The cheapest electric cars on sale in the UK in 2024

The world of electric cars is constantly changing, with new models announced almost every week, including some very expensive and some very cheap models.

Dacia made big waves when it announced a sub-£15,000 version of the Spring but other brands are also starting to make EVs more accessible.

While the price of electric cars still regarded as one of the biggest obstacles to ownership, there’s a new wave of more affordable EVs to look forward to in the next 12 months. Those will include the Renault 5, VW ID.2, Vauxhall Frontera and Fiat Panda but until then, here’s the list of the cheapest electric cars (and one quadricycle) you can buy in the UK right now.

Citroen Ami – £7,695

Technically, the Ami is a quadricycle rather than a car, but you still need a full licence to drive one in the UK, so we’re counting it on our list. Citroen’s teeny EV – it’s 2.4m long – is purely a city vehicle thanks to its meagre 8bhp and 28mph top speed. A maximum range of 46 miles also wouldn’t get you far on the open road. But for £99 a month, the Ami has real appeal for city dwellers looking for something more robust than a bike or scooter, with space for shopping or luggage. It’s also ideal for businesses who need affordable last-mile delivery options, with a single-seat Cargo edition available too.

Dacia Spring – £14,995

The Dacia Spring is the first ‘proper’ car on our list and the cheapest EV that’s actually suitable for use outside a city centre. That said, it’s still going to be most at home in urban environments. The Spring is a compact city car, intended as a family’s second vehicle or an affordable electric option for those who rarely make long journeys. That’s reflected in the spec, which has been kept simple in the name of value. The 26.8kWh battery is small by modern standards but should offer up to 137 miles of driving (180+ if you never leave the city) and 30kW DC charging will get it from 20% to 80% in 45 minutes. Two motors offer either 44bhp or 64bhp and top-spec versions get a 10-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone mirroring and two-way charging for less than £17,000.

Citroen E-C3 – £21,990

Lots of brands talk about making EVs more accessible but Citroen is the only one with two cars on this list (for now, anyway). Unlike the Ami, the E-C3 is a proper car, powered by a 111bhp motor and equipped with a 44kWh battery. That means you can safely venture out of the city in the E-C3 and you’ll get almost 200 miles away before you need to charge. All versions of the E-C3 come with touches such as alloy wheels and two-tone paint and even the well-equipped Plus version with heated seats and a parking camera comes in under £24,000.

Fiat 500e – £24,995

Fiat’s electric reinvention of its retro-chic city car is a real success. It blends the styling cues of the earlier models with a sleeker finish and high-tech interior, and what it lacks in space it more than makes up for in charm. Entry level versions come with a less powerful drivetrain featuring a 93bhp motor and 24kWh battery that’s good for around 118 miles of range. If you can find an extra £3,000, higher-spec versions offer an extra 25bhp and, more importantly, a range of almost 200 miles, plus faster charging.

BYD Dolphin – £26,195

China’s BYD is at the forefront of a new wave of overseas car makers bringing their EVs to Europe. The Dolphin is the brand’s entry level model, sitting beneath the Atto 3 family SUV and the Tesla-targeting Seal saloon. It’s a compact hatchback that’s fighting against the likes of the MG4 and VW ID.3 but manages to undercut both. Range-topping models cost more than £30k and come with a 201bhp motor and 60.4kWh battery good for 265 miles of range. However for just over £26,000 you can now have the Active-spec car with 94bhp and a 211-mile range from a 44.9kWh battery. Or there’s a 174bhp Boost spec that offers 193 miles from the same battery and a price just north of £27,000.

MG4 – £26,995

The MG4 is perhaps the greatest proof so far that EVs don’t have to cost a fortune. Unlike the earlier cars on our list, which are pretty compact, the MG4 is a full-sized family hatchback capable of carrying five people and a decent amount of luggage. The cheapest SE version comes with the smaller 51kWh battery, which returns an official 218 miles of range. The SE Long Range bumps that up to 281 while still costing less than £30,000, and all versions come with generous equipment levels and a seven-year warranty.

Mazda MX-30 – £27,995

Mazda’s electric curiosity has fought its way back onto this list courtesy of a recent £3,000 price cut. Mazda says it’s repositioning the MX-30 to appeal to a wider audience and cutting the price will certainly do that. It still remains a tricky prospect due to its tiny battery and 124-mile range, but Mazda argues that the smaller battery is better for efficiency and more than enough to meet most average customers’ needs, especially as it sees it as a second car rather than a family’s main transport. If the range fits your needs and you like the idea a compact SUV with suicide doors and a premium-feeling, cork-lined interior, then it’s worth a look.

Peugeot E-208 – £28,200

In the latest Stellantis pricing merry-go-round, the E-208 has dropped back onto our list after previously being priced off it. Starting at a shade over £28,000, the entry-level Active comes with the older powertrain, which uses a 50kWh battery and 134bhp motor with a useful range of up to 225 miles. It’s based on the same platform as a host of other models but, for our money, the E-208 is the sharpest looking option as well as the most affordable.

Nissan Leaf – £28,395

The Nissan Leaf is the grandaddy of mainstream electric cars. The first generation was groundbreaking in making EVs accessible and the second generation continues that trend thanks to its relatively low price. Like the MG4 and Fiat, the entry-level Shiro models save money by using a less powerful motor and smaller battery, so you get 148bhp and a range of 168 miles, which is pretty poor by modern standards. However, it’s still usable if you don’t make many long journeys and there’s a reasonable level of equipment even in the cheapest versions.

Mini Cooper E – £30,000

They say good things come in small packages and the latest electric Mini is proof of that. It’s the same size as the previous model but packs more of a technological punch, even in its most basic form. For £30k you’ll get the Cooper E, with 184bhp and a range of 182 miles from a 41kWh battery rather than the punchier, longer-range SE. Even still, the new Mini is a fizzing ball of fun that will put a grin on your face. Even entry-level cars get the neat 24cm round infotainment screen, adaptive cruise control and LED lights but it’s possible to spend thousands more if you delve into the options list.