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Best electric cars under £40,000
New pure electric cars with a guide price of £40,000 or less, ranked on a simple, open score. Prices may already include the Electric Car Grant.
The list
| # | Car | Guide price | Real-world range | Efficiency | 10–80% | Boot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model 3 RWD | £37,990 | 275 mi | 4.6 mi/kWh | 24 min | 682 L |
| 2 | Mazda 6e 78 kWh | £38,995 | 290 mi | 3.8 mi/kWh | 25 min | 409 L |
| 3 | Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 saloon | £39,150 | 245 mi | 4.2 mi/kWh | 21 min | 506 L |
| 4 | Volkswagen ID.3 Neo 79 kWh | £35,495 | 300 mi | 3.8 mi/kWh | 30 min | 385 L |
| 5 | Cupra Born 79 kWh 170 kW | £33,995 | 300 mi | 3.8 mi/kWh | 30 min | 385 L |
| 6 | Volkswagen ID.4 Pro 79 kWh | £35,495 | 285 mi | 3.6 mi/kWh | 30 min | 533 L |
| 7 | GAC Aion V 75 kWh | £36,450 | 260 mi | 3.5 mi/kWh | 25 min | 427 L |
| 8 | Citroën ë-C5 Aircross Long Range 97 kWh | £32,955 | 300 mi | 3.1 mi/kWh | 32 min | 565 L |
| 9 | Škoda Elroq 85 | £35,560 | 275 mi | 3.6 mi/kWh | 30 min | 491 L |
| 10 | Toyota C-HR+ 77 kWh | £35,495 | 265 mi | 3.7 mi/kWh | 29 min | 416 L |
| 11 | Ford Explorer Extended Range RWD | £35,485 | 275 mi | 3.5 mi/kWh | 30 min | 532 L |
| 12 | Kia EV3 Long Range 78 kWh | £34,555 | 280 mi | 3.6 mi/kWh | 33 min | 485 L |
How we ranked them. Each model's best-scoring version under the price limit, scored 50% on real-world range, 25% on efficiency (miles per kWh) and 25% on 10–80% charging time, each compared with the best in this price band. Figures from EV Database UK; prices are our guide prices. It is a guide, not a recommendation for your needs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best electric car under £40,000?
On our open score (range, efficiency and charging speed), the Tesla Model 3 RWD comes top at £37,990 with about 275 miles of real-world range. The best car for you depends on size, budget and how you drive.
How many electric cars cost under £40,000?
Our list has 126 pure electric versions with a guide price of £40,000 or less.
Figures compiled October 2026 from EV Database UK and published UK sources; prices are guides and may already include the Electric Car Grant. See how we check. Updated 2026-10-16.
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