As the UK gears up for a greener future, more drivers feel pressured to make the switch to electric. But two major concerns often hold them back: price and range anxiety. Production costs mean even the cheapest electric cars are expensive, and commuters fear running out of charge on the motorway.
Thankfully, there are good electric cars with long range that don’t cost a fortune. This list contains 12 cheap electric cars that offer impressive range and won’t cost you more than £35,000. We have small city cars to practical SUVs, so you can find your new electric car today.
Best Cheap Electric Cars with Long Range
BYD Atto 3: £33,985
BYD Atto 3 Specs
| Price | £33,985 |
| Range (up to) | 260 miles |
| Battery Capacity (Useable) | 60.4 kWh |
| Power | 200 bhp |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.3 seconds |
(Sources: BYD, Autotrader)
BYD only brought cars to the UK a couple of years ago, but they’ve had other products here for years. Surprisingly, BYD supplied batteries for the indestructible Nokia 3310! They also have one of the biggest fleet of buses in China. So, they may be new to our roads, but they are backed by decades of research.
The BYD Atto 3 is a quirky car with loads of advanced tech. It’s nice to drive, and the interior is covered in soft materials that bring a premium finish to this otherwise affordable electric SUV. With the front resembling the face of a Dragon, it’s certain to grab attention wherever you take it.
Kia Niro EV: £33,920
Kia Niro Specs
| Price | £33,920 |
| Range (up to) | 285 miles |
| Battery Capacity (Useable) | 64.8 kWh |
| Power | 201 bhp |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.8 seconds |
(Sources: Kia, Autotrader)
Although the Kia Niro EV flaunts 285 miles of range, it’s a bit pricey. That said, the cabin is spacious, and excellent safety ratings make it a great choice for families. On top of that, you’ll be covered by Kia’s 7-year warranty for added protection.
Kia has dominated the car market in recent years, and I’m not surprised. The whole range of new cars is impressive, especially the electric cars.
Hyundai Kona Electric: £33,822
Hyundai Kona Electric Specs
| Price | £33,822 |
| Range (up to) | 319 miles |
| Battery Capacity (Useable) | 65.4 kWh |
| Power | 215 bhp |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.8 seconds |
(Sources: Hyundai, Autotrader)
Moving on to another Korean brand, the Hyundai Kona owes its impressive range to its sleek, aerodynamic design. The Kona Advance also comes packed with smart features, including the latest driver assistance systems, making it a safe and reliable choice for UK roads.
Omoda E5: £33,055
Omoda E5 Specs
| Price | £33,055 |
| Range (up to) | 257 miles |
| Battery Capacity (Useable) | 61 kWh |
| Power | 201 bhp |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.2 seconds |
(Sources: Omoda, Autotrader)
Another new car for the UK is the Omoda E5. While waiting for this electric car to land on our shores, I grabbed the keys to the Omoda 5 hybrid. This crossover is a similar size to the Kona or Nissan Juke (and looks like one), but offers more features as standard.
For example, the base Comfort trim boasts front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Plus, you get an eight-year battery warranty for peace of mind.
Cupra Born E-Boost: £32,765
Cupra Born Specs
| Price | £32,765 |
| Range (up to) | 262 miles |
| Battery Capacity (Useable) | 58 kWh |
| Power | 227 bhp |
| 0-60 MPH | 6.6 seconds |
(Sources: Cupra, Autotrader)
When Cupra invited me to the launch of the Cupra Born E-Boost a few years ago, I was impressed by its sportiness. This was one of the first electric performance cars, benefiting from a larger battery. Despite the price keeping it in the bottom half of our list, it’s the fastest and most powerful electric car here.
Also packed with tech, the Cupra Born has a reversing camera, ambient lighting, and bucket seats as standard. However, prices jump to add a few extras, such as heated seats.
MG MG4 Trophy (Long Range): £32,495
MG4 Specs
| Price | £32,495 |
| Range (up to) | 270 miles |
| Battery Capacity (Useable) | 61.7 kWh |
| Power | 200 bhp |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.7 seconds |
(Sources: MG, Autotrader)
Next, we have the stylish long-range MG4 Trophy. A lot of people still scoff at MG after a few bad years, but the brand is reformed. MG4 sales soared when it was released, and show no signs of slowing down, proving you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a high-quality electric vehicle.
GWM Ora 3 Pro+: £30,695
GWM Ora 3 Specs
| Price | £30.695 |
| Range (up to) | 261 miles |
| Battery Capacity (Useable) | 58 kWh |
| Power | 169 bhp |
| 0-60 MPH | 8.2 seconds |
(Sources: GWM, Autotrader)
The GWM Ora 3 Pro+ is another intriguing option from China. Originally known as the Funky Cat, this is a quirky electric car that nobody talks about. Its retro design lies somewhere between a Volkswagen Beetle and a MINI in my eyes.
The Ora 3 is a cheap electric car with good range, but better suited to cities rather than motorways. Wherever you take it, it’s sure to get attention.
BYD Dolphin: £28,485
BYD Dolphin Specs
| Price | £28,485 |
| Range (up to) | 265 miles |
| Battery Capacity (Useable) | 60.4 kWh |
| Power | 200 bhp |
| 0-60 MPH | 7 seconds |
(Sources: BYD, Autotrader)
As we swim into more budget-friendly waters, we encounter the BYD Dolphin. Despite being smaller and more affordable than the BYD Atto 3 that kicked off this list, the Dolphin shares the same battery.
Its smaller size and weight means the battery delivers even more miles from a single charge. It still has a cool interior with the signature rotating screen, so there’s no need to compromise on tech.
Citroën e-C4: £27,990
Citroen e-C4 Specs
| Price | £27,990 |
| Range (up to) | 260 miles |
| Battery Capacity (Useable) | 50 kWh |
| Power | 214 bhp |
| 0-60 MPH | 9.2 seconds |
(Sources: Citroen, Autotrader)
The Citroën e-C4 brings a touch of French flair to our list. Known for their comfort-oriented approach, Citroën has created an electric car that’s perfect for those long motorway drives.
The e-C4’s suspension soaks up bumps like a sponge, while its quirky styling ensures you won’t lose it in a car park. It’s a great option for commuters who want to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed, no matter the distance.
Renault Megane E-Tech EV60: £27,818
Renault Megane E-Tech Specs
| Price | £27,818 |
| Range (up to) | 285 miles |
| Battery Capacity (Useable) | 60 kWh |
| Power | 214 bhp |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.5 seconds |
(Sources: Renault, Autotrader)
Sticking with French cars, the Renault Megane E-tech borrows a familiar name but makes big changes. Turning the popular hatchback into an EV added extra height and a few more pound signs. The result, however, is a fun, efficient electric car with a modern interior and user-friendly infotainment system.
MG MG4 SE (Long Range): £23,699
MG4 SE Specs
| Price | £23,669 |
| Range (up to) | 281 miles |
| Battery Capacity (Useable) | 61.7 kWh |
| Power | 200 bhp |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.7 seconds |
(Sources: MG, Autotrader)
No, you’re not seeing double—this is another MG4. This time we have the entry-level MG4 SE, which uses the same battery as the Trophy mentioned above but saves some pennies on unnecessary extra equipment.
Though it’s not as fancy as the higher trim, the SE is still packed with tech as standard.
MG ZS EV SE (Long Range): £23,495
MG ZS Specs
| Price | £23,495 |
| Range (up to) | 273 miles |
| Battery Capacity (Useable) | 68.3 kWh |
| Power | 152 bhp |
| 0-60 MPH | 8.2 seconds |
(Sources: MG, Autotrader)
Rounding off our list as the most affordable electric car with over 250 miles of range from a single charge is the MG ZS EV. I said it once, and I’ll say it again; MG is back! Electric cars aside, being able to buy an SUV under £25,000 is amazing! The fact this one is an EV and has a big range is incredible.
From testing the flagship 2024 MG HS Trophy earlier this year, I know the interior and level of equipment offered in the ZS will be top-notch. What a bargain!
While the ZS is unbelievably affordable, it’s not my overall pick from this list of electric cars. However, it is still an MG. With even more range and similar space costing only a little more, the runner-up MG4 SE is my top choice.
Remember, while range is important, it’s not the only factor to consider when choosing an electric car. Think about your daily driving needs, charging options, and personal preferences. And of course, always take a test drive before making a decision.
Sources: Autotrader, BYD, Citroen, Cupra, GWM ORA, Hyundai, Kia, MG, Omoda, Renault