The Best Cheap Electric Cars You Can Lease In 2023

Many assume electric cars are out of their price range, but in fact the affordable electric car has well and truly arrived. And not just one, either – there are several cheap yet extremely capable EVs on the market in 2023.

The brilliance of going electric is that the leasing deal or list price is only part of the story. EVs offer potentially huge Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) savings compared to petrol or diesel cars. This takes into account some of the important, and often hidden, costs of owning or leasing a car including fuel, congestion and low emission zone charges, servicing, maintenance and taxation.

On all fronts you’ll be saving money, particularly if you’re able to charge at home and make the most of the cheapest electricity rates. That’ll save you a fortune in fuel bills, but you’ll also be exempt from any congestion charges or low emission zones in cities. 

What’s more, you won’t pay a penny in road tax either, while electric cars generally cost less to service because there are fewer complex moving parts to worry about. Longer-term maintenance will be more affordable, too: for example there’s much less wear on the brakes thanks to regenerative braking.

Electric cars will continue getting more affordable over time, but you don’t need to wait. In this GRIDSERVE best cheap electric cars guide, our experts have gathered the finest affordable EVs available to lease right now.

There’s no overall winner, as these cars suit a variety of needs. We’ve got dinky electric city dwellers with modest ranges and larger family models that can take longer journeys in their stride. 

The best cheap electric cars

Here's our pick of the best cheap electric cars available in 2023.

MG Motor UK MG4

0-62mph: 7.9 seconds

Range: 281 miles

Max charging speed: 135kW

If you haven't heard, MG is back and it's doing things a little differently these days. Once a pipe and slippers British brand building sporty petrol and diesel cars, now under Chinese ownership it's quickly making a name for itself in building the best value electric cars on sale, and the MG4 is the finest example of the breed. 

The distinctive MG4 hatchback is small enough to thread through town but spacious enough to serve as your main family car. It's also bursting with the latest technology, surprisingly good fun to drive and offers the range and charging speed to compete with pricier rivals. The mid-spec MG4 SE Long Range is the best all-round choice, costing a little more than the cheapest 51kWh battery SE model to lease, but upgrading the battery size to 64kWh for another 63 miles of range. 

Like the idea of an MG4 but want something with a higher driving position and more desirable SUV shape? Check out the similarly great value MG ZS EV.

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Fiat 500 Electric

0-62mph: 9 seconds

Range: 199 miles

Max charging speed: 85kW

Much of the Fiat 500’s appeal lies in its unashamedly retro looks, inspired by the globally iconic original launched way back in 1957. Even in the electric age, Fiat is staying faithful to that iconic three-door silhouette for its oh-so-bella city car, ditching the dirty old petrol engine. Uniquely, it’s also available as a convertible with a big fabric sunroof.

Whereas most modern cars seem to be ballooning in size, the Fiat 500 remains 'piccolo' at just over 3.5m in length, and that makes it brilliant to cut through narrow streets or make cheeky U-turns. The generous EV range and decent charging speeds also mean that high-speed motorway trips aren't off limits. The Fiat 500 Electric is one of the best electric cars to lease right now.

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Nissan LEAF

0-62mph: 7.9 seconds

Range: 168 miles

Max charging speed: 50kW

Forget Tesla, it’s the Nissan LEAF that’s the OG of affordable family electric cars, having been around since 2011. And did you know that ‘LEAF’ stands for Leading, Environmentally-friendly, Affordable, Family vehicle? You’re welcome. Developed from the ground up as a bespoke electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF still manages to offer broad appeal today. It's not trying to put on a show or out-drag a Tesla; this is simply a very good, very practical and affordable family electric car.

Don’t be put off by its age, especially when viewed in a sea of new upstarts. Instead, think of it like a fine wine that’s improved over time: the EV range has been extended, the styling has been sharpened and the ‘e-Pedal’ set-up - which lets you stop and go by using the accelerator alone - makes it an absolute doddle to drive. More than 500,000 owners would agree the Nissan LEAF is a great electric car to lease.

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Smart EQ ForTwo

0-62mph: 11.6 seconds

Range: 81 miles

Max charging speed: 22kW

If you’re after a city runabout, then look no further than the Smart ForTwo. Not only is it small enough to park perpendicular to the curb, it also boasts a turning circle that is better than a London black cab. Despite its compact stature, the cabin feels spacious thanks to the panoramic glass roof and it’s brimming with safety equipment, including what Smart calls its tridion safety cell, an incredibly strong steel cage that cocoons the occupants in the event of a crash. 

Without wishing to state the obvious, the ForTwo is a tiny two-seater, which means it has a small battery, which in turn means a limited range. While it may not have ultra-rapid charging capability, a full charge should only take around 40 minutes. Also keep in mind that we drivers tend to overestimate how much distance we actually cover - the average Brit only travels around 20 miles per day, making the ForTwo perfect and affordable. 

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Volkswagen ID.3

0-62mph: 8.9 seconds

Range: 264 miles

Max charging speed: 125kW

Volkswagen’s first, purpose-built electric car, the ID.3, is so-called because it’s expected to usher in a third age of success following that of the original Beetle and the Golf and makes up the smallest member of the ID family next to the ID.4 and ID.5. Everybody loves a Golf, but thanks to better packaging associated with battery electric vehicles, the ID.3 boasts a roomier cabin, a bigger boot and a better turning circle than a Golf.

It’s also smoother, more comfortable and quieter to drive than a Golf. The cabin isn’t full-on Tesla just yet, but gone are the majority of physical buttons and switches, to be replaced by touch-sensitive controls and voice command, where ‘hello ID’ are your wake words. The Volkswagen ID.3 is a classy entry-point into electric cars and definitely worth considering for your next electric car lease.

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Vauxhall Corsa-e

0-62mph: 7.6 seconds

Range: 222 miles

Max charging speed: 100kW

There’s a huge amount to be said for Vauxhall’s ‘just a great supermini, but electric’ approach. Like the Peugeot e-208, on which this car shares a lot of electrical tech, the Corsa-e looks almost identical to its petrol-powered cousins. Not everybody wants to make a massive statement when they drive to Costa.

Despite being decidedly less peacock-y than supermini rivals from Honda or MINI, the Corsa-e offers more range and loads more passenger space than both. It’s also generously equipped with standard items including Apple CarPlay, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system and rear parking sensors. The Vauxhall Corsa-e is a superb option for anyone looking at electric cars to lease.

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Citroen e-C4

0-62mph: 9 seconds

Range: 217 miles

Max charging speed: 100kW

The Citroen e-C4 is a five-door family EV in the same mould as a Volkswagen ID.3, but it has more adventurous styling, a slightly higher-riding driving position and plenty of black plastic cladding to make it look and feel more like a crossover. It’s also packed full of storage cubbies, including a neat ‘tablet tray’ for the front passenger.

If you like the looks, then you’ll be pleased to learn that it’s also quiet, easy to drive and supremely comfortable, ironing out any of those nasty potholes and speedbumps you may have on your daily commute. The e-C4 is all about comfort and it delivers. One to put to near the top of your electric car lease shopping list.  

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Mazda MX-30

0-62mph: 9.7 seconds

Range: 125 miles

Max charging speed: 50kW

Mazda’s first electric car offers up striking looks and unusual back doors that open rearwards to reveal a pair of occasional seats. You’d best describe the MX-30 as a posh crossover, with a suitably premium cabin that adds unusual materials like recycled cork to reference the company’s heritage - Mazda started life as a cork manufacturer back in 1920.

The Japanese carmaker says fitting a small battery with a subsequently limited range was an intentional decision to reduce cost, and its own research suggests that customers approve. An additional benefit of that reduced battery size is a reduction in weight, making the MX-30 feel surprisingly agile and spritely to drive. 

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MG Motor UK MG5

0-62mph: 7.7 seconds

Range: 250 miles

Max charging speed: 100kW

Here comes MG again. While the vast majority of electric vehicles adopt the bang-on-trend SUV bodystyle, there’s a lot to be said for the less fashionable estate car. The MG5 is a roomy five-door estate that currently has no rivals at this price point.

The boxy silhouette, low ride height and buckets of space make it super-practical for carrying the family pooch, as well as the kids and everything associated with family life. As an affordable and fuss-free entry point into electric car leasing, this could be about as good as it gets.

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MINI Electric

0-62mph: 7.3 seconds

Range: 145 miles

Max charging speed: 50kW

The MINI Hatch is another iconic city car that has made the switch to electric power. The addition of a battery has done nothing to dampen the trademark go-kart driving dynamics that has made MINI famous, with nimble and sporty handling. With bags of personality and enough range for the morning commute and a trip to the shops, as well as the odd weekend adventure, the MINI has an uncanny ability to make nearly everybody smile. Add in a compelling price and it's hard to argue. 

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