- Thanks to rapidly falling battery costs, increased competition and greater production, the cost of the cheapest electric cars continues to drop, with 2026 seeing some of the cheapest electric cars yet.
- Many new affordable EVs achieve price parity with fossil-fuelled rivals or even come out cheaper, and that’s before you take into account the reduced day-to-day running costs of an electric vehicle.
- These are the best cheap electric cars to buy in Europe, available right now or coming soon, in 2026.
The best cheap EVs to buy in Europe
BYD Dolphin Surf
The Dolphin Surf is one of the most affordable EVs on our list, coming in at a starting price of £18,650 / €19,990. This city car may be small on price and footprint, but it’s still packed with an impressive level of technology like you’ll see in more expensive BYD models. That includes a rotating centre touchscreen, voice assistance, and a raft of driver assistance systems.
In the most affordable ‘Active’ specification, the Dolphin Surf has a 30kWh battery pack offering a combined range of 137 miles, making it the perfect cheap EV for urban driving.
Volkswagen ID. Polo
Already unveiled in camouflaged concept form, the Volkswagen ID. Polo is set for a final global reveal in May 2026, before deliveries begin to customers in the autumn. The Volkswagen Polo has been a formidable entry level car for over 50 years now, and this marks the first time the model will be available in fully-electric form.
The ID. Polo will run on Volkswagen’s new-for-2026 MEB+ EV platform, bringing new gains in efficiency, and the use of LFP batteries – a first for Volkswagen. The firm has confirmed that these more affordable batteries will allow the ID. Polo to start at an impressively low €25,000 (£21,700), matching the base price of the outgoing petrol Polo.
Renault 5 E-Tech
The new all-electric Renault 5 has been a design hit since it entered the market last year, fusing modern features with retro design aspects from the original 1970s model. Across much of Europe, the 5 starts at around €24,990, whilst in the UK, all specifications of the Renault 5 qualify for the government’s Electric Car Grant. This allows the entry level model to start at only £21,495.
In 2025, the Renault 5 was awarded the Car of the Year title, helping show just how capable this electric supermini is.
Renault Twingo
The Renault Twingo EV won’t arrive until 2027, but once it arrives, it will likely represent one of the best value for money EVs on the market – going low on price without sacrificing style. Much in the same guise as the Renault 4 and 5, the electric Twingo takes styling tips from the original 90s model.
Ahead of its release next year, Renault recently released more details about this new model. A price tag below £20,000 / €20,000 will be targeted, whilst battery range will stand at approximately 163 miles – perfectly suiting its city car footprint. The Twingo will also be vehicle-to-grid compatible, allowing owners to save even further on running costs.
Leapmotor T03
We tested out the Leapmotor T03 last year, and it still remains one of the most affordable electric cars on the European market, with prices starting at £15,995 / €18,900 – currently reduced to £14,495 in the UK thanks to Leapmotor’s ‘LEAP-GRANT’ promotion.
Despite its small size and price, the T03 is still a capable machine – with a range of up to 165 miles and an 81mph, this city car can still take on the task of longer journeys. It also comes with premium equipment such as adaptive cruise control, and an all-digital instrument cluster and ten-inch touchscreen infotainment as standard.
Vauxhall/Opel Frontera Electric
The Frontera Electric is also on our shortlist as one of the best electric SUVs you can buy, but thanks to its low price, it also qualifies as one of the best and cheapest electric cars. Pricing starts at €28,990 across much of Europe, whilst in the UK, the Frontera Electric starts at only £22,495, thanks to a £1,500 Electric Car Grant.
Thanks to its basic, boxy shape, the Frontera offers bags of room inside whilst still remaining pretty compact on the outside – perfect for narrow country roads and city streets.
