Which EV would Batman drive? 5 iconic big screen cars and their EV upgrades

As driving habits change and increasing numbers of people switch to EVs, we started to think about what our favourite fictional characters might drive. And it really provoked discussion.

Would the instant acceleration an EV offers be an advantage during car chases? Is it worth repairing the Batmobile again, given Gotham City’s 2035 net-zero targets? Can they afford to keep paying the ULEZ charge when there is no exemption for crime-fighting vehicles? 

All these questions were asked… and here’s what we think some of our favourite film and TV characters would drive if they decided to go electric…

Bruce Wayne has a penchant for gadgetry. He also has access to a near-infinite amount of cash. This is a good combination, because it means he can have his pick of the smartest, most techy EVs out there. 

Leaving aside the ethical implications of tooling up and going after the bad guys yourself rather than making a large donation to Gotham’s under-resourced public services, splashing out on the tech-heavy BYD Sealion 7 would be a good option.

Whilst it doesn’t come with any onboard weaponry, its 520 litres of boot space gives plenty of room for Alfred to knock something up. The futuristic heads-up display/touchscreen would also come in handy in all those car chases, as would BYD’s intelligent driver assist features and Torque Adaption Control, which minimise skidding and reduce the likelihood of collisions.

BYD Sealion 7

• Advanced infotainment system
• Intelligent Torque Adaptation Control
• Intelligent Driver Assist features

Meet the BYD Sealion 7

Ah, to be young, carefree, and…errm…living in a van with four other people, wreaking havoc on any small-town, shifty-faced janitor with a grudge to bear. Each to their own. 

Shaggy, Scooby, Velma, Daphne, and Fred cover some serious mileage in their quest to fight crimes. An EV Mystery Machine needs space for Scooby Snacks, clever traps, and a wardrobe of obscure disguises – as well as potential for conversion into a camper, for all that time on the road. 

The ID Buzz would be a perfect match for their needs. The vibes are there already, with design inspiration from the classic VW Camper (though they would need to budget extra for the custom paint job). Its range of 205 miles is pretty competitive for a large van, whilst up to 2,469 litres of smart storage space for various bits of criminal-catching equipment.

As the gang consists of four adult humans and a Great Dane, we’d recommend the upcoming seven-seater version for a little extra living room. 

Volkswagen ID Buzz

• Fusion of modern and retro
• Competitive range for large EV
• Lots of boot/storage space for road trips

Meet the ID Buzz

This one’s pretty cut and dry. He’d drive the new electric Mini Cooper.

Mr Bean’s hijinks wouldn’t be the same without this classic piece of British design. The recently-released electric version retains everything that makes a Mini Cooper a Mini Cooper – compact footprint, tight cornering ability, minimalist style – and throws in a few handy electric extras, including a unique round infotainment display. 

We’ve no doubt the driver assist features would save Mr Bean a bump or two, whilst the onboard virtual assistant might become a sweet companion for his adventures.

Mini Cooper EV

• Classic 60s style
• Eye-catching round infotainment display
• Onboard virtual assistant

Meet the Mini Cooper EV

Only 9,000 or so of the original DeLorean were ever produced. And, whilst rumours continue to float around the internet of a fully electric reboot (complete with iconic gull-wing doors!), there doesn’t appear to be any advance on a 2022 concept design. Shame. 

For now, then, we’re looking elsewhere. Acceleration is everything for Doc and Marty, as the car needs to hit 88mph for Doc’s flux capacitor to kick in and jump them across time. They’re in luck – EVs are particularly zippy when it comes to acceleration, as electric motors provide instant torque. 

The Porsche Taycan would be a strong DeLorean alternative. As well as boasting an iconic silhouette all of its own, the 2025 Turbo GT Weissach version can do 0-60 in a lightning 1.89 seconds. 

There’s also plenty of cabin tech for Doc to get his teeth into, including an onboard digital assistant, online updates, remote access via smartphone, and an entire app centre for further customisation. Time travel tech would need to be installed separately. 

Porsche Taycan

• Sleek, sporty silhouette
• Lightning-quick acceleration
• Strong infotainment/cabin tech selection

Meet the Porsche Taycan

This one’s a bit of a curveball. Dr Venkman and co’s clunky, conspicuous, and dearly beloved Ectomobile is a 1959 Cadillac hearse/ambulance combo. 

Is there an EV alternative? Nothing we can think of gives that rogueish ‘tear up half of New York’ vibes of the old Cadillac. And, considering their startup budget, there’s little on the market that would fit their needs, space-wise. With a bit of luck, they might be able to pick up a clunky 90s EV prototype from the scrapyard (the original 90s Toyota RAV4 maybe, if we’re getting very geeky about things)? 

That said, we’d happily donate something more practical if they could guarantee our HQ wasn’t crushed by a giant StayPuft man in return. Ah, the perks of corporate sponsorship. 

Perhaps a KIA EV9 – it’s roomy (plenty of space in the boot for four chunky proton packs), hardy enough to withstand a knock or two, and boasts a premium sound system for that theme song…”who ya gonna call?”

KIA EV9

• Rugged SUV that can withstand 
• Huge amount of boot space and roomy cabin
• Great sound system

Meet the KIA EV9

Whether you’re dealing with car chases (not recommended) or city commutes, we’re here to help you find the perfect EV for your needs. 

We offer a wide range of EVs across salary sacrifice and personal leasing, with charging, maintenance, and green energy tech deals designed to make driving an EV as accessible for as many people as possible (not just orphaned billionaires).