The cheapest electric cars on sale today
Electric cars are getting cheaper. You might not believe it, given their expensive reputation, but in recent months several manufacturers have rolled out new, more affordable models as well as cut-price versions of existing EVs. As a result, and for the first time ever, the 10 cheapest electric cars all now cost less than £30,000…
And even ignoring the Citroën Ami, which barely qualifies as a car, the cheapest new EV on sale is now a very reasonable £15,000 – that’s barely any more than you’d pay for the cheapest new petrol car.
So if you’ve been waiting for more affordable new EVs to become available, there’s been no better time than now to take the plunge.
10. Nissan Leaf
The first-generation Leaf was a pioneer, but this second-generation version has felt like a bit of an also-ran since it arrived in 2017. Now, though, with rivals’ prices having soared and a new, cheaper entry-level model to try to fend off the challenge from Chinese rivals, the Leaf looks like decent value for a car of its size. Keep in mind, however, that the entry-level car’s battery is rather small by modern standards, so it won’t go all that far on a charge – and upgrading to the larger battery adds a fair whack to the price.
Price: from £28,495.
Buy it for: Low price.
Avoid it for: Short range on entry-level versions.
9. Peugeot e-208
The e-208 has become one of Britain’s more popular electric cars thanks to its blend of slick styling, eye-catching colour schemes, and a high level of interior finish for such a small vehicle. The downside has always been a high price, but now with a new, more affordable entry-level version, that’s no longer quite such a barrier to entry. The one downside to the e-208 is that it feels rather tight in the back seats – so if you plan to carry bulky child seats, it’s worth checking how easily they fit first.
Price: from £28,200
Buy it for: Slick interior
Avoid it for: Cramped rear seats
8. Mazda MX-30
Always thinking outside the box, Mazda has given its first electric car, the MX-30, a single rear-hinged “suicide” back door, which seems like an interesting idea on paper. Trouble is, in practice it doesn’t work very well. In fact, the same can be said of the rest of the car; Mazda hoped buyers would live with its short range as a payoff for a small battery, hence low weight and zingy handling. However, that hasn’t proven to be the case and now, next to cars such as the MG 4, the MX-30 simply looks like a lot of money for what it is – even with recent price cuts.
Price: from £27,995
Buy it for: Taut handling.
Avoid it for: Miniscule range.
7. MG 4 EV
A slew of awards have greeted the MG 4, largely for bringing family-sized electric motoring to a price that most buyers can conceivably afford. That it does this while also packing in strong equipment levels and looking a little different to the norm only adds to its appeal. It’s even quite good fun to drive. Granted, the interior isn’t as high-quality as you’d like, and the touchscreen is rather glitchy. But for this price, you can forgive a lot.
Price: from £26,995
Buy it for: Sensational value.
Avoid it for: Cheap-feeling interior.
6. Vauxhall Corsa-e
We’ve always rather liked the electric version of the Vauxhall Corsa, which has become a popular EV choice for town dwellers – but we’ve also disliked its rather high price. There’s good news, though, because Vauxhall has introduced a new model paired with some of the fripperies and slapped on a low, low price. The good news is you still get the Corsa’s zippy handling and responsive motor; the bad news is it’s still rather cramped in the back. But at this price, the Corsa’s shortcomings are much more forgivable.
Price: from £26,985
Buy it for: Impressive value
Avoid it for: Not much space in the back
5. BYD Dolphin
For a short while, the Dolphin was the cheapest new electric car on sale in the UK – not counting the Citroën Ami, which is technically a quadricycle. And that gave it a USP, which meant you might be able to forgive the rough-around-the-edges feel. Since then, though, BYD’s rivals have reacted and the Dolphin now looks somewhat high and dry, with not much to recommend it and plenty to discount it. Yes, it is well equipped – but recent developments mean there are now better EVs for the money.
Price: from £26,195
Buy it for: A low, low price.
Avoid it for: Lack of finesse.
4. Fiat 500
For the fashion-conscious EV buyer, there can surely be no more desirable option than the Fiat 500e. Packed with all the character and fashion-conscious personalisation options of the petrol-powered 500, it doesn’t stint on fun. It also manages to feel pretty swish from within. Keep in mind, though, that the more affordable models only get a paltry 118-mile official range, making them suitable only really as urban runarounds. What’s more, the rear seats are pretty cramped.
Price: from £24,995
Buy it for: Fashionable status, cheeky looks.
Avoid it for: Miniscule rear seats.
3. Citroën ë-C3
Citroën’s long-awaited ë-C3 is finally here and carries the promise of one of the lowest price tags of any new EV on sale. But while it might cost less than £22,000, the ë-C3 doesn’t feel like a hair shirt; Citroën has prioritised comfort; the soft suspension and armchair-like seats mean the ë-C3 is surprisingly cosseting for such an affordable little car. No, it isn’t quite the cheapest new EV on sale – but for what it does cost, it feels like a bargain.
Price: from £21,990
Buy it for: Extraordinary value, impressive comfort
Avoid it for: Rear seats a squeeze for adults
2. Dacia Spring
In electric car terms, the Spring is like a Freddo chocolate bar – small, sweet and extremely affordable. It brings electric motoring to the masses and it even looks quite smart. So where’s the catch? Well, it’s when you peer at the Euro NCAP crash tests; even by Dacia’s relatively low standards, they’re not good. Indeed, an adult occupant protection score of only 49 per cent is nigh-on unheard of these days – so if you’re going to buy one, make sure you don’t get into an accident.
Price: from £14,995
Buy it for: Tesco Value list price
Avoid it for: Woeful safety ratings
1. Citroën Ami
Ah, the Ami. Naturally, the most affordable electric car – if you can call it that – money can buy. And for bimbling around town on electric power, it makes a good amount of sense. In theory, at least. In practice, it’s fine as long as you don’t encounter any hills. If it were just a little more powerful, it would be brilliant. As it is, it’s still worth considering – but only if you live somewhere flat.
Price: from £8,595
Buy it for: Urban cruising…
Avoid it for: …unless there are hills.
