The UK’s car insurance group system, ranging from 1 to 50, plays a pivotal role in working out the cost of electric car insurance, with higher groups typically indicating higher EV insurance costs.
But which insurance group does your electric vehicle find itself in? Given their unique features like high-tech systems, battery tech, and specialised repair needs, you would expect them to land in one of the higher groups. Well, not necessarily!
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This article lists the electric car insurance groups of some of the most popular EVs on the market. We also discuss the intricacies of how electric car insurance groups are chosen, explore the challenges they present to EV insurers, and consider how their cutting-edge safety features might impact their insurance risk class and their electric car insurance group ratings.
What Are the Electric Car Insurance Groups?
We have listed some of the more popular electric cars in the UK and their respective insurance groups, ranging from group 1 to group 50. This should help you work out what insurance group your EV falls in, however, this is not an exhaustive list of all the electric cars available and if you don’t see your EV on the list head over to Parkers who have the largest database of insurance groups available online.
Some models fall into multiple insurance groups depending on their specific specifications, such as battery size, trim level, and additional features.
| Insurance Group | Electric Car Model |
|---|---|
| Insurance Groups 1-12 | Smart EQ ForFour, Volkswagen e-Up, SEAT Mii Electric |
| Insurance Group 13 | Smart EQ Fortwo Cabrio |
| Insurance Group 14 | Renault Zoe i-Expression, Smart EQ Fortwo Cabrio EQ 82hp |
| Insurance Group 15 | Smart EQ Fortwo Cabrio, Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback |
| Insurance Group 16 | Toyota Prius, Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback |
| Insurance Group 17 | Fiat 500 Electric Hatchback |
| Insurance Group 18 | Volkswagen ID.3 Hatchback, Volkswagen ID.4 SUV |
| Insurance Group 19 | Vauxhall Vivaro Life MPV |
| Insurance Group 20 | Kia e-Niro SUV, Vauxhall Vivaro Life MPV |
| Insurance Group 21 | Citroën e-C4 Hatchback, MG ZS EV SUV, Vauxhall Vivaro Life MPV |
| Insurance Group 22 | Citroën e-C4 Hatchback, Citroën e-C4 X Saloon, Volkswagen ID.4 SUV |
| Insurance Group 23 | Citroën e-C4 Hatchback |
| Insurance Group 24 | Jeep Avenger SUV, Kia e-Niro SUV |
| Insurance Group 25 | Cupra Born Hatchback, Honda e Hatchback, Hyundai Kona Electric SUV, Jeep Avenger SUV, Peugeot e-2008 SUV, Volkswagen ID.4 SUV |
| Insurance Group 26 | Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback, Cupra Born Hatchback, Vauxhall Astra Electric Hatchback, Peugeot e-2008 SUV |
| Insurance Group 27 | DS 3 Crossback E-Tense SUV, MG MG5 EV Estate, MG ZS EV SUV |
| Insurance Group 28 | Cupra Born Hatchback, DS 3 Crossback E-Tense SUV, Kia e-Niro SUV, MG ZS EV SUV |
| Insurance Group 29 | Honda e Hatchback, Volkswagen ID.3 Hatchback |
| Insurance Group 30 | MG MG5 EV Estate, Nissan Ariya SUV |
| Insurance Group 31 | Audi Q4 E-Tron SUV, Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback, Hyundai Kona Electric SUV, MG MG5 EV Estate, Nissan Ariya SUV |
| Insurance Group 32 | Honda e Hatchback, MG MG5 EV Estate |
| Insurance Group 33 | BYD Dolphin Hatchback, Citroën e-SpaceTourer MPV |
| Insurance Group 34 | Kia EV6 SUV, Nissan Ariya SUV, Polestar 2 |
| Insurance Group 35 | BMW i4 Gran Coupe, Citroën e-SpaceTourer MPV, Kia EV6 SUV, Polestar 2 |
| Insurance Group 36 | Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback, BMW i4 Gran Coupe, Hyundai Ioniq 6 Saloon, Polestar 2, Volvo XC40 Electric SUV |
| Insurance Group 37 | Audi Q4 E-Tron SUV, Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback, Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV, Hyundai Ioniq 6 Saloon, Mercedes-Benz EQA SUV, Volvo XC40 Electric SUV |
| Insurance Group 38 | Audi Q4 E-Tron SUV, Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback, BMW i4 Gran Coupe, BYD Atto 3 SUV, Citroën e-SpaceTourer MPV, Lexus UX Electric SUV, Mercedes-Benz EQA SUV |
| Insurance Group 39 | Audi Q4 E-Tron SUV, Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback |
| Insurance Group 40 | Kia EV6 SUV |
| Insurance Group 41 | Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV, Hyundai Ioniq 6 Saloon, Nissan Ariya SUV, Volvo XC40 Electric SUV |
| Insurance Group 42 | Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV, Lexus UX Electric SUV, Mercedes-Benz EQA SUV, Nissan Ariya SUV, Volvo XC40 Electric SUV |
| Insurance Group 43 | BMW i5 Saloon |
| Insurance Group 44 | Mercedes-Benz EQA SUV |
| Insurance Group 45 | Mercedes-Benz EQA SUV |
| Insurance Group 46 | BMW i4 Gran Coupe, Tesla Model Y |
| Insurance Group 47 | BMW iX SUV, Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV |
| Insurance Group 48 | Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Porsche Taycan Saloon |
| Insurance Group 49 | BMW iX SUV, BMW i5 Saloon, Porsche Taycan Saloon |
| Insurance Group 50 | Audi Q8 e-tron SUV, Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback, BMW iX SUV, BMW i7 Saloon, FISKER Ocean SUV, Jaguar I-Pace SUV, Mercedes-Benz EQE Saloon, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Tesla Model X, Tesla Model Y, Porsche Taycan Saloon, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo |
We can see from the list of electric car insurance groups that higher-end electric vehicles, such as those from Polestar, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla, often fall into the higher insurance groups (40-50). This is likely due to their premium price, high repair costs, and advanced features.
Popular mainstream electric vehicles, including models from Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia, typically fall into mid-range insurance groups (20-39). This reflects a balance between their technology, value, and repair costs, making them a good mid-range choice for UK EV owners.
Some electric vehicles, like certain models of the Smart EQ Fortwo and the Renault Zoe, appear in lower insurance groups (10-19). They have a more affordable repair cost and lower overall value, making them appealing as more of a budget-friendly EV for new or young EV drivers looking for insurance.
Advanced safety features and eco-friendly technology in EVs can be a double-edged sword. While they often lead to higher purchase prices and insurance group placements, they can also result in lower accident rates and potential discounts from some insurers. The variety in insurance groups shows that the electric vehicle market is now mature and diverse.
Understanding Insurance Group Classifications for Electric Vehicles
In the UK, electric car insurance groups range from 1 to 50, with group 1 being the cheapest EV to insure and group 50 the most expensive.
These groups are determined based on several factors, including the car’s value, performance, EV safety features, and repair costs.
The same EV model can fall into different insurance groups based on specific characteristics such as battery size, power output, and additional features. For example, a base model with a smaller battery and fewer features might be in a lower group than a high-spec model with a larger battery and more advanced technology. Larger batteries, which typically offer a longer range, can increase the value and potential repair costs of the vehicle, thus placing it in a higher insurance group.
Advanced safety features and cutting-edge technology in EVs can lead to higher group placements, but they also potentially reduce the risk of accidents, which the best EV insurance policies will take into consideration.
The specialised nature of EVs means they often require specific skills and equipment for MOTs and repairs, especially for battery and electric motor issues, which can influence their insurance group classification.
The Final Word on Electric Car Insurance Groups
The lower Electric Car insurance groups are, not surprisingly, featuring more affordable and efficient models like the Smart EQ Fortwo and the Renault Zoe.
Luxury vehicles tend to land in higher groups. If you are looking for electric car insurance for a Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Audi Q8 e-tron, or insurance for a Jaguar I-PACE, you should know they will be in the 50 group (or just under).
In the middle of the insurance groups, there is a wide range of EVs with varying insurance classifications. As with other types of car, EVs have varying levels of technology, safety features, and performance across different models.
While currently, some electric vehicles may command higher premiums due to factors like battery costs, repair complexities, and advanced tech, this is a changing landscape. With advancements in technology, an increase in the number of EVs we see on the roads, and more data for insurers to use, we should start to see more EVs feature in some of the lower insurance groups.
Before you buy an EV you need to research and understand which insurance group your electric car sits in (and why its in this group?). If not, you could be in for a costly insurance premium surprise!
The insurance sector will continue to evolve alongside the electric vehicle market. As batteries become more efficient, with longer warranties and less costly, as safety technology advances, and as insurers gain more familiarity with the risk profile of EVs, we’re likely to see the insurance groups for electric vehicles shift around further.
This article is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be considered as advice. It is important to consult the specific terms and conditions of an insurer before making any commitments to financial products.
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John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.
With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.
John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.
