For years, the biggest barrier to electric car ownership was the price tag. The assumption? To get decent range and tech, you had to go premium. In 2025, that’s history.
The sub-£35,000 bracket is now bursting with talent. This is where mainstream brands fight hardest for your money—great range, proper practicality, and serious value. You can buy a brilliant, long-range EV without breaking the bank.
So what’s the smart buy? Here are our best electric cars under £35,000 in the UK, ranked by real-world value.
1) MG4 EV — The Undisputed Value Champion
Best for: Drivers who want it all—range, tech, space, and style—for the least cash.
The MG4 isn’t just a “great for the money” EV—it’s a great EV. For around the £30k mark, the Long Range model comfortably tops 250 miles in the real world, drives with surprising verve, and packs in the kit.
- Why it makes the list: Class-leading value, proper family practicality, strong efficiency.
- Real-world range: ~210 miles (Standard) to ~270 miles (Long Range).
- Keep in mind: Infotainment can be a touch clunky; some interior plastics are built to a budget.
2) Volvo EX30 — The Premium Bargain
Best for: Premium badge hunters who love minimalist Scandi-cool without the premium price.
Volvo shocked the market with EX30 pricing that squares up to mainstream rivals. It feels more expensive than it is: punchy performance, sustainable materials, and that calm, quietly posh Volvo vibe.
- Why it makes the list: Genuine premium feel and safety focus in the value segment.
- Real-world range: ~200 miles (entry battery).
- Keep in mind: Base battery is smaller; most controls live in the centre screen.
3) Vauxhall Corsa Electric — The Familiar Favourite
Best for: First-time EV buyers who want something that feels instantly “normal”.
Britain’s best-seller goes silent. The latest Corsa Electric brings improved efficiency and range, with the same easy-going manners that made the petrol Corsa a fixture on UK roads.
- Why it makes the list: Incredibly easy to live with, perfect for towns and tight streets.
- Real-world range: ~190–210 miles (updated long-range version).
- Keep in mind: Not as roomy as MG4/EX30; charging speeds are solid rather than stellar.
4) Fiat 500e — The Unbeatable City Car
Best for: Urban life—style, fun, tiny spaces, zero fuss.
Chic, compact and a joy around town, the 500e nails the city brief. Go for the bigger battery and you’ll easily cover weekly commutes with headroom for weekend trips.
- Why it makes the list: Character by the bucketload, tiny turning circle, premium-feeling interior.
- Real-world range: ~140–160 miles (42 kWh).
- Keep in mind: Small boot and tight rear seats—best as a two-plus-luggage city runabout.
The Verdict
The affordable EV era has truly arrived. MG4 is the all-round value king, EX30 brings affordable premium, Corsa Electric is the friendliest first-EV, and 500e turns every city hop into a mini-occasion.
Ready to make the numbers work? Check our UK & Ireland EV Grants 2025, plan stress-free charging with ONEEV Find, and see how EVs dodge city fees in London ULEZ & Clean Air Zones: An EV Owner’s Guide. When you’re set, day-trip like a pro with our Ultimate EV Road Trip: Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
