Electric cars are getting cheaper, which is great news for those who want to make the switch. The reasons why are varied, but growing demand for the technology in the fleet market, an influx of cheap EV manufacturers from China and the government’s ZEV mandate are forcing car makers to drag their prices down.
This change in attitude doesn’t come a moment too soon, because the UK is gearing up to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030. However, most new EVs on sale now are well out of reach of your average buyer – and if that remains unchanged, we’ve no hope of meeting the government’s carbon targets.
There is hope, though. Vauxhall has managed to get the price of its entry-level electric cars down to the same price of their petrol-engine equivalents – and a fresh market of £20,000-ish EVs has started to hit its stride. Our current favourite is the charming and practical Fiat Grande Panda, which you can put on your drive for a very reasonable £20,975.
You can go cheaper, though. Leapmotor, a new Chinese brand operating under the protection of Stellantis, will sell you it’s cheapest EV for a shade under £16,000, while the bargain-basement Dacia Spring will give you a fiver’s change from £15,000.
If you’re looking to go green, but you don’t want to spend your live savings doing so, start scrolling. Most of the cars in this list cost around £20,000 – and even the most expensive model here will give you more than £800 change from £27,000.
We’ve organised the list below by each cars’ cash price, as finance tends to blur the lines of affordability. However we’ve also included links to leasing deals further down the page to give you an idea of the monthly cost, if you’d prefer to pay for your car in chunks.
The top 10 cheapest electric cars on sale now
- £7,695: Citroen Ami
- £14,995: Dacia Spring
- £15,995: Leapmotor T03
- £20,995: Fiat Grande Panda
- £21,990: Citroen e-C3
- £22,990: Citroen e-C3 Aircross
- £22,995: Renault 5 E-Tech
- £23,495: Hyundai Inster
- £23,495: Vauxhall Frontera Electric
- £24,995: GWM Ora 03
Britain's cheapest electric car... isn't a car
There are some benefits to this, though. Because its so small and light, the Ami can get 46 miles of range from its tiny 5.5kWh battery pack. Plus, because it's so simple, it's almost comically affordable. Just don't use it for trying to get anywhere in a hurry and don't expect it to be any good at helping you move house.
To find out more, read our full Citroen Ami review
Pros
- Fun, funky urban EV
- Safer and drier than a moped
- Cheap to buy and lease
Cons
- Short EV driving range
- It isn't technically a car
It's cheap, but we don't recommend you buy one
We certainly wouldn't spend our money on it. We'd much rather spend an extra £1,000 on the far safer Leapmotor T03. Alternatively, head down to your local Vauxhall garage and screw the dealer down on a cut-price Corsa Electric. They're piling up on forecourts, so dealers are being forced to give them away to clear space for newer stock. Just don't buy the Spring – and if you do, don't put your children in it.
To find out more, read our full Dacia Spring review
Pros
- It's very, very cheap
- Seven-year warranty
- Simple interior layout
Cons
- Very flawed to drive
- One-star safety rating
Leapmotor T03: from £15,995
Unparalled value for an EV
It's far from perfect, but that's to be expected for the money. Some of the cabin materials are quite harsh and the weedy 94hp motor barely has enough waft to motivate the T03 out of its own way. The seats aren't very comfortable, either. Compared to the Spring, though, it's in a different league.
To find out more, read our full Leapmotor T03 review
Pros
- Easy to steer around town
- Well equipped for the price
- Decent driving dynamics
Cons
- Not that comfortable
- Only one weak motor
Fiat Grande Panda: from £20,995
Exciting design and exceptional value
That aside, the new Grande Panda's pricing will grab your attention. Starting at just £20,975 it undercuts the Renault 5 E-Tech and Hyundai Inster as well as the closely-related Citroen e-C3 and Vauxhall Frontera. Just because it's cheap and cheerful don't think it isn't useable – it offers 199 miles of WLTP driving range and has all of the equipment today's driver's expect. We're looking forward to its arrival in April, and are still waiting for the monthly finance costs.
To find out more, read our full Fiat Grande Panda review
Pros
- Exceptional value for money
- Funky, yet practical, design
- Comfortable and easy to drive
Cons
- Rear seats are a little cramped
- Driving range isn somewhat optimistic
Comfy, spacious and good value for money
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
The cheapest electric SUV on sale today...
You can’t have a seven-seater version, which the non-electric C3 Aircross offers, and the driving range is limited to 188 miles WLTP, with an associated drop in performance compared with the smaller car. But the e-C3 Aircross is great value, comfortable and not bad to drive. Intriguing to this area of the market developing so quickly, and a larger battery pack is being promised for the future.
To find out more read our full Citroen e-C3 Aircross review
Pros
- Terrific value for money
- Comfortable ride
- Generous interior space
Cons
- Rather slow performance
- Driving range could be longer
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 the new 5 E-Tech is no exception, with competitive leasing deals also available.
To find out more, read our full Renault 5 E-Tech review
Pros
- Striking looks inside and out
- Excellent ride and handling
- Brilliant finance deals
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 with a surprisingly retro interior.
To find out more, read our full Hyundai Inster review
Pros
- Incredibly spacious interior
- Attractive retro design
- Quite fun to drive
Cons
- Occassionally crashy ride
- Only has four seats
Far better than its price tag would lead you to believe
There's enough space for four adults to sit in (reasonable) comfort, you get a massive 460 litres of boot space and the huge windows mean the inside feels rather airy. Yes, some of the interior plastics feel a bit cheap, but that's to be expected in a car that's £7,000 cheaper than than its nearest rival. Crucially, though, it doesn't feel £7,000 worse. Well done, Vauxhall.
To find out more, read our full Vauxhall Frontera Electric review
Pros
- Outstanding value for money
- Loads of space inside
- Comfortable ride
Cons
- Electric range trails rivals'
- Noticeable amount of road noise
Interesting alternative for mainstream EV
Still, you get an awful lot of car for your money. You get loads of standard equipment, including a pair of 10.25-inch screens, a 360-degree camera, keyless entry and enough safety tech to score it a five-star Euro NCAP rating. Boot space isn't fantastic at 228 litres and visibility is a little restricted. It's a worthwhile option if you're looking for something different.
To find out more, read our full GMW Ora 03 review
Pros
- Loads of equipment for the money
- Plush, bright and airy interior
- Spacious for passengers
Cons
- Tiny boot
- Poor infotainment
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
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 Citroen Ami. They’re fine if you want an urban runaround but is pretty impractical and a little bit daunting on the open road. Now that we’ve tried the Dacia Spring, we’d suggest you avoid that, too.
* These deals are indicative examples of some packages available as of 7 February 2025, but are subject to change without prior notice. Everyone’s financial circumstances are different and the availability of credit is subject to status. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Parkers cannot recommend a deal for you specifically.
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