Yahoo News The cheapest electric cars on sale today
If there’s one thing we all know about electric cars, it’s that they’re not cheap to buy. So, of course, the one thing everyone asks about electric cars – apart from how far they can go on a charge – is how much they cost. And more specifically, which ones are the most affordable.
Here is the answer to that question: our guide to the most affordable electric cars on the market today. These things are all relative, mind you; with the exception of the Citroën Ami, which barely qualifies as a car, the starting price for entry to the EV club is £23,000-odd. But if it’s a cheap electric car – as these things go – that you’re after, then you’ll find it here.
10. Ora Funky Cat
There’s certainly no mistaking the Funky Cat, soon to be named the Ora 03. It’s the first car to arrive in Britain from Chinese brand Ora, and its extrovert styling, a pastiche of classic and futuristic styling cues, is intended to appeal to fashionistas everywhere. Inside it’s just as eye-catching, with an interior dominated by bold shapes and bright colours. Think Fiat 500 with more space. But – and it’s a big but – the 500 is a more convincing proposition all round than the Funky Cat, whose harsh ride, sloppy handling and poor build quality suggest you get what you pay for.
Price: from £31,995.
Buy it for: Extrovert looks.
Avoid it for: Everything else.
9. Mazda MX-30
Always thinking outside the box, Mazda has given its first electric car, the MX-30, a single rear-hinged “suicide” back door, which seems like an interesting idea on paper. Trouble is, in practice it doesn’t work very well. In fact, the same can be said of the rest of the car; Mazda hoped buyers would live with its short range as a payoff for a small battery, hence low weight and zingy handling. However, that hasn’t proven to be the case and now, next to cars such as the MG 4, the MX-30 simply looks like a lot of money for what it is.
Price: from £31,250.
Buy it for: Taut handling.
Avoid it for: Miniscule range.
8. Renault Zoe
It might come as a bit of a surprise to find out Renault still makes the Zoe – after all, it’s been around in the same basic form for 12 years, although updates have kept its range and charging speeds reasonably current. While it may be a familiar sight, though, its styling hasn’t really dated, while it hasn’t been surpassed by rivals in terms of its space or driving experience, so there’s life in the old dog yet – especially at prices which undercut its most direct competitors.
Price: from £31,195.
Buy it for: Value, tried and tested technology.
Avoid it for: Slow charging speeds as standard, so-so range.
7. MG 5 EV
If you need an electric car that’s also an estate, then look no further: the MG 5 is the answer to your prayers. Yes, it’s rather plain to look at, and the quality of the interior could be better, but there’s no arguing with the value it offers. Roomy, well-equipped, and surprisingly engaging to drive, the 5 is a great all-rounder, and now that MG’s given it proper lumbar support on its recent facelift, it’s even had its biggest failing – its uncomfortable seats – fixed.
Price: from £30,995.
Buy it for: Space, value, long warranty.
Avoid it for: Uninspiring looks.
6. MG ZS EV
The first EV that MG brought to the UK proved extremely popular. Is it any wonder, given what value it offered? Next to its rivals – not to mention the electric models MG has brought in since, which offer more range for even less money – it now looks a little less impressive in pure value terms. But it’s still worth considering if you’re after a relatively compact car that packs in lots of equipment.
Price: from £30,495.
Buy it for: Generous equipment, decent space, good to drive.
Avoid it for: Relatively short range.
5. Nissan Leaf
The first-generation Leaf was a pioneer, but this second-generation version has felt like a bit of an also-ran since it arrived
in 2017. Now, though, with rivals’ prices having soared and a new, cheaper entry-level model to try to fend off the challenge from Chinese rivals, the Leaf looks like decent value. Keep in mind, however, that the entry-level car’s battery is rather small by modern standards, so it won’t go all that far on a charge – and upgrading to the larger battery adds a fair whack to the price.
Price: from £28,495.
Buy it for: Low price.
Avoid it for: Short range on entry-level versions.
4. Fiat 500
For the fashion-conscious EV buyer, there can surely be no more desirable option than the Fiat 500e. Packed with all the character and fashion-conscious personalisation options of the petrol-powered 500, it’s an EV that doesn’t stint on fun. It also manages to feel pretty swish from within, which goes some way toward justifying its price. Having said that, keep in mind that the rear seats are pretty cramped, making them distinctly child-only places.
Price: from £28,195.
Buy it for: Fashionable status, cheeky looks.
Avoid it for: Cramped rear seats.
3. MG 4 EV
A slew of awards have greeted the MG 4, largely for bringing family-sized electric motoring to a price that most buyers can conceivably afford. That it does this while also packing in strong equipment levels and looking a little different to the norm only add to its appeal. It’s even quite good fun to drive. Granted, the interior isn’t as high-quality as you’d like, and the touchscreen is rather glitchy. But for this price, you can forgive a lot.
Price: from £26,995.
Buy it for: Sensational value.
Avoid it for: Cheap-feeling interior.
2. BYD Dolphin
If you discount the Ami – and you may, given it’s technically not a car, but a quadricycle in the eyes of the law – the BYD Dolphin is now the cheapest EV on sale on the UK. Trouble is, to benefit from that low price, you’ll have to go for the Active version with a small battery and a relatively unsophisticated suspension set-up. We’ve yet to drive this model, but we do know the pricier Comfort feels rather rough around the edges – perhaps, then, you get what you pay for. We’ll let you know when we find out.
Price: from £26,195.
Buy it for: A low, low price.
Avoid it for: Lack of finesse.
1. Citroën Ami
Ah, the Ami. Naturally, the most affordable electric car – if you can call it that – your money will buy you. And for bimbling around town on electric power, it makes a good amount of sense. In theory, at least. In practice, it’s fine as long as you don’t encounter any hills. If it were just a little more powerful, it’d be brilliant. As it is, it’s still worth considering – but only if you live somewhere flat.
Price: from £8,095.
Buy it for: Urban cruising…
Avoid it for: …unless there are hills.
