Is now the best time to buy an electric car?

It’s no secret that electric cars in the UK are gaining serious traction with sales continuing to grow – up 8.1 per cent in April this year according to SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders). Wherever you are in the UK, you’re likely to be seeing more EVs zipping about than ever before. That’s thanks in part to the government’s push towards greener transport and their 2035 target to phase out new petrol and diesel cars.

But here’s where it gets interesting: while electric car prices were once seen as a barrier, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of the affordable electric car. Again, SMMT figures show prices have dropped steadily since 2023, especially in the used EV market – a third of all used electric cars now cost under £20,000. In fact, EVs are now frequently matching—or even undercutting—petrol counterparts in terms of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Not sure what that means for you and your budget? Try out the Renault TCO calculator to crunch the numbers yourself .²

A lot of people have been concerned about the prices of electric cars, but research by Auto Trader shows that there are now 29 brand new electric cars for sale costing under £30,000 – including the Renault 5 and Renault 4. The number of sub-£30,000 EVs is growing all the time, with affordable cars like the upcoming new Renault Twingo.³

Don’t let list prices scare you off, either – it’s all about context and the most important figure is what you might pay on finance on a monthly basis. With Renault offering tempting finance deals on its entire range – including Renault 5 E-Tech Electric and Renault 4 E-Tech electric – buying an EV will be more affordable than you might think.

Once you also factor in government incentives (more on that in a moment), EVs’ low running costs, and the rock-bottom maintenance bills, the picture changes completely.

Take Renault’s electric range, for instance. The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric sits in the affordable sweet spot with a starting price of £21,495*, making it a top pick for anyone wanting to go green without going broke. There’s also the Megane E-Tech Electric, which blends tech, performance and comfort in one sleek package.

For family drivers? Another of my favourite EVs is the award-winning Scenic E-Tech Electric offering roomy interiors and a serious range of up to 381 miles on a single charge¹, all without the guilt of exhaust pipe emissions.

Here’s where things get even better. While the old Plug-in Car Grant might be history, new incentives are popping up all the time. In 2025, there’s support for home charging points with grants of up to £350 available (even to help if you only have on-street parking), tax benefits, and various local council schemes – especially in towns and cities like London where clean air is a major focus – that can cut the cost of driving in towns and cities, especially when it comes to parking.

Driving into ULEZ areas in a petrol or diesel car? That’s a daily fee you could be avoiding if you drive an EV. Electric cars are exempt, so every commute saves you cash. Over a year, that’s not small change, it’s hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds back in your pocket.

And if you’re a business user or business owner, the benefit-in-kind tax rates for EVs remain attractively low, which makes electric company cars a no-brainer. There are also big tax benefits for businesses buying EVs.

Now’s the time to get amped up

The government has announced a £650 million Electric Car Grant as part of the Plan for Change initiative. ​​​​Our full range of award-winning E-Tech electric cars are eligible for a £1,500 grant.​​

Our cars are wired-differently

We’ve been making, rethinking and reinventing electric cars for over a decade. So it’s no surprise they won European Car of the Year in 2024 and 2025.​​ 

Choose between the iconic Car of the Year winner Renault 5, ultimate family car Renault Scenic, retro-futuristic Renault 4 or chic életrique Megane.

Paperwork? Non, merci​

Ready for an electric future, without the admin headache? We'll manage the grant application, dealing directly with the government and our retailers.​  ​We'll guide you through the process, offering advice on the grant and our electric range.​ ​

In a word: yes. EVs have fewer moving parts, no oil changes, and regenerative braking that saves your brake pads. Research from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) has found that the top 10 selling petrol cars of 2023 could cost their drivers around £700 a year more to run their vehicles than their Electric Vehicle (EV) equivalents.

Plus, Renault offers flexible service plans and warranties across its electric vehicle range, so you’re covered from bonnet to boot.

Everyone loves a good deal, especially on something as important as a car. Renault’s award-winning range of electric cars combines cutting-edge features with competitive pricing, ticking a lot of boxes for first-time EV buyers.

The award-winning Renault 5 E-Tech Electric combines retro looks with modern technology and is super affordable.

The Renault 4 E-Tech Electric is now open for orders – it’s a compact SUV with big energy and even bigger value.

Renault’s Megane E-Tech Electric is packed with tech and is both super-stylish and great to drive.

*Model shown is techno with wheels that are unavailable in the UK. 

Another award winner is the Scenic E-Tech Electric, a family-friendly option with impressive range and comfort.

Worried about charging? Don’t be. Renault is making it easier than ever with Mobilize Power Solutions, offering smart charging options for home and work.

And public charging? The UK is now at close to 80,000 public chargers with UK government figures showing that a new charge point goes online every 29 minutes. Rapid-charging options are becoming more and more commonplace in cities, retail parks, and motorway services, too.

A lot of people assume that waiting means better tech or lower prices, but in 2025 that logic is wearing thin. Battery ranges are already impressive (most Renault EVs now top 250 miles on a single charge⁴), and prices are now at a level that makes EVs super-competitive against their petrol counterparts, as the Renault TCO Calculator proves.

More importantly, demand is rising as more drivers look to escape the increasing cost of owning and running a petrol or diesel car with things like ULEZ fees and petrol price volatility. Strike while the iron’s hot, as they say.

All things considered, yes, it’s a great time to make the leap. Prices are competitive, incentives are in place, and Renault’s electric range has something for everyone, whether you’re commuting or managing a family on the go.

If you’re still on the fence, pop over to the Renault Electric Buying Guide for a deeper dive. Or better yet, sign up for the Renault newsletter to stay in the know about new models, offers, and innovations.

Electric cars aren’t just the future, they’re the present and there’s never been a better time to plug in. Whether you’re chasing value, performance, or peace of mind, today’s range of EVs offers a smart, affordable way to join the electric revolution. So why wait?

*MRRP for Renault 5 E-Tech electric evolution 120hp urban range, including Government EV Grant. Excludes metallic paint 

¹up to 381 miles based on techno version. WLTP figures shown are for comparability purposes only. Actual real-world driving results may vary depending on factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted after registration, weather conditions, driving styles and vehicle load.  

²The information provided in this calculator is for guidance only and should not be relied upon. There may be additional costs associated with owning a car which are not included in these figures, such as insurance, MOT and other maintenance costs. Imagery and information shown throughout this website may not reflect latest UK specifications, colours may vary, options and/or accessories may be featured at additional cost.

³Vehicles shown are concept vehicles. The design, specifications, features, name, and branding are indicative only and may differ from a final production vehicle. Not available for purchase.

⁴WLTP figures shown are for comparability purposes only. Actual real-world driving results may vary depending on factors including the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted after registration, weather conditions, driving styles and vehicle load. 

This article is advertorial content reviewed by Renault prior to publication.

Steve is a leading UK automotive journalist, EV editor at The Independent, editor of Auto Express, Autocar and What Car?, and a global car awards judge and broadcaster.

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