Which electric car to choose for less than 30,000 euros?

The best electric cars under 30,000 euros

Are you considering purchasing a new electric car, but the bill must not exceed 30,000 euros? It is a budget which is already starting to be quite comfortable and which above all allows you to take full advantage of the ecological bonus of 4,000 euros put in place by the government (on condition of having a good environmental score). Thus, it is possible to benefit from a nice move upmarket without blowing your budget. To find out everything about the new ecological bonus and find the list of eligible cars in 2025, click here. Most of the cars in this selection are there.

If in our guide to new electric cars for less than 25,000 euros, the offer is quite limited, particularly outside the micro-city car segment.

Peugeot e-208 (2024) The little lioness with a nice look

With 156 horsepower and an announced autonomy of 410 kilometres with a single charge thanks to its battery 54 kWhthe Peugeot e-208 has all the makings of the ideal small electric city car. And this is also the case since in addition to having a rather nice look, the legendary>, so dear to Peugeot, once again works wonders.

The little lioness is pleasant to handle and is more dynamic than a Renault Zoe. The car starts from 33,810 euros in its Active finishexcluding deducted bonus. Monthly payments, depending on the conditions, start from 179 euros per month.

• Dimensions (L x l x h) 4,05 m x 1,74 m x 1,43 m
• Chest : 311 litres
• 0 and 100 km/h: 8.1 seconds
• Consumption : 17,5 kWh/100 km
• Battery : 8-year or 160,000 km warranty (if capacity less than 70%)

If the Peugeot e-208 interests you, also take a look at the Opel Corsa-e 40 which is a bit like its cousin and also costs less than 30,000 euros.

MG MG4 The electric car with the best quality/price ratio

The manufacturer MG offers with this MG4 a very complete electric car and above all with an excellent quality/price ratio. This model brings together in terms of design all the codes of a European SUV and a fairly sporty shape. In terms of interior space, the habitability of the car is very interesting to leave enough space for each passenger. Be careful, however, because in terms of finish, the car suffers from a few failures, but the overall package is satisfactory.

This electric car has a major advantage: its handling. The standard version, which includes 170 hp, is capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds. Generally speaking, the MG4 offers very dynamic behavior with agility in corners. Whether in town or on the highway, driving this car will meet all your expectations without the slightest problem.

In its standard finish, the MG4 has a 51 kWh battery. During our test, we were able to see a mixed-use range of 360 kilometers. Above all, the manufacturer announces a recharge of 10 to 80% taking place in 35 minutes, which is very useful for long journeys. In terms of on-board technology, the car is a little sparse, especially the lack of a route planner, which is quite detrimental.

In terms of price, the MG4 starts from 28,990 in its standard version. With the maximum ecological bonus of 7,000 euros, it is possible to increase the car to 21,990. We might as well tell you that if you have a little budget left, add a few additional comfort options. Our review of the MG4 is available for reading.

• Dimensions : L x l x h : 4,28 m x 1,83 m x 1,51 m
• Chest : 363 litres
• 0 to 100 km/h: 7.7 seconds
• Consumption : 16.6 kWh/100 km
• Battery : 8-year or 100,000 km warranty (if capacity less than 70%)

Nissan Leaf Technology and autonomy

The second generation Nissan Leaf arrived on the market in 2018, seven years after a first version that was rather convincing and which was a pioneer when it was released. With its battery of 40 kWh (an alternative of 62 kWh allowing up to 385 kilometers of autonomy exists, but costs above 30,000 euros), its autonomy is announced at 270 kilometres.

Above all, it is equipped with a CHAdeMO quick socket rather than Combo, which is used less and less in France. The Nissan Leaf in version> benefits from an engine 150 horsepower and starts from 27 900 eurosecological bonus deducted.

• Dimensions : L x l x h : 4,49 m x 1,79 m x 1,54 m
• Chest : 435 litres
• 0 and 100 km/h: 7.9 seconds
• Consumption : 20.6 kWh/100 km
• Battery : 8-year or 160,000 km warranty (if capacity less than 75%)

Volkswagen ID.3 Good autonomy

After a complicated start, notably due to software problems, the career of the Volkswagen ID.3 seems well and truly launched. Available with batteries of 45, 58 or 77 kWhonly the first two versions interest us here and allow us to go below the threshold of 30,000 euros.

The 45 kWh version benefits from a 150 horsepowerallows autonomy of 350 kilometres and is accessible from 28 590 euros. The 58 kWh one has a block of 145 horsepower (or 204 horsepower, but that requires going upmarket and therefore in price), with a very decent autonomy of 425 kilometres in the WLTP mixed cycle, but it passes 30 900 euros and is therefore slightly above our price limit.

• Dimensions : L x l x h : 4,26 m x 1,81 m x 1,57 m
• Chest : 385 litres
• 0 and 100 km/h: 9.0 seconds
• Consumption : 16,5 kWh/100 km
• Battery : 8-year or 160,000 km warranty (if capacity less than 70%)

Fiat 500e The yogurt pot 2.0

The classic Fiat 500 is finally going electric! Equipped with a battery of 42 kWhit reaches the 330 kilometres autonomy under the WLTP cycle. Its electric motor 118 horsepower et 220 Nm of torque gives him a surprising nervousness. For those wishing to save some money, a 95 horsepower version, with a 23.7 kWh battery allowing a range of around 185 kilometers, has been available since spring 2021.

On the price side, the electric Fiat 500 starts from 27,500 euros, excluding ecological bonus. With 6,000 euros in bonuses, the price increases to 22 500 euros. It is therefore one of the most affordable in this file, but it nevertheless remains opulent.

At this price, you will not be entitled to the 3 +1 version equipped with an opposing right rear door, optional at 2,000 euros, nor to the convertible version sold 3,400 euros more expensive. The small 95 horsepower version will be offered from 25,500 euros, excluding ecological bonus of 6,000 euros. Fiat is communicating financing offers starting at 270 euros for the 500e with the 42 kWh battery and around 220 euros with the 23.7 kWh battery.

• Dimensions : L x l x h : 3,63 m x 1,68 m x 1,53 m
• Chest : 185 litres
• 0 and 100 km/h: 9.0 seconds
• Consumption : 13.8 kWh/100 km
• Battery : 8 year or 160,000 km warranty

MG ZS EV The electric SUV costs less than 30,000 euros

No more small roadsters for MG. Since the brand went under the Chinese flag, it has focused on profitable and fashionable products. The MG ZS EV is a 100% electric SUV powered by a 142 horsepower. Its battery, with a capacity of 44,5 kWhallows it an autonomy of 263 kilometres.

It’s a bit light for a model potentially intended to do a little more than in the city, even if it will be suitable for the majority of daily journeys. The huge advantage of this model is its price/equipment ratio with all the necessary technology, and an unbeatable price which starts from 23 990 euros once the bonus has been deducted.

• Dimensions (L x l x h): 4,31 m x 1,81 m x 1,64 m
• Chest : 448 litres
• 0 and 100 km/h: 8.2 seconds
• Consumption : 17.7 kWh/100 km
• Battery : 7-year or 150,000 km warranty (if capacity less than 70%)

Other models

In this price range, there are other equally interesting models:

• Opel Corsa-ewhich can also be an interesting alternative to the Peugeot e-208, especially since it generally has the same characteristics as the French one, while being on average 1,500 euros cheaper.

Among the slightly more exotic products, the Be e-Soulthe Hyundai Ioniq electricor even the Mazda MX-30appear, depending on their level of finish, below the 30,000 euros mark. If the first two models mentioned are starting to age, the MX-30 is a new product, but requiring a few too many compromises today given the price. Let us also not forget the Beings 3a second 100% electric Chinese SUV imported into France. A little more expensive than the MG ZS EV, the standard equipment is a little worse than its main competitor. Not to mention that the distribution network is still a little too scattered.

Purchase or rental?

The cars presented in this file cost less than 30,000 euros, once the ecological bonus is deducted. Customers are increasingly fond of leasing with an option to purchase (the leasing), a system which generally consists of leasing the car for periods of three to five years and paying a predefined amount every month. An amount which can vary depending on the first contribution, the annual mileage or even the residual value of the car.

At the end of the rental contract, two options are available to you: repurchase the car and exercise the purchase option, or return the car. Financing solutions also exist without a purchase option, such as long-term rental for example, where there will be no purchase option at the end of the rental, only restitution will be possible. We will therefore give you, as far as possible, an idea of ​​the monthly payments for the cars presented, knowing that they can vary widely depending on the parameters mentioned above.

For more choice, don’t hesitate to read our comparison of the best electric cars as well as our specialized guides:

• Electric cars for less than 20,000 euros
• Electric cars for less than 45,000 euros
• Electric cars for less than 60,000 euros
• Best family electric cars
• Best electric city cars
• Best electric SUVs

Before buying an electric car