Electric cars: 5 models under 20,000 euros. Range and specifications

The €20,000 price point has once again taken centre stage in the electric car market. The range remains focused on city cars and compact runabouts, but is no longer limited to vehicles intended solely for short urban journeys. With battery capacities ranging from 24.3 to 43.2 kWh, ranges exceeding 300 kilometres and faster charging systems, some models are now capable of tackling journeys outside the city as well. The prices quoted are list prices, before any incentives or promotions.

The range starts with the Spring Electric 70 Expression at €17,900, followed by the Electric 100 Extreme at €19,700. The commercial version, the Cargo Electric 70, costs €20,100, whilst the Business Electric 70 is priced at €20,400. The body measures 3.70 metres in length, 1.58 metres in width and 1.49 metres in height. The Expression, Cargo and Business models are fitted with a 52 kW motor (equivalent to 70 cv), whilst the Extreme version steps up to 75 kW and 100 cv. All models are fitted with a 24.3 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, offering a WLTP range of 225 kilometres and a claimed energy consumption of 12.4 kWh per 100 kilometres. The AC charger delivers 7 kW. On the Expression and Extreme versions, the 40 kW fast charger is optional and allows the battery to be charged from 20% to 80% in 29 minutes. The boot offers 308 litres of space, increasing to 1,004 litres with the rear seats folded down. The Cargo has two seats and uses the rear area as a load compartment.

The DR 1.0 Ev is available in a single specification priced at €18,900. It is the shortest of the five cars under consideration, measuring 3.20 metres in length, 1.67 metres in width and 1.59 metres in height. The three-door body accommodates four people, whilst the rear-mounted motor delivers 45 kW and 61 cv. The 31 kWh battery allows a range of 210 kilometres in the WLTP combined cycle and 294 kilometres in the urban cycle, with a stated average consumption of 15.6 kWh per 100 kilometres. Charging reaches 6.6 kW on AC and 40 kW on DC. In the latter case, charging from 20 per cent to 80 per cent takes 35 minutes. The boot offers just 110 litres with all four seats in place, but this increases to 630 litres when the rear seatbacks are folded down.

The Leapmotor T03 is also available in a single passenger version, priced at 18,900 euros. The city car measures 3.62 metres in length, 1.65 metres in width and 1.58 metres in height, with four seats and five doors. The front-mounted motor delivers 70 kW, equivalent to 95 cv, and is powered by a 37.3 kWh battery. The claimed range is 265 kilometres in the combined cycle and 395 kilometres in the WLTP urban cycle, whilst energy consumption stands at 16.3 kWh per 100 kilometres. The on-board charger accepts 6.6 kW of AC power, with a full charge taking around three hours and 50 minutes, whilst DC charging reaches around 48 kW. Charging from 30% to 80% takes 36 minutes. The boot has a capacity of 210 litres in its standard configuration and 508 litres with the rear seats folded down.

The Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric starts at €19,500 in the Evolution trim, whilst the Techno costs €21,100 and adds OpenR Link infotainment with Google, a rear-view camera and keyless entry. Both models measure 3.79 metres in length, 1.72 metres in width and 1.49 metres in height. The front-mounted motor delivers 60 kW and 82 cv, whilst the LFP battery has a usable capacity of 27.5 kWh. The range is up to 263 kilometres in the WLTP combined cycle, with a claimed energy consumption of 12.2 kWh per 100 kilometres. A 6.6 kW AC charger is fitted as standard, taking four hours and 15 minutes to charge from 10% to 100%. The Advanced Charge package adds 11 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging, taking the battery from 10% to 80% in 30 minutes. The sliding rear seats allow the boot capacity to be adjusted up to 360 litres, whilst the folding front seatbacks enable the transport of items up to two metres long.