Best electric car leasing deals: full list of latest November 2023 deals
Looking at swapping petrol or diesel pumps for a plug? Here are some of the best electric car deals available right now
Hunting for the best electric car deals has become something of a priority for many motorists. This is because more and more drivers are seeing the benefits of an electric car - especially following petrol and diesel supply issues and spiralling costs. Plus, the idea of a quiet, relaxing car which can be refuelled as you sleep sounds pretty appealing.
Additionally, if you charge using electricity from renewable sources, the carbon footprint of each mile you drive is tiny. For certain types of motorists - especially those who drive company cars - an electric vehicle (EV) can present significant financial savings, too.
In this article, we have rounded up the best electric car deals available on BuyaCar - including used, nearly new and pre-registered deals. Pre-registered cars are those that have been registered by a dealer to hit sales targets, but haven't yet been sold to a customer, so typically they have only travelled a handful of miles, as they are practically new.
Technically speaking pre-registered cars are no longer new, so they can be for sale at well under the list price, making them a very appealing bargain. These deals don’t tend to hang around long, so if you see something you like, it's worth acting quickly.
As demand for battery-powered cars is growing, so too is the number of makes and models available to choose from. That said, while there are electric SUVs, luxury cars and even performance cars, the majority of the best deals are on hatchbacks. Hatchbacks are incredibly popular as their wide boot openings make them very practical for their size, with six of the top 10 best-selling cars in the UK during 2021 being hatchbacks.
Below you will come across a handful of electric car terms, such as a ‘kW’. To help navigate these somewhat confusing terms, we have created an electric car jargon buster, which explains what they mean. Additionally, if you are unsure about whether or not an electric car is right for you, we have a helpful electric car guide to help you make the right decision.
1. Nissan Leaf
The original Nissan Leaf was one of the first mainstream electric cars to be sold in the UK. As a result, Nissan’s engineers have had plenty of time to develop technology that helps make driving an electric car incredibly easy and this second-generation car is packed with useful features. For example, there is the pioneering ‘e-pedal’ feature, which means that the car slows quickly when you lift off the accelerator, meaning that you can typically drive the car using just one pedal.
This might sound odd but with a little planning, you might not need to use the brakes at all to stop - you simply lift off the accelerator as you approach obstacles ahead, such as a set of traffic lights or a roundabout, and if you judge it right, there's no need to press the brake pedal.
As for the range from a full charge, there are two options. Standard Leaf models come with a claimed range of 168 miles per charge, so they are ideal for those who predominantly drive in towns with occasional longer journeys. Then there are ‘Leaf e+’ models, which are claimed to be able to travel up to 239 miles from a single charge, and so are much more suited to those who travel further each day.
Standard models tend to be the most common, and Tekna trim is one of the most popular, with features including a Bose sound system and a suite of driver assistance technology such as lane keep assist. The great news is that pre-registered Tekna models are available for around £28,000 which is roughly £2,000 less than the list price.
2. Peugeot e-208
Some electric cars look too fussy, while others are too bland, but the Peugeot e-208 seems to tread the stylish line very well. To the untrained eye, the e-208 is visually the same as a petrol or diesel 208. In fact, to the trained eye it is identical, too, as it is only really the badges which separate battery-powered versions from petrol or diesel-powered ones.
Inside the e-208, there are plenty of high-quality materials and colours that give the cabin a modern, crisp feel. There is also a dinky little steering wheel (a curious but standard feature on modern Peugeots) which is designed to make drivers feel like they are driving something sporty and add some fun to the mix. This works well for many drivers, though some drivers may struggle to get a comfortable position where they can see the dials over the wheel.
As for range, the e-208 promises 211 miles from a full charge, while models made from 2022 onwards can travel 225 miles. These figures put the Peugeot slightly behind one of its main rivals, the Renault Zoe, which is claimed to be able to drive 245 miles when fully charged. That said, the 208 is well ahead of another rival, the Mini Electric, which is only rated at 145 miles with a full battery. Buying a well-specified e-208 ‘GT’ model from the factory will cost around £30,500 but nearly new models can be scooped up for around £28,000.
3. Lexus UX
Arguably the biggest problem with an electric Lexus UX is the price. With list prices starting at well over £41,000, you need deep pockets to afford this electric crossover. One way to slightly lessen the financial blow, though, is to hunt down a pre-registered model, as these can be purchased for less than £40,000.
There are a handful of different UX models but the electric version is called the UX 300e. In size and shape the UX is a rival to cars such as the Mercedes GLA and BMW X1, both of which are strong upmarket compact SUVs in their own rights. In the Lexus, the seats are very comfortable and there is a good amount of space, but rear passengers will definitely feel a little short-changed when they see how much more room those in the front have.
One of the biggest selling points of the Lexus brand is its long history of making reliable cars. In fact, Lexus often ranks at the very top of car ownership surveys, where real-life drivers score their vehicles for key attributes including reliability. This reliability means that used Lexus models have reasonably strong resale values. For cash buyers, this means they will get more of their original outlay back when they sell the car, while for those who pay for a car with PCP finance it should mean lower monthly payments.
4. Renault Zoe
Renault has something of a hit on its hands with the Zoe - so much so that it is one of the most popular electric cars in Europe. It is one of the more affordable electric cars available and it comes with a claimed range that is just under 250 miles for newer versions. Mighty impressive.
The Zoe is an alternative to petrol and diesel cars like the Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio and on price alone it doesn’t fare so well. In mid-range Iconic trim, the list price is just over £30,000, while a new, mid-spec Fiesta is priced around £22,000. Happily, pre-registered Zoe models can be found for close to £25,000, which shrinks the gap an awful lot.
Thanks to all Zoe models coming with an automatic gearbox (as all electric cars do) the Renault is about as relaxing to drive as a vehicle of its size can be. The Zoe is also well equipped, with Iconic trim including cruise control, climate control and rear parking sensors. There are also three sets of Isofix points for child seats, so the Zoe can function perfectly well as a family car, provided the 338-litre boot is large enough for you. For more information on the different sizes of boots, take a look at this handy guide.
5. Vauxhall Corsa-e
Although the Vauxhall Corsa-e and the Peugeot e-208 look different, they are fundamentally the same car underneath. This is because they share key components such as the battery pack and electric motor. As a result, the range of the Corsa-e from a full charge is remarkably similar to that of the e-208 - official tests put it at 209 miles.
When in need of charge, the Corsa can handle up to 100kW power supplies, which is great for adding charge quickly. Typically, you can expect topping up from 15% to 80% to take just 30 minutes using a 100kW charger. When charging at home it would take roughly seven and a half hours, as domestic chargers are rarely rated at more than 7kW.
On top of styling, there are a number of key differences between the Vauxhall and Peugeot that could well decide which small electric car is best for your tastes. For example, in the Corsa there is a more traditionally sized steering wheel and there are also physical controls for things such as heating and cooling. In the e-208 there is the tiny steering wheel and control of the ventilation is via a touchscreen, which also handles features such as radio, which can prove distracting on the move.
If there is one thing against the Vauxhall, it is that the discounts available aren’t always as sizeable as on the Peugeot. With a little hunting, you can find well-specified SE Premium models for just under list price, though. When it comes to driving, the Corsa feels nippy and the automatic gearbox helps make most journeys a breeze.
6. Smart ForTwo EQ
Smart makes cute city cars. These models are not expected to venture too far out of town and they are small, cheap to run and a doddle to drive in busy city centres. We highlight this as the range of the ForTwo EQ can seem very, very low for a new car. With a full charge, the official quoted range is… 81 miles. If you wanted to drive from London to Edinburgh and back that would require nine full charges at least.
Forgetting long-distance journeys for a minute, the ForTwo makes a lot of sense. Electric cars add a little charge back to their batteries when braking, and stop/start traffic is very common in cities and towns. This means that driving in town makes it easier to achieve the official range figure or even surpass it. Additionally, the range is only so limited because the battery is quite small, which helps keep the cost and size of the actual car down to a minimum.
A small battery also translates to quick charge times, with a complete charge taking just over three hours using a domestic wall box. Smart also offers a ForTwo with a folding fabric roof, should you fancy a chic electric convertible. If you opt for a pre-registered ForTwo, the chances are you will be smiling regardless of model, as you can find ‘Premium’ models with as much as £4,000 off their list price.
READ MORE ABOUT THE SMART EQ RANGE
*Representative PCP finance - Ford Fiesta:
48 monthly payments of £192
Deposit: £0
Mileage limit: 8,000 per year
Optional final payment to buy car: £2,923
Total amount payable to buy car: £11,926
Total cost of credit: £2,426
Amount borrowed: £9,500
APR: 9.9%
BuyaCar is a credit broker, not a lender. Our rates start from 6.9% APR. The rate you are offered will depend on your individual circumstances.