Affordable Electric Cars: Best EVs On A Mid Budget

• by E4TP Contributor
• January 7, 2022
• 14 min read

The term ‘affordable electric cars’ can be a pretty tough one to define, after all, affordability is subjective — some might look at a £40,000 EV and consider it great value for money based on the manufacturer and its range.

And then there are those who think that anything above £30,000 is in no way cost effective.

In this series, we’re highlighting a range of electric cars at varying price points to give you a better idea of what’s out there cost-wise.

It’s an ideal read for those of you still on the fence that simply want to know what vehicles cost more and are worth looking at.

We aren’t muddying the waters here, with every vehicle here being somewhat of a continuation on from our previous post about the best electric vehicles on a budget.

If you look, you’ll notice that the price of these vehicles follows on from that post.

This was by design.

Are mid budget vehicles rated higher than high budget vehicles? if we’re talking features: probably not. However, if we’re talking value for money from a price perspective: 100%.

In fact, many of you reading this will only ever own a mid budget EV, which isn’t a bad thing, by the way.

No, no. The affordable electric cars covered here are more than capable of matching those in a higher weight class in terms of performance, and those in a lower class from a value for money standpoint.

Let’s quit the chit chat and get into it, shall we?

Affordable Electric Cars UK: The Top 10

Like with the previous post in our series, we’ve gone out and gathered 10 electric vehicles that we consider worthy of your attention if you’re on a mid budget.

It’s probably a good idea to go over the price ranges for what we consider a ‘mid budget’ or ‘affordable electric car’ to be first.

Any vehicle above £28,000 and below £37,000 can be found below. We’ve chosen these parameters as they give us a chance to highlight vehicles that, we believe, to be middle of the road when it comes to costs.

You might disagree (which is fine), but that’s what we’ve decided, so lump it.

You’ll find a range of manufacturers down below — everyone from Kia to even Tesla (yes, that Tesla). You might be wondering why we’ve included the polarising American automaker here, but we don’t want to go spoiling the reason why just yet.

DISCLAIMER We’ll be starting with the cheapest first before working our way up (the same as last time).

You can’t have a conversation about affordable electric cars and not mention Zoe © Credit to Renault

1. Renault Zoe

• Manufacturer: Renault
• Type: Small Electric Car
• UK Price: £29,179

We’re kicking our list of the most affordable electric cars in the UK in style, with a vehicle that is considered by many to be one of the most affordable electric cars in the UK, period.

The Renault Zoe might be on the smaller side compared to some of the other EVs covered, but what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in viability.

With a range of 200 miles per charge, the Zoe continues to defy expectations. Range coupled with 50kW charging makes this EV the ideal city companion.

It takes roughly three to nine hours to charge her fully, depending on the type of charging unit used.

Size-wise, Zoe might let you down if you’re looking for something with a little more room. This is a common complaint we see online whenever this transporter is mentioned.

E4TP Says

Zoe might have fallen out of favour amongst some UK buyers, but we still see it as one of the best vehicles money can buy. Put it this way, it’s certainly a lot better than the Twizy — there’s no disputing that.

2. Honda E

• Manufacturer: Honda
• Type: Hatchback
• UK Price: £29,450

If looks could kill, we’d be dead already.

The Honda E is one of the sleekest electric transport vehicles you’ll find. Trust us, from a visual perspective, very few come close to this one.

Take a look for yourself and tell us otherwise.

The stunning look cover the exterior and the interior of this vehicle. Inside the first thing you’ll notice is the large infotainment system that spans the entire dash.

It might seem impractical, but it adds so much to the enjoyment of driving around in this hatchback.

It’s the first electric car to hit Europe from the Japanese automaker following its initial reveal at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.

One of the only areas it falls short in is range (137 miles). Looking the part is only half the battle for some mid budget buyers, so we can understand why someone might choose something a little more practical.

E4TP Says

Looks aren’t everything, we get it, but the Honda E is still a worthy option for those looking at hatchbacks that can map urban locations in style. Any vehicle under £30,000 is worth a look in, regardless.

MG is a known provider of cost-effective electric rides © Credit to MG

3. MG ZS EV

• Manufacturer: MG
• Type: Electric SUV
• UK Price: £30,495

Looking for something that’s more family-orientated? Look no further than the MG ZS EV, an electric SUV that does almost everything you could ever want.

It can transport multiple people and has enough room for storage courtesy of its 470-litre boot.

In terms of range, the MG ZS EV is lacking in that department, similar to the Honda E we’ve just covered. In total you can expect to get around 160 miles out of each charge before needing some juice.

This might be an issue, more so if you’re into long drives to Barnard Castle from far away — or any other type of holiday destination, generally.

There are multiple configurations of this SUV available, adding more features and thereby more appeal, but the standard version should be more than enough for most.

E4TP Says

Not only is the MG ZS EV affordable, but it’s also practical, which is what most UK buyers tend to look past when picking out their ideal green vehicle. There’s a lot to love here, trust us.

4. Vauxhall Corsa-e

• Manufacturer: Vauxhall
• Type: Small Electric Car
• UK Price: £30,610

Adaptations are always going to divide opinions. Still, the electric version of the Vauxhall Corsa has continued to make headway in amongst other small electric cars from noteworthy car brands.

So how does this electrified Corsa fair, generally? Pretty good when you look at its technical specifications and performance.

The Vauxhall Corsa-e can travel up to 93mph, and go from 0-62mph in around 8.1 seconds. In terms of distance covered (range), the Corsa-e can travel up to 174 miles between charges, which ain’t half bad.

One of the most common types of feedback we see with this affordable electric car is that it’s very easy and very comfortable to actually drive around in.

Be sure to keep that in mind as we break down some of the other mid budget electric types here.

UPDATE: Vauxhall recently slashed the prices of the Corsa-e by an additional £3,000 as a reaction to the UK Gov slashing the amount of money received through the plug-in grant.

It goes without saying, but if you’re looking for a quality EV that lasts, then perhaps the Corsa-e can fulfil your affordable electric car needs?

E4TP Says

As far as EV adaptations go, the Corsa-e is certainly up there with the best of them. A small electric car like this that boasts the range it has — not to mention its level of comfort — should be celebrated!

The Volkswagen ID.3 is still just as viable © Credit to Volkswagen

5. Volkswagen ID.3

• Manufacturer: Volkswagen
• Type: Hatchback
• UK Price: £30,900

There’s a pretty big reason why the ID.3 is praised heavily amongst electric car critics and everyday commuters, and that comes down to versatility.

Being versatile is a lot more than the comfort and performance, it’s about cost effectiveness too. And the ID.3 is one of the best examples of fantastic value for money despite sitting on the wrong side of the 30k mark.

We can’t talk about the Volkswagen ID.3 without touching on its impressive range: this electric hatchback can travel nearly 340 miles, that’s right, 340 miles.

Range alone has led many EV-heads to go out and purchase this vehicle right then and there. And yet, there’s still more to be excited about, be it features or just how it all looks visually.

The electric motor in the ID.3 can be located below the floor, giving it that low centre of gravity found in most EVs.

It’s a nimble little number, making it a dream to drive.

E4TP Says

Being versatile has allowed the ID.3 to compete with the Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Kona Electric and the Kia e-Niro in the affordable electric cars UK race. The ID.4 electric SUV might grab all the headlines, but you should never forget about its predecessor.

6. Peugeot e-208

• Manufacturer: Peugeot
• Type: City Car
• UK Price: £32,750

Another adaptation worth driving home about, only this one comes from French automaker Peugeot. We’re of course referring to the Peugeot e-208, an electric configuration of its popular city car.

The range of the electric Peugeot 208 is pretty impressive, coming in at 225 miles (this can vary depending on weather and other outside factors).

One of the first things you mid budget buyers will notice is the sporty silhouette style at play. Like the Honda e, this applies to the cockpit as well as what it looks like from the outside.

Personalisation is key when it comes to vehicles, and Peugeot knows that, which explains why drivers can personalise the interior environment with a choice of 8 RGB LED colours.

We’re a sucker for a cherry-like red. Which do you prefer?

E4TP Says

Think of this EV as the ideal starter vehicle, one that will get you up to speed with the basics of electric driving, while leaving enough wiggle room to enjoy roaming about places. The above average range also helps you go practically anywhere within reason too.

An iconic vehicle: the Hyundai Ioniq © Credit to Hyundai

7. Hyundai Ioniq

• Manufacturer: Hyundai
• Type: Compact Car
• UK Price: £32,950

A sure-fire rival to the hybrid Toyota Prius, introducing the Hyundai Ioniq.

Unlike some of the other affordable electric cars featured, the Hyundai Ioniq is available in many forms, be it hybrid, plug-in and all-electric. Which you choose will come down to personal preference.

It’s an EV that has gone through various iterations before landing on its current set up. The max range of this vehicle has certainly improved over the years, now sitting at, roughly, 193 miles tops.

Hybrid electric range is limited to 39 miles in EV mode before needing a charge.

With the right charger, the electric Ioniq can be charged to 80% in 57 minutes when using a DC power source, according to Hyundai.

Speaking of charging and the Hyundai Ioniq: when you buy this electric vehicle new, you’re given a free five year subscription to Hyundai’s LIVE Services.

With the South Korean automaker’s LIVE Services you can do everything from monitor traffic to locate nearby petrol/charging stations.

E4TP Says

The benefits of owning the Hyundai Ioniq speak for themselves. The fact that you can choose a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or all-electric version of the same vehicle speaks volumes. Hyundai is giving buyers (you) plenty to consider.

8. Tesla Model S (Used Inventory)

• Manufacturer: Tesla
• Type: Luxury Car
• UK Price: £34,500

Okay, okay, okay.

We know that the Tesla Model S is in no way a mid budget electric vehicle, and is in no way going to fall under £40,000 — that is, unless it’s from their Used Inventory.

Tesla’s Used Inventory might lead many of you to scoff in disgust at the thought of purchasing a used/second-hand electric car, but if you want to ride around in a Tesla without paying a premium, then this is how you do it.

Keep in mind that the Used Inventory shifts around often, meaning the prices/vehicles on offer will differ from time to time.

The Model S we found is from 2015, only it has been tested by Tesla and is fit to go back out on the road.

Is it as powerful or as potent as a new version of the Model S? No, it isn’t.

Again, if you want to live out your wildest Tesla-filled dreams in the real world, then this is how you do it.

E4TP Says

Tesla is considered the pinnacle to most drivers looking to transition into the wide world of EVs, only many lack the funds to afford one. Remember: just because it’s used doesn’t make it worthless.

Blocky and recognisable from a mile away, it’s the BMW i3 © Credit to BMW

9. BMW i3

• Manufacturer: BMW
• Type: Subcompact Car
• UK Price: £35,350

‘A blocky subcompact electric car sent from the future’ is but one of the ways you can describe the i3 from BMW. It’s a mid budget EV that has been around for quite some time now, but continues to thrive amongst some of the newer releases.

The BMW i3 used to be larger than life in that it helped usher in a new era of electric driving to many. These days, buyers tend to drift more towards the Hyundai Kona Electric or the Peugeot e-208.

Still, we’ve included the BMW i3 here as it’s still a worthy option when looking at affordable cars in the UK.

With a Wallbox charger (7.4kW) you can add 62 miles of range in a little under two hours. Again, this is a vehicle from a previous era, that is lacking in certain areas.

E4TP Says

This vehicle does sit on the expensive side — and with its 180 miles of range might leave enough to be desired — but there are leasing options available if you’d rather go in that direction?

10. Kia e-Niro

• Manufacturer: Kia
• Type: Electric SUV
• UK Price: £36,495

Rounding out our list of the most affordable electric cars for those on a mid budget is the one and only Kia e-Niro.

Hailed as the best budget EV money can buy, there’s not a lot you can argue with from a performance level when this EV can travel 282 miles between charges and hit a max speed of 101 mph.

Whats more, Kia began offering an extended range version of the vehicle at a much lower price, which not only appealed to the environmentally conscious buyers on the fence, but those who were looking for a stamina-driven ride, minus the big price tag.

It’s an electric SUV too, meaning it has a tonne of space inside and has plenty of space for passengers within.

Name any of its competitors and we can guarantee this EV has already blown them out of the water.

E4TP Says

This list of affordable electric cars isn’t in an order of worst to best, but if it was then the Kia e-Niro would win easily. It’s what most would call ‘an all-rounder type’ in that it ticks all the boxes!

Affordable Electric Cars: Best EVs On A Mid Budget

Some of you might look at the word ‘mid’ and think it’s a bad thing. Still, when it comes to EVs, the mid budget lane is where most will direct their attention — as we mentioned at the top of the post here.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to drive around in style, we hope you take that away with you — especially if you choose the Kia e-Niro as your electric ride.

So as you can see, there are many affordable electric cars in the UK, each as different as the last.

Keeping the list to a concise 10 was pretty difficult, to be honest, but we’re beyond happy with our choices.

Tell us in the comments which is your favourite out of the bunch, and which affordable EVs we should have been included.

Oh, and do check out our list of expensive EVs.

Affordable Electric Cars FAQs

Which is the best affordable electric car in the UK?

In our opinion, the Kia e-Niro is hands down the best affordable electric car in the market. It’s a subcompact electric SUV that has unbelievable range that could rival most of Tesla’s offering.

Why are electric cars so expensive?

The cost of electric cars is actually coming down, in line with the number of regulations and rules that will soon be imposed by governments around the world. Advancement in the tech is causing the price of early models to also come down.

What is the most affordable electric car in 2022?

That title belongs to the Renault Zoe by going off our list of EVs above. Priced at £29,179, this small electric car should have everything you need to drive, and drive knowing you’re doing your bit to tackle climate change.

E4TP Contributor

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