Remember when we had to calculate the "total cost of ownership" on a calculator to justify buying an electric vehicle? The story is over. The cheapest electric cars are here! In 2025, there will be a whole battalion of electric cars on the market that cost less than 25 thousand and don't force you to eat instant noodles.
The cheapest electric cars – they're here! Here are nine that prove that electric can be cheap, fun and – let's be honest – cooler than most diesels. At least in the small car segment.
All prices below are list prices (excluding government subsidies) – obtained from car suppliers’ databases. Incentives vary considerably across Europe: from complete abolition in Germany to a still generous €4,000 – €7,000 in France. (acea.auto, iea.org) When you deduct the local subsidy from the already approximately €25,000, the final price of most of the listed models is practically the same as petrol or diesel alternatives in many countries. We have collected price data from official manufacturers’ price lists and verified car portals, so these are EU RRP figures, which may vary slightly between markets.
Citroën ë-C3 – French sofa on wheels
- Battery: 44 kWh (usable)
- Power: 83 kW (113 hp) / 120 Nm (88 lb-ft)
- WLTP range: 326 km
- 0–100 km/h: 11.5 seconds
- Price in DE: 23.300 €
The whole philosophy of the model is “soft is beautiful”. The chassis is buttery, the seats are more armchair than chair, and the infotainment is so simple that even your grandmother who calls Facebook “facebook” could master it. The only bad news? At this pace (135 km/h), you will be more of a tourist attraction than a traffic jam on the German autobahn. The cheapest electric cars – a list that would be incomplete without this representative.
Fiat Grande Panda – bamboo, letters and charm
- Battery: 43.8 kWh
- Power: 83 kW (113 hp) / 122 Nm (90 lb-ft)
- WLTP range: 322 km
- 0–100 km/h: 11.0 seconds
- Price in DE: 24.990 €
Panda It's like that friend who looks cool at every festival with the same clothes. A bamboo trinket box and transparent plastic greet you in the cabin, and the letters PANDA on the sides, which you can "dress" in additional protective plates. Pleasantly slow, but therefore relaxing - Italian dolce vita on electricity. The cheapest electric cars – on the list, also as the most charismatic.
Renault 5 E-Tech – national heroin under high voltage
- Battery: 40 kWh / 52 kWh
- Power: 70 kW (95 hp) / 215 Nm (159 lb-ft)
- WLTP range: 310 km
- 0–100 km/h: 12.0 seconds
- EU price: 24.990 €
The rebirth of a 70s icon not only brings a retro look, but also Google infotainment, physical buttons (VW, you see?), and unreasonable comfort. If our president ever introduces a mandatory single-vehicle system, we bet this will be it. fiveThe cheapest electric cars – on the list, also as the most nostalgic.
Dacia Duster – the cheapest four-wheeled mobile
- Battery: 25 kWh
- Power: 33 kW (45 hp) / 125 Nm (92 lb-ft)
- WLTP range: 230 km
- 0–100 km/h: 19.1 seconds
- Price in DE: 16.900 €
If you took away the steering wheel, it would almost be a scooter. But for the urban jungle, it's enough: four seats, a 308-liter trunk, and consumption that even an electric toothbrush would envy. Heater? The entry-level model doesn't have one at all. Romanian minimalism FTW.
Leapmotor T03 – the Chinese answer to “what else do I need?”
- Battery: 36 kWh
- Power: 70 kW (95 hp) / 158 Nm (116 lb-ft)
- WLTP range: 265 km
- 0–100 km/h: 12.7 seconds
- Price in DE: 18.900 €
Better workmanship than Spring, significantly more range, but infotainment that behaves like Etch-a-Sketch. You'll suffer a bit without CarPlay, but for the money you get a surprisingly solid little car. The cheapest electric cars – on the list, also as the most different.
BYD Dolphin Surf – Chinese wave below 23 thousand
- Battery: 30 kWh (Standard), 42 kWh (Boost/Comfort)
- Power: 63 kW (85 hp) / 180 Nm (133 lb-ft) – with Comfort already 115 kW (154 hp)
- WLTP range: 220 – 320 km
- EU price: from €22,990 (promotion from €19,990)
Whoever says air is free hasn't seen BYD's price list yet: under €20k in pre-sale! Plus a 10-inch rotating display and 85 kW DC charging. It may not be on the calendars visually, but it puts the price under everyone's nose.
Hyundai Inster – Korean K-car with Swiss Army Knife logistics
- Battery: 42 kWh (49 kWh LR +1,500 €)
- Power: 85 kW (116 hp) / 147 Nm (108 lb-ft)
- WLTP range: 300 km (LR 370 km)
- 0–100 km/h: 10.6 seconds
- DE price (base): 23.900 €
All four seats fold into a bed, the rear bench slides back and forth, and a V2L socket powers an electric grill at the campsite. If you're looking for a "Swiss Army knife" among mini SUVs, Hyundai has just carved it out.
Almost, but not quite below the line
Citroën ë-C3 Aircross (€26,490) and Vauxhall/Opel Frontera (from €28,990 in DE) are already flirting with the upper limit, but they are worth mentioning because of their comfort and price parity with the petrol version. The same applies to the iconic Fiat 500e, which starts at just under 29 thousand, but must get at least honorable mention.
What's coming tomorrow?
- VW ID.2, Shame on the Epiq and Cupra Raval – less than €25k, up to 200 hp and under 7 seconds to 100 km/h, first vehicles 2026
- VW ID.1 – promised €20k and at least 240km range, arrival 2027
- Nio Firefly – Chinese supermini with 350 km range for around €25k, planned European invasion at the end of 2025
Conclusion: equal price – a good compromise
Electric car under 25 thousand euros is anything but a compromise today. Citroën ë-C3 will caress your spine, Renault 5 / Renault 4 will tickle nostalgia, Hyundai Inster and will replace a hotel room with its folding seats. If you want ultra-minimalism, jump into the back seat Dacia Spring, and fans of geeky details will probably agree with BYD Dolphin SurfThe best? Finally, you can choose from head and heart, not with a minus sign before the price. So electricity is no longer the future, but the most exciting part of the present – and it smells like freshly saved money.
