These cheap small electric cars were put to the ultimate range test
Car changing is a big deal
Carwow took eight of the cheapest small EVS on sale and drove them until their batteries completely drained and they stopped. But which cars latest the longest? We put this to the test.
One of the most important things to consider when buying an electric car is its range – how far you can actually drive on a single charge. So, I’ve brought together some of the most affordable EVs around and I’m going to drive them until their batteries run out to find out which one can go the furthest.
There are some familiar faces, along with a couple fresh ones from Chinese brands you may not have even heard of. We even have an adorable little quadricycle in the mix.
But which of these budget EVs will make it the furthest? Watch the video below to see how the car’s fared in Carwow’s latest electric car range test:
Before the test, each car was charged up to 100% overnight. And to make it as scientific as possible, each car was driven in a similar way on exactly the same route – starting at a service station on the outskirts of Oxford, and taking the A43 and the M1 all the way up to Middlesbrough via the A1(M). Each car only peeled off the motorway when it was about to run out of charge.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
What are the EVs in the range test?
Microlino
First up, let’s look at the Microlino. It has a 17hp motor and a top speed of 57mph. This electric car starts at £22,870 and has a WLTP range of up to 114 miles.
I think this is a cool-looking car. The interior is super cute too, though it doesn’t have a big cupholder, and no air conditioning. It’s also got 210 litres of boot space, which is pretty impressive for such a small car.
It’s also surprisingly sporty to drive, though the motor is rather loud. It also doesn’t have any stability control and anti-lock brakes (ABS), which increases the risk of skidding during sudden manoeuvres.
Honda Super-N
Next, we have the Honda Super-N. This cool-looking car starts from £18,995, which is great value for money, and gives you 64hp (with a boost mode giving you 94hp). You also get a claimed range of up to 128 miles.
This small EV may be small on the outside, but it’s like the Tardis on the inside. Rear passenger space is good, but the seat is quite low to the floor, and the boot space is smaller than in the Microlino, coming in at 165 litres.
As for the driving, it handles really nicely, the suspension feels good, and it can easily get up to 70mph on a dual carriageway. You also get to enjoy simulated gearshifts and internal combustion engine sounds as standard, which is great if you’re wanting an EV but are feeling nostalgic about a petrol car.
Dacia Spring
The Dacia Spring has a 65hp motor with a WLTP range of up to 140 miles. It usually starts from £17,000 and it’s incredibly affordable on the used car marker.
One thing that annoys me about the Spring, though, is how cheap it feels. There are also no cupholders and space in the back isn’t great. That said, you do get a good 308 litres of boot space.
On the road, it feels nice and its suspension is soft and supple. However, the handling is a bit wobbly and you get a fair bit of wind noise.
Leapmotor T03
Moving onto a Chinese car, we have the Leapmotor T03. This little EV gives you up to 95hp, a claimed range of up to 165 miles, and starts at £15,995.
The interior of this small car is rather cheerful, giving you a panoramic sunroof and good leg- and kneeroom in the back. However, the infotainment display is too low down on the dashboard and there’s no Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It’s quite comfortable on the road too, and it’s not that noisy at higher speeds. Overall, I think this is rather good value for money.
Citroen e-c3
This eye-catching and spacious small electric car costs £24,050 and gives you a WLTP range of up to 199.
It’s certainly a car that you warm to. One great thing is that it’s so easy to turn off all the ADAS systems, it still has climate control buttons, and 310 litres of boot space. It’s also super comfortable to drive and the suspension feels nice.
Fiat Grande Panda
Next up is the Fiat Grande Panda. The version we tested costs from £21,995, and you get 113hp and a claimed range of up to 199 miles.
I think this car has a very thoughtful interior design that looks rather expensive. It also feels like a bigger car, with plenty of space in the cabin, though you sit quite close to the floor in the back seats.
It also has a built-in charging cable in the front, which is a pretty neat feature. It’s also really good to drive and is extremely comfortable. What a lovely car.
BYD Dolphin Surf
I also tested another Chinese car in this test, and this time it comes in the shape of a BYD. This version has 88hp, a WLTP of up to 200 miles, and starts from £22,625.
Unlike any of the other cars I tested, this BYD has a rotatable touchscreen. Its interior also feels premium, while its back seats are surprisingly spacious.That said, its driver assist capabilities are rather intrusive and it has a weird plastic-y smell.
In terms of how it drives, it deals with motorways pretty well. Its suspension is soft too, but the Grande Panda and the Citroen e-c3 just feel bigger.
Hyundai Inster
Last but not least, it’s the Hyundai Inster. This gives you 115hp and a claimed range of up to 229 miles. This version also starts from £27,395
This was actually my favourite car to drive during this range test. It has a decent pick-up speed and is comfortable at motorway speeds.
As for the interior, it has back seats you can slide forward, which is a really cool feature for a car this small. The interior also has a lot of character and it’s very comfy in the back.
Which car came out on top?
You can see the results in this test below:
| Make and model | Range test achieved (miles) | WLTP claimed range (miles) | Percentage of claimed range achieved | Efficiency (m/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Inster | 212 | 229 | 95% | 4.4 |
| Fiat Grande Panda | 202 | 199 | 102% | 4.1 |
| BYD Dolphin Surf | 186 | 200 | 93% | 4.8 |
| Citroen e-c3 | 170 | 199 | 86% | 3.3 |
| Leapmotor T03 | 140 | 165 | 85% | 3.9 |
| Dacia Spring | 123 | 140 | 88% | 4.8 |
| Honda Super-N | 121 | 128 | 95% | 4.4 |
| Micro Microlino | 115 | 114 | 101% | 7.7 |
Car change? Carwow!
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