A common argument against electric cars is that they cost too much. It’s true that the upfront asking price for electric vehicles remains slightly higher than comparable petrol or diesel models, but factor in the total cost of ownership - price, fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation etc - and things even themselves out quickly.
YourParkingSpace looks at the best EVs available for under £35,000. Prices are correct at time of publication.
Fiat 500
Fiat’s iconic city car is now only available as an electric model - and it’s all the better for it. Combining compact proportions with a responsive electric motor makes for a brilliant urban runabout.
The smaller 24 kWh battery pack is available from £22,335 which sill cover more than 110 miles on a charge, though there’s also a larger 42 kWh battery which extends the range to almost 200 miles.
Mini Electric
The combination of Mini’s legendary driving dynamics and an electric motor are an ideal match. Instant response, agile handling, and a low centre of gravity mean the Mini Electric is one of the best driver’s cars this side of a Porsche.
The range on offer is up to 145 miles on a charge, with a 135 kW electric motor providing the power - allowing for a 0-62moh time of just over seven seconds. All for a starting price of £27,000.
MG5 EV
The Fiat 500 and Mini Electric above may be great examples of compact runabouts, but they certainly can’t lay claim to being a spacious, practical EV. The MG5 EV most definitely can. It’s a rare thing in being an electric estate, and comes at a very reasonable sub-£28,000 price.
That amount of money gets a large interior and load space, decent levels of kit, and a very handy 250 miles of range; there are few better examples of value-for-money motoring.
Volkswagen ID.3
If the ID.3 looks a little like an electric version of the Golf, it’s because it basically is. Intended to follow in the footsteps of the long-running hatchback, the ID.3 is more spacious inside than a Golf thanks to the space freed up by having an electric powertrain.
Available in a huge variety of specifications, mixing different battery sizes and power outputs, the ID.3 is available in a couple of configurations under £35,000. Despite being the towards the lower end of the line-up, buyers still get a range of around 260 miles.
Kia e-Niro
The original long-range, low-cost champion, Kia’s e-Niro still represents excellent value for money. Now offered with a choice of two battery options, both are available for less than £35,000 - though the larger 64 kWh long range model just squeezes under the threshold.
As such, buyers can get a mid-range model for around £33,000 with a 180 mile range, or add a couple of thousand pounds to the total and raise that driving distance on a charge by 100 miles.
Peugeot e-208
The Stellantis group - which Peugeot is part of - has had a huge push on electrification, and offers EV models in key sectors alongside petrol and diesel models. Many models could feature in this list, but the pick of the bunch is the Peugeot e-208.
A combination of styling inside and out, equipment levels, and driving style means the e-208 is my choice of group EVs. Featuring a 50 kWh battery and 100 kW electric motor, it offers a good balance between outright range (around 200 miles), price, and performance.
Mazda MX-30
Like the Mini Electric, the Mazda MX-30 doesn’t engage in an all-out range war with other crossover EVs - and there are plenty of them on the market. Instead, it looks at sustainability and driving dynamics.
A smaller battery may make for a shorter range (124 miles), but it also keeps costs down - starting from just over £27,000 - improves performance, charging times, energy efficiency, and environmental impact.
Renault Zoe
Renault’s Zoe is the only model on this list to be in its second-generation, and the benefits of this development are clear to see. The electric supermini has a long range thanks to a 52 kWh battery - almost 250 miles - and now has CCS rapid charging available as well.
On top of that, sharpened exterior styling combined with a completely overhauled and now excellent interior makes for a cracking supermini, especially considering prices start at less than £28,000
Citroen e-Berlingo
If practicality is paramount in your EV, the e-Berlingo is pick of the bunch. Yes, there remain more than shades of bread van styling to the proceedings, but the e-Berlingo drives like a car, has huge levels of interior space, and is available as either a five- or seven-seater.
Larger models in the Citroen range are also available, as are Peugeot and Vauxhall versions of the e-Berlingo should those take your fancy. All have a 50 kWh battery and 100 kW motor, with a range of more than 175 miles on a charge and a starting price of around £31,000.
BMW i3
It may have been around for years, but the BMW i3 is still one of the most futuristic cars on the road - both to look at and beneath the surface. The electric supermini is light, quick, and fun to drive, and remains a great pick for buyers looking at a compact EV.
A range of up to 190 miles is possible, as well as the option of conventional i3 or slightly sportier i3S variants. Rapid charging is fitted as standard, and the advanced i3 starts at less than £34,000