’s latest electric cars. That gives it a maximum range of 258 miles and an output of 201bhp – and there’s a big battery version of the way that should be able to cover more than 300 miles.
Admittedly, the seven-seat version of the ID. Buzz is still in the pipeline, but if you’re seeking something more interesting and charismatic, you might be willing to wait. Expect it to be expensive, though, as even the current five-seat model costs around £58,915. Still, if you want a fun family bus that turns heads everywhere it goes, this is a great option.
Read the full Volkswagen ID. Buzz review
Buyer’s guide: seven-seat electric cars
Getting an electric seven-seater SUV or van makes an increasing amount of sense these days, for those with large families, due to the rise in emissions-controlled areas. They are also ideal for average families with lots of friends and plenty of luggage to cart around – providing they don’t need to travel the length of the country in one go.
As with all electric cars, though, it’s important to make sure you can live with the limitations. Make sure you have somewhere convenient to charge it before you buy and weigh up whether the EV’s maximum range is sufficient for you daily driving needs. Otherwise, you could end up buying a very expensive headache. Check out our guide on the benefits of electric cars to find out more about living with an EV.
Also, unless your rationale for going electric is purely ethical, think about whether the lower running costs versus a petrol or diesel car (in the form of cheaper fuel, maintenance, road tax and company car tax) will offset the higher purchase price of an EV for you. You might not be covering enough miles to make it worth your while – in which case, you’d be better off with our pick of the best seven-seater cars with conventional petrol or diesel engines.
If you subsequently realise you really don’t need seven seats, or the sheer amount of space on offer, take a look at our list of the best electric cars on sale in the UK in 2023. Many are ideal for family life, and will serve up the inexpensive zero-emissions motoring you’re looking for.