The cheapest
Renault Zoe
The Renault Zoe is a small hatchback electric car that will appeal to those looking for an affordable option as well as those who want to do their bit towards reducing carbon emissions from vehicles. For those interested in the green side of motoring, the Zoe is a great choice thanks to its fully electric drivetrain and zero-emission rating. In addition, this model offers good space inside thanks to its five doors and roomy interior. Unfortunately, buyers range to approximately 100 miles between charges.
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is a great option for those looking for an affordable hybrid car that offers both electric and traditional petrol powertrains to give added flexibility when driving. This model is much cheaper than many of its rivals thanks to its lack of performance figures but it does offer a good economy with emissions as low as 72g/km. In addition, this model has a plugin feature that allows drivers to charge the battery from a mains supply so they can eke out the Zoe may find themselves limited by poor performance although more powerful models are available with larger batteries which will boost more miles on zero-emissions power.
Peugeot iOn
The Peugeot ION was one of the first electric cars to be introduced to the UK marketplace when it launched back in 2011 and it remains a popular choice for those looking for an affordable option that is reliable, well built, efficient, and offers competitive running costs. This car has a range of impressive performance figures including a top speed of 80mph but it does have very limited luggage space so buyers should carefully consider this before purchase.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a great hybrid for those who want a combination of performance and economy. This model can also drive on electric power alone for a distance of up to 33miles before reverting so this allows much longer trips without using any petrol at all. In addition, this car offers strong performance figures thanks to its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine which gets it from zero to 62mph in just 9 seconds. Unfortunately, this car is more expensive than some of the other options available though it does offer a very strong economic figure and low carbon emissions.
Mercedes B-Class Electric Drive
The Mercedes B Class is a great option for those looking for an affordable electric car that offers excellent performance figures but it also has impressive running costs thanks to its zero-emission rating and competitive CO2 emissions of just 49g/km when driven over 31miles per hour. In addition, this model can drive on electric power alone for up to 100 miles which makes it suitable for longer trips and city driving around town. Unfortunately, it is more expensive than some of its rivals so those looking for the best possible value may need to look elsewhere.
Renault Twizy
The Renault Twizy is a small city car that comes with a very low price tag and it also offers a zero-carbon emissions rating as well as zero road tax. This car has performance figures that are similar to many motorcycles but it does have two seats instead of just one which means the occupants can travel together without getting too costly. Those who want an affordable option will be impressed by this model because of its low cost and impressive economy (180mpg and £1.20 to fill the tank) but it is more limited than some of its rivals so drivers may need to compromise on performance to get the best value for money.
Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is a great option for those looking for an affordable electric car that offers good performance figures and claimed economy of up to 124miles per full charge which means this car can easily manage longer trips around town or even shorter commutes if desired without running out of charge. In addition, this model comes with a high-tech interior that includes a sat-nav as standard and some advanced features such as adaptive cruise control, speed limiter, and lane assist.
