What is the cheapest electric car?

What is the cheapest electric car? 

The electric car market is constantly changing as more models are released by manufacturers and the number of used electric cars grows. Electric cars are a fairly new form of technology, the first electric car to be mass produced was in the 1990’s. The infrastructure to support electric vehicles came later than this and is still developing to extend the number of charge points.  

Compare this to traditional petrol or diesel cars that have been mass produced since 1913 and you can understand why there is a premium for this newer type of vehicle. Not only is the technology new but there are fewer electric cars on the market, the ones that are on the used car market are often only a few years old and therefore listed at a higher price. Comparing like for like in terms of electric vs petrol or diesel car and you can expect to pay a premium for the electric version, however there are some lower cost electric vehicles to look out for. 

Cheaper electric car models 

If you’re looking for an electric car with a lower price tag then you will want to go for the smaller models, typically a city car or super-mini. Smaller cars are typically more affordable both in the electric and petrol/diesel market. Manufacturing a smaller car requires fewer parts which makes them more affordable to purchase 

Age is also another factor to consider, older cars tend to be listed for a lower price, they have more owners, less technology and more miles. Their age makes them less desirable and this reduces their worth and the price they fetch.  

Nissan Leaf  

The Nissan Leaf is considered one of the first generation electric cars, introduced in 2011, this model has since been upgraded in 2018. There are still a number of 2011-2018 Nissan Leafs on the market for a good price. As standard the Nissan Leaf comes with some great features including, keyless start, Bluetooth, climate control and full electric windows. The Nissan Leaf has two options: a 24kWh battery or a 30 kWh battery, so you need to carefully check the individual specification before purchasing. The range varies from 124-155 miles depending on the battery, if additional range is essential make sure to look for the 30 kWh battery version. The cost of a 2015/ 2016 Nissan Leaf is currently around the £12K-£13K mark. 

Renault Zoe 

The Renault Zoe is another first generation electric vehicle that appealed to the mass market. The model was introduced in 2013 and was produced until 2019, there are a number of older used Renault Zoe cars that can be picked up at a reasonable price. The early models come with a 24kWh engine that has a range of 62-92 miles depending on temperature and use. From 2015 Renault introduced a model with a 40kWh engine that has a range of around 150 miles. The current price of a used Renault Zoe is around £8,000 for a 2014 model.  

Mitsubishi I-miev 

Another option for those looking for a cheap all electric car is the Mitsubishi I-miev. This all electric city car was introduced in 2011 and the model we are referring to was produced until 2015. The range on this small city car is expected to be between 80-100 miles, depending on driving conditions and what is being used. Limit heating and aircon usage to maximise the miles on a single charge. This car can be picked up on the used car market for around £7k-£8K for a 2012/13 model, although are becoming harder to find.