One of the most commonly quoted reasons for not running an electric vehicle (EV) is that they cost too much. While that may be the case for some car buyers, many more drivers can access a new electric car than you might think.
To prove the point, we round up the top 10 cheapest EVs on sale as new in the UK.
Top 10 cheapest electric cars in the UK
Smart EQ fortwo – £22,225
The cheapest electric car available to buy new in the UK comes from Smart with its EQ fortwo city car. The two-seater has a range of 84 miles on a charge, and can charge at up to 22 kW AC. With a battery capacity of 17.6 kWh, a lack of DC charging really isn’t a big deal.
Powered by a 60 kW electric motor, the compact EV can complete the 0-62mph sprint in 11.6 seconds, and is ideally suited to town driving with a tiny turning circle and footprint.
Smart EQ forfour – £22,295
Similar to Smart’s EQ fortwo, though with the added practicality of a larger boot and rear seats, it should come as no surprise that the EQ forfour is on the list of cheapest electric cars.
With the same powertrain as the EQ fortwo, the EQ forfour loses a little range and performance because it is slightly larger and heavier. That sees an 81 mile range offered, and 12.7 second sprint time.
Fiat 500 – £23,835
Fiat’s iconic 500 is now only available in full-electric form with the latest version. Offered with two different battery pack options, the shorter range 24 kWh entry-level model sits in this list of cheapest electric vehicles.
A range of 112 miles on a charge for the smaller battery model is plenty for most regular trips – a longer near 200 mile range is available for 42 kWh models – and the 70 kW electric motor provides plenty of pep.
VW e-up! – £24,085
VW’s e-up! is the German giant’s smallest electric car. Based on the up! city car, it is better suited to town driving with an electric set-up.
The e-up! uses a 36.8 kWh battery, 61 kW motor, and features CCS DC charging. Quoted range is 159 miles on a charge, and 0-62mph time is 12.4 seconds.
Vauxhall Corsa-e – £27,055
The Vauxhall Corsa-e shares a platform and powertrain with other Stellantis Group models, which has helped bring plenty of choice and availability quickly..
The Corsa-E has a 50 kWh battery and 100 kW electric motor. Range is 205 miles on a charge, and the 0-62mph time is 7.6 seconds, with CCS charging offered as standard.
Nissan Leaf – £28,995
The longest-serving EV badge on the market, the pioneering Nissan Leaf is a best-seller. Now in its second generation, the Leaf is available with a choice of two powertrains.
A range of almost 240 miles on a charge is possible from the longer range model, but for the price above that gets the Leaf into this list, the range on offer is almost 170 miles on a charge from the 40 kWh battery.
MG ZS EV – £29,245
MG doesn’t have a large model line-up overall, but its electric vehicle offering is excellent, particularly when taking into account value for money. The MG ZS EV has recently been updated, with a refreshed front end, improved kit, and importantly a larger battery.
Despite now offering a range of more than 270 miles on a charge from a 73 kWh battery, the MG SUV still costs a little over £29,000.
MG5 EV – £29,695
MG’s practical and now long-range estate has been designed for the budget conscious in mind – which is why it’s comfortably the largest and most practical car in this list.
Proof that affordable EVs don’t need to be little city cars, the MG5 EV has received a mid-life boost, upping range to 250 miles on a charge from a 61 kWh battery.
Mazda MX-30 – £30,050
Focusing on driver enjoyment rather than outright range, the Mazda MX-30 is a compact crossover with a driving range of 124 miles on a charge. Featuring a raft of environmentally friendly materials in the cabin, there is a clear sense Mazda is offering a small SUV but with a very different ethos.
Power comes from a 105 kW electric motor, with drive from a 35.5 kWh battery. Charging is possible from CCS DC points, with the compact battery keeping charging times down.
Peugeot e-208 – £30,195
Based on the same platform as the Vauxhall Corsa-e, the Peugeot e-208 brings some French-inspired style to proceedings. A higher-quality interior explains the increase in price offer the Vauxhall.
[NOTE] Prices for the above top 10 cheapest electric cars correct at time of publication in June 2022.
