Cheapest electric cars 2026: the UK's most affordable EVs right now

Looking for a cheap electric car? There's never been a better time than now, whether you're looking to buy or lease a new or used EV.

Electric cars have traditionally been less affordable than equivalent petrol or diesel models. Part of that is the high cost of an EV’s battery pack - but these are becoming cheaper as the technology improves.

To help level the playing field, the UK government reintroduced the Electric Car Grant back in July 2025. It offers discounts of up to £3,750 at the point of sale for brand new EVs that have a list price at or below £37,000.

The eligibility for the full discount depends on how sustainable the car's production process is, among other factors. Only the most eco-friendly models get the full 'Band 1' discount, with most EVs getting a lower £1,500 discount.

At the same time, there’s recently been an influx of truly affordable electric cars onto the market. Age-old value focus brands such as Citroen, Dacia and Vauxhall, combined with new market entrants from promising Chinese brands, have dramatically increased the level of choice for motorists looking to buy or lease a new car.

We’ve rounded up a list of the ten cheapest electric cars currently available to order in the UK, including the Electric Car Grant where it's offered. Many EVs that don't qualify for the grant have had similar discounts applied by the manufacturer, but because these are time limited we haven't included them in the price.

Cheapest electric cars 2026: Shortlist

• Citroen Ami 
• Dacia Spring 
• Leapmotor T03 
• Microlino Lite
• BYD Dolphin Surf
• Citroen e-C3
• Fiat Grande Panda
• Renault 5 
• Nissan Micra
• Citroen e-C3 Aircross

Cheapest electric cars 2026: Top 10

1. Citroen Ami

Price: £7,695       Range: 46 miles

Technically speaking, the Citroen Ami is the cheapest road-legal, four-wheeled, fully-enclosed electric vehicle on sale today. Notice how we didn’t use the word ‘car’. The Ami is actually a quadricycle – meaning it’s limited in terms of weight, power and speed but can also be driven from the age of 16.

The tiny Ami is an ideal city runabout which you could use all year round comfortably, unlike a moped. However its limited range, top speed of just 28mph and lack of creature comforts restricts its appeal as much as its lack of any safety equipment - remember, being a quadricycle means fewer safety regulations than a 'proper' car. 

2. Dacia Spring

Price: £15,990      Range: 140 miles

The Dacia Spring might be over twice the price of the Ami, but it’s the cheapest EV classified as a car. That means it can seat four, is legally allowed on a motorway and has plenty of safety equipment including six airbags and automatic emergency braking.

In fact, even the cheapest, entry-level Spring comes with kit such as air-con, cruise control and rear parking sensors, although with a modest 45hp we’d see why many would spend a couple of grand more on the Extreme model. That gets 65hp, niceties such as a touchscreen sat-nav and DC rapid charging.

Dacia is currently offering a £3,750 discount off the Spring, bringing its price down to an incredible £12,240. This is only offered until the end of March, however, because it isn't eligible for the UK Electric Car Grant.

3. Leapmotor T03

Price: £15,995         Range: 165 miles

Never heard of Leapmotor? It’s another new Chinese EV brand, but this one is half-owned by European giant Stellantis. That means the T03 – Leapmotor’s smallest model – is built in Poland alongside the Fiat 500 and Jeep Avenger.

The compact T03 is the same price as the Dacia Spring, but it packs a bit more punch. There’s a bigger 37kWh battery, a faster charging speed and more than double the power – a whole 94hp. You also get plenty of standard equipment including a 10-inch touchscreen and even a panoramic sunroof.

Leapmotor is currently offering £1,500 off the list price of the T03, bringing it down to £14,495. However this discount is only available until the end of March because it isn't eligible for the UK Electric Car Grant.

4. Microlino Lite

Price: £16,990 Range: 58 miles

Like the idea of the Citroen Ami but fancy something a bit more sophisticated? The Swiss-designed Microlino Lite is worth a look. Again, it’s a quadricycle with a top speed limited to 28mph, but with a slightly more useful 58-mile range. You can have a faster version with a higher top speed, but you'll pay a fair bit more for it.

With a cool design it’ll definitely turn heads, but although it’s one of the cheapest electric ‘cars’ on sale, it’s priced alongside actual cars with much higher range and top speeds. Best for the well-heeled urbanite, then.

5. BYD Dolphin Surf

Price: £18,650     Range: 137 miles

You might have heard of the popular BYD Dolphin by now, but what is the Dolphin Surf? No, it's not a watersports-themed trim level of the Dolphin, it's a much smaller, cheaper and more town-focused electric car with an even more distinctive design.

With that Lamborghini-like front end and bold side creases it cuts more of a dash than the Dacia or Leapmotor, and justifies its higher price with stronger performance, a more comfortable and plusher interior and oodles of standard equipment. The Surf also feels quite a lot more grown up out of city limits than its cheaper rivals, even if it can't match the Renault 5 for overall driver appeal. 

BYD is currently offering up to £12,58 off a Dolphin Surf, but only for a limited time because it isn't eligible for the UK Electric Car Grant.

6. Citroen e-C3

Price: £19,995        Range: 201 miles

The charming and affordable Citroen e-C3 is the electric car the French company should have been making years ago.

It’s an electric supermini that’s pretty much on a par with petrol-powered alternatives for price, with a comfortable ride and decent amounts of space. The entry-level Plus model comes with essential safety kit plus a 10.3-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, cruise control, rear parking sensors and LED headlights.

7. Fiat Grande Panda

Price: £20,995      Range: 199 miles

The Fiat Panda is no more, which the bigger and bolder Grande Panda taking the reigns as the Italian brand's affordable option. With modern/retro blend of the iconic original Panda's design, the Grande Panda is larger and more spacious than the car it replaces.

It's also available with fully electric power for the first time. A characterful and entertaining car, the Grande Panda ticks many boxes and makes the smaller, less capable 500 Electric look a bit pricey. 

8. Renault 5 E-Tech

Price: £21,495          Range: 193 miles

It’s refreshing for one of the most desirable cars of 2026 to also be one of the cheapest. The return of the iconic Renault 5 E-Tech has stirred up huge interest, and it’s wholly appropriate that the reborn version comes with electric power.

There are posher versions with more power, range and kit, but the entry-level 5 Evolution has a 120hp electric motor and a 40kWh battery. It still looks plenty funky enough, too, with 18-inch diamond-cut alloys and kit such as an 10-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, a heat pump and dual-zone climate control. It's also great to drive and nice to sit in, with easy-to-use tech.

The Renault 5 E-Tech has received a £1500 discount from the Electric Car Grant.

9. Nissan Micra

Price: £21,495 Range: 198 miles

What do you do if you like the idea of the new Renault 5 but, for some reason, don't want a Renault? Enter the Nissan Micra. It trades the 5's retro design cues for a more up-to-date look, but aside from that and a few minor interior changes it's identical to the Renault.

And that's no bad thing, because it means a great driving experience, well-integrated technology and plenty of kit, all for an affordable price.

The Nissan Micra has received a £1500 discount from the Electric Car Grant.

10. Citroen e-C3 Aircross

Price: £21,595 Range 188 miles

The new Renault 5 is a fantastic car, but with your rational head on the Citroen e-C3 Aircross is only £100 more but offers vastly more space. If you've got a growing family to fit in, that's well worth thinking about.

Not only is there plenty of space for five, but you can even add an extra row of occasional seats in the back to seat seven (those in the back will need to be child-sized). It's also comfortable to drive, but definitely not as fun or premium inside as the Renault.

The Citroen e-C3 Aircross has received a £1500 discount from the Electric Car Grant.