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The list of cheapest electric cars in the UK might surprise you. A lot of top brands are represented: from Nissan to Renault, Kia to Mazda, and several more to boot.
Using personal contract hire or car leasing to finance the car, new electric cars are now no longer the preserve of the rich. Read our comprehensive guide to the Top 10 Cheapest Electric Cars and connect straight through to the best car lease deals available in the UK today.
Because of the way that leasing a car works, the higher a vehicle’s ‘residual value’ – i.e. what it’s worth after your lease period ends – the more affordable the deal. And because EVs generally depreciate in value more slowly than a petrol or diesel car, you can enjoy smile-inducing monthly fees, for example:
*Prices include VAT. Credit is subject to status, Ts&Cs and arrangement fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 06/12/22.
Here are the very cheapest electric cars to lease (as of January 2023), with big hitters like the Nissan Leaf and Kia Niro EV making our run-down:
Read on to discover why there’s more to love about these Top 10 Cheapest Electric Cars in 2023 than just the price:
A Grand Tourer for crossing continents, the Smart EQ ForTwo Coupe is not.
But where the electric ForTwo comes alive is in the sprawl of a busy city, where it’s got to contend with stop-start traffic, narrow lanes, and having to dart into rush hour gaps.
It’s powered by a 17.6 kWh battery that provides a range of up to 81 miles. And remember that, on average, motorists in the UK drive around 21 miles each day. So the range of the ForTwo is perfectly adequate for most people’s needs.
As the name suggests, the ForTwo has just two seats. It’s also available as a cabriolet with a sliding fabric roof.
And when you use a dedicated home wallbox, you can recharge the battery up to 80 per cent in three hours.
The Nissan Leaf is full of surprises.
It might be considered something of a mild-mannered family run-about, but with power of 150 PS the Leaf will accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 7.9 seconds. That’s almost hot hatch territory.
Meanwhile even the most affordable models, which come fitted with a 40 kWh battery, enjoy a range of up to 168 miles between charges.
The Nissan Leaf is also one of the safest cars on the road, coming as standard fitted with driver assistance tech such as intelligent cruise control, intelligent lane intervention, and intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian recognition.
The Leaf supports fast charging at speeds up to 50 kW, which can replenish the battery from 10-80% in around 43 minutes.
A few years ago, the idea of an all-electric MG hatchback that would take the world by storm was almost unthinkable.
But MG – the historic British marque now owned by China’s SAIC Motor UK – is impressing both critics and lease customers alike with its affordable, and highly capable, MG4 EV.
Base models come fitted with a 51 kWh battery that brings a range of up to 218 miles between charges as well as power of 172 PS.
The MG4 EV will also charge to 80% full in around 37 minutes when using a fast charger at speeds up to 117 kW DC.
MG also make an electric estate – the MG5 – definitely worth considering if you want more boot space.
To our eyes, this electric Vauxhall Corsa is one of the best-looking battery powered hatchbacks on the market.
And at this price – with lease deals beginning it around £307 per month – the Corsa-e is even more tempting.
A 50 kWh battery translates to power of 136 PS and a range of up to 222 miles between charges. Acceleration is brisk, too, with the Corsa capable of hitting 62 mph from a standstill in 7.6 seconds.
The Corsa-e supports fast charging at 101 kW, which means you can get the battery back to 80% in as little as 26 minutes.
Confused about kW and kWh? Read our guide explaining the difference between kWh and kW.
Want to know more?
Phone one of our expert EV leasing consultants now on 0118 3048 688
or email us at enquiries@selectcarleasing.co.uk
The Renault Zoe has been making a pleasant hum on UK roads since it was first launched in 2013.
And because the Zoe has constantly evolved and improved, it’s as relevant now as it ever was.
You can expect a 52 kWh battery and a range of up to 238 miles between charges. The Zoe supports rapid charging at a speed of 46 kW DC, which will take the energy in the battery from 10-80% full in 56 minutes – just long enough for you to do your weekly shop while it’s plugged-in at the supermarket.
What’s great about the Zoe is that it comes generously equipped, even with the most affordable variants. As standard, you’ll enjoy a 9.3 inch infotainment touchscreen with sat nav, a reverse parking camera, and lane keep assist tech.
Because Peugeot and Vauxhall are owned by the same parent group, Stellantis, the Peugeot e-208 shares a lot in common with the Corsa-e (above).
And so they both boast similar attributes, with the e-208 also enjoying a 50 kWh battery and a range of up to 225 miles.
Your choice between the electric Corsa and e-208 might come down to style, with both compact hatchbacks being rather easy on the eye.
To help you make up your mind, the entry-level e-208 comes as standard with rear parking sensors, a pedestrian-detecting ‘Active Safety Brake’ system, and tinted windows at the rear.
The Mazda MX-30 doesn’t have the largest range on this list, but what it lacks in distance capability it makes up for in sheer road presence.
The SUV-crossover oozes class, and features a distinctive sloping ‘fastback’ rear end.
Power comes from a 35.5 kWh battery which gives the MX-30 a workable range of around 124 miles.
Fast charging at 50 kW DC will top-up the battery from 10-80% in around half an hour.
Meanwhile even the most affordable MX-30s feature goodies such as a head-up display, a reversing camera and Mazda’s Lane-keep Assist System.
Another MG to make our top ten, the ZS EV offers more space and practicality than the MG4 EV (above) while it’s also an SUV to rival the popular Peugeot e-2008 and the Vauxhall Mokka-e.
A sibling to the traditionally-fuelled MG ZS, the entry-level ZS EV uses a 51.1 kWh battery to supply a range of up to 198 miles.
A ‘Long Range’ version of the ZS is also available for a little extra each month, which utilises a 73 kWh battery to create a range of up to 273 miles between battery top-ups.
With the most affordable 51.1 kWh battery version of the ZS EV, you can rapid-charge at a speed of 76 kW DC which will see the battery return to 80% full in 35 minutes.
DS is a luxury offshoot of French manufacturer Citroen.
And with a DS lease you’ll never be accused of following the herd, as it’s a brand that likes to do things differently.
Sumptuous, comfortable interiors are the order the day, as is a serene ride quality.
And those are just a couple of things that make the electric DS3 Crossback E-Tense so appealing.
A 50 kWh battery gives you a range of up to 200 miles while the powertrain can support rapid charging up to 100 kW for those swift energy replenishes while on the go.
Once known as the ‘e-Niro’, Kia’s Niro EV crossover has been picking up awards like they’re going out of fashion.
The styling was overhauled for 2022, which gave the Niro EV a striking rear section with boomerang-style tail lights.
And the appeal of the Niro EV is more than just skin deep. All variants make use of a 64.8 kWh battery, with the cheapest models having class-leading range of up to 285 miles.
It’ll also rapid charge at speeds up to 80 kW DC, which means you can be back behind the wheel and ready to go in around 41 minutes.
We hope you've enjoyed this quick look at the cheapest electric cars available to lease today. Our deals and special offers vary from week to week, so why not bookmark this page if you've not made your mind up yet. In the meantime, some essential take-aways include:
Click on one of the Lease Deal buttons above or phone us now on 0118 3048 688 to talk to our team of expert EV leasing consultants.
Alternatively send us an email at enquiries@selectcarleasing.co.uk
If you're still hungry for more electric vehicle info, take a look at some of our comprehensive EV Guides:
Note sure what to look out for when considering an electric car? Read our simple 5-step guide covering vehicle types, official and real-world range, charging implications, savings potential, battery and electric motor performance, and more.
Do you have range anxiety? Worried you might not reach your destination in an all-electric car before the battery runs flat? In this detailed guide, we explain the difference between WLTP and real-world range, how to extend range, etc.
To support our fantastic EV lease deals, we have a wide-ranging set of guides to answer all your electric questions. We cover topics like range, charging, what are BEVs, PHEVs and HEVs, electrifying your fleet, and much more.
