Tempted by an electric car, but worried about the price? Well, here we reveal the cheapest EVs on sale, and some of them are more affordable than you might think…
Electric cars are not known for their low purchase cost yet, because they’re still relatively new to our roads. However, as more cars are launched and the years go by, this is slowly starting to change.
Manufacturers are beginning to expand their horizons by producing body styles to suit the needs (and wallets) of a wider variety of buyers. This means there are now many more cars to choose from, including different sizes of electric car and electric SUV.
Some models have been on the market for several years now too, which means that there are some great discounts available.
Citroen Ami (Source: uk-mediacitroen.com)
So, which are the cheapest electric cars on sale? Here, we name the 16 cheapest cars and show you how much you can save on each of them by using our Target Price deals and our free What Car? New Car Buying service.
You can follow the links below to read our full review of each model and see our latest deals.
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Looking for a large, electric car with seven seats? We’ve listed the best options currently available
Electric car buyers in the UK have more choice than ever before. With the number and variety of different electric cars for sale continuing to rapidly expand, there’s an EV out there to suit almost any requirements. That includes those of buyers with big families looking for 7-seat electric cars or businesses who need a six or seven-seat vehicle to transport staff and clients.
To comfortably carry six or seven adults and some amount of luggage, you’re going to need a large vehicle and so the available options for buyers seeking a seven-seater that runs on electric power mainly boil down to larger SUVs or MPVs. Lots of the electric MPVs on today’s market are based on commercial vehicles and offer huge amounts of space as a result, while the SUVs tend to be a little less roomy in the third row but tend to deliver a more premium feel in terms of the cabin environment and driving experience.
Electric seven-seaters make a lot of sense for those who make a lot of short trips such as commuting or doing the school run, as this is where the lower running costs, zero-tailpipe emissions and quieter ride can really pay off, especially in congested or urban environments.
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As 2023 progresses, the electric car market continues to grow and evolve. More zero-emission options are available than ever before as brands continue their efforts to swap fossil-fuel cars for battery-powered alternatives.
EV sales are still steadily growing, with 176,000 new electric cars cars finding homes in the first seven months of this year – a 38% increase over the same period last year. One electric car sits in the annual top ten best-sellers list as of August 2023, with more than 21,000 Tesla Model Y SUVs have been sold in the UK since the turn of the year.
The last year has seen the introduction of several competitively-priced electric models, but with the retirement of the Smart EQ ForTwo and EQ ForFour hatchbacks there are now no electric cars available for below £25k. You can get a pint-sized Citroën Ami for around £8k, but that’s a quadricycle that does not come with airbags and is illegal to drive on the motorway.
Now starting with new models available for under £30k, we’ve analysed all the electric cars available at key price points in the new car market, and consulted our industry-leading Expert Rating Index to see which models have the highest review scores from across the UK motoring media.
With comprehensive review data backing our recommendations, you can be confident that this is the definitive guide to the best new electric cars for every budget that are on sale in the UK right now.
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With the price of used electric cars plummeting, Mike Rutherford thinks it’s the perfect time to buy
Admit it: British buyers love a bargain. And we don’t have to look far to find one at the minute.
For example, after a year or two of prices at some pumps nudging and occasionally exceeding the soul and wallet-destroying £2.20 a litre (£10 per gallon) mark, I didn’t think I’d have a good word to say about the fuel-retailing industry ever again. But now, in mid-2023, petrol costing around £1.40 (£6.36) and diesel at £1.50 (£6.81) a litre are relative bargains.
Others include frequently discounted AA cover for less than £100 annually (that’s what I just paid for mine); four new, award-winning, great-value tyres for a few hundred quid (I’ve just purchased a set); day tickets for The British Motor Show at a mere £23.50 (individual adults) and £47 (two adults and two kids); or even an Auto Express magazine subscription for little more than £2 a week over the next 12 months.
ZS EV (Image: MG)
For those with bigger bargains in mind, they’re out there. Dacia and MG prove the point perfectly, the former with its seven-seat £18,295 Jogger, the latter with a range of EV and ICE cars that undercuts pretty much every other model line-up in UK showrooms.
Very different but equally tempting bargains include the Citroen Ami quadricycle at £8,095 and, for £51,800, the entry-level Porsche 718 Cayman, which just about qualifies as a supercar-lite. Honestly, if you’ve got around 50 grand burning a hole in your pocket, you can’t afford not to buy one.
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Welcome to Autocar’s exhaustive list of PHEVs you can buy today, from Audi to Volvo
As we hurtle towards an electrified future and the UK’s 2030 ban on ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) new car sales, the need for alternatives is more pressing than ever.
BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) are the ultimate goal for many governments and manufacturers, but they still remain a controversial option for many buyers. Not only are they costly to buy, mainly because of their expensive batteries, they are at the mercy of public charging infrastructure that’s still not widespread and reliable enough to
On paper, the PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) looks to be the ideal stepping stone. Combining the pure electric running for anything between 15 and nearly 100 miles, they’ve got more than enough battery power for everyday commutes and running around. However, they combine this zero emissions at the tailpipe progress with the confidence-inspiring addition of traditional petrol or diesel engines for longer journeys.
Effectively, these machines promise to offer ‘best of both worlds’ experience for those still uncertain about taking the plunge with a full EV. Even better, there’s a wide choice of models to choose from, with most manufacturers having at least one PHEV on their books.
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At around £6k the Citroen Ami is the most significant EV breakthrough moment for Brit consumers, says Mike Rutherford
How’s this for a run of events? Last winter, the Citroen Ami wins its first major trophy: World Vehicle of the Year. By early summer it’s got the Auto Express Technology Award. Then, in August at the British Motor Show, car nuts queued to see the most talked about and photographed vehicle there.
Citroen Ami (Source: uk-mediacitroen.com)
A few weeks later came the happiest story of the year: Citroen will sell the Ami in the UK. It’s expected to have a cash price of about £6,000. Plus, the firm told me that although mobile phone-like, circa-£40-a-month contracts may be offered here as in France, such deals require deposits of a grand or three. Low or no-deposit contracts appeal more to Brits, even if this means payments of nearer £80 a month. Either way, this car at these prices is the most significant EV breakthrough moment ever for Brit consumers.
We never did have the cash, or hunger, for the worthy but ugly original Nissan Leaf launched at £30,000 a decade ago. A few years later the smaller, prettier VW e-up! at nearly £24,000 (almost twice as much as the basic version) also failed to hit the spot. And although today’s mid-sized pure-electric family cars from firms such as Hyundai, Kia and Skoda are credible, some of ’em carry £50,000 price tags. Ouch!
Though very different, the stripped-out Ami’s imminent arrival in the UK means long-overdue change (and then some) for pure-EV accessibility and affordability. Bucking the tradition of EVs being almost twice the price of their ICE equivalents, the new-tech Ami is poised to start a price revolution by wading in as THE least expensive new vehicle on the market, period.
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Citroen has announced the ultra-compact Ami will be making its way to British shores, and despite its clown-car proportions, we should take its arrival seriously
It’s very easy to think of the Citroen Ami as yet another comedy electric car – on the same plane as the infamous G-Wiz or the (doorless as standard) Renault Twizy. Hell, with a range of 46 miles and 8bhp on tap, combined with plastic bodywork and a squared-off designed that makes the Ami resemble a heavily compacted Portaloo, you’d be forgiven for questioning why 12,000 people in the UK – actively, in sound mind and body – registered their interest for what looks like an electrified pet carrier. I’m fairly sure if I parked one outside my house on bin day, it would be mistakenly recycled by the council.
Electric cars in 2021 are capable of some stupendous feats, from the Lucid Air’s 500 miles on a charge to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 – an ordinary electric family car – recharging at the same speed as the circa-£100,000 Porsche Taycan. We’ve come a very long way since the G-Wiz arrived in 2001, so is the Citroen Ami actually a huge step backwards? Another round of ammunition for sceptics looking to hold back the serious and rapid adoption of electric cars ahead of the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel models?
Perhaps not: in fact, there’s a very strong case to be made for this bizarre micro-EV. Not in terms of driving pleasure, comfort, practicality or even usability – as our full review of the Ami establishes.
Citroen Ami (Source: uk-mediacitroen.com)
But instead, as Eurig Druce, Citroen UK’s managing director and one of the people who pushed for the electric quadricycle to be sold in the UK, has said: “I would love to see collections of Amis on street corners, where it could become the norm not to get an Uber, but to get an Ami.”
It’s when you consider the Ami like this – as an alternative to the ranks of bikes and e-scooters you can now rent for a short time in cities like London, rather than as rival to ‘proper’ cars – that you begin to understand why people are so enthralled by the French brand’s little bundle of joy. And this isn’t just a theoretical notion: you can currently rent an Ami from as little as 26 cents (22 pence) per minute on Citroen’s ‘Free2Move’ initiative, which is up and running in France.
I’d certainly rather arrive at the office or to meet up with friends relatively fresh after a drive in an Ami, rather than sweating and panting like a St Bernard after a stressful stint on a Boris Bike. And for all my criticism of its proportions and design, I can’t argue that climbing out of an Ami makes you look as suave as 007 in comparison to making an entrance on an e-scooter.
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THE electric van segment is expanding at an impressive rate. Vans make excellent platforms for electric powertrains, with their long wheelbases and relatively square dimensions ensuring that batteries and motors fit snugly and without any intrusions into the all-important payload.
But with a bigger selection than ever, which one do you opt for? Let’s take a look at some of the best electric vans available today…
1. Peugeot e-Expert
The entirety of the PSA Group is on a real electric endeavour at the moment. It’s particularly noticeable in its range of vans, which spread wide across the group’s various brands. One particular standout is the Peugeot e-Expert, which arrives with a range of 205 miles – one of the best in the business. Practical and well-made inside, and the cab features a clever central touchscreen with plenty of functions.
2. Citroen e-Berlingo
Citroen’s Berlingo has been one of the go-to compact vans for some time now, so it’s only natural that an electric powertrain would be added to it. In the e-Berlingo you get a range of up to 171 miles from a single charge, thanks to a 50kWh battery pack, while a 100kW motor provides sprightly performance. Plus, thanks to 100kW rapid charging, the e-Berlingo’s batteries can be taken to 80% in 30 minutes.
3. Nissan e-NV200
Nissan’s e-NV200 was one of the early adopters of electric power. This compact van brings a range of up to 124 miles during mixed driving – though Nissan says you could see up to 187 miles from a single charge if you’re doing predominantly city driving. As well as the conventional panel van, you can also get a passenger-focused version in the e-NV200 Combi. It only adds another string to the van’s bow.
Nissan’s e-NV200 Electric Ice Cream Van (Image: Nissan)
4. Mercedes eVito
The Vito is an ever-popular van from Mercedes, providing the same high level of fit-and-finish you get from the firm’s road cars, but with a great level of flexibility and practicality. The eVito aims to bring the same positive factors but with an efficient electric powertrain. Though its 92-mile range might mean it’s better suited to short journeys, it’s still available in two lengths – helping it to be more flexible to a variety of buyers.
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Citroen’s first proper go at an electric family car has been successful, offering good all-round ability with a unique character
Pros
Very comfortable and refined
Practical family transport
Great charging capability
Cons
Soft chassis can feel a bit loose
Some rivals offer a longer range
Light steering doesn’t inspire confidence
PSA – the parent firm of Peugeot, Vauxhall, DS and Citroen – is on something of an electrification mission, with lots of new electric cars popping up from each of its brands. However, while its sister brands have had electric cars on sale for over 12 months, Citroen is only just launching its electric effort – the e-C4. It shares much of its DNA with the Peugeot e-2008 and DS 3 Crossback E-TENSE, yet retains a character all of its own.
While in the metal the C4 has a very distinct crossover vibe, the French manufacturer labels this as a family hatchback rather than an SUV. Forget the protective cladding and slightly raised ride height – Citroen’s latest electric car has been developed to take on the Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen ID.3.
Citroen has set the e-C4 apart from its Peugeot and DS siblings in appearance, but underneath it uses the same 50kWh battery and 134bhp electric motor as those cars. The result is a 0-62mph time of 9.7 seconds, a 93mph top speed and a 217-mile range on a charge.
Citroen e-C4 (Image: citroen.co.uk)
The Citroen e-C4 also benefits from the same 100kW charging technology as its stablemates, which allows for a 80% rapid charge in just 30 minutes. Topping up at home from a 7kW wallbox overnight takes around seven and a half hours.
Citroen is keen for the e-C4 to be a viable family-car option, so particular attention has been paid to its interior and to practicality. In the e-C4’s cabin, quality is very good and a distinct step up from Citroens of old; standard digital dials and large touchscreen give a high-tech feel, while clever practical touches like hidden storage ahead of the gearlever and a tablet holder on the passenger side make it adept at dealing with family life. The boot measures in at 380 litres – just five litres off the Volkswagen ID.3’s – and there’s decent room in the back seats despite the sloping roof.
The car’s unique approach is also apparent once you’re on the road. Citroen’s ‘Progressive Hydraulic Cushions’ suspension is standard across the range, so the e-C4 sticks to the brand’s traditional comfort-orientated approach as it ably takes the edge off any nasty lumps and bumps in the road. It’s not perfect, however; the system can feel slow to react at lower speeds, while faster changes of direction often cause the car to feel loose or a little unwieldy.
The e-C4’s light steering helps with parking, but we’d prefer a little more weight for extra confidence at higher speeds. It’s less of an issue on the motorway, where the e-C4 really excels on refinement and comfort. Performance from the e-C4’s electric motor is adequate: punchy but without making you feel queasy with every prod of the accelerator. A dedicated ‘B’ mode ramps up the regenerative braking to good effect.
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Citroen has launched the E-Berlingo Multispace, an all-electric MPV that joins the C-Zero, E-Mehari, and Berlingo van in the French firm’s plug-in line-up.
The E-Berlingo Multispace has an official range of 105 miles (170km), and is available with rapid charging as an option, allowing drivers to charge the Citroen’s 22.5 kWh battery pack from 0-80% in around 30 minutes.
As the conventionally-powered Citroen Berlingo Multispace and vans share their componentry with the Peugeot Partner Teepee and vans, the E-Berlingo Multispace shares the same powertrain specification too. That means the Citroen uses a 49 kW electric motor (67bhp) which provides 200 Nm of torque and drives through a single-speed transmission.
The electric MPV shares many features with the Peugeot Partner Tepee Electric
The cabin has almost 80 litres of storage space dotted about it, and the E-Berlingo Multispace has 675 litres of luggage space with the rear seats in place. Remove those and that expands to a huge 3,000 litres.
With sliding rear doors and a zero-tailpipe emission powertrain, Citroen is pitching the E-Berlingo Multispace as an excellent inner-city car. Drivers will be charged no VED – even under the new rules – and will not need to pay any congestion charge or toxicity charge costs either.
The E-Berlingo Multispace’s battery has an eight year / 100,000km warranty and is available to order now.
