Listed: The cheapest electric cars available in the UK

Price: £14,995

Best for: People after a proper car, rather than a quadricycle

The Dacia Spring is officially the UK's cheapest electric (proper) car. It almost comes close to being the UK’s cheapest new car overall, with just the Dacia Sandero and Citroën C3 pipping it. 

The small EV, which initially went on sale in mainland Europe, has had a big overhaul inside and out, gaining a new face and significant improvements to interior quality and connectivity.

With a 26.8kWh battery and tipping the scales at just 984kg, the Spring offers a range of around 137 miles on a single charge. 

Price: £15,995

Best for: People who want something cheap with a good range

You probably haven’t heard of Leapmotor. As you might have imagined, it is a Chinese car brand, but one with a difference.

Leapmotors sold outside of China are sold by Leapmotor international, a joint venture with Stellantis. This means the marque is sold within Stellantis showrooms, giving drivers the ability to try a new car within the parameters of a parent company that they know.

There’s only one powertrain option available, a front-mounted 94bhp motor, but you do at least get a selection of paint colours.

As standard, the T03 has an 8.0in digital instrument display, a multifunction steering wheel and a 10in infotainment touchscreen with sat-nav and a DAB radio, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

Price: £17,995

Best for: Style

The Microlino’s stylistic influence from the era-defining 'bubble car' is very obvious and even extends to a side-hinged front door.

Swing open that front end and you’re met by a bench seat that can happily host two adults… and not much else.

It is not fast by any stretch of the imagination, but its circa-5.0sec 0-30mph time means it works fine in cities and on slow roads.

The standard Microlino comes with a 10.5kWh battery with a claimed 110 miles of range, but there’s also a Lite version with a 58-mile range, courtesy of a smaller battery that brings the overall weight below 425kg, putting it into the quadricycle class.

Neither version is capable of fast charging, but Micro reckons it needs only four hours on a three-pin to go from empty to full. 

Price: £21,990

Best for: Comfort

Citroën parent company Stellantis, as you’ll soon discover, is really bossing this list. The ë-C3 is the latest entrant and promises something that is both utilitarian and chic.

All models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, plus 'comfort' seats and safety aids.

It has a 199-mile range and can rapidly charge at rates of up to 100kW, enabling a 20-80% charge in 26 minutes.

On the road, its hydraulic bump-stops do a good job of filtering out abrasions and you feel pretty well isolated from big bumps. In other words, it’s comfortable and easy-going.

An even cheaper version, costing £17,250, will join Europe in 2025. But Citroën has yet to confirm whether this version is coming to the UK.

Price: £22,995

Best for: Comfort

When Renault said it would aim for a price tag of less than £23,000 with the 5, many were sceptical - but the French firm came good on its promise.

The Renault 5 is one of the cheapest EVs on sale in the UK today, on sale for just £22,995. That's just £1600 more than the hybrid Renault Clio. 

For that price, you get the entry-level 118bhp electric motor with a 40kWh battery for 190 miles of range.

If you want more range, you will pay closer to £30,000, which is still cheaper than the entry-level Mini Cooper E. 

Price: £24,995

Best for: Retro charm

If any manufacturer has the city car formula nailed, it’s Fiat. The latest version of the iconic 500 oozes desirability inside and out and its combination of a tight turning circle and diminutive sizing make it a cinch to drive around town.

Even better, this electric city car doesn’t feel terribly out of depth once you hit the open road, although the entry-level car’s 118-mile range does significantly limit the 500e’s usefulness.

It’s available with either a 24kWh battery or larger 42kWh unit, which costs around £3000 more and is good for a range of 199 miles. It works with a 118bhp electric motor. All cars come with a 10.25in infotainment touchscreen and smartphone mirroring.

Price: £26,195

Best for: Range

You might not have heard of BYD, but it’s making a splash on its UK market entry. Its first model, the BYD Atto 3, might not have impressed at £37,695, but the follow-up – the smaller Dolphin – may be more palatable because it's the cheapest full-sized electric hatchback currently available.

You do have to accept some concessions when buying one in entry-level Active trim, though. Its suspension set-up uses unsophisticated trailing arms, and its 94bhp motor feels notably short of oomph. It has yet to be seen whether those are acceptable compromises for the majority of UK buyers: watch this space.

Price: £26,895

Best for: Dealer network

The Corsa's cheapest model is called the #Yes. Really. It gets a 50kWh battery with 221 miles of range, while a front-mounted electric motor supplies 134bhp and 191lb ft of torque.

The equipment you get is decent too. The Corsa #Yes is equipped with 16in alloy wheels, a 10in digital touch screen, wireless smartphone connectivity, automatic LED headlights and wipers, climate control, keyless entry and rear parking sensors.