The Best Electric Cars Under £40,000

The 125 kW engine and low consumption of 3.9 miles/kWh make the Elroq SE 50 SUV a smart choice for daily commutes. You’ll also save on energy while getting around the city or heading out for weekend trips. According to the manufacturer, with an 11 kW wallbox like our go-e Charger, the 52 kWh battery can be charged from 0 to 100% in 5:30 h.

A cool feature from the manufacturer is the ability to estimate range based on different factors. Select the season, driving type, driving style, and vehicle load to get an approximate distance for a full battery. For example, in summer, driving in urban areas in Eco mode without passengers, you can cover around 221 miles. With the same settings but a fully loaded car, the estimated range drops to 206 miles.

The fairly spacious interior comes with practical storage solutions. For example, the trunk has a double floor and there is a net for securely storing the charging cable. With 470 litres of boot space, you can easily fit five large suitcases or around ten shopping bags. When you fold down the seats, the space expands to 1580 litres, giving you plenty of room to carry larger items like furniture or boxes. You’ll basically be able to move to a new place in just a few trips with this electric car.

This electric SUV comes with two-zone climate control and tech-like a 12.3-inch screen for navigation. The leather-like fabric covering offers a warm feel, almost like you're sitting in a cosy living room. Safety features include lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, and multiple airbags, plus a central airbag between the front seats for added protection in a collision. The average energy consumption of the SUV is 4.6 miles/kWh, which is highly efficient for a vehicle in this class. In addition, the EV3 Air supports V2H bidirectional charging, which means you can use it to power external devices like an e-bike or a kettle when camping.

This electric SUV under 40,000 pounds is easy to park and manoeuvre as it is only 4.08 meters long. This also partially explains the limited space for rear passengers... The range is great considering that the Jeep Avenger ALTITUDE can go up to 244.3 miles on a full charge. Keep in mind, though, that “WLTP” means the reach is measured in ideal driving conditions. Either way, if you're commuting daily or running errands around town, this range should be more than enough. The 54 kWh battery means you probably won’t need to charge every day.

This electric SUV under 40,000 pounds comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, which clearly shows all the important information and two-zone climate control. You will enjoy the classic Hyundai smart navigation, including strategic charging stops and a reliable forecast of when you’ll arrive. Adjustable rear seats (40:20:40 split), a variable boot floor, and a total of 470 litres of luggage space make it great for family road trips. Safety is covered with lane-following assist, autonomous emergency braking, multiple airbags, and a centre airbag between the front seats. The KONA Electric also provides bidirectional V2L charging for external devices like string lights or a portable heater.

The ATTO 3 features modern LED headlights and continuous light strips that give it a fancy, contemporary look. The interior of this electric car under 40,000 pounds is both playful and smart. it has three-coloured seats made of artificial leather and foamed multi-coloured plastics for a better feel. Safety features include lane-keeping assist, high beam assistant, cross-traffic assistant, traffic sign recognition, ACC, and a speed limiter. Thanks to them, the car received a 5-star Euro NCAP rating.

We also like the ATTO 3 for its excellent driving performance, with fast acceleration (from 0 to 62 mph in 7.3s) and decent overtaking capabilities. Despite its weight, the car is responsive, and its performance is even more direct in Sport mode.

The Volvo EX30 is an electric family car under 40,000 pounds that stands out for its performance. The rear-wheel drive version with 200 kW goes from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.6 seconds — no more worrying about making it to football practice on time. It offers a WLTP range of 295.8 miles, so it's great for both daily drives and longer trips. If you use an 11 kW wallbox like the go-e Charger Gemini 2.0, you can fully charge the 51 kWh battery in about 5 hours. Since your car is usually parked in the garage overnight, you can wake up to a fully charged battery, ready to take the kids to kindergarten or school and head to work.

It’s a practical electric car under 40,000 pounds for families with more than one child. The e-Rifter boasts a 775-litre boot that expands to an impressive 4,000 litres when the rear seats are folded down. There are even storage compartments under the roof for extra convenience. Long story short, you’ll have no problem fitting the kids' bikes, a stroller, and even a mountain of toys.

The rear features three individual seats, allowing three child seats to be placed next to each other with comfort. With this car, your kids will enjoy the ride whether you’re driving them to school or it’s a weekend trip to a zoo. Of course, as they grow, they might start wishing for a little more elbow room, especially during long trips.

The Citroën ë-Berlingo is a family electric car with clever storage solutions and sliding doors for easy access. The comfy and flexible interior will make both parents and kids happy. The tray tables on the back of the front seats are perfect for keeping little ones entertained. The full-width overhead storage shelf and under-seat compartments mean there’s a place for everything. Getting in and out is easy even in tight parking spaces thanks to the two sliding side doors. For the driver, the height-adjustable seat with lumbar support and armrest ensures long family trips stay comfortable.

Despite its boxy shape, the ë-Berlingo feels surprisingly agile on the road. With a 9.9-second 0-62 mph time, it’s quick enough for city and motorway driving, while the 82 mph top speed keeps things efficient.

With ample legroom for passengers up to 1.95 meters tall and headroom for those over two meters, this electric car offers real comfort for long family trips. By placing the motor at the front, Renault saves 100 kg in weight as it reduces the need for extra cables and cooling. However, this means losing a front storage compartment (frunk) where you could otherwise store picnic blankets or an extra pair of shoes.

Renault has equipped the Mégane E-Tech with an electronic rear-view mirror with a wide digital display of the traffic behind. This seems like compensation for the super narrow rear window. In any case, it’s handy when the backseat is stacked with backpacks and sleeping kids. The Google-based navigation system is fast, precise, and includes battery-aware route planning, automatically calculating charging stops if needed. So you’re not going to look for a charging station in panic when the battery is running low and kids are complaining about being hungry, requesting a Happy Meal from McDonald’s.

The Ford Explorer EV is designed to be a practical electric family car with a lot of space. It comes with a 450-litre trunk and a special "Mega Console" in the front that can hold everything from water bottles to laptops. It also has a big 14.6-inch touchscreen that controls the infotainment and air conditioning. But the icons are a bit too small and you can’t change that in the settings.

The Explorer’s agility makes it easy to drive around town. It’s good for tight spaces too, thanks to its small turning circle. The car has quite a lot of safety features, like 12 ultrasonic sensors, 5 cameras, and 3 radar devices to help with things like a blind-spot detection and lane keeping. It’s a solid choice for long trips with kids or just daily driving.

If you're looking for an electric car for seniors that's pleasant to drive and gives you a comfortable ride, Peugeot has something to offer. In this model, the front seats offer plenty of space, even for taller drivers, and getting in and out is easy. The boot has enough space for large grocery bags or a few small suitcases when visiting your children for a weekend. Plus, when you fold the back seats down, you get even more room for bigger items like a walker. With a sill height of 700 mm and a seat height of 610 mm, the E-2008 makes entry and exit especially accessible for seniors.

This electric car for seniors comes with many useful features as standard, like adaptive cruise control, a large navigation system, and safety assistants, so you can drive with confidence at any age. Some things are just like in other cards but better. For instance, if you need to make an emergency stop, the high-frequency flashing brake lights make sure other drivers notice right away. The KIA Niro EV has plenty of space in the front and a well-balanced chassis, which makes it easy to drive. The car allows you to travel up to 285 miles which means you won’t need to charge often.

The electric vehicle is also great for driving around with grandkids, as it has received an impressive 84% rating in the Euro NCAP child safety tests. You and your passengers will be protected with front, side, knee, and centre airbags, as well as head airbags that extend from the front to the rear.

For seniors needing an electric car for everyday drives and short trips, the Toyota Proace City Verso EV is a solid option. It’s certainly not the fastest EV out there, with a top speed of only 83 mph, but that’s plenty for city driving and everyday use.

The inside is spacious, so you’ll drive comfortably and won’t feel like your legs are made of wood after an hour behind the wheel. In this electric car, you can easily load things like groceries or suitcases for a short holiday, as the boot offers 597 litres of space. There are also power-adjustable and heated mirrors, which you’ll love during the winter months when you need to clear frost off the mirrors nearly every day.

Long range isn’t just about the battery, but about comfort too. When you’re planning a 400+ mile trip, you want it to be enjoyable. Your favourite band playing through high-quality speakers, a perfectly adjusted heated seat, and plenty of luggage stored in the trunk and frunk — sounds like a great ride, right? The Tesla Model 3 delivers exactly that.

The interior feels premium with softer materials, ambient lighting, and improved insulation to reduce road noise. You will have no distractions when taking a quiet morning drive or answering a hands-free call on the motorway.

With a quick 0 to 62 mph acceleration in just 4.2 seconds, overtaking or merging is a piece of cake. Storage is practical, with a 415-litre trunk and a 55-litre frunk. So, you will have plenty of room for groceries, luggage, or sports gear.

This electric car under £40.000 with a long reach is not better or worse than its competitors; it’s just different. For instance, besides the standard touchscreen, the MG Trophy Extended Range has an instrument cluster with plenty of useful information for the driver. Normally, it’s not provided in cars in this price range due to the costs. The WLTP range of 323 miles is also rather impressive, combined with the possibility of 144 kW fast charging. If you are parked outside when it’s cold and know that you are going to start charging soon, you can preheat the battery. This is a great way to improve charging performance in winter.

For everyday use, the 363-litre luggage capacity is more than sufficient. With rear seats folded down, you get 1165 litres.

On long journeys, you’ll appreciate the adaptive cruise control and lane centring of the VW3. Such things take a lot of the stress of extended highway driving away. Furthermore, the comfortable seating and spacious interior make you feel like you are relaxing on the couch at home, which is, needless to say, awesome. The 385 litres of trunk space mean you will have plenty of space for luggage.

The blue version of this long-distance electric car under £40.000 is basic, while all other ones will cost you £800-900 extra. The ID.3 allows you to add an optional augmented-reality head-up display, which shows info like your speed, vehicle functions, and live navigation instructions right on your windshield. The infotainment system works pretty well overall, and the AR display is definitely a standout, although the screen can be a bit slow sometimes. And since we’re on the topic of downsides, it’s worth mentioning that while the car supports fast charging, it slows down a lot in sub-zero temperatures.

Would you like to know how it feels to drive a long-distance electric car under £40.000, such as the BYD Dolphin Comfort? Let’s get right into the driving experience.

Imagine you're starting the car in the city centre. While driving at up to 30 mph, it produces fairly loud noises for an electric car to warn pedestrians. If you're not in the mood, it might get on your nerves a little. But after just a few turns, you leave the city centre and get onto normal roads. That's when you start to enjoy it. You stop at a traffic light, waiting for the green. Once it's there, you press the accelerator, and the vehicle responds immediately, taking off quickly and smoothly. Later on your trip, you'll have fun driving fast on country roads and highways. However, you might notice that the traction control system could be improved. Even with normal acceleration, the front wheels can spin and lose grip.

We hope you liked our little drive. Now, let’s discover a few other aspects of the BYD Dolphin Comfort.

Here it is – a high-reach electric car under £40.000 built for both city life and long family trips. Volvo offers two battery options: a 51 kWh pack for daily commutes and a 69 kWh pack that extends the WLTP range to 294.5 miles. It has a towing capacity of up to 1,600 kg (AWD), which means the car can easily handle trailers or extra gear for holidays and outdoor adventures.

Acceleration is truly impressive. The Volvo EX30 goes from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.3 seconds, according to the manufacturer. Long story short, highway driving and merging into traffic is smooth. The boot holds between 320 and 1115 litres, offering plenty of space for luggage, shopping, or sports equipment. The adjustable shelf can be moved with one hand, making it easier to load bags when yours are already full. Folding down the rear seats creates a flat surface, perfect for larger and heavier items.