The 10 most affordable electric vehicles for 2020

The vehicle of tomorrow don’t need to cost a fortune today.

Note: Read The 10 most affordable electric vehicles for 2021 for the most up-to-date pricing.

The information provided was correct at the time of publication.  Some incentives and grants may no longer be available.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have come a long way in recent times. When the original Nissan Leaf hit UK roads back in 2010 it cost £10,000 more than its closest petrol counterpart, the Ford Focus. Now though, prices are far more competitive and start from as little at £10,685 thanks to government grants.

Buying any new vehicle is a considerable expense, granted. But as petrol and diesel prices continue to rise, savvy motorists are looking at EVs as a much more climate-friendly way of bringing running costs down. And an EV will serve you well in the long run, too, since the government wants to ban the sale of new fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2035. If you’re looking at replacing your car, then, an EV is the obvious choice. Here are this year’s most affordable models.

*UPDATE*

As of 18th March 2021, the government has reduced the maximum grant for electric cars from £3,000 to £2,500 with immediate effect. The price cap for cars eligible for the subsidy has also been reduced from £50,000 to £35,000. This may affect the prices outlined below.

1. Renault Twizy, from £10,685 + battery lease

What do the pros say?

“The Twizy is part scooter, part car and makes sense for congested cities” – Autocar

2. Smart EQ Fortwo, from £20,350 (incl. gov grant)

What do the pros say?

“It’s packed with up-to-the minute safety equipment and driver tech, and represents a lot of fun for the money” – Parkers

3. Skoda Citigo e iV hatchback, from £20,455 (incl. gov grant)

What do the pros say?

“The Skoda Citigo e iV is a thoroughly grown-up, well made city car that still knows how to have fun” – CarBuyer

4. Smart EQ Forfour, from £20,785 (incl. gov grant)

What do the pros say?

“Like its two-seater sister car, the Smart EQ Fortwo, the Forfour is perfectly suited to city driving thanks to its compact dimensions and impressive turning circle” – Parkers

5. SEAT Mii electric, from £22,800 (incl. gov grant)

What do the pros say?

“The SEAT Mii electric shares much with the Volkswagen e-up! but offers buyers some extra style and better value” – CarBuyer

6. Peugeot e-208, from £25,050 (incl. gov grant)

What do the pros say?

“The Peugeot e-208 is a cute and comprehensively high-tech small electric car that feels fun and youthful in a way that few rivals do” – Auto Express

7. Renault Zoe, from £25,670 (incl. gov grant)

What do the pros say?

“The Renault Zoe is great value, decent to drive and has a long range between charges. Small electric cars don’t get any better” – What Car?

8. Citroen C Zero, from £26,210

What do the pros say?

“It’s very much on par with a fossil fuel burning city car, with its electric power steering, tyre pressure monitoring system, automatic headlights, folding mirrors, and air conditioning” – Autocar

9. Mini Electric Hatch, from £27,900 (incl. gov grant)

What do the pros say?

“The MINI manages to retain all of the best bits of its petrol-engined cousins, but is city-friendly and comes packed with all of the best battery-saving tech you’ll need to keep moving” – Parkers

10. MG ZS EV SUV, from £28,495 (incl. gov grant)

What do the pros say?

“Cheap, spacious and all-round endearing” – Autocar  

The bottom line

EVs are no longer the hippy’s vehicle of choice – they’re quickly becoming mainstream and as charging infrastructure improves and the government phases out fossil fuel vehicles, they’ll soon be the only option for motorists. And that’s no hard sacrifice, as evidence by the raft of features these models pack in.

Disclaimer

The information in this article was correct at the time of writing and is provided for guidance only. Please see the full disclaimer in our terms and conditions.

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