Cheapest electric cars: UK's most affordable EVs

Version Ami | List price £8095 | Target Price £8095

The cheapest electric car you can currently buy is the Citroën Ami. And while the Ami is technically more of a quadricycle than a full-blown car, it's a vehicle that you could use everyday for a short urban commute. Indeed, that's the only scenario where we would recommend you use the Ami, because its top speed is limited to 28mph and the official range is 46 miles. In any other situation, it can feel unsafe to drive.

Read our in-depth Citroën Ami review

Version Active | List price £26,195 | Target Price £26,195

Chinese car company BYD has recently launched the Dolphin small electric car. Despite being well priced and spacious, it isn't especially good to drive, with wallowy handling and a firm ride. On the plus side, it is well equipped; this entry-level Active model comes with a 360-degree parking camera, vehicle-to-load charging (so you can run appliances with the car’s battery) and electrically-adjustable front seats.

Read our in-depth BYD Dolphin review

Version Standard Range SE | List price £26,995 | Target Price £26,330

The MG4 was a bit of a game-changer in the electric car world when it was first launched, and that's because it undercut nearly all of its rivals on price. This entry-level version, for example, undercuts the equivalent Volkswagen ID 3 by almost £10,000. For the money, you're also getting a car that's decent to drive and comfortable. However, it does feel cheap in places.

Read our in-depth MG4 review

Version 24kWh 500 | List price £28,195 | Target Price £24,100

The Fiat 500 is a funky little electric car, and it's also one of the cheapest if you go for this entry-level 24kWh version. That value does come at a price: a short official range of just 115 miles. However, if you live in an urban area that shouldn't be a problem. In fact, the 500 is arguably most at home in the city, because its small dimensions, pokey performance and tidy handling make it brilliant for nipping in and out of traffic.

Read our in-depth Fiat 500 review

Version 40kWh Shiro | List price £28,495 | Target Price £24,970

The Nissan Leaf is reasonable to drive, well equipped and pretty easy to live with – but falling behind much newer rivals. Many can go farther on a full charge and are plusher and better to drive. But if you're on a budget, the standard 40kWh Leaf still makes some sense. This Shiro version is well equipped, too, and includes heated front and rear seats as standard.

Read our in-depth Nissan Leaf review

Version R135 Techno | List price £29,995 | Target Price £27,291

The Renault Zoe is great value, fairly practical and has a competitive official range of 239 miles with the R135 version. Its flawed driving position, terrible safety rating and less comfortable ride make the Peugeot e-208 a better overall buy, though – but that's assuming you can live with the e-208's shorter range. It's worth noting that Renault has recently ended production of the Zoe. However, plenty of new models should be available from dealer stock.

Read our in-depth Renault Zoe review

Version SE EV | List price £30,495 | Target Price £28,517

Like the idea of an electric car with a high-driving position? Well, the MG ZS EV could be a good option if you're on a budget, because it's the cheapest electric SUV you can currently buy. Despite it's keen pricing, the ZS EV is a commendable offering; the interior is smart for the money and you get a good amount of kit as standard with SE trim. The official range of 198 miles with this entry-level car could be better, though. 

Read our in-depth MG ZS EV review

Version SE | List price £30,995 | Target Price £30,077

If you're looking for an electric estate car, you aren't exactly spoilt for choice. However, the MG5 is one of the few, and it's certainly much cheaper than the Peugeot e-308 SW, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo and Taycan Sport Turismo. Even at the lower end of the spectrum, the MG5 is comfortable, quiet and spacious, and a good choice if you're looking for a practical electric family car.

Read our in-depth MG5 review

Version Prime Line | List price £31,250 | Target Price £29,768

The Mazda MX-30 is a relatively affordable and well-equipped electric SUV with a smart interior. Even the entry-level Prime Line comes with a head-up display, power-folding door mirrors and automatic wipers. However, its official range of just 124 miles trails a long way behind many rivals. So, for that reason, we'd steer you towards the MX-30 R-EV hybrid instead if you're not fully set on an electric car.

Read our in-depth Mazda MX-30 review

Version Active | List price £31,200 | Target Price £31,200

The Peugeot e-208 is stylish, smart inside and decent to drive. It's also the cheapest electric car Peugeot offers (it's a fair bit cheaper than its slightly larger e-2008 sibling, plus it has a longer range). The entry-level Active comes with LED headlights, a digital driver's display and a 10in infotainment screen.

Read our in-depth Peugeot e-208 review

Version First Edition | List price £31,995 | Target Price £31,995

It may be competitively priced and well equipped, but the Ora Funky Cat is flawed in areas such as range, practicality and driving manners. If you're looking for a well-rounded but affordable electric car, we'd recommend you look at the MG4 or Peugeot e-208 instead.

Read our in-depth Ora Funky Cat review

Version You | List price £32,195 | Target Price £30,547

If you're in the market for a stylish-looking coupé SUV – and also quite fancy an electric car – the Citroën e-C4 could be an ideal option. It’s practical (despite its swooping roofline), smart inside and comfortable. The entry-level You comes reasonably well equipped with dual-zone climate control, tinted rear windows and plenty of safety equipment as standard.

Read our in-depth Citroën e-C4 review

Version You | List price £32,195 | Target Price £30,940

You may think you're seeing double, because the Citroën e-C4 X looks very similar to the Citroën e-C4. Indeed, the two cars are very closely related, although the e-C4 X is the more practical alternative thanks to its slightly bigger boot. Like its sibling, it's peaceful to drive and comfortable, plus it comes with a similar amount of kit as standard. 

Read our in-depth Citroën e-C4 X review

Version Feel | List price £32,225 | Target Price £30,733

The Citroën e-Berlingo's van origins brings more benefits than you might think. Being electric, it’s more peaceful to drive than the petrol and diesel versions, plus few cars can beat it for practicality. However, it's worth noting that the interior isn't exactly plush with its hard, scratchy materials. Feel trim does at least come with a decent amount of kit, including automatic lights and wipers, an 8.0in infotainment system and rear parking sensors.

Read our in-depth Citroën e-Berlingo review

Version Design | List price £32,445 | Target Price £30,556

The Corsa Electric is Vauxhall's cheapest electric car and a fine offering. The entry-level Design comes with a good level of standard equipment, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring, lane departure warning and rear parking sensors. The official range of 246 miles is also competitive with the Peugeot e-208 (248 miles) and Renault Zoe (239 miles), but not the MG4 Long Range (281 miles).

Read our in-depth Vauxhall Corsa Electric review

Version Level 2 | List price £32,550 | Target Price £30,601

The Mini Electric is a compelling package; it's well priced, great to drive and very smart inside. However, if range is a top priority, you'll want to look elsewhere, because officially it can cover only 145 miles between top-ups. Or, if you're happy to wait, there's a new version of the Mini Electric just around the corner (called the Mini Cooper E) with an official range of 188 miles.

Read our in-depth Mini Electric review

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