It wasn’t that long ago there was no such thing as a cheap electric car because EVs were fresh to the market and cost much more than a petrol, diesel or hybrid car. But that’s no longer the case. Thanks to a huge influx of new electric car models over recent years, and a significant drop in used prices, there are now lots of affordable EVs out there. In fact, many cost the same as, or less than, an equivalent petrol or diesel car. Combine that with the potential for low running costs – if you have a home charger – and a used EV could be a very cost-effective option.
To prove that point we’ve selected our top ten cheap used electric cars, and you might be surprised at just what you can get for your money. We’ve set a £10,000 limit* for the cars we’ve chosen, but many of them available for way less than that.
The Best Cheap Used Electric Cars to Buy in 2025
- Peugeot E-208
- MG5
- Mazda MX-30
- Fiat 500e
- Renault Zoe
- Hyundai Ioniq Electric
- MG ZS EV
- BMW i3
- Nissan Leaf
- Vauxhall Corsa Electric
- Other cheap electric cars to consider
Peugeot E-208 (2019-)
Peugeot has a great back catalogue when it comes to desirable small cars and the Peugeot E-208 is the first of the electric era. This pure-electric version of the latest 208 cost about £5,000 more than petrol models as a new car, yet early used examples of both now cost about the same. Choosing the E-208 looks like a clever bit of shopping, then, especially if you have a home charger and an energy tariff that gives you low overnight charging costs.
Although it went on sale in 2019, the E-208 still looks fresh today thanks to its sharp-edged exterior and futuristic interior design. Admittedly, not everyone’s a fan of Peugeot’s ‘i-Cockpit’ layout where you look over – rather than through - the steering wheel to see the driver display, but you do get used to it. The E-208 is comfortable and relaxing to drive, and a maximum battery range of 217 miles means that it's better-suited to long journeys than many small electric cars. A maximum charging speed of 100 kW is above-average compared with most cheap EVs, too.
Peugeot E-208 Review
MG5 (2020-2025)
The MG 5 was, for a long time, the only pure-electric estate car you could buy. It remains by far the cheapest, undercutting rivals such as the Peugeot E-308 SW and Vauxhall Astra Estate Sports Tourer Electric by thousands. As far as value-for-money electric family cars go, not much can touch it.
The boot space isn’t massive, but a capacity of 464 litres to the load cover is about 100 litres more than you get in a Ford Focus hatchback and not far short of what you get in some mid-size SUVs. And the MG5 feels roomy, with large windows, excellent headroom and legroom and a flat floor that gives rear-seat passengers plenty of space for their feet. You get decent battery range for this price point, with early models capable of 214 miles on a full charge and post-2021 versions capable of 250 miles. Standard equipment is generous, with even the entry-level models having an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support and a reversing camera. Higher-spec cars have artificial leather trim, electric driver’s seat adjustment, keyless entry and more. A facelift in 2022 gave the MG5 a more modern look inside and out, but prices for these haven’t dipped below the £10k mark just yet.
MG5 Review
Mazda MX-30 (2020-)
Mazda is a brand that likes to do things its own way and the MX-30 is a great example. While most rival brands were rushing to develop family-friendly electric SUVs with as long a range as possible, Mazda instead gave us a compact crossover with tiny, rear-hinged back doors and a maximum range of just 124 miles.
If battery range and practicality aren't priorities, however, the Mazda MX-30 has plenty to recommend it. For starters, it gives you the fun driving experience you expect of a Mazda. It also has the kind of high-quality, user-friendly infotainment system that's become a hallmark of the brand in recent years, and it’s very well-equipped. Even the cheapest versions have climate control, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera as standard. On the downside, rear-seat space is tight and the boot is smaller than that of a Ford Focus. As a second car for families, or for city dwellers that don't often use the back seats, however, the MX-30 could work well.
Mazda MX-30 Review
Fiat 500e (2020-)
If you’re looking for a stylish, zero-emissions city car the Fiat 500e – initially known as the Fiat 500 Electric – is a standout choice. It might not look it, but it’s actually an entirely different car to the petrol/diesel-engined Fiat 500 that went on sale in 2007. It’s a fraction larger, but still tiny enough to fit into the tightest parking slots, and has a much more premium look and feel.
Maximum battery range is 115 miles for versions with the 24 kWh battery option but you get 199 miles with the larger 42 kWh battery, as well as a fast charging speed of 82 kW rather than 50 kW. The usual 500 limitations remain, with a boot that’s only big enough for a couple of weekend bags and limited rear legroom. There’s decent space up-front, however, and the interior is an appealing blend of modern tech and retro design. Nippy and quiet, the 500e thrives on urban roads yet it feels at home on the motorway too.
Fiat 500e Review
Renault Zoe (2013-2024)
The frankly awesome Renault 5 E-Tech might be hogging the headlines at the moment but its predecessor – the Renault Zoe – remains one of the best electric cars if you have half as much to spend. The earliest, entry-level models have a 22kWh battery for an official range of between 130 and 149 miles per charge, while a 41kWh battery option was added in 2016 for a 250-mile range that's only five miles less than you get with the Renault 5.
The updated Zoe (pictured) introduced in 2020 retained most of the mechanical (and electrical) parts of the first one, but added updated exterior styling and a more upmarket interior. For such a small car, the Zoe is surprisingly roomy inside and has a comparatively large boot. There are a couple of things worth knowing if you’re considering a Zoe, though. Firstly, if you see ‘battery lease’ in the description of a Zoe for sale it means there’s a monthly battery lease fee to pay – ‘battery owned’ means there’s no additional cost. Secondly, although safety organisation Euro NCAP gave it a maximum five-star rating when it tested it in 2013, the updated version got a zero-star rating when tested in 2021 due to its downgraded side airbags and lack of active safety features.
Renault Zoe Mk1 Review
Renault Zoe Mk2 Review
Hyundai Ioniq Electric (2017-2022)
The Hyundai Ioniq was the car that kick-started Hyundai’s transformation into one of the most forward-looking car makers around. It was (and remains) one of the few cars available as either a hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or pure-electric model, with no pure internal combustion engine (ICE) option. And while it doesn’t look as cool as subsequent Ioniq models such as the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, the Ioniq’s sleek, aerodynamic shape and tech-heavy interior mark it out as something a bit different to the average hatchback.
Early models have a 28kWh battery, which gives a range of 174 miles from a full charge. An updated version with a 38.3kWh battery that upped the range to 193 miles arrived in 2019, and these are well within our sub-£10k budget. There’s enough space inside to make the Ioniq a decent family car, even if the plunging roofline does make it feel a bit claustrophobic in the back and the boot is rather shallow. The Ioniq’s popularity with taxi and Uber drivers means there are some mega-mileage examples on the used market, but these tend to be the hybrid versions and it does reflect positively on the model's long-term durability.
Hyundai Ioniq Review
MG ZS EV (2017-2025)
The MG ZS EV is the second MG on this list and that should come as no surprise because the main reason for the Chinese-owned car brand’s resurgence is the exceptional value its electric cars offer. In fact, the MG ZS EV is a pure-electric mid-size SUV that undercuts not only most equivalent petrol and diesel SUVs on price, but many hatchbacks too.
Despite being a fraction shorter than a Nissan Qashqai it’s a practical family car, with a good-sized boot and lots of back-seat space.The interior is solidly built and user-friendly, too, with a straightforward layout and simple centre touchscreen. A budget of £10k will only stretch to the earliest versions, which have a range of 163 miles, but like the later models they’re fairly brisk and give a comfortable ride. Generous equipment levels enhance the sense of value for money, and MG’s seven-year/80,000-mile warranty means that most used examples still have some manufacturer cover remaining.
MG ZS Review
BMW i3 (2013-2022)
Before BMW settled on its current electric car strategy (electric versions of petrol cars, essentially) it pulled out all the stops to create something quite special in the shape of the BMW i3 – a premium small electric car with a carbon fibre shell and futuristic styling inside and out. lt remains an outlier; beautifully engineered and finished, and better to drive than many rivals. The i3 is no slouch, either, with an 168bhp electric motor that can propel it from 0-62mph in just 7.2 seconds.
Early cars with a 22kWh battery have an official range of 118 miles; a 33kWh battery arrived in July 2016, which upped that to a more motorway-friendly 195 miles. Standard equipment is impressive and the interior – with its recycled materials and minimalist design – has aged exceptionally well for a car that went on sale more than a decade ago. Compromises include limited boot space and rear doors that can only be opened if the front door is opened first. Max charging speed is just 50kW, too – a telltale sign that this is one of the first mainstream electric vehicles to arrive in the UK. If you want a stylish runaround that’s fun to drive and has a high-quality ambience, however, the i3 is definitely worth considering.
BMW i3 Review
Nissan Leaf (2011-2025)
The Nissan Leaf was the first big-selling modern electric car and today it’s one of the cheapest electric cars you can buy – early, high-mileage models are now available for little more than £2,000. That’s not much for a car that has decent space, equipment and performance – even by modern standards.
Where the first-generation Leaf (pictured) feels its age, however, is in the battery range and charging speeds it offers. The oldest versions have a 24kWh battery that gives an official range of 109 miles, while post-2015 cars have a 30 kWh battery that boosts range to 155 miles. In the real world you’ll be very lucky to get 100 miles from the earliest cars, or much more than 130 miles from the later ones. Bear in mind, too, that the maximum charging speed is 46kW, but given the comparatively small battery size a 0-80% charge still only takes about 30 minutes.
The second-generation Leaf, introduced in 2018, is slightly larger, better-equipped and has a more modern look and feel. It has 40kWh and 62kWh batteries, for a maximum range of 168 miles or 239 miles, with the long-range model capable of charging at up to 100 kW (compared to the standard car’s 46kW). It’s a much better car that’s worth the premium over the first-gen model and even the bigger-battery versions fall within our £10k budget.
Nissan Leaf Mk1 Review
Nissan Leaf Mk2 Review
Vauxhall Corsa Electric (2020-)
Like most Vauxhall cars, the Corsa Electric offers great value for money if you choose your model carefully. Stick to one of the cheaper versions and for less than £10k you can get an up-to-date supermini that’s only a couple of years old, has decent range and tech and costs about the same as a petrol-powered equivalent.
Underneath its sharp-looking exterior, the Corsa shares many parts – including its electric powertrain – with the Peugeot E-208. So, like that car, it offers an official range of more than 200 miles and a charging speed of up to 100 kW. Where the Corsa differs is in an interior that lacks wow factor and has some rather dour plastics, but scores more highly for usability thanks to its big, easy-to-reach touchscreen and conventional air-con dials. Another plus point is that the Corsa is a big seller. It means there are lots of used examples to choose from, so you can afford to be choosy and to push for a good deal on the price.
Vauxhall Corsa Review
Other cheap electric cars to consider
We set a price cap of £10,000 here, but if you can stretch to an extra 10% or so a wealth of other appealing electric cars become available. High-mileage early Tesla Model 3 models are within reach, for example, offering excellent range and exceptional pace. The Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV are viable options and there are plenty of Volkswagen ID.3s at this level, too.
If you want to stand out from the crowd there’s the GWM Funky Cat (since re-named the Ora 03), while the MINI Electric is worth considering if you don’t need a long range. If you want something box-fresh and you don’t mind driving something very basic, with a one-star Euro NCAP rating, you could even get yourself a nearly-new Dacia Spring with only delivery mileage on the clock.
*Prices researched via CarGurus listings, July 2025