Despite the difficulties faced by the car industry and buyers, sales this October were almost double what they were in October 2019 and there have been in the region of 20 new models launched or announced since the start of the year.
Some models, such as the Porsche Taycan remain out of the reach of most drivers and there’s no doubt EVs are more expensive than a petrol or diesel equivalent but a growing number are within reach of the average motorists.
Here we run down the cheapest new electric cars available to buy or order right now. We’ve discounted the £10,000 Renault Twizy on the grounds that it’s actually a quadricycle and unlikely to be anyone’s main means of transport.
All the prices listed here are before the Government's £3,000 plug-in car grant and excluding any special offers manufacturers are currently running.
Based on the same new platform as the more expensive Peugeot e-208, 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 two trim levels keep options simple for buyers. Photo: Vauxhall
The Leaf is the granddaddy of mainstream EVs and remains one of the default choices for buyers looking to switch from conventional engines to electric. Apart from the slightly gawky looks it’s a fairly standard family hatchback but with an all-electric drivetrain. Since mid-2019 it’s been available in two versions - the less powerful standard car has a 148bhp motor and 40kWh battery while the E+ gets a beefier 212bhp motor and a 62kWh battery. The standard car’s range is stated at 168 miles, while e+ stretches that to 239 miles. Both accept DC rapid charging of up to 50kW and feature Nissan’s neat e-pedal which allows for single-pedal driving. Photo: Nissan
The bigger, more sensible choice if you’re looking for a French EV (rather than the bonkers Twizy). The Zoe was one of the first “affordable” EVs and the second generation was launched in 2019 offering more power, more range and refreshed looks. Its new 52kWh battery offers up to 242 miles on the WLTP test and now features 50kW rapid charging to add 90 miles of range in around 30 minutes. There are also two motor choices - a 108bhp R110 and a 133bhp R135 - to suit different drivers’ needs. Photo: Renault
What started out as a motor show concept quickly spun out into a full-on production model for Honda. The show car’s cute looks have been more or less retained as Honda takes on Mini and Fiat with its retro-inspired city car. Like the Zoe, the Honda e comes with a choice of power outputs – the lower price getting you a 134bhp version rather than the quicker 151bhp one. Both use a 35.5kWh battery for a range of up to 137 miles and rapid 100kW charging will add 75 miles of charge in around half an hour. Photo: Honda
Peugeot’s declared business model is “choose your Peugeot, choose your powertrain” and to that end you can have your new 208 in petrol, diesel or electric format with the usual choice of trim levels. The e-208 uses a 134bhp electric motor to drive the front wheels, with energy from a 50kWh battery. That will charge in as little as 30 minutes and offer up to 217 miles on a single charge. Photo: Peugeot
The first supply of Kia’s electric crossover sold out within three months of going on sale last year. This year, Kia is committed to bringing 6,000 examples to the UK to clear the waiting list and offer the model to more buyers. Using the same motor and battery combination as the Soul EV, and Hyundai Kona, it packs a 64kWh battery feeding a 201bhp motor that drives the front wheels. Maximum range is 282 miles, with a charging time of 1 hour 15 minutes (at 50kW). Photo: Kia