Cheap e-cars 2025: All models under 30,000 euros

The most important things at a glance

• You can already buy four cheap e-cars under 30,000 euros today.
• At least eight more models will be launched in 2025, including VW's ID.2.
• Leasing e-cars can offer you advantages over direct purchases.
• Used e-cars are currently available at a low price – very advantageous for buyers.

If you want to drive an e-car, you very often have to dig very deep into your pockets. In the winter of 2024, there are just four models at German car dealerships that cost less than 30,000 euros. But the good news is that in 2025, this situation will change massively for the better, as manufacturers have announced eight more, comparatively inexpensive e-cars. Then there will be at least a dozen electric cars under 30,000 euros on the German market.

We'll show you which cheap e-cars you can buy today and which models will be launched next year. In our large overview, you can find out everything you need to know, from ranges and battery capacities (in kWh) to the sizes of the vehicles and their trunk volume. Data marked with an asterisk (*) is provisional and data.

The question remains: buy or lease? We'll answer that too, and provide you with information on leasing options. If a cheap used e-car is an option for you, we will also help you find your way around - and tell you what you should consider when buying a used car.

The cheapest electric cars on the market right now

Dacia Spring: No one is cheaper

The home of Renault's budget brand Dacia is actually Romania, but the Spring is built entirely in China with Chinese partners. This is one reason why it can be offered as a basic model from as little as 16,900 euros. For this price, you shouldn't expect a large battery, a long range or fast charging.

However, the small Dacia is suitably equipped for the city as an inexpensive electric car. However, if you want to use the Dacia Spring at an HPC charging station, you have to order the fast charging port separately when you buy it (as of 11/2024). It costs 600 euros extra and then allows charging with 30 kW, but is only available for the 48 kW version.

The most important data:

• Dimensions (L × W × H): 3.70 × 1.58 × 1.52 m
• Drive: 33 kW (44 hp), optional 48 kW (65 hp)
• Battery capacity: 26.8 kWh
• Range: 225 km according to WLTP (228 km)
• Trunk: 308–1,004 liters
• Market launch: April 2024 (facelift version)
• RRP from 16,900 euros

Citroën ë-C3: It costs less than 25,000 euros

Citroën shows what's possible: a low-cost e-car, manufactured in Europe, more precisely in Slovakia. The ë-C3 is not a rolling waiver – with its range of 326 kilometres (according to the WLTP test cycle) and a length that is only a hand's breadth behind that of a current VW Polo, it presents itself as a small car suitable for everyday use, which, with a top speed of 132 km/h, does not need to shy away from occasional long-distance excursions.

The cockpit of the ë-C3 proves that Citroën cannot do magic in the development of low-cost e-cars. The subcompact electric car does without an expensive display. The most important driving information is shown on a small head-up display, and a smartphone must be connected to the inexpensive electric car for infotainment.

The most important data:

• Abmessungen (L × B × H): 4,02 × 1,76 × 1,57 m
• Antrieb: 83 kW (113 PS)
• Akkukapazität: 44 kWh
• Reichweite: 326 km nach WLTP
• Kofferraum: 310 Liter
• Marktstart: Januar 2024
• UVP ab 23.300 Euro

Fiat 500e: Viel Stil zum günstigen Preis

Optisch ist der elektrische Fiat 500 seinem Cousin mit Verbrennungsmotor wie aus dem Gesicht geschnitten. Technisch sind die beiden aber nicht verwandt, denn der Elektro-Fiat steht auf einer eigenen, neu entwickelten Plattform. Das wuselige Fahrverhalten des 500 ist beim Schwenk vom Verbrenner zum Stromer erhalten geblieben, ebenso die knappen Platzverhältnisse im Fond. 

Die überraschen bei nur 3,63 Meter Länge aber nicht wirklich. Das hübsch anzuschauende und hochwertige Interieur ist in dieser Preisklasse dagegen sehr wohl eine positive Überraschung. Den Fiat 500e gibt es mit großem Stoffdach (Aufpreis 3.000 Euro, Stand 11/2024), das ihn fast zu einem Cabrio macht. In der 155-PS-Abarth-Variante wird er beinahe zu einem Kugelblitz mit Rädern, kostet dann aber auch knapp 38.000 Euro.

Die wichtigsten Daten:

• Abmessungen (L × B × H): 3,63 × 1,68 × 1,53 m
• Antrieb: 70 kW (95 PS), optional 87 kW (118 PS) oder 114 kW (155 PS)
• Akkukapazität: 21,3 kWh, optional 37,3 kWh oder 37,8 kWh
• Reichweite: 190 km nach WLTP (321 km, 265 km)
• Kofferraum: 185–550 Liter
• Marktstart: November 2020
• UVP ab 24.990 Euro (Angebotspreis im November 2024)

Citroën ë-C3 Aircross: Wenn es ein kleines E-SUV sein soll

Das Air im Namen ë-C3 Aircross deutet es an – dieses Modell hat mehr Luft. Der größere der beiden kleinen günstigen Stromer von Citroën hat einen 13 Zentimeter längeren Radstand als der normale ë-C3. Darum bietet er mehr Platz in Reihe zwei. Weil die Gesamtlänge um 38 Zentimeter zulegt, wächst auch der Kofferraum. An der Technik ändert sich nichts: Motorleistung und Kapazität der Batterie sind identisch mit denen des kleineren Modells.

However, the curb weight and air resistance are greater. This is reflected in the range, which is 23 kilometers less than the standard ë-C3. Cheap electric cars with a longer range are not possible with the current technology. After all, Citroën has announced a ë-C3 Aircross with a longer range for 2025. Then a radius of 400 kilometers should be possible, but probably not for 30,000 euros.

The most important data:

• Dimensions (L × W × H): 4.40 × 1.80 × 1.66 m
• Drive: 83 kW (113 hp)
• Battery capacity: 44 kWh
• Range: 303 km according to WLTP
• Trunk: 460–1,600 liters
• Market launch: June 2024
• RRP from 26,490 euros

Market launches in 2025: New e-car highlights

BYD Seagull: The attacker from China

Cheap e-cars from China will flood the European market and fundamentally change it. That's how you read it again and again. However, the Chinese e-cars that are available in Germany were not particularly cheap. The BYD Seagull is set to change that from mid-2025. When it comes to Germany, it will cost less than 18,000 euros.

In Central and South America, BYD already offers the small car intended for Europe, but under the name Dolphin Mini. The city runabout with four doors and the almost 40 kWh battery is said to have an operating radius of up to 360 kilometres under ideal conditions (WLTP cycle). Despite its price range, it thus offers a long range suitable for everyday use.

The most important data:

• Dimensions (L × W × H): 3.78 × 1.71 × 1.58 m
• Drive: 55 kW (74 hp)
• Battery capacity: 38.9 kWh*
• Range: 360 km according to WLTP
• Trunk: 230–930 liters
• Market launch: Q2 2025
• Price expected to be under 18,000 euros

Leapmotor T03: Competition for the Dacia Spring

Stellantis, der Mutterkonzern von Citroën, Fiat und Peugeot, hat mit dem chinesischen Hersteller Leapmotor ein Joint Venture gegründet. Als erstes Projekt dieser Partnerschaft rollt der Leapmotor T03 im Frühjahr 2025 zu den Händlern. Aber nicht aus China, sondern aus dem polnischen Werk in Tichy, in dem auch Fiat-Modelle produziert werden. 

Trotz des europäischen Produktionsstandortes ist der Listenpreis sehr niedrig. Schon bei 18.900 Euro soll es losgehen, bestellt werden kann der T03 bereits Ende 2024. Die Ausstattung mit serienmäßigem Navigationssystem, Klimaautomatik, Glasdach und einer Vielzahl von Assistenzsystemen ist – gemessen am niedrigen Listenpreis – geradezu fürstlich. Selbst das Platzangebot für vier Erwachsene ist okay, der Kofferraum allerdings nur ein Räumchen. Aber stört das bei einem Stadtflitzer wirklich?

Die wichtigsten Daten:

• Abmessungen (L × B × H): 3,62 × 1,57 × 1,65 m
• Antrieb: 70 kW (95 PS)
• Akku: 37,3 kWh
• Reichweite: 265 km nach WLTP
• Kofferraum: ab 210 Liter
• Marktstart: Q1 2025
• Offizielle UVP startet bei 18.900 Euro

Dongfeng Box: Dem Smart #1 aus dem Gesicht geschnitten

A Smart #1 is not available for less than 34,990 euros (list price). The Dongfeng Box, like the Smart built in China, will cost about 23,000 euros when it comes to Germany at the beginning of 2025. In the design of this cheap electric car, there are great similarities with the #1, especially at the front. At 4.27 meters, the Smart is slightly longer and more spacious.

With its technical equipment, such as the 70 kW motor and the 40 kWh battery, the box is aimed at the Dacia Spring and the Citroën ë-C3. This makes it clear that the Dongfeng was designed as a city car, although a range of around 300 kilometers does not force it to the charging station too often on cross-country trips.

The most important data:

• Dimensions (L × W × H): 4.02 × 1.81 × 1.57 m
• Drive: 70 kW (95 hp)
• Battery: 42.3 kWh
• Range: 310 km according to WLTP
• Trunk: 326–945 liters
• Market launch: Q1 2025
• Price expected from 23,000 euros

Hyundai Inster: Best seller, which is not called Casper in our country

What are the Koreans from Hyundai actually doing when it comes to cheap e-cars? Yes, they grab their tiny car, called Casper, which is part of the popular model range in Korea and India, and use it as the basis for the city runabout, which is presented by name as Inster in our latitudes. And the price-performance package that Hyundai has put together with the Inster could be a success, says automotive journalist Elias Holdenried:

Despite its very compact dimensions and a small amount of space for the battery, the Inster promises a range of 370 kilometres – a lot in this segment! In Korea, the Casper has been on the market for two years and is a permanent fixture in the top ten of the most registered electric cars. Many clever details, such as the sliding rear seat, the numerous storage compartments or the large screens on the dashboard, apparently speak for it in addition to the low price.

Die wichtigsten Daten:

• Abmessungen (L × B × H): 3,82 × 1,61 × 1,57 m
• Antrieb: 71 kW (97 PS), optional 85 kW (115 PS)
• Akku: 42 kWh, optional 49 kWh
• Reichweite: 370 km nach WLTP
• Kofferraum: 288–1.051 Liter
• Marktstart: Q1 2025*
• UVP ab 23.900 Euro

Fiat Grande Panda: Die tolle Kiste wird elektrisch

Als Kind des großen Stellantis-Konzerns baut der Fiat Grande Panda auf bekannte Technik auf. Unter seiner traditionell kastigen Karosserie steckt der gleiche Antrieb, den wir schon aus dem Citroën ë-C3 und Citroën ë-C3 Aircross kennen. Kein Wunder, dass der Aktionsradius ähnlich ausfällt. So sollen mit einer Akkuladung bis zu 320 Kilometer drin sein.

Although a list price of less than 25,000 euros is expected, the Grande Panda will not be built cheaply in China, but in Serbia. In addition to the electric Grande Panda, versions with combustion engines and hybrids are also produced there. Fiat has high hopes for the low-cost Grande Panda electric car and wants to use it to regain lost market share in Europe.

The most important data:

• Dimensions (L × W × H): 3.99 × 1.76 × 1.57 m
• Drive: 83 kW (113 hp)*
• Battery: 44 kWh*
• Range: 320 km* according to WLTP
• Trunk: from 361 liters
• Market launch: Q2 2025*
• RRP from 24,990 euros

Škoda Epiq: Successor to the VW e-Up

VW once had an attractive and inexpensive e-car in its range: the e-Up. Unfortunately, there was not much money to be made with him. For example, the segment of affordable e-cars in the VW Group remained unoccupied for far too long after the death of the e-Up. "Simply Clever" subsidiary Škoda wants to change that in spring 2025. Then comes the Epiq, which is to be available from 25,000 euros.

Technically, the small SUV will be up to date, according to people close to Škoda. A range of 400 kilometres is on the table, as is the possibility of bidirectional charging. The Epiq prepares the field for the affordable e-Volkswagen ID.2, which will probably appear at least six months after the Epiq.

The most important data:

• Dimensions (L × W × H): 4.10 × 1.80 × 1.50 m*
• Drive: from 118 kW (160 hp)*
• Battery: 56 kWh*
• Range: approx. 400 km*
• Trunk: from 490 liters
• Market launch: Q1 2025*
• Price expected from 25,000 euros

VW ID.2: It could also be called E-Polo

Es hat lange gedauert, bis sich VW zum Bau eines kleinen und günstigen E-Autos durchgerungen hat – als ernst zu nehmender Nachfolger des VW Up. Das Warten ist allerdings noch nicht ganz vorbei, denn der ID.2 kommt erst zum Jahresende 2025 auf den Markt, sicher nicht unter 25.000 Euro. Beim Preis wird er damit nicht mit den günstigen chinesischen E-Autos mithalten können.

Fans of dynamic locomotion will be pleased to note that the ID.2 starts with decent power, which guarantees brisk progress even on the motorway. The ID.2 is in good hands there, as its range is said to be over 400 kilometres under favourable conditions. This VW will certainly not be a renunciation vehicle and thus ties in with the virtues of the Polo.

The most important data:

• Dimensions (L × W × H): 4.05 × 1.81 × 1.53 m
• Drive: 166 kW (226 hp)
• Battery: 56 kWh*
• Range: up to 450 km*
• Luggage compartment: from 440–1,330 litres
• Market launch: Q4 2025*
• Price expected from 25,000 euros

Opel Frontera Electric: Currently the cheapest German electric car

We have to talk about another brand from the large Stellantis Group – because Opel will also launch a low-cost electric car in 2025. The SUV, called Frontera Electric, is built on the same Stellantis platform as the Citroën ë-C3 Aircross and the Fiat Grande Panda. Visually, the siblings have nothing in common, but the essential chunks of technology (motor and battery) are identical.

Because the Frontera appears somewhat stockier than the Grande Panda, it is slightly limited in terms of operating radius, but convinces with its large trunk suitable for a first car and enough space for four tall adults. The Frontera can already be ordered, it is also available as a hybrid with a gasoline engine. However, it will not be delivered until the beginning of 2025.

The most important data:

• Dimensions (L × W × H): 4.39 × 1.80 × 1.64 m
• Drive: 83 kW (119 hp)
• Battery: 44 kWh
• Range: 305 km according to WLTP
• Luggage compartment: from 460–1,600 litres
• Market launch: Q1 2025
• RRP from 28,990 euros

Overview of market launches

Günstige Elektroautos mit hoher Reichweite

Um ehrlich zu sein, Wunder darfst Du nicht erwarten in diesem Segment. Ein Kleinwagen bleibt ein Kleinwagen, auch wenn er elektrisch angetrieben wird, und damit ist die Reichweite stets beschränkt. Zum Vergleich: Ein VW Polo fährt mit einer Tankfüllung (40 Liter) schließlich auch nicht so weit wie ein VW Touareg (Tankinhalt 76 Liter). 

Das teuerste Bauteil auch bei einem günstigen E-Auto ist der Akku, und der braucht eine Menge Platz. Die günstigen Elektroautos haben deswegen relativ kleine Batterien mit einer Kapazität von 21 bis 56 kWh an Bord. Am anderen Ende der Skala (auch beim Preis: 108.000 Euro, Stand 11/2024) rangieren eben Modelle wie beispielsweise das Tesla Model S Plaid mit seinem 100 kWh großen Stromspeicher.

Among the budget electric cars, the sister models Škoda Epiq and VW ID.2 have the largest batteries and thus probably the widest range with an expected range of more than 400 kilometres.

Leasing options for low-cost electric cars

Why leasing can be cheaper than buying

If you want to benefit from the latest technology on a regular basis and change your vehicle more often, leasing is an attractive option. When concluding the contract, you determine how long you want to use the inexpensive e-car – usually 24 or 36 months, although longer terms are also possible. With the help of the leasing factor, you can compare different offers. After the end of the contract, you simply return the car without having to worry about reselling. We explain in detail how leasing works in detail here.

Especially for e-cars, leasing is often the better choice. Technology is developing rapidly and batteries are becoming increasingly powerful. As a result, the resale value of used electric cars decreases much faster than that of combustion engines. However, if you have taken out a mileage lease, you as a lessee do not have to worry about this, as the residual value risk lies entirely with the lessor.

An additional advantage: Currently – as of November 2024 – many of the usual down payments or advance payments are eliminated or are only minimal. This protects your equity and makes leasing particularly attractive, especially in this day and age.

How much does a cheap e-car cost to lease?

While the list prices of the cheap electric cars are easy to find out on the manufacturers' websites, most carmakers make quite a secret of the leasing costs. You have to click far through the configurators or ask the local dealer for an offer. Transparent is different.

In addition, offers can often be found on the Internet that do not necessarily fit your own requirements for a car. The Citroën ë-C3 may serve as an example here. On the manufacturer's website, it is offered (as of 12/2024) with a monthly leasing price of 295.68 euros. The annual mileage is then limited to 10,000 kilometers, and the duration of the lease is set at an unusually long 48 months. If you want to get rid of the electric C3 after 36 months and assume an annual mileage of 15,000 kilometers, leasing the cheap e-car will become more expensive to 358.51 euros per month.

If you want to cover more distance, you have to pay more. That's why you have to keep an eye on your budget when leasing and know exactly how long you want to drive the car and how many kilometers you will drive it. Because if you set the kilometers too low when you sign the contract, you will pay a lot more when you return the car for every additional kilometer that goes beyond the minor, tolerated deviation in the contract. Between four and six euro cents are due per kilometre.

Conclusion: Which cheap electric car is right for you?

If you have to mount child seats in the rear and fasten your offspring there, you should definitely choose a four-door car. It is also obvious that a family car needs a usable trunk. The cheap electric cars Citroën ë-C3 Aircross, Škoda Epiq or Opel Frontera are certainly a good choice here.

If you have to keep a close eye on the money, but want to be electric, you will have to look in the direction of the Dacia Spring, BYD Seagull, Dongfeng Box or Leapmotor T03. The question remains whether it should not also be a used e-car.

What to look for when buying a used electric car?

Lease returns from Fiat (500e), Kia (e-Soul), Mini (Cooper SE), Opel (Corsa Electric), Peugeot (e-208), Renault (Twingo Electric or Zoe) and VW (e-Up) can be attractively priced alternatives to new cars.

And don't worry that the battery will cause problems. Its "health" – experts call it State of Health (SoH) – can now be determined using various test methods. With the appropriate search filter, the mobile.de website will show you the vehicles that are offered with a battery certificate.

During general inspections, used electric cars often attract attention with rusted rear brakes and worn chassis parts. Therefore, pay attention to rumbling or rattling noises during the test drive. The drive technology, on the other hand, almost never causes trouble.

Ein Gebrauchter ist Dir aber nur dann zu empfehlen, wenn Du das Auto nicht nach kurzer Zeit wieder verkaufen willst. Denn der Verkauf gebrauchter E-Autos ist aktuell eine echte Herausforderung. Andererseits: Gut für Deinen Verhandlungsspielraum, wenn Du selbst auf der Suche nach Deinem günstigen Elektroauto bist.