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 many 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 - and those that aren't time-limited are included in this list.

Cheapest electric cars 2026: Shortlist

• Dacia Spring 
• Leapmotor T03 
• Fiat 500e
• Citroen e-C3
• Hyundai IONIQ 3
• BYD Dolphin Surf
• Honda Super N
• Geely EX2
• Fiat Grande Panda
• Renault 5 E-Tech 

Cheapest electric cars 2026: Top 10

1. Dacia Spring

Price: £11,990      Range: 140 miles

The Dacia Spring is currently the cheapest EV classified as a car (head to the bottom of this page if you want an even cheaper EV). 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. The Spring has also recently been updated with more power, making the entry-level version much more appealing. That now gets 70hp and a reasonable 0-62mph time of 12.3 seconds - a full seven seconds quicker than the original 45hp version.

The Spring isn't eligible for the UK's Electric Car Grant because it's built in China. However, Dacia has discounted the Spring consistently to ensure it keeps its status as Britain's cheapest electric car in 2026.

2. Leapmotor T03

Price: £13,795        Range: 171 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 power – a whole 94hp. You also get plenty of standard equipment including a 10-inch touchscreen and even a panoramic sunroof.

Leapmotor has consistently discounted the T03, with its current late 2026 price including a £2,500 saving. This is the brand's own discount because the T03 does not qualify for the Electric Car Grant.

3. Fiat 500e

Price: £17,245        Range: 118 miles

The Fiat 500e is a true inflation-busting electric car, being cheaper to buy new today than it was when it was launched back in 2021. Fiat has been slashing the price of the 500e for years, but in July 2026 it finally qualified for the UK Electric Car Grant - and it managed to get the full £3,750 discount.

Today, the 500e is actually cheaper than the new 500 Hybrid, despite offering vastly better performance and more refinement. You also get the same funky design, colourful interior and composed urban driving experience the 500e has always offered.

Having said that, the cheapest 24kWh version clearly has limitations due to its tiny battery that gives it a winter range in double digits. The 500e is also cramped in the back and has a small boot.

4. Citroen e-C3

Price: £18,495        Range: 132 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 cheaper than many petrol-powered alternatives, with a comfortable ride and decent amount of space for four. 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.

The cheapest version is the Urban Range model, with a somewhat modest official range of 132 miles. Still, it qualifies for the £1,500 Electric Car Grant, making what's an already affordable model look quite tempting.

5. Hyundai IONIQ 3

Price: £18,495      Range: 214 miles

Hyundai has properly set the cat amongst the pigeons with the IONIQ 3. It's an electric hatchback that's bigger and more grown-up than any car in this list, with easily the longest range on a charge so far. Yet it's cheaper even than Chinese alternatives, beating the much smaller, lower-range BYD Dolphin Surf.

How does Hyundai do it? Well, qualifying for the maximum £3,750 Electric Car Grant discount certainly helps. But the IONIQ 3 doesn't seem compromised in any way, with a well-made interior, decent amounts of space, keen handling and intuitive technology. On paper at least, the IONIQ 3 could have what it takes to give our Best Small Electric Car of 2026, the closely related Kia EV2, a run for its money in next year's awards.

6. BYD Dolphin Surf

Price: £18,675     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 some budget EVs, and justifies its higher price with stronger performance, a plusher interior and oodles of standard equipment. The cheapest Dolphin Surf Active gets a 30kWh battery along with faux leather seats, sat-nav, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and even a reversing camera - not bad for the money.

The Dolphin Surf is nicer to drive and roomier than rivals from Dacia and Leapmotor. But with even more sophisticated alternatives from Hyundai now encroaching on its value territory, it seems the Chinese don't have the budget EV sector all sewn up.

7. Honda Super-N

Price: £18,675     Range: 128 miles

Honda's electric car efforts up until this point have been relatively pricey - but the Super-N changes that. Based on a Japanese market 'Kei' car that's been upgraded and lengthened to suit UK market demands, the Super-N is a very well-priced EV that focuses on being fun-to-drive above all else.

The Super-N is full of charm, with body-hugging sports seats, entertaining handling and simulated 'gears' operated by steering wheel paddles. A boost mode also gives it decent performance, while it's comfortable and surprisingly practical thanks to the Honda Jazz-inspired Magic Seats. Only its limited range and small boot are real obstacles to its appeal - but as a second car it's fantastic.

8. Geely EX2

Price: £20,990     Range: 156 miles

The Geely EX2 is second only to the Hyundai IONIQ 3 in this list in terms of exterior size, and matches it in terms of passenger space. That means this is a grown-up small hatchback that can take four large adults with ease, and accommodate their luggage too. Its comfortable ride and quiet cruising manners make it a decent long-distance car, though you'll want the longer-range Max model for that.

The Geely also comes with lots of standard equipment, although it doesn't charge or accelerate very quickly in this entry-level Pro form. There's no real fun to be had in the driving experience, either, and the touchscreen can be a bit fiddly. Still, the EX2 is one of the safest small electric cars money can buy according to Euro NCAP, which is a big selling point if you have kids.

9. Fiat Grande Panda

Price: £20,995     Range: 199 miles

The Fiat Grande Panda is a revival of a 20th century automotive icon, but with more space and modern technology. It's so good, in fact, that it's an RAC New Car Awards winner. Our Best Small Car of 2026 offers a feel-good design and colourful interior, plenty of space, a comfortable ride and top-notch value.

The little Fiat could be even cheaper and higher up this list, but the brand is waiting for Electric Car Grant eligibility. If it does, its price should match the Citroen e-C3, making it a head-turning alternative to the small cheap car norm. The Fiat also offers a slightly longer range on a charge than most cars in this list, if not the sharpest handling.

10. Renault 5 E-Tech

Price: £20,990     Range: 196 miles

Which retro revival do you prefer? The Grande Panda and the Renault 5 E-Tech are in a fierce price war, and which car is better for you depends on your needs. The stylish Renault offers the more premium interior design, better handling and stronger performance, making it a fun car to drive in or out of town.

We love the 5's interior quality and intuitive yet clever Google-based technology suite, too. Where it falls behind is practicality, because the 5 isn't as spacious in the back as the Fiat or some of the other cars in this list, meaning adults will struggle to get comfortable back there. At least the boot is a decent size.

The cheapest electric car that isn't a 'car'

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.