Updated October 2026. Solid lectric cars under £20,000 and £30,000 are no longer a rarity. Falling battery costs, the introduction of cheaper ‘LFP’ cells, the UK’s Electric Car Grant, and a wave of new city cars and small SUVs have pushed entry-level EV prices down – in many cases, to the same level as their petrol-powered equivalents. From the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 at the bottom of the market to the equipment-packed Kia EV2 and Jaecoo E5, these are the cheapest and best value electric cars you can buy in the UK and Europe right now, or are coming soon.
The best cheap electric cars to buy in Europe
Leapmotor T03 – Dacia Spring – BYD Dolphin Surf – Renault Twingo – Renault 5 – Volkswagen ID. Polo – Vauxhall/Opel Frontera Electric – Kia EV2 – Volkswagen ID. Cross – Jaecoo E5
Leapmotor T03
We tested out the Leapmotor T03 on its launch, and it still remains one of the most affordable electric cars on the European market, with UK pricing starting at just £13,795, when combined with the manufacturer’s ongoing offer of a £2,500 ‘Leap Grant’.
Despite its small size and price, the T03 is still a very capable machine – with a range of up to 171 miles and a 99mph top speed, 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.
Dacia Spring
The Dacia Spring has long been one of the cheapest four-door EVs you can buy in Europe, but until recently, it was let down by lacklustre battery range and sluggish acceleration. That’s all changed with the updated Spring though, which maintains a price tag of under £18,000/€18,000, while feeling like a much more grown-up car.
Power from the electric motor now stands at 80 horsepower, compared to the 45 and 65 horsepower options on the older Spring, making it feel perfect for city driving but also less out of its depth on faster roads like motorways. Range also takes a slight boost, from 140 miles on the old one to 155 miles. Its larger proportions, translating to a larger boot and more interior space, also make it feel like a much better all-rounder now.
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.
Renault Twingo
The Renault Twingo EV 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 models which gained a cult following.
The Renault Twingo starts at under £20,000 / €20,000, with deliveries in mainland Europe already underway. UK buyers will need to wait until 2027, when right-hand-drive examples will finally begin arriving. Battery range stands at approximately 163 miles – perfectly suiting its city car footprint. The Twingo is also vehicle-to-grid compatible, allowing owners to save even further on running costs.
Renault 5
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 after the discount is applied.
In 2025, the Renault 5 was awarded the Car of the Year 2025 title, helping show just how capable this electric supermini is. The Renault 5’s closely-related cousin, the Alpine A290, maintains the Renault 5’s design flair but brings sporting performance to the table.
Volkswagen ID. Polo
The Volkswagen Polo has been a formidable entry level car for over 50 years now, and this year is the first time the model has been made available in fully-electric format, with the new Volkswagen ID. Polo.
The ID. Polo runs on Volkswagen’s new-for-2026 MEB+ EV platform, bringing new gains in efficiency, and the use of LFP batteries – a first for Volkswagen. These more affordable batteries allows the ID. Polo to start at an impressively low €25,000 in Europe, and £22,445 in the UK, once the £1,500 Electric Car Grant is taking into consideration. This means the ID. Polo roughly matches the base price of the petrol-powered Polo, making it an even easier decision to make the switch to an electric car.
For those looking for a sportier ride, Volkswagen are also offering the ID. Polo GTI electric hot hatch, bringing a host of suspension and visual tweaks, along with a power boost up to 222 horsepower.
Vauxhall/Opel Frontera Electric
The Frontera Electric is also on our shortlist as one of the best electric SUVs you can buy. 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.
Kia EV2
The Kia EV2 is the smallest and most affordable EV offered by the brand. In the UK, pricing starts at £26,995, with the entry model qualifying for the £1,500 government grant.
Despite its affordable price, you’ll also be able to specify the EV2 with a longer range 61kWh battery – good enough for 281 miles between charges, and making it one of the longest range options in the small EV class. Energy technology such as vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-grid are also fitted as standard on the EV2, making it thoroughly futureproof.
Volkswagen ID. Cross
Revealed this July, the Volkswagen ID. Cross has become the brand’s most affordable electric SUV, with prices starting from €27,995 in mainland Europe, while UK prices should start at around £26,000. It’s based on the same MEB+ platform as the Volkswagen ID. Polo, which has also earned itself a spot on our cheap EV list. At this price, the ID. Cross will compete with other small electric SUVs such as the Vauxhall/Opel Frontera Electric and Citroen e-C3 Aircross.
The ID. Cross can be specified with either a 37kWh or 52kWh battery unit, with the latter offering a respectable range of 427 kilometres (265 miles).
Jaecoo E5
The Jaecoo E5 is the most expensive car on our list with a UK starting price of £27,505 (and over €30,000 elsewhere in Europe), but it delivers strong value for money thanks to a lengthy equipment list, a comfortable and roomy interior, and an exterior design that hints towards a much more expensive car brand.
Range on the E5 stands at 250 miles, and in our review we found that energy efficiency stayed high even at higher speeds or while using functions like air conditioning. Some of the more expensive trim levels also come with added luxuries for an entry-level SUV, such as a eight-speaker Sony sound system, ventilated seats, an electric boot, and more.
