Tried and tested: the best electric cars for dog owners

Tried and tested: the best electric cars for dog owners

• Electrifying.com puts popular electric cars to the test to find the paw-fect picks for dog owners 
• Tesla Model Y, Skoda Enyaq and MG 5 EV came out on top for pooch power
• Electrifying.com has enlisted four of the nation's 12.5 million pet dogs to help with the test.

The boom in dog ownership has coincided with the growth in electric car numbers in the UK. With Summer on the horizon and many pet owners thinking about taking their four-legged friends on longer trips, the experts at Electrifying.com have today (12 May) chosen their top electric cars for dogs.

The Tesla Model Y, Skoda Enyaq and MG 5 EV are among the best cars for pooches, Founder and CEO of Electrifying.com Ginny Buckley has announced, while the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is a dog's dream car if money is no object.

The recently introduced Rule 57 of the Highway Code warns that if your dogs or other animals aren’t suitably restrained while in the car you can be fined up to five thousand pounds, so our team of electric experts have also come up with the best ways to keep your pets comfortable and safe while in your electric car. 

Founder and CEO of Electrifying.com Ginny Buckley said:

“It’s a fact that electric cars are quiet, smooth, and don’t have smelly exhausts and your dogs like them for the same reasons we do. So it’s  a no-brainer that they’re the best way to transport your pet, be it on longer summer breaks, or up to the woods for run in the bluebells. 

“This is why we’ve chosen our pick of the best electric cars for dog owners, but if you’re still not quite sure exactly which electric car is the one for your whole family, you can always head over to Electrifying.com where you can find full reviews of all the cars we recommend.”

Tesla Model Y

A favourite of both drivers and passengers, the Model Y has an impressive range of 331 miles, which makes it perfect for travelling long distances. Besides a huge boot, it also features a ‘dog mode’ function, which is a climate control setting that allows drivers to keep the car’s air conditioning or heater on when you leave your pet in the car for a short period of time. The temperature stays where you set it for as long as you are away from the car, and a large message on the Tesla’s huge display screen informs concerned passers-by that your pooch is perfectly chilled. If the battery goes below 20 percent, a notification is sent to the driver’s phone to prompt them to get back to their pet.

MG5 EV Long Range

If you like your dog to be able to sit up comfortably on a journey, the height of the boot may be more important than the overall space, particularly if this is where your dog will be spending the most time while in the car. This makes the estate-bodied MG5 EV perfect for pooches.

The MG5 also has a low boot lip for loading, which allows dogs to jump up into the car with ease. The car rides well, is smooth and calm, which is ideal if you’re carrying your dog in the back. The Long Range version also boasts a 250-mile range.

Other options with a relatively low load height are the Kia EV6 and BMW iX3. Boot heights can be quite difficult to find online, so when you’re looking for a car that suits your pet, you may have to measure it yourself or ask the dealer to do it for you. 

Skoda Enyaq

If you’re after something a bit bigger,  and your dog is used to spending time in a crate, then the Skoda Enyaq’s massive boot has plenty of space for this. The Enyaq, which was also the winner of our 2021 family car of the year award, comes with a possible range well over 300 miles - this means you won’t have to stop to charge too often, particularly on long weekends away. It’s comfortable, smooth and quiet, which makes for a happy dog in the back.

Mazda MX-30

For drivers who want a cheaper car for shorter journeys with their dog, the Mazda MX-30 is an option to consider as it has a larger boot space than other city cars in this price range. The unusual design of the rear doors also means that it’s more difficult for your dog to escape the car when you open them, meaning they can stay safer when you arrive at a destination. 

Audi Q4 e-tron

Experts will point out that the Q4 e-tron shares its crucial hardware with the cheaper Skoda Enyaq, but the Audi has a better quality interior for your dog to shed hair on. The boot, at 520 litres, ought to be big enough for most pooches, and the loading lip is nice and low so they’ll not need to jump too high. But don’t choose the coupe-shaped Sportback if they’re larger, as they’ll bang their head on the rear window. 

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

Dog ownership doesn’t have to mean you need to give up dreams of owning an electric sports car. The Cross Turismo version of Porsche’s stunning Taycan has a practical hatchback which opens to reveal an extra 80 litres of load capacity. The 446 litre capacity isn’t much bigger than a family hatchback’s, but it is big enough for most dogs. The raised ride height and four-wheel-drive will also help in muddy car parks. Once you’ve dropped the dog off, you will be able to enjoy the barking mad performance. 

Ends

About Electrifying.com

As we head towards the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, Electrifying.com clears the air for consumers to make choosing, buying and owning an electric car easy. 

Comprising a team of electric experts, the brand is led by Founder and CEO Ginny Buckley. With 25 years' experience in broadcasting, journalism and the automotive industry, Buckley is here to demystify the electric car and give trusted, independent advice to the mainstream car buyer, enabling them to make the switch with confidence.

She is joined by Nicki Shields, the face of Formula E, host of the CNN tech and electric racing show ‘Supercharged’; tech, gadget and car expert Tomi Adebayo (better known as @gadgetsboy) and Tom Ford, the former host of BBC Top Gear America, Fifth Gear and electric car advocate.”