Top 10 cheapest electric cars 2024

As they continue to become a much more common sight on our roads, EV prices are gradually trickling downwards. Today, our list of the cheapest electric cars offers more shapes and sizes than ever before, ranging from compact city cars to electric SUVs.

Although some of these cars are still pricier than their combustion-powered counterparts, it’s important to remember that the savings on running costs could soon make up the difference. So, without further ado, these are the cheapest electric cars you can buy in the UK right now.

1. Dacia Spring

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• Prices from £14,995
• Maximum WLTP combined range: 140 miles

In a world filled with massive, tech and gimmick-filled electric cars, the Dacia Spring is a refreshingly simple offering. This is a basic, low-cost city car that’ll simply get on with doing everything you need. The tiny 26.8kWh battery only offers up to 140 miles of range, but this should still prove more than enough for darting around the city to run your daily errands.

Don’t go thinking that the UK’s cheapest electric car is completely devoid of features, though, as Dacia still throws in kit such as air conditioning, cruise control, lane-keeping assist and emergency braking assist.

Read our Dacia Spring review here to find out more.

2. Citroen e-C3

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• Prices from £21,990
• Maximum WLTP combined range: 199 miles

If you like the idea of a straightforward EV but need a bit more space and range than the Dacia Spring offers, the Citroen e-C3 is another capable little car with a very tempting price. 

The base model of this distinctive electric supermini is still pretty generously equipped with touches like cruise control, LED headlights and air conditioning, but it’s the practicality that really impresses for a car of this size. There’s plenty of room for four adult passengers, and the 310-litre boot can also take on its fair share of luggage. Once it’s fully packed and ready to go, the e-C3 claims up to 199 miles of range from its sole 44kWh battery pack. A future smaller battery is on the cards, though, and this could drive the price down even further.

Read our Citroen e-C3 review here to find out more.

3. Vauxhall Corsa Electric

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• Prices from £26,985
• Maximum WLTP combined range: 246 miles

Plenty of drivers are already well acquainted with the Vauxhall Corsa (particularly first-time drivers), and the Corsa Electric combines this supermini’s sense of familiarity with the benefits of a fully-electric powertrain.

The result is a practical small car that’s good to drive and very affordable to run. The 246 WLTP combined range means the Corsa is perfectly capable at covering longer distances, too. If you do need to top it up, the Vauxhall’s 100kW DC rapid charging capability means it can be topped up from 10% to 80% in around 28 minutes.

Read our Vauxhall Corsa Electric review here to find out more

4. MG4

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• Prices from £26,995
• Maximum WLTP combined range: 323 miles

The MG4 is still one of our favourite EVs, and this is largely because this family-friendly hatchback manages to undercut most of the competition (like the Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID.3) by several thousands of pounds. For under £27,000 you get eye-catching styling, 150kW rapid charging, a surprisingly sporty driving experience, a generous amount of standard kit and a 51kWh battery that’s enough for a range of 218 miles.

If you have a little extra cash to spend, we recommend stepping up to the Long Range model which, as its name suggests, boosts the MG4’s range to a maximum of 281 miles – all still for under £30,000.

Read our MG4 EV review here to find out more.

5. Mazda MX-30

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• Prices from £27,995
• Maximum WLTP combined range: 124 miles

The Mazda MX-30 is perhaps one of the strangest electric cars you can buy as it’s not only available with a zero-emissions electric motor, but there’s also the option of a Wankel rotary-engined range extender hybrid for the same price. It’s the former we’re focusing on here which has a pretty lacklustre electric range of 124 miles – roughly the same as a base Fiat 500e. 

It’s not all that spacious, either, with the rear seats being accessed via a rear-hinged door that can only be opened when the front door is ajar. That being said, the electric Mazda is pretty fun to drive and its interior, while cramped, feels incredibly premium and unique. If you’re not a company car driver after low BiK rates, we think the range-extender is probably the way to go, though.

Read our full Mazda MX-30 review to find out more.

6. Fiat 500e

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• Prices from £28,195
• Maximum WLTP combined range: 199 miles

The latest Fiat 500 may be electric-only, but it retains the charm and fun factor its predecessor was known for. It's good to drive, has a well-designed interior and is roomier inside than the car it replaces. It's still not the most practical proposition – the boot measures just 185 litres, for example – but we at least appreciate how Fiat has now fixed the old car’s awkwardly high seating position in the switch to electric power. 

There are two versions available: a 24kWh model with a 118-mile range and a 42kWh variant that can travel up to 199 miles.

Read our full review Fiat 500 to find out more.

7. Nissan Leaf

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• Prices from £28,495
• Maximum WLTP combined range: 168 miles

The Nissan Leaf was one of the first mainstream electric cars and, over a decade later, it remains one of the most affordable EVs on the market, starting at just under £29,000. Range in the entry-level Shiro model stands at 168 miles, which is significantly less than some of the other cars on this list, while the Leaf’s relatively dull interior and lacklustre tech are indicative of its age. 

Things aren’t all bad, though; the Leaf’s one-pedal driving mode remains one of the best we’ve tried and is great to have around town. That’s not mentioning the Leaf’s pretty smooth and punchy electric motor, spacious boot and long list of driver assistance systems which will all help you overlook some of the ageing model’s shortcomings.

Read our in-depth Nissan Leaf review to find out more.

8. MINI Cooper E

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• Prices from £30,000
• Maximum WLTP combined range: 249 miles

What has come as a big surprise in today’s economy of inflation, MINI’s second-generation electric hatchback is actually slightly cheaper than the one it replaces. Renamed the MINI Cooper E, even the entry-level model of the plug-in British hatchback offers around 200 miles of range, while top-of-the-range variants get a larger battery for a 250-mile maximum. 

On the inside, all models – including those costing bang-on 30 grand – get a stunning, circular OLED touchscreen, as well as leatherette upholstery and a reversing camera. The fully-electric Cooper is just as much fun to drive as a MINI should be, too.

Read our breakdown of the new MINI Cooper to find out more.

9. BYD Dolphin

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• Prices from £30,195
• Maximum WLTP combined range: 265 miles

BYD is living up to its ‘Build Your Dreams’ moniker by building the dream of a future where electric cars can be affordable. Even the top version of the BYD Dolphin fails to exceed the £32,000 mark, though all models get things like synthetic leather upholstery, a rotating touchscreen, a reversing camera and a strong four-year warranty. 

Throw into the mix a comfortable drive and a roomy interior and the BYD Dolphin really begs the question: why pay more?

Read our full BYD Dolphin review to find out more.

10. MG ZS EV

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• Prices from £30,495
• Maximum WLTP combined range: 273 miles

You might be a tad surprised to find a family-friendly SUV on a list of the cheapest electric cars, but the MG ZS EV has nonetheless managed to drastically undercut the competition, all while offering a generous list of equipment and a strong electric range. It might not feel the most premium of products, but with features like LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, a 360-degree parking camera and a 10.1-inch central touchscreen all coming as standard, you definitely won’t be left feeling shortchanged. 

Entry-level ZS EV models offer a 198-mile range thanks to a 51kWh battery, but upgrading to the Long Range version with its 72kWh battery boosts the car's potential range to 273 miles, which is on par with much more expensive cars from the same segment like the Kia Niro EV.

Read our in-depth MG ZS EV review to find out more.

Cheapest electric city cars to buy in 2024

1. Dacia Spring
2. Citroen e-C3
3. Vauxhall Corsa Electric
4. MG4
5. Mazda MX-30
6. Fiat 500e
7. Nissan Leaf
8. MINI Cooper E
9. BYD Dolphin
10. MG ZS EV