Last checked September 2026. Prices in this segment have been changing quickly; confirm with the dealer.
A price war has broken out at the bottom of the UK electric car market. In the summer of 2026 Leapmotor cut the T03 by £3,000 and Dacia cut the Spring by £4,000, putting two brand-new electric cars below £13,000. The BYD Dolphin Surf costs more, but offers far more range. So which cheap EV is actually worth buying?
The UK’s cheapest electric cars compared
| Dacia Spring | Leapmotor T03 | BYD Dolphin Surf | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | From £11,990 | £12,995 | From £18,650 |
| Battery | 24.3kWh | 37.3kWh | 30kWh or 43.2kWh |
| Official range | 140 miles | 165 miles | 137 to 200 miles |
| Fastest charging | 30 to 40kW | 48kW | 65 to 85kW |
| 0-62mph | 9.6 to 12.3s | 12.7s | 9.1 to 12.1s |
| Boot | 308 litres | 210 litres | 308 litres |
| Seats | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles | 4 years / 60,000 miles | 6 years / 93,750 miles |
| Insurance group | 25 to 28 | 25 | 14 to 19 |
| Euro NCAP | 1 star (before update) | Not tested | 5 stars (2025) |
Dacia Spring: the cheapest new car in Britain
At £11,990 the Spring is the cheapest new car of any kind on sale in the UK. It is light, very efficient and has a decent 308-litre boot for its size. But its range of 140 miles (more like 110 to 120 in real use) and slow charging make it a city car or second car. Its one-star Euro NCAP rating, from before its update, is a serious concern for a family car.
Leapmotor T03: the most car for the money
After its price cut, the T03 costs £12,995 with a single, generously equipped trim that includes a panoramic roof and adaptive cruise control. It is comfortable, quiet and roomy for four adults. The drawbacks are a tiny 210-litre boot, a frustrating touchscreen and no Euro NCAP rating. Leapmotor is backed by Stellantis, the group behind Peugeot, Vauxhall and Fiat, and cars are sold and serviced through its dealers.
BYD Dolphin Surf: the best all-rounder
The Dolphin Surf costs £6,000 to £7,000 more, but it is in a different league. The Boost version, at £21,950, goes up to 200 miles on a charge and charges at up to 85kW, so a 10 to 80% top-up takes about 30 minutes. It has a five-star Euro NCAP rating, the lowest insurance groups here and a six-year warranty. The entry-level Active’s 137-mile range is less impressive, so we would stretch to the Boost if you can.
Running costs
All three are cheap to run, especially if you can charge at home on an off-peak EV tariff, which can bring the cost down to a few pence a mile. See our guides to the best EV tariffs and home charger costs. The Dolphin Surf’s insurance groups of 14 to 19 are much lower than the Spring and T03, at around 25.
Note that none of the three China-built cars qualifies for the Electric Car Grant. The Spring is also built in China.
Verdict
- Best value: the Leapmotor T03, if you mainly drive in town and can live with the small boot.
- Cheapest possible: the Dacia Spring, but only as a second car for short trips.
- Best overall: the BYD Dolphin Surf Boost. It costs more, but its range, charging, safety rating, insurance and warranty make it the only one of the three that works as an only car.
Want to compare the Dolphin Surf with a bigger alternative? See our Dolphin Surf vs MG4 comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest electric car in the UK?
The Dacia Spring, from £11,990 after a £4,000 price cut in July 2026. The Leapmotor T03 is close behind at £12,995.
Is the Leapmotor T03 a good car?
It is comfortable, well equipped and very good value, but has a small boot, a fiddly touchscreen and no Euro NCAP rating.
How far can the BYD Dolphin Surf go on a charge?
Between 137 and 200 miles on the official test, depending on battery size.
Which cheap electric car is safest?
The BYD Dolphin Surf, which scored five stars from Euro NCAP in 2025. The Dacia Spring scored one star before its update, and the Leapmotor T03 has not been tested.