10 Cheapest Electric Cars in the UK (2025 Update)

Switching to an EV doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. With the arrival of the cheapest electric cars in the UK, the scenario has completely changed. You can now own a decent, long-range, yet cheapest electric car in the UK.

Here’s a list of the 10 best affordable EVs for 2025. Whether you need a small city car or an SUV, you’ll find your pick!

Demand for Electric Cars in the UK

Demand for electric cars in the UK continues to grow. In recent years, more drivers are considering electric vehicles due to lower running costs, clean air zones, and also the government’s target to shift away from petrol and diesel.  

In 2024, over 381,970 electric cars were sold, 23% more than in 2023. As of 2025, the rise continues, with UK EV sales rising 15% year on year. Also, the UK is now the second-largest EV market in Europe. 

Also, the UK government aims for 28% of new vehicle sales to be zero-emission in 2025 and fully electric by 2035. Government policies support the demand for electric vehicles, which will rise much more in the coming years.

10 Cheapest Electric Cars in the UK

Vehicle	Price (Approx. GBP)	Battery Capacity (kWh)	Estimated Range (miles)
Citroën Ami	£7,000	5.5	47
Dacia Spring	£14,500	25	Up to 190
Leapmotor T03	£15,000	37.3 (usable)	Up to 165
Fiat Grande Panda	£20,975	44	Up to 199
Citroën ë-C3	£21,000	44 (usable)	Up to 199
Renault 5 E-Tech	£21,500	40 or 52	Up to 250
Vauxhall Frontera	£22,530	44 or 54	Up to 249
Hyundai Inster	£22,715	42 or 49	Up to 229
BYD Dolphin	£26,140	44.9 or 60.5	Up to 265
Mazda MX-30	£27,995	35.5	Up to 100

1. Citroën Ami 

Price: £7,695

The Citroen Ami is more like an electric cycle with four wheels. However, it’s one of the cheapest electric cars on the market today. It’s perfect for a short trip and city commutes and won’t drain your bank account.

It’s a small car with a top speed of 28 mph and a range of 47 miles, making it a perfect choice for short urban trips. And the best part is that you don’t even need a full driving licence. 

It’s a basic electric car which costs just £7,695, and it’s a good option for an electric vehicle with an affordable budget. 

On the bright side, its running costs are incredibly low. Charging the Ami costs just a few pounds, and maintenance is negligible.

Strength

• Super cheap electric vehicle
• Tiny and easy to park

Weaknesses

• Only 28 mph top speed
• Limited range, only 46 miles
• Very basic interior
• Charges in 5 hours

2. Dacia Spring 

Price: £14,500

Next up, we have Dacia Spring which is a proper electric car. It is the most affordable five-door EV in the UK, offering practicality, efficiency, and value. Unlike the Citroen Ami, this is not a quadricycle, so you get more space, proper doors, and a higher top speed.

Although Spring is built for city driving and even capable of longer trips, with a range of 140 miles. Also, the interior is simple but advanced, with a touchscreen and smartphone connectivity. 

However, it’s not the quickest car, and the cabin feels basic, but it’s the best option in this price range. 

Strength

• Cheapest five-door EV
• Decent 140-mile range
• Great value for money

Weaknesses

• Basic interior
• Slow acceleration
• No fast charging option

3. Leapmotor T03 

Price: £15,000

Leapmotor T03 is a newcomer to the UK market. This latest Chinese EV is a compact, tech-packed city car that offers great value for money. So, if you want something modern, efficient, and affordable, T03 is worth a look.
Leapmotor T03 has an impressive 165 mile range which is better than the Dacia Spring. With this impressive range and quick charging time, you’d spend little time off-road.

If you compare the technology and range, then T03 is cheaper than most European rivals. The only question is reliability since Leapmotor is still new to the UK. So, the long-term ownership is a bit of an unknown.

But if you’re willing to take a chance on a new brand, T03 has the potential to be a game-changer in the affordable EV market.

Strength

• 170-mile range
• Modern, high-tech interior
• Compact and city-friendly

Weaknesses

• Resale value uncertain
• Limited UK dealer network

4. Fiat Grande Panda

Price: £20,975

Fiat Grande Panda is another option if you are looking for a small, stylish car. It is compact, efficient, and packed, giving you a perfect city drive experience.

With its blended retro design, Fiat gives a boxy and rugged look but remains small and easy to manoeuvre. Its interior is simple yet more premium than some cheaper rivals. Overall, it is an extremely comfortable car with a decent infotainment system.

With an estimated 199-mile range, Grande Panda can take on longer trips. It’s pricier than the Dacia Spring, but you’re paying for better design, comfort, and practicality.

Strength

• Estimated 200-mile range
• Stylish, retro-inspired design
• More premium interior than rivals

Weaknesses

• Short range on the base model
• No ultra-fast charging
• Not much boot space (185 litres).

5. Citroen e-C3 

Price: £21,000

Citroen s-C3 is another great option for you in the affordable EV segment. It is an electric hatchback that’s affordable but doesn’t feel cheap. C3 provides comfort, practicality, and a decent range.

One of its biggest strengths lie in its smooth and comfortable city drives. The interior is simple but well-designed, with a good amount of space for passengers and luggage. You won’t get this high-end luxury in the given price. 

Citroen e-C3 can travel 199 miles on a single charge which makes it more versatile for daily use. Therefore, if you want an affordable EV that still feels like a proper car, e-C3 is a smart buy

Strength

• Decent 199-mile range
• Lots of standard kit (10-inch touchscreen, LED lights).
• More space than smaller EVs

Weaknesses

• Slower charging speeds
• Basic interior materials
• Not the most exciting to drive

6. Renault 5 E

Price: £22,500

Renault is a notably established brand in the UK, and nobody does affordable cars better than Renault. This time, Renault is back with the 5e, a fully electric car with an affordable price tag. It’s stylish, compact, and fun to drive. If you love retro looks with modern tech, this one’s for you. Renault has taken the classic charm of the old R5 and packed it with everything you need in a city-friendly EV. 

Also, you should keep in mind that with this price, the Renault 5e has an impressive range of 250 miles. That is way more than some cheaper rivals, meaning you won’t have to charge as often. Also, it supports fast charging. You can go from 20% to 80% in around 30 minutes.

Renault 5e has a modern but playful interior, with a digital display, touchscreen, and comfy seats. It’s small, but there’s enough space for everyday use. 

This would be our top pick among the cheapest electric cars. However, Renault is improving and becoming more reliable in the UK.

Strength

• Cool retro design
• Impressive 250-mile range
• Good tech and features

Weaknesses

• Rear space is tight
• Not the fastest electric car out there
• Higher trims get pricey fast

7. Vauxhall Frontera Electric 

Price: £22, 530

If you are looking for an affordable electric SUV, then you should consider the Vauxhall Frontera. It’s spacious, practical, and packed with modern tech. Vauxhall Frontera is considerably bigger than small city cars.

Unlike compact EVs, Frontera gives you room for passengers and luggage, making it a solid choice for families. Its range is 249 miles which is decent for daily commuting and short weekend trips. Also, it has fast charging options that will get you back on the road in no time.

Vauxhall Frontera is cheaper than most electric SUVs such as Hyundai Kona or Peugeot e-2008. At the price tag of £22,330, you cannot find another electric SUV on the UK market.

With Frontera, you get a practical, no-nonsense EV with a trusted brand name. 

Strength

• Spacious and family-friendly
• Trusted brand with good dealer support
• Affordable for an electric SUV

Weaknesses

• Not the longest range
• Slower charging than premium models
• Pricier than rivals with less kit

8. Hyundai Inster

Price: £22,715

It is a compact electric city car with a futuristic design and plenty of tech. It is a small, stylish, and efficient electric vehicle, and built for urban driving.

If we talk about its top range, it is up to 229 miles on a single charge. That’s better than many small EVs in this price range. Similarly, the fast charging option makes things even more easier. You can charge Inster up to 80% in less than 30 minutes and keep your car running on those longer trips. 

Additionally, Hyundai Inter has a modern and premium interior. It comes with a digital dashboard, a touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and clever storage spaces. Even though it’s compact, Hyundai has made sure it’s practical and comfortable.

Inster stands out with quality, features, and Hyundai’s solid reputation. So, if you want a well-equipped, efficient, and stylish small EV, Inster can be a decent choice.

Strength

• Great 229-mile range
• Fast charging (80% in 30 mins)
• Modern tech and premium feel

Weaknesses

• More expensive than some rivals
• Not as spacious as bigger EVs
• Boot space could be bigger

9. BYD Dolphin

Price: £26,140

The second last car on our list is the Chinese-built BYD Dolphin, which has a reputation in EV manufacturing. With BYD at the forefront of this EV revolution, the company is producing some of the best value electric cars in the world.

BYD Dolphin is no different. It is a stylish and well-equipped EV that comes with a decent price tag. But then you take a look at its features, and you realise the value for money it provides. 

With a range of up to 265 miles, Dolphin beats almost all its rivals. This long range also means fewer stops to charge. And when you do need to stop, fast charging gets you from 30% to 80% in just 30 minutes. This is perfect for longer trips or busy schedules.

Inside, Dolphin offers a modern, spacious interior packed with tech. You get a big touchscreen, a digital driver display, and plenty of comfort features. It’s roomy enough for families but still compact enough to handle city driving with ease.

The features and range of the BYD Dolphin is somewhat comparable to those of the Tesla Model 3. However, when it comes to pricing there’s huge discrepancy. Where Dolphin costs £26,140, Tesla Model 3 comes at around £40,00.

Strength

• Great 265-mile range
• Fast charging (30–80% in 30 mins)
• Spacious and high-tech interior

Weaknesses

• The brand is still new in the UK
• Resale value is unknown
• Not the sportiest drive

10. Mazda MX-30 

Price: £27,995

Last but not least is the Mazda MX-30. It is an electric SUV with a stylish design and a premium feel. If you care about quality, comfort, and unique looks, this might be the EV for you. It stands out from the crowd with sleek coupe-like styling and cool ‘freestyle’ rear-hinged doors.

However, the range is its biggest drawback. With only 100 miles per charge, it’s much lower than rivals. This makes it better suited for city driving rather than long road trips.

Other than that, MX-30 feels upmarket and well-built, with eco-friendly materials and a minimalist design. Though it’s comfortable, the rear space is a bit tight, especially with those unique doors.

The drive itself is smooth and enjoyable, as you’d expect from Mazda, but it’s not the most powerful or the fastest electric car in the UK.

Strength

• Premium design and build
• Quick charging (80% in 36 mins)
• Eco-friendly interior

Weaknesses

• Short 124-mile range
• Freestyle doors are not for everyone
• More expensive than better-range rivals

Wrapping Up: Cheapest Electric Car in the UK

In this guide, we have listed 10 cheapest electric cars in the UK for you. Now the choice is yours to pick the best one as per your budget, needs, and preferences. This list has something for everyone’s needs and tastes.    

But remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing a car. Think about your budget, driving needs, and must-have features before making a decision. No matter which EV you choose, you’ll enjoy a cleaner, more efficient way to drive. 

For more tips on buying and selling cars, check out our blog.