Tired of waiting for the Tesla Model Q? Here are 10 affordable electric cars you can buy right now
February 13, 2025 by Jamie Edkins
Tesla sure is taking its sweet time getting the affordable Model Q on sale. It’s been years since this sub-£25,000 new model was first announced, and you may be getting tired of waiting.
If you’re after a cheap electric car and you want it now, here are 10 great alternatives to the Tesla Model Q:
- Citroen e-C3
- MG 4 EV
- Hyundai Inster
- BYD Dolphin
- Peugeot E-208
- Mini Aceman
- Used Jaguar I-Pace
- Renault 5
- Vauxhall Frontera Electric
- Used Tesla Model 3
1. Citroen e-C3
The new Citroen e-C3 really does offer fantastic value for money, so much so it was highly commended in the Carwow Car Of The Year Awards. It’s comfortable to drive, loaded with tech and it looks great as well. The boot is a bit of an awkward shape, but with prices starting from less than £22,000 this is easy to forgive.
2. MG 4 EV
A former Carwow Car Of The Year winner, the MG 4 EV offers good practicality, sleek styling and generous standard equipment, and it’s good fun to drive as well. The infotainment system isn’t the best to use, but at least you get decent driving range.
3. Hyundai Inster
The Hyundai Inster offers cavernous practicality in a small, city-friendly package. The sliding rear seats mean passengers have acres of legroom, and they fold flat to turn your cute-looking EV into a little van. It may feel a bit cheap inside, but the styling could be enough for you to look past this.
4. BYD Dolphin
If you like to be a bit quirky, saying you drive a Dolphin is one way to do it. The BYD Dolphin is more than just an amusing name though, it’s a very good electric hatchback which is nice to drive and has loads of standard equipment. Interior quality may be a mixed bag, but at least the cabin is spacious.
5. Peugeot E-208
Electric cars don’t get much more stylish than the Peugeot E-208. The sharp exterior design is complimented nicely by the modern and high-tech interior, although it’s not the most spacious in the rear seats. Still, the E-208 is great to drive and offers impressive value for money.
6. Mini Aceman
If the Mini Cooper Electric three-door isn’t quite big enough for you, but you want similar levels of style and charm, the Mini Aceman could be a perfect fit. It looks great, has a similarly quirky and well-equipped cabin and there are loads of personalisation options. You will have to live with the uncomfortable suspension though.
7. Used Jaguar I-Pace
Buying secondhand, you can get some really cool EVs for less than £25,000, such as the Jaguar I-Pace. This posh electric SUV is good-looking, a joy to drive and has a lovely interior, although the range isn’t as impressive as some alternatives. The I-Pace is already being used as a self-driving taxi in parts of the USA – take that, Tesla Cybercab.
8. Renault 5
Renault has done a great job reviving the iconic 5 hatchback of the 1980s as an electric car in 2025. It looks just as cool as the original, and it has an awesome interior with an easy-to-use Google-based infotainment system. The rear seats are a bit tight, but at this price that’s a small complaint.
9. Vauxhall Frontera Electric
The Vauxhall Frontera Electric has a lot to offer for less than £25,000. You get a massive interior, loads of tech and it looks quite cool as well. The interior may feel pretty low-rent, and other electric SUVs are better to drive, but the Frontera offers such great value for money that it’s pretty easy to recommend.
10. Used Tesla Model 3
You don’t have to wait for the Model Q to get a sub-£25,000 Tesla, why not grab a used Model 3? This high-tech and comfortable electric saloon is really easy to live with thanks to the excellent Autopilot driver assistance tech and impressive practicality, and the Model 3 will stand up to the test of time as we found out after some time in a 170,000-mile example.
Best cheap electric cars coming soon
The Tesla Model Q isn’t the only exciting and affordable EV you’ve got to look forward to, there are a few other cars coming soon.
Volkswagen ID One
Volkswagen has recently announced a new entry-level electric hatchback which is due to go on sale in 2027. It’ll be called the ID One and, while not a huge amount is known about this car yet, it’s expected to cost from around £20,000 when it hits the showrooms.
Renault Twingo
Joining the recently-revived Renault 5 and 4, the Twingo will be making a comeback as a sub-£20,000 electric car in the near future. It looks just as cute as the 90s original, and it could get around 185 miles of range. Expect to see a full debut in 2026.
Cupra Raval
The new Cupra Raval is set to join the sporty brand’s lineup this year, and it’s been spotted testing a few times. It’ll be similar under the skin to the Volkswagen ID 2all and Skoda Epiq, meaning you can expect around 270 miles of range and a sub-£25,000 price tag.
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