Cheapest electric cars 2022: The lowest-priced EVs available to order in the UK right now
The 10 most affordable EV models on sale in the UK, from Smart city cars to the MG5 estate and Vauxhall Corsa supermini
With fuel prices on a seemingly endless rise and the ban on petrol and diesel cars edging ever closer, it’s no wonder interest in electric cars is increasing.
2021 saw more EVs sold than in the previous five years combined and there is still strong demand for the zero-emissions vehicles despite parts and supply issues.
While many buyers are exploring the higher end of the EV market - with models like the Audi Q4 e-tron, Ford Mustang Mach-e and Tesla Model 3 - not everybody can afford to spend more than £40,000 on a new car.
While those models are sharp-looking and desirable, they're also relatively expensive, especially compared with a combustion-engined car.
But not all EVs are expensive, so here we’ve rounded up the 10 cheapest new electric cars on the market.
Due to last year’s changes to the Plug-in Car Grant and the unpredictability around the policy we’ve decided to remove it from our figures so all prices here are before the grant - currently worth £1,500 - is applied.
While many buyers are exploring the higher end of the EV market - with models like the Audi Q4 e-tron, Ford Mustang Mach-e and Tesla Model 3 - not everybody can afford to spend more than £40,000 on a new car.
5. Mini Electric (£28,500)
Back to the city car segment for number nine on our list. The natural rival to the Fiat 500 and more expensive Honda e, the three-door hatch looks more or less like any other Mini but with subtle styling clues to its drivetrain. That drivetrain uses a 32.6kWh battery and a 182bhp motor driving the front wheels. Acceleration is a Cooper-beating 7.3 seconds but too much of that will eat into the official 145-mile range.
Photo: Mini
6. Vauxhall Corsa-e (£28,805)
Based on the same new platform as the Peugeot e-208 but undercutting the French car by less than £100, the Corsa-e is Vauxhall’s first all-electric version of its best-selling supermini. Powered by a single electric motor with 134bhp and 192lb ft of torque, the Corsa-e can hit 31mph in 2.8 seconds and 62mph in 8.1 seconds. A 50kWh battery offers up to 209 miles of range and three trim levels keep options simple for buyers.
Photo: Vauxhall
7. MG ZS EV Standard Range (£28,995)
The ZS was MG’s first electric car and one of the first all-electric models in the C-SUV segment. Like the MG5, what it lacks in glamour, it makes up for with high equipment levels, a decently spacious interior and - in cheaper Standard Range guise - a 44.5kWh battery that’s good for 163 miles of zero-emissions motoring.
Photo: MG
8. Mazda MX-30 (£29,150)
The MX-30 is Mazda’s first attempt at a production EV and, as with many Mazda products, takes a slightly unusual approach. Besides the rear-hinged rear doors and the cork interior panels, the compact SUV also bucks the trend for big batteries and range, offering just 124 miles from its 35.5kWh battery.