The idea that going electric means paying a hefty premium is quickly becoming outdated. As of August 2026, there’s now a genuine crop of brand-new EVs on UK forecourts priced under £20,000 — several of them dipping well below £15,000. Here’s what’s currently available.
Dacia Spring — from £11,990
The Spring holds the title of the UK’s cheapest new car of any fuel type, not just the cheapest EV. The entry-level Expression trim comes with a 52kW motor and a WLTP range of up to 140 miles, along with cruise control, rear parking sensors, a digital instrument display and lane-keeping assist as standard. Step up to the Spring 100 (or Extreme) for £12,990 and you get a more powerful 75kW motor plus a bit more kit. Neither version qualifies for the Government’s Electric Car Grant, since the Spring is built in China — the low price is a manufacturer-funded discount rather than a grant-supported one.
Leapmotor T03 — from £12,995
Hot on the Spring’s heels, the T03 offers noticeably more performance for a similar price: a 37kWh battery good for up to 165 miles, a 94bhp motor, and a genuinely generous spec sheet including a 10.1-inch touchscreen and a panoramic sunroof. Like the Spring, it’s built in China and misses out on the Electric Car Grant, with Leapmotor instead running its own manufacturer-backed “Leap Grant” to hold prices down.
BYD Dolphin Surf — from £18,675
A step up in interior quality from the two budget leaders above, the Dolphin Surf offers three versions to suit different needs. The entry-level Active trim delivers up to 137 miles of range with a 25-minute charge time, while the Boost model extends that to 200 miles. The range-topping Comfort version trades some range for pace, reaching 62mph in a little over 9 seconds.
Hyundai Inster — around £18,332
The Inster has quickly built a reputation as one of the more practical options in this price bracket, helped by sliding rear seats and a genuinely usable interior for its size. It sits comfortably under the £20,000 mark on average cash price and continues to gain traction as one of the more sought-after small EVs on the market.
Citroën ë-C3 (Urban Range) — from £18,495
The arrival of the Urban Range trim brought the ë-C3’s price down below £20,000, helped along by the Government’s £1,500 Electric Car Grant. It’s now the cheapest EV eligible for the grant, though buyers should note the Urban Range comes with a shorter range than the standard e-C3 — roughly 130 miles rather than the 200-plus of the pricier Standard Range version.
For drivers weighing up an EV for private hire or personal use, the message is clear: the sub-£20k electric market has genuinely arrived, and it’s no longer just about accepting a stripped-back, short-range compromise to get there.
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