For the past few years, I’ve written an annual blog post on the best upcoming EVs. The themes in any given year are – more options, better prices and more range.
In 2026, one of the main themes is affordability. This will be the year when more and more electric cars move from dream to driveway. Forget premium, this is about the EVs 99% of us can afford. We’re talking genuinely desirable EVs that cost about the same as a mid-spec petrol hatchback.
Let’s get into it.
🚗 1. Dacia Spring — the bargain
Price: ~£15,000 (likely with ongoing discounts)
Range: ~140 miles
Imagine a tiny, cheerful EV that costs less than an annual gym membership in London (it’s been a while, but that feels about right ; ). The early-2026 Dacia Spring is not big, it’s not brash, but for city driving, school runs and popping to the shops, it’s sensible. Like the vibe, love the price tag. It’s the year’s most affordable new EV. (Electrifying.com)
⚡ 2. Renault Twingo — retro city
Price: ~£17,000
Range: ~150+ miles
Let’s take a moment to appreciate what Renault’s done here. They’ve brought back the iconic Twingo, made it electric, kept it stylish, and priced it at £17k. That’s from a dealier. If you get this on salary-sacrifice you should be looking at less than £10k, new.
Ce style, ce prix? Mais Oui.
🐝 3. Volkswagen ID.Polo — the pocket rocket
Price: ~£22,000
Range: ~200+ miles
VW bringing their A-game with this one. Golf-sized space in a Polo-sized package, 200+ miles of range, and then 10-80% charging in just 20 minutes is absolutely brilliant! Oh, and there’s going to be a GTI version? Because, why not?
The best bit? VW learned from the ID.3’s touchscreen nightmare and brought back proper physical buttons for climate and audio. Back to the future! (Regit)
👕 4. Nissan Juke EV — SUVy vibes
Price: ~£20,000
Range: ~160 miles
The new Juke EV isn’t just another SUV with a plug — it’s Nissan’s charismatic urban EV, designed to make short trips a breeze. The geometric design has shades of cybertruck but is much more subtly done. With clever packaging and enough range for daily duties without breaking the bank. (Electrifying.com)
🎯 5. Kia EV2 — the eRange Rover
Price: ~£25,000
Range: ~270 miles
If you want a bit more room and a bit more range without pushing the price, the Kia EV2 looks like a very sensible play. Expected to slot nicely between city cars and proper family hatchbacks, it might just be the “sweet spot” EV that ticks almost every box: practicality, affordability, and a range that comfortably covers most UK needs.
You get triple screens even on the base model, heated everything, safety tech, and real-world efficiency that actually matches the claims. Plus it’s a Kia, so it’s reliable AF.
🏙️ 6. Omoda 4 — S&M (small and maneuverable)
Price: ~£30,000
Range: ~250 miles
Not rock-bottom cheap, but competitive, the Omoda 4 feels like the sort of car that makes people think you paid more for than you actually did. It’s kind of SUV-y. It’s got tech-y interiors, and range enough for weekend getaways — all while staying under the £30k threshold that means “affordable EV in 2026.” (Electrifying.com)
🔌 7. Hyundai Ioniq 3 — longest range
Price: ~£30,000 (est)
Range: ~380 miles
If you’ve got more ambitious range goals without straying into luxury pricing, keep an eye on the Hyundai Ioniq 3. Still one of the more wallet-friendly options among the next-wave EV hatchbacks, it blends decent range with a mature, practical design. Hyundai Ioniq 3 is the Kia EV2’s big brother – same family, similar style, same reliability.
🧠 2026 — The Year EVs Get Real for Real People
These aren’t concepts or vague promises anymore – these are real cars with real prices arriving in real showrooms. Battery costs have tumbled, competition is fierce, and manufacturers are finally pricing aggressively.
Add in salary sacrifice schemes (20-50% savings!), and running costs of 2-4p per mile vs 15-20p for petrol? The numbers suddenly make serious sense.
The bottom line: If you’ve been waiting for affordable EVs, stop waiting. 2026 is your year. Whether it’s the cheeky Twingo at £17k or the family-friendly EV3 at £33k, there’s something here for almost every budget.
The electric revolution isn’t coming. It’s here, and it’s affordable.
Happy hunting! ⚡🚗
EV-PZ 
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