The Cheapest Electric Cars in 2026: New and Used

Last updated 23 July 2026 · Published 27 October 2021 · By Elaine, Motor Trade Editor

Electric cars – in some form or another – have been around since the 1890s. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that manufacturers started building the type of modern electric car you see on the road today.

Fast forward to today and there are well over a million electric cars on UK roads – proof that the electric vehicle market has been growing rapidly in recent years.

It was a slow start though, mainly because of the affordability factor. When Nissan introduced its original ‘Leaf’ back in 2010, it cost £10,000 more than its Ford Focus counterpart.

However, prices have become increasingly competitive, and the models below – all among the cheapest electric cars when they launched – are now even better value on the used market, often costing well below their original list prices.

The cheapest electric cars to buy new in 2026

The budget end of the new-EV market has been transformed. A wave of small, genuinely affordable electric cars — the Dacia Spring, Citroen e-C3, BYD Dolphin, Fiat 500e and MG4 among them — means several real cars (not quadricycles) now start under or around the £20,000 mark before incentives. The reborn electric Nissan Micra starts at roughly £21,500 once the grant is applied. At the extreme, the Citroen Ami costs around £7,695 — though at 28mph flat out it’s legally a quadricycle and best thought of as urban transport rather than a car.

The other change is the Electric Car Grant, reintroduced in July 2025: a discount of up to £3,750 at the point of sale on new EVs with a list price of £37,000 or under. The catch is that the full “band one” amount applies only to the greenest-scoring models — most eligible cars get £1,500 — so always check the car’s actual grant band rather than assuming the headline figure. And whatever the discount, judge any finance deal on the total amount payable, not the monthly — our car finance guide explains how.

One more thing before the brochure pages open: EVs now pay road tax like everything else, so factor a couple of hundred pounds a year into the sums.

The used route: where the real bargains are

Here’s the part the showrooms won’t lead with: used electric car prices have roughly halved in three years, and the models below — all among the cheapest EVs when they launched — can now be found for a fraction of their original list prices, with earlier examples of several dipping under £10,000. The golden rule on any of them is battery health: get a State of Health report alongside a full car history check before you buy.

What were the cheapest electric cars — and what do they cost used?

The nine cars below span city runabouts (VW e-Up!, the Smart EQ twins, Fiat 500e, MINI Electric) and family-sized options (MG5, Nissan Leaf, Peugeot e-208, MG ZS EV). Some are no longer sold new, which is precisely what makes them used bargains. The prices quoted are original list prices; used examples typically cost far less, depending on age, mileage and — above all — battery condition.

What are the nine most affordable electric cars?

1. VW e-Up! (Second Generation)

Launched at as little as £16,000, the VW e-Up is our favourite cheap electric car.

Originally introduced in 2013 as the electric version of the Up!, the second-generation model gained an improved battery and motor, thanks to a 2020 revamp.

Its increased battery size means it now has a range of around 160 miles and boasts rapid charging of up to 80 percent in an hour at 40kW from a CCS plug. It also comes with the option to add on a 7.2kW AC wallbox to decrease charging time at home from 16 hours using a standard three-pin plug to just four hours.

A cute little city car with a smart interior, it makes for a great first electric vehicle, plus it has strong residual values, meaning you’ll lose less money than you normally would when the time comes to sell it.

2. Smart EQ fortwo

Considering how economical the petrol and diesel Smart Cars are, it should come as no surprise that they’ve nailed the electric version too.

This fun little two-seater was priced from £19,200 when new, which is, again, a great introduction to driving electric cars. For added enjoyment, it comes in convertible form, which originally cost an extra £5,000.

Despite an improved suspension to make for a more comfortable journey, it’s best suited to those living in urban areas, as it can only manage a top speed of 81 miles per hour and has a range of around 75 miles.

That can be forgiven, though, when you learn of its ability to do zero to 62 miles per hour in just 11.6 seconds and three-hour charge time to 80 percent from a home wall-box.

3. Smart EQ forfour

Mercedes have done it again, coming in at third on our cheapest electric cars list.

Originally costing about £19,795, it was £600 more expensive than its sibling, however when you consider the extra seats and additional space, it’s well worth spending a few hundred pounds more.

While the forfour can carry two extra passengers, it’s still a compact vehicle that’s made for nipping around cities. With two rear doors, it feels more substantial inside, however the 185-litre boot won’t carry much luggage.

Again, with a range of around 75 miles, you won’t get far on a long journey without stopping, but a 22kW on-board charger means the 17kWh battery can be charged to 80 percent in around forty minutes.

If it’s an economical runaround you’re after, this electric car is ideal.

4. Fiat 500e

Another nippy city car, the new-generation Fiat 500e arrived in the UK in 2021, making it one of the newest electric vehicles on this list.

Launched from £19,995 for the entry level model, it can go for 115 miles on a single charge, however versions with the 42kWh battery are capable of doing up to 199 miles without stopping. That battery originally cost about £3,500 more, but you do get a more powerful motor and faster charging.

Beautifully designed, you’d be hard-pushed to find someone who isn’t a fan of this little car, especially considering it comes in both hatchback and convertible form.

5. MINI Electric

We couldn’t write this list without including the iconic MINI.

Its 32.6kWh battery may only have a range of around 130 miles, but it can charge up to 80 percent in just 35 minutes, and at its original price of £24,400 – with used examples now costing less – you can’t complain too much.

It’s got all the features you’d expect a MINI to have, including the renowned ‘go-kart’ handling, despite being heavier than the combustion engine version. In fact, it’s able to go from zero to 62 miles per hour in 7.3 seconds, making for an extremely fast drive, considering.

Its stylish, signature image makes it a popular choice for electric car drivers.

6. MG5 EV

The first of two MGs on this list, the MG5 EV originally went on sale in the UK in 2020, however a new version has been released since then, with improved battery life.

Perfect for families, the newer version has a range of around 250 miles (up from roughly 215) and at an original price of £25,095 it’s great value, considering all it has to offer.

A five-door estate car, it’s unrivalled in the UK for how much it costs. Features of the entry level Excite model include alloy wheels, keyless entry, rear parking sensors, push-button start and an eight-inch screen that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while Exclusive models can be upgraded for £2,500 to include heated front seats, six-way electric driver seat adjustment, leather-effect trim and a sat-nav.

Charging to 80 percent takes as little as 40 minutes and it comes with a whopping seven-year warranty.

7. Nissan Leaf

Paving the way for the electric vehicle market we see today, Nissan launched the original Leaf way back in 2010. Later versions were priced from £25,995 – much more affordable than the original – and with hundreds of thousands of them on the road worldwide, there’s clearly a high demand for this innovative electric car. Its long production run also means the used market is full of them, at every price point.

Perhaps its appeal comes from being tried and tested for a good number of years, but the large 62kWh battery pack, 175-mile range (unless it’s particularly cold, in which case this number will be significantly lower) and spacious, comfortable interior are big draws too.

Upgrading to the Nissan Leaf e+ will get you more power and increased range, with a bigger battery lasting up to 239 miles until it needs to be recharged.

8. Peugeot e-208

Costing just slightly more than the Nissan Leaf when new, is the Peugeot e-208, which launched from £26,025.

Great for both city driving and longer journeys, it’s got a range of approximately 217 miles and the 50kWh battery’s rapid charging capabilities mean it can get to 80 percent in as little as 30 minutes.

Add to that the solid feel, stylish design of both the interior and exterior and great handling, and you can see why this is one of the most popular electric cars in the UK.

9. MG ZS EV

Who says you can’t get an electric SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) for less than £30,000? With an original price-tag of £26,095, the second of the two MGs to make it onto our cheapest electric cars list launched as the UK’s most affordable electric SUV – costing about the same as its combustion-engined rivals.

Boasting rapid charging, this electric car’s battery can reach 80 percent in 40 minutes and goes for around 150 miles without needing a recharge.

Spacious yet unintimidating, it comes with safety features like blind-spot detection, cruise control and autonomous emergency braking, as well as keyless entry, a satnav and screen that supports Apple CarPlay.

MG have again added a seven-year warranty, for added peace of mind.

What are the benefits of having an electric car?

Lower your carbon footprint

One of the main reasons why people are choosing to drive electric vehicles is because they want to lower their carbon footprint. Electric cars have less of an impact on the environment, because they don’t need to burn harmful fossil fuels to run.

Running costs are cheaper with electric cars

Though they may be more expensive than traditional vehicles to buy upfront, owning an electric car is actually cheaper in the long-run, as you’ll save money on diesel and petrol costs.

What’s more, electricity typically costs far less per mile than petrol or diesel, particularly if you charge at home overnight.

You’ll be ahead of the game with an electric car

The government has committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel-powered cars from 2030, so switching to electric now means you won’t need to change again when the rules come in.

Electric cars have lower maintenance costs

Traditional combustion engines have hundreds of moving parts, whereas electric motors have less than 20. This means there’s less potential for things to go wrong, so you can avoid costly repairs.

Developing technology means electric cars are always improving

Manufacturers are now piling their efforts into improving the performance of electric cars. Consequently, technology is rapidly developing to extend the distance electric cars can travel between recharges. And the increasing popularity of electric vehicles means more charging points.

A lack of engine means electric cars are also generally lighter than their traditional counterparts, so their acceleration capabilities makes them more fun to drive.

Lastly…

If you are wondering how do electric cars compare to other used cars or leased cars we have good news! Car Guide has now launched a new comparison tool which will makes it easier to understand what each option is going to cost you or to choose to switch to an electric car.