7 of the most affordable electric cars in 2023

By Josh Bowness

Jan 3, 2023

From small city cars to mid-size hatchbacks, SUVs and estates. We’ve picked out 7 of the most affordable electric cars on sale, in the UK, in 2023.

All prices listed are based on the manufacturer’s online car configurators, showing prices and specifications, as of January 2023.

1. MG4 EV

From £26,995

Model referenced: MG4 EV SE Standard Range
This gets you: 51kWh battery pack with real world range of 185 miles. 168hp equivalent motor.

The price shown is for the entry level “SE” trim with the ‘Standard Range’ battery, and no optional extras. This model comes with:

MG Pilot driving assistance (lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control)
a 10.25” touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
and MG’s iSMART user app.

Only the more expensive models come with heated seats and steering wheel, 360° parking camera, wireless phone charging and sat-nav.

You can also pay extra to get the MG4 with a bigger ‘Long Range’ battery pack that’s good for 225 miles in the real world.

The MG4 is an awesome all-round EV. Great to drive, practical enough for most people and comfortable in town and at speed. Don’t be quick to judge its less mainstream badge, it’s got rave reviews all round.

2. FIAT 500e

From £28,195

Fiat 500e La Prima parked on road in London

Model referenced: FIAT 500e ‘New 500’ 24kWh
This gets you: 24kWh battery pack with real world range of 100 miles. 95hp equivalent motor.

The price shown is for the entry level “New 500” trim with the smaller 24kWh battery pack and no optional extras. It’s worth noting that, since its release, the 500e could be specified in a few different trim levels, with two different motors, two different battery packs and as a convertible too (so worth triple checking how yours is configured, first). The model as described on the FIAT configurator comes with:

A 10.25″ infotainment system
Keyless entry and go system with lane keep assist
And automatic air conditioning.

Only the more expensive models come with the fast 85kW rapid charging capability, heated seats and steering wheel, a JBL upgraded sound system, wireless phone charging and bigger alloys.

You can also pay extra to get the FIAT 500e with a bigger 42kWh battery pack that’s good for 145 miles in the real world. Previous entry level versions of the 500e were equipped with a smaller infotainment system and smaller alloys wheels; you have been warned.

It’s no secret we think the FIAT 500e is one of the best (if not the best) small electric cars on sale. It’s stylish, nippy, well-appointed and well-equipped. It also has a class leading infotainment system and one-pedal-driving mode. The 500e is also fantastic fun to drive around in, too. What’s not to love?

Confused about how to specify your FIAT 500e? Don’t be, we’ve done it for you, and you can get the 42kWh FIAT 500e in both stylish Icon and top spec La Prima trim on an elmo subscription.

3. Renault ZOE

From £29,995

A Renault ZOE driving along a country road

Model referenced: Renault ZOE E-Tech Techno R135
This gets you: 52kWh battery pack with real world range of 190 miles. 134hp equivalent motor.

The price shown is for the entry level “Techno” trim with no optional extras. This model comes with:

Cruise control
Heated seats & steering wheel
Automatic climate control
and keyless entry.

Only the more expensive models come with rapid charging capability up to 50kW (this entry level version can only charge up to 22kW and takes minimum 3hrs), and larger alloys.

Renault were at the forefront of electrification in the UK market with this very car, the ZOE. A small hatchback with a lot of heart, it’s practical, comfortable and has recently been updated to have a simply fantastic infotainment system. It’s also got the best range for the money, by some margin. If you’re looking for a small electric commuter car, this should be top of your list.

You can get the Renault ZOE on an elmo subscription (with rapid charging), so no need to pay a huge sum upfront either.

4. MG ZS EV

From £30,495

Model referenced: MG ZS EV SE Standard Range
This gets you: 51kWh battery pack with real world range of 165 miles. 174hp equivalent motor.

The price shown is for the entry level “SE” trim with the ‘Standard Range’ battery, and no optional extras. This model comes with:

MG Pilot driving assistance (lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control)
a 10.1” touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
and MG’s iSMART user app.

Only the more expensive models come with heated seats and steering wheel, 360° parking camera and wireless phone charging.

You can also pay extra to get the MG ZS EV with a bigger ‘Long Range’ battery pack that’s good for 225 miles in the real world.

This small all-electric SUV is cheaper than most other mainstream manufacturer’s hatchbacks. The ZS EV was MGs first fully electric model in the UK and, now in its second generation, it’s better than ever before. Practical with plenty of headroom and boot space, and a decent amount of range for the money, makes this a fantastic family companion.

Fancy driving the MG ZS EV but don’t have £30k to buy one outright? We have both the entry level and higher spec versions available; just subscribe to one through elmo, instead.

5. MG5 EV

From £30,995

Model referenced: MG5 EV SE Long Range
This gets you: 61kWh battery pack with real world range of 200 miles. 154hp equivalent motor.

The price shown is for the entry level “SE” trim with the ‘Long Range’ battery (MG no longer sell a ‘Standard Range’ MG5), and no optional extras. This model comes with:

A 10.25” touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
MG Pilot driving assistance (lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control)
and a reversing camera.

Only the more expensive models come with automatic air conditioning, a 360° parking camera, heated seats and rain sensing wipers.

Another MG? Seriously? Rightly so – the MG5 was the world’s first all-electric estate car, and still one of the cheapest electric cars on sale today. If space and practicality at the cheapest price is the aim of your game, then look no further. The best bit? The MG drives well, too.

We stock the pre-face lifted MG5, which has near identical performance figures and interior features.

6. Citroën e-C4

From £30,995

A Citroën e-c4 parked on road outside a house

Model referenced: Citroën e-C4 Sense
This gets you: 50kWh battery pack with real world range of 165 miles. 134hp equivalent motor.

The price shown is for the entry level “Sense” trim with no optional extras. This model comes with:

A 10” touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Keyless entry
And automatic air conditioning.

Only the more expensive models come with heated seats, heated steering wheel and a heads-up display.

Citroën offer a wide range of electric cars at the moment, with 3 of their cars being in the top ten cheapest on sale right now. One of those 3 is this, the e-C4. It’s one of the larger electric hatchbacks on sale at the moment, so if you’re not looking for an SUV or estate but want as much space and comfort for the money as possible, this is a great choice.

Want to drive an e-C4 into 2023? Get the higher spec Shine Edition on an elmo subscription with no upfront deposit.

7. Vauxhall Corsa-e

From £31,930

A Vauxhall Corsa-e parked in a warehouse

Model referenced: Vauxhall Corsa-e GS Line
This gets you: 50kWh battery pack with real world range of 175 miles. 134hp equivalent motor.

The price shown is for the entry level “GS Line” trim with no optional extras. Like the FIAT earlier, this has had a few different trim options in the past, but featured here is the latest version on the Vauxhall configurator. This model comes with:

A 7” touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Sport styling inside and out with keyless entry
Cruise control & climate control.

Only the more expensive models come with the larger 10” touchscreen, adaptive cruise control and panoramic reversing camera.

Want an EV that doesn’t shout to the world about the fact it’s electric? Need something that’s fun but easy enough to live with and don’t want to break the bank? Are you likely to need to rely on public charging and need to charge quickly on the go? The Corsa-e is your answer, with its peppy motor and fast-charging capabilities.

Want to try the Corsa-e? We’ve got the Corsa-e on an elmo subscription.

Some honourable mentions…

A blue Citroën Ami on a white background

Citroen Ami

Nissan Leaf

Mini Electric Cooper S

Citroën Ami

Two seats, four wheels and a steering wheel. The Ami is as simple as a ‘car’ can get (because, technically, it’s a quadricycle). Not going far very fast? From as little as £7,695 on the road you can hop your way to the Ami’s top speed of 28mph and, probably, have a lot of fun.

Nissan Leaf

A more sensible option. The Nissan Leaf joined the Renault ZOE as one of the EVs that showed the UK going electric was a viable alternative to petrol. In its lowest spec/battery option, you can get one for £28,995. One for the eco-conscious families!

MINI Electric

Want to have as much fun as you possibly can in an affordable electric car? The MINI has got to be top of your test drive list. It’s fast, fun and has a very high-quality interior. Plus, in entry ‘Level 1’ trim, it’s under £30,000. Just watch that options list, it can get expensive…

In summary

There’s an awful lot to choose from! All for under £32,000, you could get yourself a stylish city car, a practical estate or family orientated SUV. There’s something electric for everyone, and there’s even more to choose from, too.

But we’re well aware the average consumer doesn’t have tens of thousands of pounds to buy a car outright nowadays. That’s why our all-inclusive subscription is a great way of introducing an EV into your life. Here’s five reasons why you should get an EV subscription in 2023.

Still need some convincing? Our team are around to help.