Advert
2025 is going to be a big year for EVs. As well as a whole host of new premium models, it’s also one of the best years in recent history for affordable EVs. The question of what is the cheapest electric car in the UK is about to get a lot more interesting as a host of new models prepare to hit showrooms in 2025.
Here, we’ll run through the most exciting upcoming affordable electric cars and answer some of your questions, including “How much is an electric car?” and “What is the cheapest electric car in the UK?”
The cost-of-living crisis has sparked an important question: why are electric cars so expensive? If you’re looking to make the switch to an electric car, you’ll be pleased to know that prices are starting to come down. Let’s take a look at the new EV offerings from across Europe.
The Dacia Spring is a five-door EV that’s been making waves throughout Europe since 2011. It’s a lightweight EV that comes in three trim levels, all with a sub £20,000 price tag:
The Dacia Spring runs off a 26.8kWh lithium battery, which gives it a maximum range of 140 miles, and its maximum DC fast-charging speed reaches 34kW – meaning it can go from 0 to 80% charge in about 60 minutes.
The base model has a 45 hp motor (0-62 mph in 19.1 seconds), while the premium models have a 65 hp motor (0-62 mph in 13.7 seconds), and both models have a top speed of 78 mph. Although it’s a five-door car, the Spring only has four seats, but it makes up for it with a sizable 308L boot that can reach 1004L with the rear seats pushed down.
If you’re in the market for an affordable EV packed full of features, look no further than the Citroën ë-C3, available in two trim levels:
The ë-C3 uses a 44kWh battery pack and a 113 hp (83kW) motor, delivering a 199-mile range and a max speed limited to 82 mph. The motor enables it to reach 0 to 62 in 10.4 seconds.
Charging from 0-100% takes around seven hours from a standard 7.4kW AC charger, but you can upgrade the ë-C3 to an 11kw charger to decrease charge time to just under five hours. It also has 100kW DC fast charging capabilities, which allow it to charge from 20-80% in just 26 minutes.
When it comes to features, the ë-C3 comes with a 10-inch touchscreen, voice control, emergency braking, lane departure warning, speed limit detection, and cruise control.
The ë-C3 MAX has all these features, as well as tinted windows, a rear parking camera, automatic air conditioning, a heated steering wheel and windscreen, and heated front seats.
The Frontera Electric is a compact electric SUV that’s making history as the first EV to offer identical pricing across both petrol and electric models. It’s available in two trim levels:
The Frontera Electric shares a lot of similarities with the ë-C3: two no-nonsense models that focus on functionality over frills in order to bring the price down. With its 44kWh battery pack and 113 hp (83kW) motor, the Frontera has a range of 186 miles. It can reach a top speed of 87 mph and accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 12.1 seconds.
Charging the Frontera Electric is a quick process, with support for up to 100kW DC fast charging, allowing the battery to go from 20 to 80% in just 26 minutes. It also comes with an 11kW onboard charger as standard, which delivers 20 to 80% charge in just under four hours when using AC charging.
Standard features of the Design model include full LED headlights, cruise control, a reversing camera, a 10-inch touchscreen, and wireless smartphone charging. The GS model adds LED rear lights, automatic air conditioning, and electric folding mirrors.
A new option from Renault, the Renault 5 E-Tech 100% Electric is an affordable EV that’s currently picking up multiple Car of the Year award nominations. It’s available in three trim levels:
The Renault 5 comes with either a 40kWh or 52kWh battery pack, providing a range of either 186 miles or a massive 248 miles. The standard motor produces 121 hp (90kW), allowing the car to go from 0 to 62 mph in 9 seconds and topping out at 93 mph. The Techno and Iconic Five models come with a 150 hp (110kW) motor option, which can do 0 to 62 in 7.9 seconds.
The Renault 5 is compatible with up to 100kW DC fast charging, allowing the battery to charge from 20-80% in around 30 minutes. It also has support for 11kW AC charging, which can fully charge the battery in five to seven hours (depending on the battery capacity), although most people use a standard 7kW charger, which requires around an eight-hour charge time.
The Original trim comes with LED headlights, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, rear parking sensors, multiple driving modes, automatic emergency braking, lane assist, traffic sign recognition, and cruise control.
The Techno trim adds features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and a 360-degree parking camera. The Iconic includes premium features such as heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, hands-free parking assist, and blind spot warning.
The long-standing question of “When will electric cars get cheaper?” is finally being answered, as Chinese manufacturers bring competitive pricing to the UK’s EV market. Over 200 established brands are surging into the UK, attempting to lower costs and make EVs more budget-friendly. Let’s take a look at some of them…
The GWM (Great Wall Motor) ORA Funky Cat, or as it’s known now, the GWM ORA 03, is a five-door, five-seat electric hatchback available in two trim levels:
The ORA 03 comes with either a 48kWh or 63kWh battery and has a range of 193 to 260 miles – depending on your battery capacity. The ORA 03 has a 169 hp (126kW) motor, which enables it to go 0 to 62 mph in 8.3 seconds, with a top speed of 99 mph.
Charging the 03 at home is straightforward with a 7kW charger and takes around 7 hours for a full charge of the standard battery or 9.5 hours for the larger 63kWh version. When you need a quick boost, fast charging is available at up to 64kW for the standard battery or 67kW for the larger version. Charging from 10% to 80% takes around 45 minutes to an hour for both batteries.
Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co., Ltd., also known as Leapmotor, has released an electric car in the UK that rivals the Dacia Spring for affordability:
The T03 combines a 37.3kWh battery and a 93 hp (70kW) motor to produce speeds of up to 81 mph, with a range of 140 miles. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in 12.7 seconds (quicker than the Dacia Spring) and has three driving modes on offer: Sport, Standard, and Comfort.
The T03’s charging capabilities are not to be taken lightly; with a fast charging rate of up to 45kW, it can charge from 30% to 80% in 36 minutes. For home charging, the T03 has an on-board 6.6kW charger, which should charge from 0-100% in your standard household 7kW charger in 7 hours 15 minutes.
BYD, the world’s largest EV manufacturer by volume, is a force to be reckoned with. Despite only being on offer in the UK for two years, BYD (Build Your Dreams) has quickly made a name for itself. With two affordable EVs announced for release in 2025, BYD doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
In terms of price, the Dacia Spring is the most affordable EV on the market at the moment. At just under £15,000, the closest competitor is the Leapmotor T03, at £15,995. The Dacia Spring takes a no-frills approach to the EV driving experience, and its price point has made it a popular choice for those looking for an entry-level EV.
If you’re interested in purchasing an EV or would like more information before you make your decision, the Green Car Guide is here to help. Don’t forget to sign up for our mailing list to keep up to date with all the latest EV launches.
