These are the cheapest electric cars currently on sale in the UK
Dogood Zero – from £5,500
The Dogood Zero is officially the cheapest new car on sale in the UK. Think of it more as a fancier scooter or a covered e-bike rather than a compromised car – it makes the limited range, crazy looks and sluggish performance easier to deal with. It’s super cheap to fill up with electricity though, with a tiny 4.8kWh battery that’s good for an official range of 50.3 miles. Crunch time: it’s this or the bus.
Citroen Ami – from £7,695
Like the Zero, the Ami is technically a quadricycle but an entirely loveable one. It’s not fun to drive, but it is fun to use. In a city, at least. There’s a joy in its simplicity; in the way that it’s been designed; in the way that Citroen is embracing quirkiness. It’s not sophisticated or groundbreaking, but it is fun and interesting, and if it’s convinced a few Londoners to commute in one rather than mostly idling a big SUV, then that’s a good thing.
Read Top Gear’s Citroen Ami review
Dacia Spring – from £14,995
Good news! The Dacia Spring is finally available on our shores. There’s more good news too because it arrives having been given a facelift. Simple, affordable and fun to be in. What a time to be alive.
Read Top Gear’s Dacia Spring review
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Fiat Grande Panda – from £20,975
Here’s one name you’ll surely be familiar with. The Fiat Panda was launched way back in 1980, and since then it’s gained more than a fair few fans along the way, none more so than us here at TG. The upcoming fourth generation, which sits on Stellantis’ shared STLA-Smart platform, introduces electric power for the first time (a hybrid version will be available too), retains the boxy look of the original, and starts at a very appealing price. We’re expecting Grande things.
Find out more about the Fiat Grande Panda
Leapmotor T03 – from £15,995
You might not be familiar with Leapmotor, but you surely will over the coming years. The Chinese brand has teamed up with megacorp Stellantis as it attempts to conquer the European market, and its smallest car is this, the T03. Based on our first impressions it’s not a bad effort either: well built, adequate to drive, a comfortable ride and roomy interior.
Read Top Gear’s Leapmotor T03 review
Citroen e-C3 – from £21,990
We were big fans of the old C3 and the new one is arguably an even more enticing prospect. Comfort is the keyword, with every e-C3 getting Citroen’s fancy advanced comfort suspension and seats as standard. And there’s an even cheaper, smaller batteried version on the way. Looks good, too, with a design inspired by the funky Oli concept.
Read Top Gear’s Citroen e-C3 review
Renault 5 – from £22,995
Renault has seemingly struck gold with the reborn 5, an electric supermini with charming retro looks, impressive driving dynamics and a cheap price. Little wonder it walked away with our Car of the Year Award 2024. And if you’re after a version with hot hatch credentials, there’s always the Alpine A290 to consider. J’adore.
Read Top Gear’s Renault 5 review
Hyundai Inster – from £23,495
Yes, it’s a city car, despite the the looks and what Hyundai tells you – and also yes, it lives up to the South Korean carmaker’s run of good form. Designed with charm, generously kitted out and surprisingly versatile, you could do a lot worse.
Read Top Gear’s Hyundai Inster review
Vauxhall Frontera – from £23,495
The new Vauxhall Frontera is available in both full electric or mild hybrid guise, but the big talking point here is they’re both priced exactly the same. A big part of that is its ‘Smart Car’ platform which it shares with the Citroen C3, plus upcoming Citroen e-C3 Aircrossand Fiat Grande Panda. If electric works for you, it’s the Frontera to buy.
Read Top Gear’s Vauxhall Frontera review
Fiat 500 – from £24,995
The new Fiat 500 looks like the old Fiat 500, except that it’s bigger, uses a new interior, chassis, body and platform. Most obviously and significantly, it’s electric only. And because the new Fiat 500 looks like the old Fiat 500, it’s got a stylish, recognisable design. For that, read: aww, it’s cute.
Read Top Gear’s Fiat 500 review
GWM Ora 03 – from £24,995
The car formerly known as the Funky Cat, the Ora 03’s cutesy retro design will no doubt win it some fans and it’s certainly more interesting to look at than rival electric hatches like the ID.3 and e-208. Though, Ora will have to hope those same folk who love the pumped-up Mini aesthetic aren’t too bothered about the clunky, disconnected driving experience.
Read Top Gear’s GMW Ora 03 review
BYD Dolphin – from £26,195
The BYD Dolphin is a cheap, small electric hatch. Sadly, it will not swim very well… or drive well either. Yes, there’s some impressive tech in the batteries and the cabin, but that’s matched to shonky brakes and inconsistent dynamics. Sometimes, you get what you pay for. Or not.
Read Top Gear’s BYD Dolphin review
Citroen e-C4 – from £26,295
A hatchback with the styling of a crossover, the Citroen e-C4 is a comfortable, practical, reasonably priced car. It’s also easy-to-drive and offers pretty good efficiency where range is concerned, while the cabin is well built and majors on comfort. Mention to the e-C4 X too, which is identical other than the slightly elongated rear end and slightly elongated prices (it starts from £27,360).
Read Top Gear’s Citroen e-C4 review
Vauxhall Corsa Electric – from £26,895
The artist formerly known as the Vauxhall Corsa-e has had a thorough overhaul courtesy of a mid-life facelift, and looks all the better for it. Where it was deservedly criticised for its £32k+ starting price when it first arrived, a new budget trim brings the price down to a more palatable figure. Just beware the rather uninspiring cabin, which feels leagues behind its Peugeot e-208 sibling.
Read Top Gear’s Vauxhall Corsa-e review
MG4 – from £26,995
The 4 has been a huge success story for Geely-backed MG courtesy of its unique looks (post facelift at least), generous amount of kit, decent driving dynamics, and affordability. Its rivals have undoubtedly caught up since, particularly in the price war, but the MG4 is still an extremely impressive all-rounder and one of the easiest cars to recommend on this list.
Mazda MX-30 – from £27,995
The Mazda MX-30 is stylish and smart, if not quite as deft as you’d hope. The quirky rear-hinged door design won’t be to everyone’s taste either. That said, there’s great appeal in the thoughtful cabin design, physical buttons and moderate price tag.