Top 10 cheapest electric cars on sale in the UK

If you are thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle (EV), no doubt one of your biggest concerns will be how affordable it is. EVs come with a stigma that they are much more expensive than their combustion engine counterparts - and while this may be true in some cases - it is not the general rule of thumb.

It is possible to purchase an electric car for under £20,000 new, and you’ll still get to enjoy everything about a zero emission vehicle at that price point. To help in your quest to find a cost-effective EV, we’ve listed the top 10 cheapest electric cars on sale in the UK in 2023, and highlighted just why each of these all-electric drives are bound to tick your boxes. Read on to find out more… 

What are the most affordable electric cars on sale in the UK in 2023?

From Fiat to MG, here we reveal the top 10 cheapest electric cars on sale:

1. Citroën Ami - from £7,695 new
2. Smart EQ fortwo - from £21,870 new
3. Fiat 500 Electric - from £22,803 new
4. MG4 EV - from £26,995
5. Nissan LEAF - from £28,995
6. MINI Electric - from £29,000
7. Renault Zoe E-Tech - from £29,995
8. Peugeot e-208 - from £29,999
9. MG ZS EV - from £30,495
10. MG5 EV Long Range - from £30,995

To give you a better idea of what you can expect from each of these affordable EVs, we provide more insight about the top 10 cheapest cars, below…

CITROËN AMI

Prices start from £7,695 new

Okay, so let’s be real here. The Citroën Ami is incredibly cheap for an electric car, but that’s because it only just qualifies as one. The incredibly small Ami is actually classed as a quadricycle; this means that even though the Citroën Ami can be driven on roads in the UK, it is not able to be legally driven on motorways - so you’ll need to stick to A and B roads only.

However, this ultimate electric supermini is ideal for city life and squeezes in the smallest parking spaces. Capable of carrying two adults (one driver and one passenger) the affordable EV has a body length of just 2.41 metres, making it manoeuvrable with a super-tight turning circle. Expect up to 43-miles driving range on a full charge and six customisable options (including POP and VIBE versions) each including the signature panoramic roof.    

SMART EQ FORTWO

Prices start from £21,870 new

This all-electric two-seater from Mercedes-Benz is made for fully electric driving fun in and of town. Its iconic design is unmistakably ‘Smart car’ and the perfect city companion. For a small vehicle, it’s surprisingly spacious inside - although don’t expect to fit a great deal of luggage in the boot. But, you can lay the front passenger seat flat to create more room if needed. 

The smart EQ fortwo coupé has a high-voltage battery for a range of up to 81-miles on a single charge, which can be boosted for extra mileage in just 40 minutes. 

FIAT 500 ELECTRIC

Prices start from £22,803 new

The much-loved Fiat 500 has had an all-electric reinvention which is revolutionising the supermini market. Winner of the best small electric car at the What Car? Awards 2023, the 500 Electric is not only distinctive in style, but a lot of fun to drive too.

Created for city life, expect a driving range of 199-miles on a full charge which leads the way in terms of small EVs. Ideal for those on-the-go, the Fiat 500 electric’s fast-charging capabilities means that a five-minute stop-off at a public charging station will give you a 30-mile top-up which we think is a pretty decent result. 

MG4 EV

Prices start from £26,995

The all-new MG4 EV is as affordable as a family-sized electric hatchback car gets. Winning awards left, right and centre, the MG4 EV was awarded the prestigious title of the 2023 Car of the Year, having been described as the “perfect car for our times” by a panel of expert judges.

It has an impressive driving range of 281-miles on a full charge and buyers will certainly get a lot for their money. MG’s offer a whole host of driver assistance systems as standard so there is no compromise when it comes to choosing an affordable EV.

NISSAN LEAF

Prices start from £28,995

Paving the way for mainstream electric cars, the Nissan LEAF still proves to be the choice for drivers switching to zero emissions travel. Equipped with all the latest intelligent mobility technology, the LEAF is a safe family EV with a driving range of up to 239-miles on a single charge. 

Praised for an effortlessly smooth driving style and instant power, Nissan’s LEAF is ideal for both the city streets and open road. If you need to carry cargo, the boot is surprisingly large considering its compact design which offers a capacity of 435 litres as standard. 

MINI ELECTRIC

Prices start from £29,000

Loved across the nation, MINI now offers an all-electric version for 100% zero emissions driving wherever your journey takes you. With a MINI, you know exactly what you’re getting and that’s what we love about the electric option - it’s unapologetically MINI through and through. 

With room for four adults inside (one driver and three passengers) the tardis-like MINI Electric is the perfect partner for the daily commute and weekend adventures. Expect a driving range of up to 145-miles from a full battery charge and dynamic charging capabilities, which means it can be topped up at home, at work or on the go.

RENAULT ZOE E-TECH

Prices start from £29,995

Winner of many electric car awards, the Renault Zoe E-Tech proves to be a great all-round small EV that offers plenty of practicality and personality too. The Zoe E-Tech has a driving range of up to 238-miles on a single charge - which is enough to drive from London to Birmingham, and back again! 

Its range of advanced driving aids provides extra assistance when you need it most and makes light work of daily driving. For extra peace of mind, Renault offers an 8-year battery warranty on all its Zoe E-Tech models - result!

PEUGEOT E-208

Prices start from £29,999

Modelled on Europe’s best-selling car - the 208 - Peugeot’s e-208 model isn’t one to sit in the shadows. With its sporty-looking silhouette and modern appearance, the e-208 may be small, but what it lacks in size it sure makes up for in personality and bold styling.

The latest generation Peugeot 3D i-Cockpit provides intuitive driving on every journey and is complemented by the fully-3D instrument panel for optimum driver visualisation when behind the wheel. Expect a driving range of up to 224-miles on a full battery charge too. 

MG ZS EV

Prices start from £30,495

MG is revolutionising the family car market with its range of fully electric eco-friendly and affordable EVs, just like the MG ZS EV. Practicality is key at MG where you can get so much more for your money. The ZS EV offers a driving range of up to 273-miles on a single charge which can be boosted to 80% in just over 40 minutes of waiting time.

Packed with a whole host of driving features as standard, we love the MG iSMART app which lets you take control from the comfort of your sofa; why not preheat the cabin on a cold day or cool it down on a hot one - with the MG ZS EV you can do just that!

MG5 EV LONG RANGE

Prices start from £30,995

The last MG model to feature in the top 10 list of cheapest electric cars to purchase here in the UK, the MG5 EV Long Range has so much to offer. If you’re looking for an electric estate-sized car, then you won’t find better than this - especially for the price tag of just over £30,000 - winning.

The second generation MG5 EV Long Range now provides up to 250-miles of driving distance per full charge. Expect a very large boot capacity of 578 litres standard space which increases to 1,367 with the back seats folded, so you really can fit the whole family inside - as well as the kitchen sink!   

What is the cheapest electric car to buy?

Although it’s certainly not everyones cup of tea (and we’re not ones to judge), it is the Citroën Ami that wins the award for the cheapest electric car to buy by a country mile. Coming in at an affordable price of £7,695 new, it’s hard not to become fond of this super-small and eco-friendly city runner. 

What electric cars can you purchase for under £30,000?

If your budget doesn’t stretch beyond the £30,000 price point, then fear not, there are a selection of electric cars which tick that box. Choose from the Citroën Ami, Smart EQ fortwo, Fiat 500 Electric, MG4 EV, Nissan LEAF, MINI Electric, Renault Zoe E-Tech, plus the Peugeot e-208 too.

Of course there are deals to be found and some manufacturers will pay a deposit contribution, while others will offer discounts or pay for you to have a home charging unit installed. It’s worth taking the time to find out just how much you could save.

What manufacturer makes the most affordable electric cars?

Taking the market by storm, MG is a car manufacturer that is winning customers by making the most affordable range of electric vehicles available in the UK. From the MG4 EV to the MG ZS EV and MG5 EV Long Range, there really is something for every kind of driver.    

What is the average price of an electric car in the UK?

Well, you’re not wrong to assume that EVs can be expensive. The average price of an electric car in the UK in 2023 is around £50,000. This price point can certainly outprice many potential buyers who wish to switch from petrol or diesel to 100% electric battery power instead. 

The good news is that you can find a family-friendly electric car for under £30,000, which can of course be made much more affordable when exploring finance options to fund your new vehicle. 

Electric vehicle guides

Stay up to speed with everything EV thanks to our series of electric vehicle guides at your fingertips. Find out when electric cars will pay road tax, what Green NCAP is, Government grants for electric cars, the benefits of buying an electric vehicle, and so much more - happy reading!

Remember that by owning a zero emissions vehicle, you'll qualify for the lowest Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax rates, which is a great saving for any business.  

Electric car finance no matter what your budget

Here at Octane Finance, we want to make your electric car purchase as affordable as possible. When it comes to buying an EV, speak to us about how we can help. As a leading broker specialising in automotive finance, you can rely on us to reach out to our vast network of lenders to secure you the best deal possible.