Top 10 cheapest electric cars

Close News by Jack Warrick 1 min read 28 June 2024 Follow @jackwarrick Electric cars come in all shapes and sizes, and the focus on battery-powered models is sharper than ever. For many drivers, though, one thing is also under consideration: price.  Many drivers consider electric cars to be expensive because some manufacturers initially spied an opportunity to target well-heeled early adopters. These intrigued early buyers were willing to pay a premium (and a large slice of profit to the car maker) to have the latest all-singing, all-dancing digitally dense EV on their drive. Autocar Electric Now, EVs are becoming more commonplace and prices are gradually lowering, with brands introducing more affordable options on a far more frequent basis.  That means several options on the market aren’t going to break the bank, with brands including Dacia, Citroën, Mazda and MG all leaving their mark. Some electric cars dropped below £30,000 a few years ago (which is still pretty expensive), but prices are improving further. Some new options now cost under £25,000, and a few are below £20,000. But it’s important to do your research. The main criticism of battery-powered cars has previously been their range, with very few offering the sort of stamina that would make them a true replacement for a combustion-engined counterpart. That said, the charging infrastructure is constantly improving and customer expectations have shifted. And there are now plenty of lower-priced models to choose from. The cheapest electric cars 1. Citroën Ami5Pros Compact dimensionsTiny turning circleMinimalist design and construction Cons Terrible ride qualityVisibility is poor in bad conditionsIt feels perilous outside its comfort zones Price: £8495The cheapest car on this list technically isn’t a car, but a quadricycle. Designed to be cheap, effective transport for packed cities, the Citroën Ami’s 8bhp motor, 28mph top speed and 45-mile range mean it's hopelessly out of its depth on the open road.That said, its tight turning circle and dinky dimensions make it a doddle to drive around town, and the presence of a roof – something you don’t get on a motorcycle – keeps you warm and dry when the heavens open.Read our Citroën Ami reviewSave money with Citroën Ami deals from What Car? Latest Reviews Peugeot e-5008 McLaren 750S 8 McLaren 750S Nissan Leaf 6 Nissan Leaf Toyota bZ4X 7 Toyota bZ4X View all car reviews Back to top 2. Dacia Spring8Pros Great for short journeys Half the price of a Mini ElectricRefined powertrain Cons Interior lags behind rivalsPerceived quality isn't perfectNoisy on harsher surfaces Price: £14,999 The Dacia Spring will cost £14,999, making it the UK's cheapest electric car. It almost comes close to being the UK’s cheapest new car overall, with just the Fiat Panda, Kia Picanto and Dacia’s own Sandero coming in cheaper.The small EV, which initially went on sale in mainland Europe, has had a big overhaul inside and out, gaining a new face and significant improvements to interior quality and connectivity.With a 26.8kWh battery and tipping the scales at just 984kg, the Spring offers a range of around 137 miles on a single charge. Read our Dacia Spring review3. Citroen e-C38Pros Comfortable rideImpressive equipment levelsSuperb value Cons Road noiseOther EVs charge fasterNumb handling Price: £21,990Stellantis, as you’ll soon discover, is really bossing this list. The e-C3 is the latest entrant from the company, with the promise of something that is both utilitarian and chic.All models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, plus comfort seats and safety aids.It has a 199-mile range and can rapidly charge at rates of up to 100kW, enabling a 20-80% charge in 26 minutes.On the road, its hydraulic bump-stops do a good job of filtering out abrasions and you feel pretty well isolated from big bumps. In other words - it’s comfortable and easy-going.An even cheaper version costing £17,250 will join Europe in 2025. But Citroen is yet to confirm whether this is coming to the UK yet.Read our Citroen e-C3 review Back to top 4. Fiat 500e8Pros Iconic designFun handlingDecent performance Cons Range falls short of official figurePerched driving position Fast charging speed is lacking Price: £21,995If any manufacturer has the city car formula nailed, it’s Fiat. The latest version of the iconic 500 oozes desirability inside and out and its combination of a tight turning circle and diminutive sizing make it a cinch to drive around town.Even better, this electric city car doesn’t feel terribly out of depth once you hit the open road, although the entry-level car’s 118-mile range does significantly limit the 500e’s usefulness.The Italian firm’s smallest EV benefits from the company's E-grant, which was introduced exactly one year ago and offers a £300