The cheapest electric cars on sale today

Since they entered the mainstream market, there has been a stigma around electric cars because of their higher initial costs compared to petrol and diesel cars. 

But electric cars have developed significantly since the arrival of cars like the Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe and Hyundai Ioniq. Such cars struggled to make an impression on consumers due to their smaller battery packs, short range and unattractive styling. 

Nowadays, the outlook is far more promising, with more affordable options proving to be just as capable as their more expensive counterparts. But which electric cars are the cheapest and are there any bargain EVs that offer excellent value for money?

Here, we take a look at some of the cheapest electric cars on sale today. And just to be sure we don’t get carried away on price, we’re only including cars that cost less than £35,000. 
 

Citroën Ami - £7695

In fairness, the Ami isn’t actually a car: because it's so small and sweet it’s classed as a quadricycle, but that does mean it's a very cheap way of getting your hands on zero-emissions transport. 

Measuring 2410mm long, 1390mm wide and 1520mm tall, the tiny Ami is the ideal companion for navigating a busy city or town. Granted, it's not quite small enough to squeeze through gaps in traffic, and its 46-mile range isn’t particularly good. But thanks to its size and whimsical on road manners it's a great, and incredibly cheap, electric vehicle. 

MG 4 - £26,995

The MG 4 is somewhat of an underdog in the small electric car space. It's easy to be drawn to more familiar brands like Mini and Fiat, but it's the MG that offers greater value for money. For a start, it’s cheaper than its European rivals, and yet it can still travel up to 218 miles on a charge. 

It’s also worth noting that the SE Trophy model – which costs £29,495 – is cheaper than its closest rivals, such as the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, Mini Cooper E and Peugeot E-208. And it can travel further, too, thanks to a range of up to 281 miles. 

Fiat 500e - £28,195

It's hard to believe that the reincarnated Fiat 500 has been around for more than 17 years. Yes, the charismatic Italian supermini has received numerous updates since it returned to the production line in 2008, with a fully electric version arriving in 2020. 

The entry-level model costs from £28,195 and comes with a 118-mile range and 95bhp electric motor. You can spend £3000 more and get a 199-mile range car, which does offer slightly better value for money. And being a small, well-equipped EV is an ideal car for town trips and suburban commuting. 

Nissan Leaf - £28,495

The established Japanese marque was one of the first brands to gamble on a full-production EV when the technology was still somewhat unknown. But since the launch of the Leaf in 2011, it has grown in popularity thanks to various updates and styling tweaks.

Today, an entry-level Leaf with the smaller 39kWh battery costs from £28,495. And because the battery is only the smaller side, the Leaf’s range is poor at just 168 miles. It does gain some marks for spaciousness, however, and you get good standard equipment such as Pro Pilot driver assist and heated front and rear seats. 

Mini Cooper E - £30,000

Formerly known as the Mini Electric, the firm’s latest generation Mini has regained the Cooper nameplate and costs from £30,000. The new Cooper E has taken big steps forward in terms of powertrain technology, with the entry-level model offering a range of up to 188 miles and developing 184bhp. 

Mini hasn’t skimped on interior technology either: it features a suite of “immersive experience modes” which adjusts the car’s interior lighting and driving characteristics. It also gets a new OLED touchscreen infotainment display and a range of exhaust sounds. 

BYD Dolphin - £30,195

Much like the MG 4, the Dolphin is often overlooked in favour of cars from Europe. But with a competitive 265-mile range and a techy interior, the Dolphin is a credible small electric hatchback that is cleverly priced to undercut rivals from the continent. 

It doesn’t quite hit the mark in terms of interior quality and refinement, but the interior layout and design has a lot more flair compared to European EVs. And for a small EV it’s roomy inside, too. 

MG ZS EV - £30,495

If you’re after a bit more space then the MG ZS EV is an affordable and uncomplicated compact electric SUV that offers more practicality than a regular hatchback. Sure, its 198-mile range isn’t great, but it’s more spacious than most of its rivals and undercuts them on price. 

And even as an entry-level car you get plenty of standard kit, such as a 10.1 in touchscreen and Apple Carplay.

MG 5 - £30,995

Electric estates are a rarity in the EV space, but offer just as much if not more practicality than their SUV counterparts. And while it might not be the most enticing electric car, the MG 5 EV is a capable family machine that offers better range than the entry-level ZS EV and 4 hatchback. 

Range is up to 250 miles which in the real world translates to around 210-220 miles – which isn’t bad for this price point. And you get heaps of room for passengers, good standard kit, and 464 litres of boot space up to the parcel shelf. 

Mazda MX-30 - £31,250

The Mazda MX-30 is a funky and stylish electric car that is best suited to city and suburban driving. While it might look like a hatchback on stilts, it doesn’t really feel like an SUV from behind the wheel – and its proportions means that it isn’t as spacious as some rivals. 

The rear-hinged doors are a bit of an unusual addition, too, and if anything make it harder for rear passengers to climb into the back. Still, the interior feels nice and refined and it's got all the kit you could wish for. And while its 124-mile range is poor, it's comfortable and quiet on the move. 

Ora Funky Cat - £31,995

The Ora what? Indeed, the Funky Cat wins the award for the most obscure name when it comes to EVs. Sadly Ora’s parent firm Great Wall Motors (GWM) is set to rename the Funky Cat to the Ora 03 as a part of a new brand strategy to appeal to European buyers. 

Despite its stylish exterior and interior, the Ora fails to hit the mark in key areas. Compared to rivals like the Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa, the Ora falls short on range (193 miles), charging and usability.

Citroën ë-C4 - £32,195

If you want to reduce stress levels on the move then the refined and relaxing ë-C4 is the EV to go for. It’s very easy to drive, has a supremely comfortable ride and an easy-going interior that blends physical and touch-sensitive buttons nicely.  

Range is up to 220 miles, which should be good enough day-to-day duties such as the school run. 

Vauxhall Corsa Electric - £32,445

The recently overhauled electric supermini is available in two trims, with the entry-level car costing £32,445 and offering a range of up to 220 miles – that’s better than the Mini Cooper E and Ora 03. 

The updated exterior has given the Corsa a new layer of style, and the rounded, refined and easy drive means it's a good electric car to use and live with. 

Peugeot e-208 - £32,650

Like the look of the Vauxhall but prefer French superminis? Well you’re in luck because the e-208 uses exactly the same powertrain as the Corsa Electric. However, the official WLTP range is marginally shorter at 215 miles. 

Inside the e-208 feels well appointed and laid out, with a neat digital drivers display and infotainment screen angled towards the driver. It might not be as practical as cars like the MG 4, but as an everyday runaround it’s a solid choice. 

Volvo EX30 - £33,795

Arriving late last year as Volvo’s smallest SUV to date, the EX30 gained an instant following because of its sustainable design, good looks, and low price tag. You can spend more than £40,000 on an EX30, but the entry-level model starts from just shy of £34,000 and offers a range of up to 213 miles – that’s less than slightly more expensive Hyundai Kona Electric. 

While the Volvo EX30 is a good car to drive with plenty of space, its infotainment system might not be to everyone's tastes. All functions, from the mirror adjustment to changing the climate controls, are all operated via the touchscreen making it rather challenging to use while driving. 

Abarth 500e - £34,195

A fun and sporty electric car, the Abarth 500e arrived to prove that the hot hatch could live on into the electric era. Developing 152bhp and 173 lb ft of torque, the Abarth has plenty of punch, and thanks to some tweaks to the steering and chassis is a pleasingly rewarding car to drive. 

Its 164-mile range is less impressive, but as the Abarth is biassed more towards its sporty personality we can cut it some slack here.

Hyundai Kona Electric - £34,995

The Kona Electric was given an extensive reconfiguration last year, with the second-generation model gaining a fresh new exterior look, updated interior and a more efficient powertrain. 

Range is up to 234 miles, which is ok for a car of this size and price; you’d have to pay just over £3500 more if you want the 319-mile version. Still, a real-world range of between 190-210 miles is ample for a daily run around, and thanks to its larger proportions compared to the old model there is more room in the back for passengers and a bigger boot. 

Cheap EV coming soon – Citroën ë-C3

When the Spring launches it will face competition from the equally inexpensive e-C3, with the brand’s fourth-generation supermini gaining electric power for the first time. 

The new e-C3 is set to cost from around £22,000 in the UK and travel up to 199 miles on a single charge. Citroen has also suggested that a cheaper version of the e-C3 could join the line-up with an even cheaper price below £20,000.