The Cheapest Electric Cars of 2023

A compact and nimble electric vehicle, great for inner-city travel, the Renault Zoe is a choice pick to whisk you through busy urban streets. With a respectable range of up to 238 miles on a single charge, there’s little need to worry about being stuck miles from a charger on longer journeys.

The Zoe comes equipped with a 52kWh battery, recharging from 0-80% in 1 hour and 5 minutes using a rapid charger or 7 hours and 43 minutes using a home wall box. The Zoe can come equipped with a smaller battery at a reduced cost or with added DC rapid charging, which increases the price. Having been on sale for a number of years, there are plenty of used examples for a variety of budgets, with used models currently costing between £12,490-£27,994. 

As one of the more unique electric vehicles on this list, the Citroen Ami won’t be to everyone’s taste. However, this quirky and compact quadricycle could be the ideal transport option for inner-city living. While its top speed of 27mph prevents it from travelling on dual carriageways or other faster roads, this eye-catching two-seater makes up for it with its other handy features.

With used models going for around £XXX, the Ami could be an affordable alternative depending on your transport needs. The Amis’ 5.5kWh battery provides a 46-mile range, able to charge to full in just 3 hours, placing it in a category of its own on this list. Although not suitable for everyone, if you’re seeking a vehicle that can get you through tight city squeezes without also squeezing your wallet, this could be just the right fit for your needs.

The Nissan Leaf is one of the more popular electric cars on the scene right now, which isn’t surprising considering its practicality and spacious interiors. As the Leaf has been around for some time, there are a number of older used models available on the market that provide excellent value for money. 

The Nissan Leaf comes with a 239-mile range, powered by a 62kWh battery. Using a rapid charger, the Leaf powers up from 0-80% in just 50 minutes and in seven hours using a home wall box. Used models sell within a very economical range of between £13,870-£37,784. While older models may go for less, newer models provide more range, faster recharge times and more equipment, so if you’re looking for greater reliability, this is the way to go.

If you’re willing to sacrifice space for striking design and a compact body, then the Smart ForTwo could be your ideal city electric car. As a Smart car, parking should forever be a walk in the park, with the ForTwo able to easily fit into the tightest of spaces.

With an 80-mile range, powered by a 17.6kWh battery, don’t expect to get particularly far in this EV. However, if you’re willing to sacrifice range for ease of use and affordability, this could be the perfect car for your average city slicker. Due to its small battery, the ForTwo charges to full in just three hours, allowing you to get back on the road in no time. Used models sell for between £13.998- £22,000, making it one of the most budget friendly options on this list.

The Peugeot e-208 offers excellent value for money and an impressive range, resulting in a versatile electric car that beats many of the more expensive competitors in the space. With its robust build quality and a decently-sized 50kWh battery, no matter the model, this EV ticks boxes in all the right places. 

Able to travel 225 miles on a single charge, with a superfast 30-minute recharge time from 0-80% using a fast charger and a 7.5-hour home wall box charge to full, used models are available for around £20,200 – £29,500, providing plenty of options for all budgets.

For drivers hoping to shave down their fuel usage and reduce their costs over shorter trips, the Seat Mii Electric is a strong contender. With a middle-of-the-pack range of 159 miles on a single charge, powered by a 32.3kWh battery, this electric vehicle isn’t likely to turn many heads. However, what it lacks in flash, it makes up for with its speedy recharge times of one hour using a fast charger and four hours using a home wall box. 

There are a fair number of used options on the market, selling within the range of £19,580-£22,698. With varying trims and engine sizes affecting the price, there are many choices out there to suit a range of budgets. 

If you’re looking for an electric car that acts as a great budget all-rounder while also sporting several handy quality-of-life features, such as a built-in sat nav and air-conditioning as standard, then the Hyundai Ioniq Electric could be just what you’re after. 

With a range of 193 miles, made possible with a 38.3kWh battery, the Ioniq doesn’t lead the pack in any category but instead provides a versatile, reliable choice for drivers seeking practicality and spacious interiors. The Ioniq can recharge from 0-80% in 57 minutes using a rapid charger and in six hours using a home wall box. Used models sell for between £21,195-£39,870, depending on specifications which vary depending on the model.

One of the quirkier electric cars on this list, the Kia Soul EV unquestionably stands out from the crowd. While its bold design may draw attention, it backs it up with its spacious interiors and decent range, resulting in a versatile and dependable vehicle suitable for the whole family. 

With its 64kWh battery able to cart you up to 280 miles on a single charge, along with a superfast 30-minute 20-80% recharge time using a rapid charger and a nine hour home wall box time from empty to full, the stylish KIA Soul EV is one to watch out for. Its latest 2020 refreshed model is currently going for £32,845, while used older models sit within the range of £17,995-£35,725. 

Another excellent choice for city drivers, the compact and quick-charging Volkswagen e-UP! is a dream for shorter commutes, with its speedy recharge rate of 0-80% in one hour using a rapid charger and a four-hour home wall box time, resulting in an agile and easy-to-use electric car that makes urban driving a doddle. 

Its updated 2020 model sports a respectable range of 159 miles, powered by a 32.3kWh battery. Earlier models came with a much smaller battery, offering a real-world range of less than 100 miles, so it’s important to be aware of this when browsing used options. Used models sell within the reasonable price range of £17,491-£25,498, making it one of the most affordable picks of the year. 

With their relatively recent contribution to the EV scene, Vauxhall has proven with the Corsa-e that it’s more than capable of producing dependable and reasonably priced electric cars. 

Combining its strong range of 225 miles, its 50kWh battery and numerous features such as air-conditioning and a central screen as standard, the Corsa-e packs a whole lot within its stylish and familiar body.

Even with its larger battery, the Corsa-e still boasts a superfast charging speed of 30 minutes from 0-80% using a rapid charger and 7.5 hours from empty to full using a home wall box. Used models are currently selling within the range of £20,471-£32,495. Higher-spec models can go for more, depending on which extra equipment they come equipped with.