Remember when every EV was a £40,000 C-segment SUV, and small and cheap was the preserve of tiny petrol engines? Times have changed.
Advances in battery and motor technology have brought costs down dramatically, helped along by measures such as the Electric Car Grant. The result is that there are now 46 EVs priced under £30,000.
To make our top ten, though, you need to look far lower than that. More than half of the UK’s cheapest EVs now cost less than £20,000, a huge change from just a year ago. Here’s a taste of who made the cut.
The bargain basement
Dacia Spring, £11,990. Still the UK’s cheapest electric car, and the cheapest brand-new car of any fuel type. Updates earlier in 2026 added air conditioning, cruise control, rear parking sensors and a digital instrument display to every model, plus new 68bhp and 99bhp motors.
Leapmotor T03, £12,995. The T03 enjoyed about 30 seconds as Britain’s cheapest EV before Dacia cut the Spring’s price again. It does offer a generous spec for the money, though, with a 37.3kWh battery good for up to 165 miles, a panoramic sunroof and adaptive cruise control.
City slickers under £20,000
Fiat 500e, £17,245. Retro-chic charm in spades, and recent price cuts make it one of the cheapest EVs around. Entry-level cars manage around 118 miles, while higher-spec versions push that to almost 200.
Citroen E-C3, £18,495. The new Urban Range model brings the price down further, though its 30kWh battery delivers 130 miles and doesn’t come with DC charging as standard.
BYD Dolphin Surf, £18,675. A relatively spacious, well-equipped four-seater for its class with a choice of three powertrains and up to 200 miles of range.
Honda Super-N, £18,995. Based on a Japanese kei car but beefed up with a fat body kit, a simulated gearbox and a synthesised ‘engine’ note.
Style and substance
Fiat Grande Panda, £20,995. Well worth the wait, with retro boxy styling, space for four and 199 miles from its 44kWh battery.
Renault 5, £21,495. Fantastic looks, a 118bhp motor and 190 miles of range, with high-end kit such as 18-inch alloys and twin digital screens.
Nissan Micra, £21,495. Behind the googly eyes and Nissan badge, it’s essentially the same car as the Renault 5. If you’re going to borrow, borrow from the best.
Hyundai Inster, £22,995. It looks like a Land Rover with the footprint of a Mini, and entry-level cars get a 42kWh battery with 203 miles of range plus a heat pump as standard. Read our full Hyundai Inster review.
Read the full countdown
For the full rundown of every car, including which trims to go for and which versions bring the biggest savings, pick up the October issue. You can also browse our updated guide to the cheapest electric cars in the UK online.
