The prices of electric vehicles (EVs) are dropping, which is good news for buyers who want to make the switch. There are many reasons – the increased supply of cars, an influx of new manufacturers from China, and the ZEV sales mandate, which will force manufacturers to sell an ever-increasing numbers of EVs, are all factors.
This is good news before the upcoming UK ban on the sale of new internal combustion engined cars, which is looming ever closer. As a result, several entry-level EVs have fallen to within touching distance of cost parity with ICE options, especially on finance. This trend can only continue.
To help you sniff out the best deal, we’ve compiled a list of the best cheap electric cars below around £30,000. Finance blurs the lines of affordability, so we’ve included links to leasing deals to give you an idea of the monthly cost – which often bears little relationship to that headline figure. Our order of preference is based on a combination of desirability, low monthly cost and overall usability.
Best cheap electric cars
Super-cool, super-desirable, if you don't mind a bit of a wait...
It's comfortable and perky to drive, surprisingly roomy inside, has some neat features including V2L, V2G, a standard heat pump and the ability to tow a 500kg trailer. If estimated prices are to be believed, it’s will also offer fantastic value, despite being one of the coolest-looking cars out there. Renault traditionally offers excellent PCP finance, and if the new Scenic E-Tech (our current Car of The Year) is anything to go by, expect competitive leasing deals out of the blocks.
To find out more, read our full Renault 5 E-Tech review
Pros
- Striking looks inside and out
- Excellent ride and handling
- Expected to cost from £23k
Cons
- You'll have to wait until 2025
- Not particularly fast charging
EV cool for the Insta generation
If you’re looking for an affordable and stylish runabout that doesn’t feel compromised in every area, then the Inster should be near at the top of your must-drive list. We'll know for sure when we drive the definitive production version, but the models we've driven so far have enjoyed an impressive combination of efficiency and fun.
To find out more, read our full Hyundai Inster review
Big discounts make the Corsa Electric an attractive deal right now
The Corsa Electric is a very easy EV to live with because it looks and feels just like any other Corsa, with plenty of standard equipment and style on its side. A claimed range of up 246 miles is respectable for something of this size, too. Vauxhall offers PCP finance with the same monthly payment as its petrol counterpart, and great value leasing deals are very easy to find – and they also offer price parity.
To find out more, read our full Vauxhall Corsa Electric review
Pros
- Good to drive
- Easy to live with
- Big discounts available
Cons
- Warranty not as good as rivals
- Not the most exciting EV
MG4 EV
A great electric car that undercuts key rivals on price
Our former Car of The Year doesn’t even feel that cheap when you get inside and start to take a closer look. Sure there are some inexpensive plastics, but everything you interact with regularly feels solid and is well designed. A long range and impressive warranty means it's still an appealing affordable EV, although some reliability wobbles and parts supply issues have rather taken the shine off.
To find out more, read our full MG4 EV review
Pros
- Better than more expensive rivals
- Good ride/handling balance
- Accurate range predictor
Cons
- Some cheap plastics inside
- Some reliability concerns
Comfy, spacious and useful value for money<br>
Priced from £21,990, you get a lot of car for your money, and it retains many of Citroen's core strengths. These include exceptional ride comfort (especially for a small car), plenty of interior space and also a funky design to help it stand out.
To find out more, read our full Citroen e-C3 review
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Spacious rear seats
- Good value for money
Cons
- Vague steering
- Boot isn't a very useful shape
Great fun to drive and much-improved range
A cheaper Cooper E is available and still boasts a 182-mile range, and at a lower cost than the previous electric MINI. It's still enormous fun to drive and gets a premium interior filled with all of the latest technology. Some cracking finance deals look set to sweeten the prospect of a MINI Cooper Electric even further.
To find out more, read our full MINI Cooper Electric review
Pros
- Great to drive
- Good range for its size
- Well-equipped
Cons
- Three-door only
- Small boot
Cheeky looks and a long range for such a small car
It’s also great fun to drive and surprisingly responsive despite just having 118hp to play with. With a maximum range that is still excellent for its size, the 500’s suitable for out-of-town use, yet it retains all the ability that made its petrol-powered predecessors so popular in the city streets. The 500e was previously let down by a high price, but there are some great deals to be had, especially on lightly used examples.
To find out more, read our full Fiat 500e review
Pros
- Wonderfully stylish
- Quick and fun to drive
- Long range for a small car
Cons
- Not that practical
- Entry model has a short range
MG5 EV
A value-focused, battery-powered load-lugger
Top that off with MG's generous seven-year warranty, and a decent reliability record, with the taxi trade taking it to their hearts, and it looks pretty good for this unassuming-looking wagon. However, it isn’t perfect, mind – the boot size is unimpressive for an estate car at 578 litres, and there’s a big drop from the opening down to the boot floor. But, when compared to similarly priced electric hatchback rivals, the rear looks like an aircraft hanger.
To find out more, read our full MG5 EV review
Pros
- Lots of standard kit
- Sensible real-world range
- Agreeable ride quality
Cons
- Uncomfortable seats
- Slightly impractical boot
Odd name, decent car that's well-priced
We also like the interesting design and appealing materials inside, while the ride is more comfortable than many rivals. Given the bargain pricing, it’s well worth considering. Competitive finance deals look easy to get hold of now BYD is becoming properly established in the UK, so it comes down to whether you're ready to take the plunge on a brand that's so new to the UK.
To find out more, read the full BYD Dolphin review
Pros
- Terrific value and efficiency
- Strong acceleration
- Comfortable and spacious interior
Cons
- Boot not the largest
- Could be more fun to drive
Smart #1
Funky SUV represents great value
It's also great value for money, with cash prices starting just above our £30k cut-off for a car with a 193-mile driving range. Standard kit is generous and the Smart #1 is also decent to drive and has a spacious interior. Decent finance deals are taking a while to filter through, so check those monthly figures closely before signing on the dotted line.
To find out more, read our full Smart #1 review
Pros
- Very generous equipment
- Good to drive
- Spacious interior space
Cons
- Small boot
- Irritating driver assistance tech
Upmarket(ish) electric hatch with a smooth drive
It's had a facelift inside and out too, while Peugeot has also dropped the starting price by several thousands to well below £30k, though it's still more expensive in cash terms than many rivals. But finance deals put the E-208 in the same ballpark as its petrol-powered cousin, so if you like its chic styling and upscale interior then it's still very much worth looking at.
To find out more, read our full Peugeot E-208 review
Pros
- High-quality cabin
- Plenty of torque
- Large boot
Cons
- Firm ride
- Awkward seating position
Verdict
Prices are steadily falling and we reckon there’s likely to be a car in here that will suit your needs. Just remember that EVs won’t suit everyone – they’re great for people doing shorter journeys with an urban focus and for those who can easily charge up at home.
If you do longer journeys, erratic distances and don’t have off-street charging, you may be better off sticking with a petrol, diesel or hybrid car for a while longer.
Read on for popular questions about affordable electric cars.
FAQ: cheapest electric car UK popular questions
What are the cheapest electric cars on sale in the UK?
The cheapest full-size electric car you can buy is the Dacia Spring, which is available for £14,995. That’s only around £1,000 more than the cheapest petrol car – the Dacia Sandero. After this, the Citroen e-C3 is available from £21,990, while the Fiat 500e is available for a fiver more. Here are the Top 10 cheapest electric cars on sale in the UK.
- £7,595: Citroen Ami
- £14,995: Dacia Spring
- £15,995: Leapmotor T03
- £21,990: Citroen e-C3
- £21,995: Fiat 500e
- £26,195: BYD Dolphin
- £26,895: Vauxhall Corsa Electric
- £26,995: MG4 EV
- £28,665: Mazda MX-30
- £28,790: Nissan Leaf
- £29,895: Peugeot E-208
How long ’til EVs come as cheap as conventional cars?
Most observers reckon it’s really starting to happen now, led by generous dealer financing – so stay tuned as we update this guide in the coming months. The direction of travel is clear to see: prices of batteries are falling, production is rising, and demand is soaring… EVs are inexorably getting cheaper!
How can I check electric car prices in the UK?
The Parkers specs pages list the recommended retail prices for every make and model of car sold today – and it’s updated automatically, so you can browse different EVs and see how much they cost.
Which cheap electric cars should I avoid?
We’d steer clear of electric quadricycles like the Renault Twizy and Citroen Ami. They’re fine if you want an urban runaround but is pretty impractical and a little bit daunting on the open road…
Where can I read more about the cheapest electric car choices?
Check out the guide by our sister website Carmagazine.co.uk for further advice.
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