LeaseLoco

Cheapest Electric Cars to Lease

  • By Michael McKean
  • 8 min read

Sometimes you don't get what you pay for. You get more . . .

An electric car against a black background.

► Our list of the top 10

► Not including hybrids/PHEVs

► Why you should go electric

Electric cars are on the up, but there's still a fair way to go before they become the go-to option for the majority of drivers. That's where the cheapest electric car lease deals can help you out.

Gone are the days when electric cars only gave you a tiddly number of miles. Nowadays, even the least powerful ones are going to give you at least 100 miles to play with.

And no, we're not counting the Citroën Ami in this. Yes it's a great little runner – but technically a quadricycle, not a car.

How Does Electric Car Leasing Work?

  1. Choose the EV that takes your fancy

  2. Adjust to your lease terms (mileage, deposit, lease length)

  3. Place your enquiry

  4. Receive delivery and enjoy

  5. Hand the car back

What You'll Love About Electric Car Leasing

High-tech

The technology powering EVs is pretty high-tech itself, so what you get inside the car tends to be too

Better performance

More nippy in terms of power, torque and acceleration than ICE (petrol and diesel) cars

Silent driving

Yep, no noisy engine. Instead there's just electricity and a battery, so you'll be cruising along like a stealth spaceship

Good for the environment

Obviously!

Save Money With An Electric Car Lease

On average, it costs £528 less to run an electric car than a petrol car per year, so quite a hefty saving.

Yes, electric cars might have greater upfront costs at first, but you'll be saving £££ in no time by not having to splurge cash at petrol stations every other week, and on running costs in general, especially if you have a home charger.

Plus, you'll have less servicing and maintenance worries. Internal combustion engines on a petrol or diesel car tend to have more moving parts, meaning there's more that can go wrong. Not so with an electric car. Electric car charging symbol.

How Much Is Road Tax for Electric Cars?

Fully battery electric vehicles in the UK are currently exempt from VED or road tax.

However, this is set to change in April 2025, when in the first year you'll pay the lowers rate of vehicle tax. But from the second tax payment onwards, you'll pay the standard rate of £190 (subject to change for 2025). 

Are Electric Cars Cheap to Charge?

It depends how and where you charge your electric car.

Get set up at home with a wall-box charger, and you're all set. Also, certain workplaces offer free charging.

Plug in at a motorway rapid charger at peak times though, and you could dish out a bit more.

And whilst not every street corner in the UK has a charger, but the EV charging infrastructure is only continuing to grow, meaning one is never too far away.

Nissan Leaf

A Nissan Leaf. Range: 168 miles

£194.50/month (Avg. price on LeaseLoco) *

Take a leaf out of Nissan's book and plump for one of the world's most popular EVs.

Performance-wise, the Leaf offers a smooth and comfortable ride, with a sizeable battery range with every charge. It delivers responsive acceleration and a quiet driving experience, though some may find it less sporty compared to competitors. The Leaf also comes with a host of safety features and other driver assistance technologies.

Compare our Nissan Leaf lease deals

Citroen E-C4

A Citroen E-C4. Range: 221 miles

£235.30/month (Avg. price on LeaseLoco) *

The Citroën E-C4 is a stylish electric hatchback that prioritizes comfort and practicality. Its distinctive design features a sleek profile and a spacious interior, offering plenty of room for passengers and cargo. The cabin is well-appointed with quality materials and a user-friendly infotainment system, making it a pleasant place to be.

Tech-wise, the E-C4 comes equipped with a user-friendly infotainment system, including smartphone integration and various driver assistance features. The driving position is elevated, offering good visibility. Overall, not a bad option for those on the lookout for a blend of comfort and style in an electric vehicle.

Compare our Citroen E-C4 lease deals

Dacia Spring

A Dacia Spring. Range: 140 miles

£261.24/month (Avg. price on LeaseLoco) *

Get a spring in your step with this entry-level EV. Its minimalist design and features aren't as high-end as some of the other options, but neither is the price tag – ideal for those seeking practicality and affordability without any of the unnecessary frills.

A compact city car, this has budget driver written all over it, its compact size making it easy to navigate urban environments. And there's a surprisingly spacious interior for passengers and cargo. Standard kit includes a digital instrument cluster, cruise control and rear parking sensors.

Compare our Dacia Spring lease deals

Mazda MX-30

A Mazda MX-30. Range: 124 miles

£274.81/month (Avg. price on LeaseLoco) *

Mazda's first all-electric production vehicle is, predictably, a Crossover. It's been conceived and created with the brand's well-renowned focus on distinctive styling, innovative technology and class-leading interior quality.

OK, so the 124-mile range isn't the best you'll find in an EV, but the driving experience is engaging, with responsive handling typical of Mazda vehicles. It also includes a user-friendly infotainment system with essential tech features.

Compare our Mazda MX-30 lease deals

MG4 EV

An MG4 EV. Range: 218 miles (281 miles on Long Range trim)

£282.02/month (Avg. price on LeaseLoco) *

Where the BYD focuses on comfort, the MG4 majors on driver engagement. Its rear-driven platform will even allow you to slide the back end out, just like a sports car. What a riot . . .

Happily, it's more than just a one-trick pony though, with plenty of practicality and space enough in the back for 2 adults, and a reasonably sized 363-litre boot into the bargain. Safety features are comprehensive too, adding to this vehicle's appeal as a family-friendly option.

Compare our MG4 EV lease deals

BYD Dolphin

A BYD Dolphin. Range: 215 miles (265miles with Comfort trim)

£282.85/month (Avg. price on LeaseLoco) *

Something a bit different. You might not have heard of BYD before, but it's a Chinese company with big aspirations for the European market. Already in its native China it sells more cars than Tesla, and it's hoping that its 3 EVs can repeat that feat in the UK.

Opt for the highest trim, and you’ll have a car that can dash from 0–62mph in 6.7 seconds. The interior is quirky, too: a 12-inch infotainment screen mounted on a motor that can spin 90 degrees to be either portrait or landscape. Overall, a strong contender in the budget-friendly electric vehicle market, offering a good mix of style, comfort, and efficiency.

Compare our BYD Dolphin lease deals

MG ZS EV

An MG ZS EV. Range: 275 miles

£301.78/month (Avg. price on LeaseLoco) *

Another MG, it's just an electric version of the standard-engine MG ZS – and that small SUV is one of the brand's most celebrated models to date. And whilst the fuel's different, the ethos of value for money remains the same. There's a smooth and enjoyable driving experience waiting for you, with a range of around 250-280 miles, making it suitable for daily commuting and longer trips.

One area where the MG ZS EV really outshines the petrol version is the performance. You see, whilst ordinary ZS feels a tad sluggish, this one can officially sprint from 0-60mph in just over 8 seconds.

Compare our MG ZS EV lease deals

Vauxhall Corsa-e

A Vauxhall Corsa e. Range: 225 miles

£345.11/month (Avg. price on LeaseLoco) *

The Vauxhall Corsa continues to be one of the UK’s most popular cars, with the addition of an electric version only adding to that success. Performance-wise, the Corsa-e delivers a zippy drive, with responsive acceleration and a range of about 200-250 miles on a full charge, making it ideal for city driving and daily commutes. That's a lot of EV for what you're paying.

It features a sleek design and offers a comfortable interior with a good amount of space for passengers and cargo. The cabin includes a modern infotainment system with smartphone connectivity and intuitive controls.

Compare our Vauxhall Corsa-e lease deals

Vauxhall Astra-e

A Vauxhall Astra-e. Range: 258 miles

£413.71/month (Avg. price on LeaseLoco) *

Vauxhall aims to be an electric-only manufacturer by 2028, so it needed to get the finger out, and it did exactly that with the Astra-e.

The Astra has always been a car with a bit of a kick, and this electric one is no different. You'll go from 0 to 60mph in just 9 seconds before topping out at 105mph. The Astra-e features a sleek design and a well-built interior that offers ample space for passengers and cargo. The electric powertrain delivers a responsive and smooth drive.

Compare our Vauxhall Astra-e lease deals

Volkswagen ID.3

A Volkswagen ID.3. Range: 369 miles

£586.58/month (Avg. price on LeaseLoco) *

The ID.3 has changed the way we think about Volkswagen, and about affordable electric cars in general. But there's been quite a bit for the brand to iron out since this model first arrived on our market in 2020.

Performance-wise, the ID.3 offers a smooth ride with responsive handling, and it’s available with a range of battery options providing up to around 260-347 miles of range, depending on the variant. The Volkswagen ID.3 also includes a host of safety features and driver assistance technologies, enhancing its appeal as a family-friendly vehicle. Overall, a strong choice for anyone dipping into the EV market.

Compare our Volkswagen ID.3 lease deals

What Happens at the End of My Electric Car Lease?

Somebody from the leasing company will collect and inspect your car, and as long as you haven't exceeded your contractual mileage and there's no damage that falls outside fair wear and tear, you'll have nothing left to pay.

Good news is that you can always amend your mileage partway through the agreement.

But to be honest, paying for excess mileage at the end (we usually see a rate of 7p – 11p per mile) can sometimes work out cheaper than opting for a higher mileage at the start, so not the end of the world.

Summary

Going green yet?

Even if electric car lease deals aren't exactly 'cheap', there's definitely some that are cheaper, whilst still packing a more than reasonable punch in the practicality and performance departments.

And if none of the above take your fancy, there's plenty more where they came from. Browse all of our electric car lease deals.

FAQs about Cheap Electric Car Leasing

Are there tax benefits to leasing an electric car?

Fully-electric vehicles are currently exempt from road tax (also known as Vehicle Excise Duty). However, this will change from April 1st 2025, when EV drivers will pay a lower rate of tax, and then moving up to the standard rate.

Can I lease an electric car for 6 months?

Leasing an electric car for 6 months would be ideal if you want to switch to a new vehicle even more often than usual, but the minimum lease term for electric car lease deals (and any lease deal for that matter) is usually 12 months. Still always worth checking with our leasing partners when you enquire, though.

All average prices true for the preceding 12 months, as of 23rd Oct. 2024

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