Early electric cars were pricey, but there are now loads of sensibly priced options on sale.
A £40,000 budget brings a huge choice of battery-powered cars. Many brand-new EVs are available for less than that, or you could shop nearly new EVs to see a selection of more luxurious models with lower prices.
New EVs under £40,000 registered between 1 April 2025 and 1 April 2026 avoid the expensive vehicle supplement. All EVs registered before 1 April 2025 avoid the supplement, while the threshold was raised to £50,000 for EVs registered after 1 April 2026. EVs costing less than £37,000 are eligible for the government EV grant.
We've chosen 10 of our favourite EVs on offer for less than £40,000. Check Motorpoint's selection of nearly new and used electric cars to see how much you could save.
Kia EV3
The Kia EV6 and EV9 have both earned stellar reviews but the EV3 might be the best yet. This is the brand's entry into the hotly contested compact SUV segment, but the EV3's clever e-GMP platform means masses of cabin space, a big boot, lots of range and swift acceleration. Your £40,000 budget means you can pick the bigger 81.4kWh battery for 375 miles on a full charge and, if you fancy, upgrade to a GT-Line model, which gets bigger alloy wheels, a sporty body kit and faux leather upholstery.
Browse used Kia electric cars or read our Kia EV3 review
Skoda Elroq
The Skoda Elroq sits below the larger Enyaq in the brand's lineup, and is a direct rival for the Kia EV3 above. Your £40,000 budget would stretch to the bigger car but only its entry-level trim and battery option. Pick the Elroq and you can upgrade to the more powerful motor for a hot-hatch like 6.6-second 0-62mph time, plus the bigger 77kWh battery for a 360-mile claimed range. There's not much penalty for picking the smaller car either, with loads of passenger space across the two rows and a boot that's still large enough for most families' daily duties.
Search used Skoda electric cars or read our Skoda Elroq review
Citroen C5 Aircross
The Citroen C5 Aircross borrows parts and engines from the Peugeot 3008 and Jeep Compass, meaning you get the same choice of a mild-hybrid petrol engine or a fully electric version. Arguably, the C5 Aircross offers the best value of the group, with a practical cabin and a cushioned ride, but priced a few thousand pounds less than its stablemates. Compared to the previous C5 Aircross, the new car is 16cm longer than before, with most of that space arriving in the form of rear-seat legroom – a welcome addition if you're carrying tall adults in the back.
Check out used Citroen electric cars or read our Citroen C5 Aircross review
Tesla Model 3
At the time of writing, the recently updated Tesla Model 3 can be ordered new in the UK for a smidge under £40,000. That figure only buys you the rear-wheel-drive model with the smaller battery, but this supposedly 'entry-level' setup will still beat most hot hatches in a drag race and claims a range of 332 miles. It might not be as new as some other picks on this list, but the ultra-minimalist cabin still looks fresh today and there's a huge amount of passenger and cargo space within its fairly compact footprint.
Shop used Tesla cars or read our Tesla Model 3 review
Nissan Ariya
On paper, it's a little tricky to make a case for the Nissan Ariya. Its range and performance are respectable but don't stand out in any particular area. However, this is a car that's worth more than the sum of its parts. On the road, it's swift, hushed and comfortable, with intuitive controls letting you place the car easily and accurately. Your £40,000 budget might only buy entry-level Advanced trim, but this still includes luxuries like heated front seats and a powered boot lid – plus, you can get the larger 87kWh battery for 329 miles of range.
Browse used Nissan Ariya cars or read our Nissan Ariya review
Abarth 600e Competizione
We've already tried a few electric hot hatches. Most have been quite quick but lack the juvenile, raucous edge you get in the best petrol versions. So we weren't expecting much from Abarth's small electric SUV – the 600e – but, after just a few minutes behind the wheel, we were blown away. The Abarth's secret sauce comes from its mighty 280hp electric motor, but the other is the mechanical limited-slip differential found on Competizione versions, which gives incredible front-end grip as though there are magnets pulling you into a corner.
Shop used Abarth cars or read our Abarth car reviews
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Entry-level Hyundai Ioniq 5 cars are available around the £40,000 mark, although shopping nearly new examples means you can pick a bigger battery or better spec. This oddball part-hatchback-part-SUV's '80s-inspired styling hides a truly enormous cabin with luxury-car-levels of rear passenger space. Hyundai's latest interior design looks great with crisp graphics on the infotainment system, funky dashboard styling and even an on-board white-noise generator to help rear-seat passengers drift off to sleep.
View used Hyundai Ioniq 5 cars or read our Hyundai Ioniq 5 review
Renault Scenic E-Tech
In the ol' days, a Renault Scenic was a practical people carrier. Not anymore, however, as the French brand has revived the nameplate as an oh-so-popular family SUV. It's a mighty fine SUV too, with a pleasantly soft ride, light controls, and a stylish, well-made interior. Cabin space is plentiful, so tall passengers will have no trouble getting comfortable, and there's a big boot for the bulkiest of hobbies. Range stands at 381 miles, and there's a treasure trove of tech including a Google-based infotainment system.
Take a look at used Renault electric cars or read our Renault Scenic E-Tech review
Vauxhall Grandland
The latest Vauxhall Grandland is the much-needed replacement for its ageing predecessor. It's offered either with a mild-hybrid petrol engine or as a fully electric model. Keen pricing and a generous equipment list means most trim levels come under our £40,000 budget, so you can upgrade to a sporty GS or range-topping Ultimate model without overspending. Vauxhall has yet to release the big-battery version, but even the 73kWh pack that's currently available returns an impressive 323-mile claimed range.
Find used Vauxhall Grandland cars or read our Vauxhall Grandland review
Ford Explorer
Clues like the blue Ford oval, the square-jawed looks and the pioneer-influenced nameplate might leave you thinking the Ford Explorer is as 'murican as apple pie. Peel back the bodywork, however, and you'll find that this electric family SUV is actually a Volkswagen ID.4 in disguise, following the brands' agreement to work together on European models. Whatever its origins, the Explorer is spacious, practical and fairly easy to use, with entry-level models just sliding in under our £40,000 budget.
Shop used Ford Explorer cars or read our Ford Explorer review
Find a great-value electric car
Buying a nearly new or used electric car from Motorpoint means avoiding much of the car's initial depreciation. If you have a slightly more generous budget to work with, check out our picks for the best electric luxury cars.
