It’s fair to say that the electric car landscape is shifting, and shifting quickly.
After its early years were dominated by large and relatively expensive SUVs, the focus is now on small and affordable models that appeal to a wider audience.
Models like the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6 and Skoda Enyaq are great for families hauling lots of people and stuff over long distances. But there are plenty of drivers who don’t need all that space or range. And plenty who don’t have £40,000 or more to spend on an EV.
Thankfully, the last couple of years have seen a surge in the number of small EVs, with more to come. After the pioneering work of the Renault Zoe and Mini Electric, and the false dawn of the Honda e, the compact, affordable EV sector is booming.
So to celebrate, we’ve come up with our list of the 10 best small electric cars on sale in 2026.
Renault 5
The Renault 5 has won just about every award it’s possible for a car to win, and with good reason. This European Car of the Year is a brilliant blend of value, capability and style. Its exterior and interior design perfectly balance nods to the original R5 with a fresh modern look and feel. Beneath the surface it packs an impressive powertrain offering 118bhp and 191 miles of range or 148bhp and 252 miles. And it drives beautifully as well. With prices from around £21,000 thanks to the Electric Car Grant, it’s also helping make electric motoring more affordable.
Cupra Raval
Cupra took the lead on the Volkswagen Group’s small car family project, and it shows. Allowed to be (relatively) adventurous, the sporty Spanish brand has turned in a striking supermini that looks like a hot hatch even in its most basic versions. Those basic ones will offer 114bhp and start from £24,000 when they arrive later in 2026. For now, only the spicier models are available, including the hot VZ, which packs 222bhp and true hot hatch handling beneath its bold bodywork.
Hyundai Inster
Although its styling is all about rough ‘n’ tough SUV-like looks, the Inster is a city car at heart. Beneath its Fisher Price 4×4 looks, this tiny EV measures just 3.8m long. But Hyundai packs a lot into its small package, from houndstooth upholstery to adaptive cruise control, and a surprising amount of space. Powering it all are 96bhp or 115bhp motors and either a 203-mile 42kWh battery or a larger 49kWh unit good for 229 miles – more than enough for most weekly demands. Priced from £23,500, it’s an interesting alternative to the sharp Renault 5 or Citroen E-C3.
Citroen E-C3
If the Renault 5 is the best small electric car out there, its French rival isn’t too far behind. It’s not quite as sharp looking inside or out, but with a decent 199-mile range and a budget-friendly price it’s easy to recommend. Starting at less than £22,000, the e-C3 is a compact five-door hatch with very mildly SUV-inspired styling and space for four onboard. Despite its low starting price, features such as alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless phone mirroring, auto LED lights, and 100kW charging are standard.
Mini Electric
The second-generation Mini Cooper is as compact as ever but brings major improvements over the old car in almost every regard. There are now three power options ranging from 181bhp in the basic Cooper E to 215bhp in SE models and 254bhp in JCW variants. There’s also a much bigger, 49.2kWh battery offering 250 miles of range – more than 100 more than before. Added to that is a brilliantly unusual new interior and the same grin-inducing go-kart handling as before that help offset a steeper asking price.
Fiat Grande Panda
The Grande Panda took its time making it to the UK but was well worth the wait. Proudly drawing on the design and ethos of the original Panda, this new supermini blends brilliant retro design with a smart modern interior and up-to-date powertrain shared with the Citroen E-C3. Its looks and charm will win over hearts, while its 199 miles of range and starting price of just over £20,000, will convince the head too that it is among the best small EVs on sale.
Abarth 600e
There’s nothing that says all small cars have to be sensible or affordable, which is how the Abarth 600e makes it onto our list. Yes, it’s nearly £40,000, and no, you probably don’t need 276bhp in a very compact crossover. But, my word, it’s fun. Based on the bland 4.17m Fiat 600e, the Abarth gets a delightfully lively chassis, limited slip differential and lots of silly boy racer cosmetic upgrades. As a package, they add up to one of the most engaging “hot hatch” EVs out there, and one you won’t struggle to park at the supermarket.
Alpine A290
The Alpine A290 was joint winner of the European Car of the Year award with the Renault 5, largely because the two are so closely related. Although they do share the same core, the Alpine is worthy of inclusion on its own thanks to how it transforms the sensible everyday R5 into a rapid, characterful hot hatch. Smart cosmetic changes give it a more purposeful and aggressive look, and there’s a unique 221bhp motor for added oomph. Coupled to major chassis revisions and the Alpine joins the Abarth 600e in proving that small electric cars can be bundles of fun.
Fiat 500e
The Fiat 500e was one of the first wave of small electric cars and it still holds a certain appeal after more than five years. Its modern take on the iconic 500’s lines are a cute blend of modern and traditional and the interior is littered with neat design details that will make you smile. What’s more, recent ECG-related price cuts mean that the 500e, which has suffered from yo-yoing prices over the years, is now properly affordable, with a starting price of just over £17,000 making it among the cheapest EVs on sale.
Nissan Micra
If the Renault 5 is on the list of best small EVs, then we can’t deny the Nissan Micra the same treatment. While it looks different from the outside, under the bug-eyed skin the Nissan uses the same brilliant small car platform as the R5. That means more than 250 miles on a charge, a deft chassis and smart user-friendly interior. It also means full ECG eligibility and a starting price of £21,500, staying true to the Micra’s position as an accessible entry point to motoring for young and old.
