Cheapest electric cars in the UK
Browse cheap electric cars from rated and reviewed dealers
Best budget electric cars 2026: our favourite EVs that won’t break the bank
Now plentiful and with some excellent contenders to choose from, the best cheap electric cars are far from the compromised, short-range offerings from the last decade. They’re fun to drive, practical and a piece of cake to live with.
Some, such as the Renault 5 and Peugeot e-208 are bite-sized hatchbacks. They look very stylish and feature high-quality interiors, but they’re not very spacious inside. That’s where the Skoda Elroq and Leapmotor B10 come in; family-friendly electric SUVs which won’t break the bank.
Our expert reviews team haven’t just tested every cheap electric car on sale, they’ve lived with them, subjecting them through the trials and tribulations of everyday life to see which ones cut the mustard. Here are the 10 best:
The 10 best affordable EVs on sale
2026
Urban Living Award
Winner
Battery range up to 252 miles
Best for: Fun styling and a fun driving experience
The Renault 5 is an all-new, all-electric hatchback which looks like it was plucked right off the streets of Paris in 1980…in a cyber-punk alternate reality. It’s fantastic to drive, features a plush cabin and big boot, but it’s cramped inside.
Not that practicality matters from the outside, because you won’t think about the back seats when looking at it. The Renault 5 is one of the most handsome cars on sale, turning heads as much as a supercar or posh SUV. The headlights, taillights and silhouette are nods to the original Renault 5 of the 1970s, while the boxy wheel arches give it a sporty stance.
There are more retro-tastic touches inside, as the Renault 5’s stepped dashboard design and squared-off seats scream 1980s. The two-in-one infotainment unit perched on the dash is eye-catching, but only higher trim levels get the larger 10.1-inch infotainment screen with Google software.
Space up front is fine, but not great. The seats go quite far back and the tiered dashboard means you can fit a child seat in without much issue, but rear legroom suffers massively as a result. Those of you with long legs will struggle to get comfortable, and three-across travel is a myth. At least the 326-litre boot is larger than in a Citroen e-C3 and is massive compared to a Mini Cooper Electric.
There are two battery and motor options available, with the entry-level car featuring a 40kWh battery for a maximum range of 190 miles on a charge. Mid- and upper-spec models come with a larger 50kWh unit for 252 miles of travel.
Whichever version you choose, the Renault 5 is a great car to drive around town. Smooth, peppy motors, quick steering and easy-to-judge brakes make it a joy to go, turn and stop in high-traffic areas. It’s not very comfortable though, jiggling you around on a bad road.
The Renault 5 is slightly out of its depth on the motorway, with notable tyre and wind noise making its way into the cabin. It’s a great car to enjoy your favourite country lane on, because while it’s not a hot hatch, it’ll tackle tight, twisty turns with composure and plenty of grip.
The Renault 5 is an all-new, all-electric hatchback which looks like it was plucked right off the streets of Paris in 1980…in a cyber-punk alternate reality. It’s fantastic to drive, features a plush cabin and big boot, but it’s cramped inside.
Not that practicality matters from the outside, because you won’t think about the back seats when looking at it. The Renault 5 is one of the most handsome cars on sale, turning heads as much as a supercar or posh SUV. The headlights, taillights and silhouette are nods to the original Renault 5 of the 1970s, while the boxy wheel arches give it a sporty stance.
There are more retro-tastic touches inside, as the Renault 5’s stepped dashboard design and squared-off seats scream 1980s. The two-in-one infotainment unit perched on the dash is eye-catching, but only higher trim levels get the larger 10.1-inch infotainment screen with Google software.
Space up front is fine, but not great. The seats go quite far back and the tiered dashboard means you can fit a child seat in without much issue, but rear legroom suffers massively as a result. Those of you with long legs will struggle to get comfortable, and three-across travel is a myth. At least the 326-litre boot is larger than in a Citroen e-C3 and is massive compared to a Mini Cooper Electric.
There are two battery and motor options available, with the entry-level car featuring a 40kWh battery for a maximum range of 190 miles on a charge. Mid- and upper-spec models come with a larger 50kWh unit for 252 miles of travel.
Whichever version you choose, the Renault 5 is a great car to drive around town. Smooth, peppy motors, quick steering and easy-to-judge brakes make it a joy to go, turn and stop in high-traffic areas. It’s not very comfortable though, jiggling you around on a bad road.
The Renault 5 is slightly out of its depth on the motorway, with notable tyre and wind noise making its way into the cabin. It’s a great car to enjoy your favourite country lane on, because while it’s not a hot hatch, it’ll tackle tight, twisty turns with composure and plenty of grip.
2026
Family Values Award
Highly Commended
Battery range up to 355 miles
Best for: a sensible, practical family SUV
Few brands do ‘sensible’ as well as Skoda, and the Elroq is no exception. It may be stretching the definition of ‘cheap’ on this list, but it’s well-equipped, super comfortable, has a big boot and loads of small touches which make it easy to use on the day-to-day - meaning it’s outstanding value for money.
It’s a looker, too, but in a very reserved, under-the-radar way. Gone is the big, upright Skoda grille of old, replaced with a sleek blade of tinted glass which hides all of the Elroq’s safety cameras and sensors. The sides feature crisp lines and a sleek silhouette, but it’s a bit plain at the back, where you’ll find a stubbier tail than the mechanically similar Skoda Enyaq.
Not that that impacts interior space much, because the Elroq’s cabin is wide and airy inside. Up front you’ll find comfortable, highly adjustable front seats and lots of storage space, while the back has plenty of headroom and legroom.
The 470-litre boot is generous, and you get some rather clever shelves built into the space behind the wheel arches. You can even opt for a clever under-parcel shelf net to store the charging cables, freeing up the under-floor space.
You won’t complain about the Elroq’s interior design, either. There’s a minimalist vibe that hasn’t gone so far as relegating all of the control buttons to the 13.0-inch central infotainment screen. That’s a plus, but the screen itself is a bit annoying to navigate, and the touch-sensitive climate control sliders are a pain to use on the go.
There are various battery sizes to choose from in the Elroq, with the bottom-rung ‘50’ model offering 230 miles of range. The top-dog 85 can travel a far more impressive 360 miles on a single top-up, but it can’t be called ‘cheap’ at that point.
Around town the Ekroq soaks up battered roads, but it’s a bit bouncy if you don’t slow down enough for big speedbumps. The electric motor is smooth and good all-round visibility helps when parking.
Few brands do ‘sensible’ as well as Skoda, and the Elroq is no exception. It may be stretching the definition of ‘cheap’ on this list, but it’s well-equipped, super comfortable, has a big boot and loads of small touches which make it easy to use on the day-to-day - meaning it’s outstanding value for money.
It’s a looker, too, but in a very reserved, under-the-radar way. Gone is the big, upright Skoda grille of old, replaced with a sleek blade of tinted glass which hides all of the Elroq’s safety cameras and sensors. The sides feature crisp lines and a sleek silhouette, but it’s a bit plain at the back, where you’ll find a stubbier tail than the mechanically similar Skoda Enyaq.
Not that that impacts interior space much, because the Elroq’s cabin is wide and airy inside. Up front you’ll find comfortable, highly adjustable front seats and lots of storage space, while the back has plenty of headroom and legroom.
The 470-litre boot is generous, and you get some rather clever shelves built into the space behind the wheel arches. You can even opt for a clever under-parcel shelf net to store the charging cables, freeing up the under-floor space.
You won’t complain about the Elroq’s interior design, either. There’s a minimalist vibe that hasn’t gone so far as relegating all of the control buttons to the 13.0-inch central infotainment screen. That’s a plus, but the screen itself is a bit annoying to navigate, and the touch-sensitive climate control sliders are a pain to use on the go.
There are various battery sizes to choose from in the Elroq, with the bottom-rung ‘50’ model offering 230 miles of range. The top-dog 85 can travel a far more impressive 360 miles on a single top-up, but it can’t be called ‘cheap’ at that point.
Around town the Ekroq soaks up battered roads, but it’s a bit bouncy if you don’t slow down enough for big speedbumps. The electric motor is smooth and good all-round visibility helps when parking.
2026
Urban Living Award
Highly Commended
3. Fiat Grande Panda Electric
Fiat Grande Panda Electric review
Battery range up to 199 miles
Best for: head-turning practicality
Another small, retro-styled hatchback channelling the vibe of its 1980s forebear, the Fiat Grande Panda Electric is a seriously good looking piece of kit. Its boxy shape and squared-off corners make it spacious inside, and the funky cabin design makes up for some of the cheap interior plastics.
Where the Renault 5 is all sporty with a wide stance, the Grande Panda looks like an SUV that’s been shrunk in the wash. From the ruler-straight, broad headlight and ‘grille’ combo - like a baby Hyundai Santa Fe - to the chunky wheel arches, embossed doors and futuristic taillights, this is a very handsome little car.
The cabin also looks great, though it’s not retro-styled as with the outside. The dashboard loops around a cylinder which houses the upper glovebox, rectangular air vents and acrylic, oval-shaped infotainment and driver display combo. The seats feature funky fabrics, while all of the interior plastics are navy blue - a welcome change from the all-black fare which afflicts most small cars.
Material quality is generally poor, with lots of hard, scratchy surfaces, but you expect that at this price point. Interior space is generous for such a small car, with the tall roofline making for lots of headroom and a surprising amount of leg space. The 361-litre boot is generous, too.
There’s a single battery choice in the Grande Panda Electric, a 44kWh item which claims up to 199 miles on a charge. That’s not great, but more than enough for urban commuting.
Speaking of which, the Grande Panda Electric is rather fun to bop around town in. The tight turning circle, light steering and fairly high seating position make it a breeze to manoeuvre, but the good times fade away on the motorway. At higher speeds the dinky and high-sided Fiat feels less sure-footed than lower hatchbacks, and it’s not particularly fun on twisty roads, either.
Another small, retro-styled hatchback channelling the vibe of its 1980s forebear, the Fiat Grande Panda Electric is a seriously good looking piece of kit. Its boxy shape and squared-off corners make it spacious inside, and the funky cabin design makes up for some of the cheap interior plastics.
Where the Renault 5 is all sporty with a wide stance, the Grande Panda looks like an SUV that’s been shrunk in the wash. From the ruler-straight, broad headlight and ‘grille’ combo - like a baby Hyundai Santa Fe - to the chunky wheel arches, embossed doors and futuristic taillights, this is a very handsome little car.
The cabin also looks great, though it’s not retro-styled as with the outside. The dashboard loops around a cylinder which houses the upper glovebox, rectangular air vents and acrylic, oval-shaped infotainment and driver display combo. The seats feature funky fabrics, while all of the interior plastics are navy blue - a welcome change from the all-black fare which afflicts most small cars.
Material quality is generally poor, with lots of hard, scratchy surfaces, but you expect that at this price point. Interior space is generous for such a small car, with the tall roofline making for lots of headroom and a surprising amount of leg space. The 361-litre boot is generous, too.
There’s a single battery choice in the Grande Panda Electric, a 44kWh item which claims up to 199 miles on a charge. That’s not great, but more than enough for urban commuting.
Speaking of which, the Grande Panda Electric is rather fun to bop around town in. The tight turning circle, light steering and fairly high seating position make it a breeze to manoeuvre, but the good times fade away on the motorway. At higher speeds the dinky and high-sided Fiat feels less sure-footed than lower hatchbacks, and it’s not particularly fun on twisty roads, either.
Battery range up to 202 miles
Best for: city dwellers
The Citroen e-C3 is a handsome, practical and comfortable small hatchback with SUV-lite styling and lots of interior space, but material quality is lacking in some places inside.
It has a chunky yet stylish baby-SUV aesthetic that could easily be mistaken for a more premium model. It’s a bit less posh inside, but a neat mix of materials help to elevate the ambience, and everything is solidly built.
You get a 10.3-inch infotainment screen as standard, and while the built-in software is a bit more basic than you’ll find on Citroen’s pricier cars, it works well enough, and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for all your navigation and music streaming needs.
The boxy shape means it’s reasonably practical for a small car too, with a spacious cabin and a 310-litre boot that’s about average among alternatives (more room than the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, less than the BYD Dolphin, for example).
Where you do have to make a sacrifice to affordability is the battery, because the small 44kWh unit (the same as the mechanically similar Fiat Grande Panda) means the official range is just 199 miles.
The Citroen e-C3‘s small dimensions and squared-off corners mean it's easy to place on the road, and rather fun to nip about in tight traffic. It wallows about a little on the motorway or when going around tight bends, so you’ll want to take it easy with your inputs at higher speeds.
The Citroen e-C3 is a handsome, practical and comfortable small hatchback with SUV-lite styling and lots of interior space, but material quality is lacking in some places inside.
It has a chunky yet stylish baby-SUV aesthetic that could easily be mistaken for a more premium model. It’s a bit less posh inside, but a neat mix of materials help to elevate the ambience, and everything is solidly built.
You get a 10.3-inch infotainment screen as standard, and while the built-in software is a bit more basic than you’ll find on Citroen’s pricier cars, it works well enough, and has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for all your navigation and music streaming needs.
The boxy shape means it’s reasonably practical for a small car too, with a spacious cabin and a 310-litre boot that’s about average among alternatives (more room than the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, less than the BYD Dolphin, for example).
Where you do have to make a sacrifice to affordability is the battery, because the small 44kWh unit (the same as the mechanically similar Fiat Grande Panda) means the official range is just 199 miles.
The Citroen e-C3‘s small dimensions and squared-off corners mean it's easy to place on the road, and rather fun to nip about in tight traffic. It wallows about a little on the motorway or when going around tight bends, so you’ll want to take it easy with your inputs at higher speeds.
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5. MG4 Urban
MG MG4 Urban review
Battery range up to 258 miles
Best for: value for money
The MG4 Urban is related to the fantastic MG4 only by name. It's a more budget friendly take on the badge, but don’t let that fool you, because it’s comfortable, spacious and easy to live with. It’s dull to drive, however, and there are some scratchy materials inside.
It doesn’t look anywhere near as cool as the full-fat MG4, either. Where the original car is practically a spaceship on wheels, the MG4 Urban is far more generic. At least the headlights and taillights resemble the sporty MG Cyberster, but that’s where similarities end.
The interior doesn’t look like much either, straight-laced and minimalist with few stand-out features. The infotainment touchscreen is a huge improvement of MGs of old, however, and the row of physical controls on the dashboard is a joy to use compared to the touchscreen-only setups in alternatives.
It’s massively spacious inside, too, with room for tall adults to get comfortable in every seat, while the 577-litre boot is outrageously large for what isn’t a very big car.
You can choose between 43kWh or 54kWh batteries offering either 201 miles or 258 miles of range, respectively.
It’s hard to fault the MG4 Urban around town, because it’s comfortable, has a tight turning circle and excellent all-round visibility. It’s a bit too slow when getting up to motorway speeds, and it’s a bit too noisy once you reach a cruise. Don’t expect any fun on a country lane, either, with grabby brakes and overly-light steering.
The MG4 Urban is related to the fantastic MG4 only by name. It's a more budget friendly take on the badge, but don’t let that fool you, because it’s comfortable, spacious and easy to live with. It’s dull to drive, however, and there are some scratchy materials inside.
It doesn’t look anywhere near as cool as the full-fat MG4, either. Where the original car is practically a spaceship on wheels, the MG4 Urban is far more generic. At least the headlights and taillights resemble the sporty MG Cyberster, but that’s where similarities end.
The interior doesn’t look like much either, straight-laced and minimalist with few stand-out features. The infotainment touchscreen is a huge improvement of MGs of old, however, and the row of physical controls on the dashboard is a joy to use compared to the touchscreen-only setups in alternatives.
It’s massively spacious inside, too, with room for tall adults to get comfortable in every seat, while the 577-litre boot is outrageously large for what isn’t a very big car.
You can choose between 43kWh or 54kWh batteries offering either 201 miles or 258 miles of range, respectively.
It’s hard to fault the MG4 Urban around town, because it’s comfortable, has a tight turning circle and excellent all-round visibility. It’s a bit too slow when getting up to motorway speeds, and it’s a bit too noisy once you reach a cruise. Don’t expect any fun on a country lane, either, with grabby brakes and overly-light steering.
6. Hyundai Inster
Hyundai Inster review
Battery range up to 229 miles
Best for: clever cabin
If you can forgive the slightly ridiculous name, the Hyundai Inster is a fantastic small EV. It’s so good that it was highly commended in the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year Awards for being a great city car.
Hyundai is a South Korean company, but the Inster’s styling is reminiscent of quirky Japanese kei cars (tiny city-focused vehicles that are cheap to tax). The boxy shape isn’t just for looks either, because Hyundai has been really clever with the space inside.
The party piece is the rear seats, which can recline but also slide. This allows you to choose between a bigger boot, or limo-like rear legroom. You can also fold the front seats forward to use one as a footrest, or both as the base for an airbed, turning the Inster into a tiny camper.
Fixtures and fittings also impress, thanks to the fact the Inster shares some parts with more expensive Hyundais. This includes the screens, with two 10.3-inch displays standard across the trims.
Range isn’t fantastic, with the entry-level model getting 203 miles between charges, putting it on par with the Citroen e-C3. You can get a bigger battery to push the range to 229 miles, though our testing indicated about 200 miles is more realistic. It’s also worth noting that the Inster’s DC charging isn’t particularly rapid, which means it’ll take a bit longer to top up at a public charger than most alternatives.
If you can forgive the slightly ridiculous name, the Hyundai Inster is a fantastic small EV. It’s so good that it was highly commended in the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year Awards for being a great city car.
Hyundai is a South Korean company, but the Inster’s styling is reminiscent of quirky Japanese kei cars (tiny city-focused vehicles that are cheap to tax). The boxy shape isn’t just for looks either, because Hyundai has been really clever with the space inside.
The party piece is the rear seats, which can recline but also slide. This allows you to choose between a bigger boot, or limo-like rear legroom. You can also fold the front seats forward to use one as a footrest, or both as the base for an airbed, turning the Inster into a tiny camper.
Fixtures and fittings also impress, thanks to the fact the Inster shares some parts with more expensive Hyundais. This includes the screens, with two 10.3-inch displays standard across the trims.
Range isn’t fantastic, with the entry-level model getting 203 miles between charges, putting it on par with the Citroen e-C3. You can get a bigger battery to push the range to 229 miles, though our testing indicated about 200 miles is more realistic. It’s also worth noting that the Inster’s DC charging isn’t particularly rapid, which means it’ll take a bit longer to top up at a public charger than most alternatives.
Battery range up to 268 miles
Best for: chic style
Just because a car is cheap doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish, as proved by the Peugeot E-208. This good-looking little car has a stand out design inside as well as outside, and also proves you don’t have to sacrifice range for a small EV.
The E-208 looks about as posh as a small car can look, with the LED daytime running lights that are meant to look like a lion’s claw has slashed the bumper a particular highlight. Inside it’s sophisticated and quirky in equal measure, with lots of angles and a nice mix of materials.
The infotainment tech is a bit dated now, with sluggish switching between menus, but all models get a 10.0-inch display that at least looks fairly modern and high-tech.
Space and practicality aren’t the Peugeot E-208’s strong point. Space in the front is pretty good, but it’s really tight for rear passengers, and the 311-litre boot is beaten by most alternatives, such as the MG4 EV and Cupra Born.
There are two battery options, with the larger of the two offering up to 248 miles of range. The Peugeot’s selling point here is the fact that its motors are really efficient, which means your running costs will be a bit lower, and you get reasonably fast DC charging for a small, affordable EV, too.
Just because a car is cheap doesn’t mean it can’t be stylish, as proved by the Peugeot E-208. This good-looking little car has a stand out design inside as well as outside, and also proves you don’t have to sacrifice range for a small EV.
The E-208 looks about as posh as a small car can look, with the LED daytime running lights that are meant to look like a lion’s claw has slashed the bumper a particular highlight. Inside it’s sophisticated and quirky in equal measure, with lots of angles and a nice mix of materials.
The infotainment tech is a bit dated now, with sluggish switching between menus, but all models get a 10.0-inch display that at least looks fairly modern and high-tech.
Space and practicality aren’t the Peugeot E-208’s strong point. Space in the front is pretty good, but it’s really tight for rear passengers, and the 311-litre boot is beaten by most alternatives, such as the MG4 EV and Cupra Born.
There are two battery options, with the larger of the two offering up to 248 miles of range. The Peugeot’s selling point here is the fact that its motors are really efficient, which means your running costs will be a bit lower, and you get reasonably fast DC charging for a small, affordable EV, too.
8. Leapmotor B10
Leapmotor B10 review
Battery range up to 261 miles
Best for: a posh interior
Cheap and stuffed with standard equipment — that’s the Leapmotor way, and if you haven’t heard of this newly-arrived Chinese car maker (partly-owned by the same people who own Vauxhall, Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot etc) then you soon will, as money-saving experts will be all over it for its low price and long standard equipment list — panoramic sunroof, 360-degree parking cameras, heated and ventilated seats, and much more.
You also get a bigger car for your money. The B10 is priced against the likes of the MG S5 and the Skoda Elroq, but it’s bigger on both the outside and the inside, with copious legroom in the back, and a high-quality sheen all over. The boot’s a bit on the small side, but you could forgive that.
Harder to forgive is the short electric range, which tops out at 261 miles, and there’s no option to pay extra for a bigger battery with more range. The B10 is also not much fun to drive, with over-light steering and plenty of body roll.
That said, if you’re buying on a budget and don’t drive from Edinburgh to Cornwall every week, the B10 makes a decent case for itself with all that space, all that kit, all that quality, and that low price tag.
Cheap and stuffed with standard equipment — that’s the Leapmotor way, and if you haven’t heard of this newly-arrived Chinese car maker (partly-owned by the same people who own Vauxhall, Jeep, Fiat, Peugeot etc) then you soon will, as money-saving experts will be all over it for its low price and long standard equipment list — panoramic sunroof, 360-degree parking cameras, heated and ventilated seats, and much more.
You also get a bigger car for your money. The B10 is priced against the likes of the MG S5 and the Skoda Elroq, but it’s bigger on both the outside and the inside, with copious legroom in the back, and a high-quality sheen all over. The boot’s a bit on the small side, but you could forgive that.
Harder to forgive is the short electric range, which tops out at 261 miles, and there’s no option to pay extra for a bigger battery with more range. The B10 is also not much fun to drive, with over-light steering and plenty of body roll.
That said, if you’re buying on a budget and don’t drive from Edinburgh to Cornwall every week, the B10 makes a decent case for itself with all that space, all that kit, all that quality, and that low price tag.
Battery range up to 285 miles
Best for: classy looks
The Renault Megane E-Tech might be pushing the budget-friendliness of this list, but it’s worthy of inclusion because you get a lot for the cash. Not space, admittedly, but lots of other things.
Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way: the stylish looks do come at the expense of cabin roominess somewhat. It’s not too bad up front, but the rear seats are fairly cramped, and that low roofline means headroom is tight. The Megane is smaller than it looks in pictures. Regardless, there is a pay off for the back seats being a squeeze, and that’s the fact that you get a big boot. At 440 litres it’s bigger than pretty much everything at this price.
It might not be hugely spacious, but the interior design is lovely, with a nice mix of materials including fabric on the dashboard. The infotainment screen isn’t particularly big, but it works well thanks to being developed by Google. The other advantage of this is that Google Maps and Google Assistant voice tech are included in the native software.
It’s easy to pick your motor and battery, because there’s no choice… all models come with a 60kWh battery that returns up to 281 miles on a charge. That’s pretty good for the price, but the fact you get 22kW AC charging as standard is impressive. (Most cars get up to 7.4kW, or 11kW at a push.)
The Renault Megane E-Tech might be pushing the budget-friendliness of this list, but it’s worthy of inclusion because you get a lot for the cash. Not space, admittedly, but lots of other things.
Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way: the stylish looks do come at the expense of cabin roominess somewhat. It’s not too bad up front, but the rear seats are fairly cramped, and that low roofline means headroom is tight. The Megane is smaller than it looks in pictures. Regardless, there is a pay off for the back seats being a squeeze, and that’s the fact that you get a big boot. At 440 litres it’s bigger than pretty much everything at this price.
It might not be hugely spacious, but the interior design is lovely, with a nice mix of materials including fabric on the dashboard. The infotainment screen isn’t particularly big, but it works well thanks to being developed by Google. The other advantage of this is that Google Maps and Google Assistant voice tech are included in the native software.
It’s easy to pick your motor and battery, because there’s no choice… all models come with a 60kWh battery that returns up to 281 miles on a charge. That’s pretty good for the price, but the fact you get 22kW AC charging as standard is impressive. (Most cars get up to 7.4kW, or 11kW at a push.)
10. BYD Dolphin
BYD Dolphin review
Battery range up to 265 miles
Best for: low cost, big space
You could be forgiven for raising an eyebrow at the BYD Dolphin, because it’s an electric car from a new-to-the-UK Chinese brand and has a curious name. Don’t let that put you off though, because there’s a lot to like about it.
For a start, it’s an affordable electric car that’s not compromised on space, despite having a relatively small footprint. There’s plenty of room in the back, and the boot is a good size, even if the Cupra Born offers a bit more capacity.
And while the exterior is rather dull to look at (unless you get the intriguing blue and silver two-tone paint job), the interior is anything but. There are swooping lines and multiple layers with various contrasting materials – it’s bordering on fussy but is certainly more interesting than the plain, black dashboards you get in most cars.
The party piece is the massive infotainment display, which can rotate between landscape and portrait depending on your preference. It’s a bit of a gimmick, but the screen is at least sharp and flicks between menus quickly, even if it can be confusing to find your way around.
You have a choice of two battery sizes, and the smaller one with the lower-powered motor is the most efficient, so if you don’t need big range it will cost you a bit less to run. Go for the bigger battery and you get up to 265 miles between charges.
You could be forgiven for raising an eyebrow at the BYD Dolphin, because it’s an electric car from a new-to-the-UK Chinese brand and has a curious name. Don’t let that put you off though, because there’s a lot to like about it.
For a start, it’s an affordable electric car that’s not compromised on space, despite having a relatively small footprint. There’s plenty of room in the back, and the boot is a good size, even if the Cupra Born offers a bit more capacity.
And while the exterior is rather dull to look at (unless you get the intriguing blue and silver two-tone paint job), the interior is anything but. There are swooping lines and multiple layers with various contrasting materials – it’s bordering on fussy but is certainly more interesting than the plain, black dashboards you get in most cars.
The party piece is the massive infotainment display, which can rotate between landscape and portrait depending on your preference. It’s a bit of a gimmick, but the screen is at least sharp and flicks between menus quickly, even if it can be confusing to find your way around.
You have a choice of two battery sizes, and the smaller one with the lower-powered motor is the most efficient, so if you don’t need big range it will cost you a bit less to run. Go for the bigger battery and you get up to 265 miles between charges.
Factors to consider when buying a cheap electric car
Budget
EVs are getting cheaper all the time - but they still haven’t quite reached the levels of the cheapest petrol cars. You’ll need to budget slightly more for an electric car, or step down in size or poshness to compensate. Your budget also needs to grow quite a lot if you have specific needs for a long-range EV - more on that below.
Range
Many of the cheap electric cars on this list have fairly limited range on a charge when it comes to real-world mileage. In fact, many will struggle to go 200 or even 150 miles between stops, and that does somewhat limit them as long-distance cruisers. It’s not all bad, though - there are some impressively long-ranged options available, such as the Kia EV3 which can do over 300 miles to a charge when fitted with the larger of its two battery options. Just make sure you choose your model carefully.
Charging
Even a short-range electric car can be pretty tolerable on a long journey if it charges quickly. However, not all of these vehicles have particularly quick top-up speeds. For example, a Hyundai Inster will top-up from 10-80% in about 30 minutes. A Volvo EX30 will do the same in 25 minutes, despite having a much larger battery pack.
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Electric cars can offer real value for money, even if they’re not necessarily cheap to buy. If you want to know more, our FAQs should help you decide if now is the time to switch...
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