Abarth to VW: Every sub-£30k electric car on sale – and how far they go
Market for affordable EVs is heating up, and they're not all short-range city slickers
News
by Alex Grant
5 mins read
9 October 2026
Did you know, the UK’s cheapest new car is an EV? It’s a milestone for a technology that’s traditionally come with a price premium, and good news if you’re making the switch to electric power.
As competition heats up, there’s a fast-growing choice of EVs under £30,000. We’ve rounded them up below, including the maximum range you can get below that price threshold.
See which takes your fancy and click on the links to see what we think of them all.
The Fiat 500e’s sporty sibling packs 152bhp and an optional folding roof.
Price: From £24,245 with Electric Car Grant (ECG)
Range: 158-164 miles
A spacious supermini with hot hatch performance, generous interior space and a single-trim model range.
Price: From £28,950
Range: 268 miles
Compact, efficient and cleverly packaged, ultra-low pricing has helped BYD’s city car find strong demand in the UK.
Price: From £18,675
Range: 137-193 miles
This electric supermini is barely pricier than its petrol counterparts, thanks to the government grant.
Price: From £18,495 with ECG
Range: 132-200 miles
A surprisingly spacious crossover focused on comfort but lacking the seven-seat option available for fuel-burning versions.
Price: £23,615 with ECG
Range: 189-248 miles
Our price cap limits the ë-C4 fastback to the smaller of its two battery options.
Price: £27,215 with ECG
Range: 219 miles
Newly launched, the Raval is a compact SUV with a sporty side. Stick to the entry-level V1 and you will get one of the longest ranges for under £30,000.
Price: From £25,495 with ECG
Range: 203-276 miles
The UK’s cheapest car recently gained a retuned chassis and more power (now 100bhp). But move quickly: it’s about to be replaced by a pricier second-generation model.
Price: From £11,990
Range: 139 miles
A chic city car with a choice of short- and longer-range batteries.
Price: £20,245 with ECG
Range: 118-202 miles
The 500’s larger sibling packages similar styling into a family-friendly crossover body with a longer range.
Price: £25,495 with ECG
Range: 247-251 miles
A city-focused crossover inspired by the boxy 1980s hatchback, distinctive for its vivid colours, pixel lighting and steel wheels.
Price: From £20,995
Range: 199 miles
Ford electrified its best-seller in 2025, and the Gen-E gets the full £3750 government grant. It also retains the petrol Puma’s deceptively large boot with underfloor storage.
Price: From £25,245 with ECG
Range: 251-259 miles
A keenly priced electric supermini offered with two batteries and three generously specced trims.
Price: From £20,990
Range: 156-214 miles
Taking cues from the 1980s Honda City, the Super-N shares its upward-folding rear bench with the hybrid Jazz.
Price: From £18,025
Range: 128 miles
While European rivals lean on retro cues to stand out, Hyundai's new supermini has a very different shape altogether.
Price: From £18,495
Range 213-308 miles
The distinctive Inster stands out for its versatile interior. All the seats fold flat to carry longer items – or for taking a nap.
Price: From £22,995
Range: 188-229 miles
Premium styling and a supermini price tag have made this compact crossover a popular newcomer. Even top-spec versions are only just over £30,000.
Price: From £27,505
Range: 248 miles
Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, the EV2 gets the full £3750 government grant and takes Kia’s EV technology into the compact SUV segment.
Price: From £24,245 with ECG
Range: 195-275 miles
Offered in a single trim level, the T03 is one of the UK’s cheapest cars, yet it gets a panoramic roof, sat-nav and adaptive cruise control as standard.
Price: From £12,995
Range: 165 miles
The popular, dynamic MG 4 hatchback just edges under our price limit with the second longest range on this list.
Price: From £29,995
Range: 280 miles
Slightly larger than the MG 4 but with less range and lower pricing, the 4 Urban is a VW Golf-sized hatchback claiming class-leading luggage space.
Price: From £23,495
Range: 201-258 miles
Our price cap limits the S5 to the entry-level SE trim and smaller battery pack, but that get you a full-size family SUV with adaptive cruise control and navigation included.
Price: From £28,995
Range: 211 miles
Cooper E and SE versions of the Mini hatchback come in under £30,000, with the usual abundance of personalisation options and go-kart agility.
Price: From £26,905
Range: 186-247 miles
If you need more space than the Mini hatchback, the Aceman is one size larger – but has a more restrictive powertrain choice at this budget.
Price: From £29,060
Range: 189-192 miles
The sixth-generation Micra is electric-only and mechanically identical to the fabulous Renault 5.
Price: From £21,495 with ECG
Range: 196-257 miles
Grant funding brings electric 208 pricing close to petrol 208 pricing. The newer 156bhp powertrain is more efficient and offers a useful uplift in range.
Price: From £23,495 with ECG
Range: 226-268 miles
Peugeot’s popular electric crossover comes in under £30,000 in Allure and Envy trims.
Price: From £27,995 with ECG
Range: 247-248 miles
A compact SUV inspired by the seminal 1960s hatchback. It qualifies for the £3750 grant, which means even the canvas-roofed Plein Sud models are within budget.
Price: From £23,445 with ECG
Range: 241-250 miles
Retro styling and competitive pricing have made the ‘Cinq’ hard to miss. Only the larger battery gets the full government grant, which means it’s a cheap upgrade.
Price: From £21,495 with ECG
Range: 198-260 miles
A close relation to the Cupra Raval but majoring on clever storage – including an umbrella compartment and a large boot with side hooks. A smaller, cheaper battery will follow.
Price: From £26,200 with ECG
Range: 267-272 miles
Stick with the most basic version and Smart’s smallest SUV just edges under the £30,000 threshold.
Price: From £29,960
Range: 193 miles
Suzuki has slashed £3750 off its first EV, matching the government grant and undercutting the near-identical Toyota Urban Cruiser.
Price: From £26,249
Range: 213-264 miles
Recently updated, the electric Astra boasts the longest range under £30,000.
Price: From £28,495
Range: 281 miles
The ubiquitous Corsa supermini went electric back in 2020, and the EV version has never been more affordable.
Price: From £26,780 with ECG
Range: 220-265 miles
A close relation to the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross, with similarly generous space and limited frills.
Price: From £26,495 with ECG
Range: 190-247 miles
The first electric Polo offers more luggage space than the ICE Golf and a choice of two powertrains with up to 208bhp.
Price: From £23,945
Range: 203-281 miles
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