Nowadays everything revolves around EVs and many people want to buy one. But one of the drawbacks is their price. They tend to be more expensive than the internal combustion models.
But not in China! In China these cars are really affordable. And we seriously mean it. The cheapest model starts as low as $4,000. So, if you want to learn more about these models, follow along while we cover the full list.
1. Wuling Mini EV
In the world of cheap EVs, the Wuling Mini EV is definitely the king. This small EV is the best selling model in China.
The Mini EV sells more than 400,000 units. Which for an electric car is quite a lot. And all this is because of its irresistible price.
The Wuling Mini EV starts as low as 4,000. Making it the cheapest and most affordable EV that money can buy right now in China.
| Price: $4,000 | Release year: 2020 |
| Engine: Single Motor | Top speed: 100 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: Unspecified | Power: 20 – 40 hp |
| Torque: 85 Nm | Range: 120 – 280 km |
2. BYD Seagull EV
The Seagull is one of the latest models that BYD introduced to the market. This model is suited in BYD’s ocean series, along with the Dolphin and Seal.
The Seagull is a subcompact but a bit larger than other micro cars like the Mini EV. This makes the Seagull a lot more usable and also a bit more expensive.
The Seagull starts at $10,330. Which isn’t a lot considering what you get for the money.
| Price: $10,330 | Release year: 2023 |
| Engine: Single Motor | Top speed: 130 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: 4.9 seconds | Power: 74 – 101 hp |
| Torque: 135 Nm | Range: 405 km |
3. MG4 EV
Another really affordable model in the Chinese market is the MG4 EV. This model is also known as the MG Mulan in China.
It is hugely popular and also sold around the world. The MG4 is a really powerhouse. It makes a lot of power, especially in the high end configuration.
This model makes up to 429 hp and is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.8 seconds. Making it one of the quickest EVs on this list.
The styling of this model is really aggressive and good looking. So, if you are looking for an EV that looks good and performs well, we really recommend the MG4.
| Price: $18,000 | Release year: 2022 |
| Engine: Single Or Dual Motor | Top speed: 160 – 200 km |
| 0-100 km/h: 3.8 seconds | Power: 168 – 429 hp |
| Torque: 250 – 600 Nm | Range: 351 – 520 km |
4. NETA U
The NETA U is another really nice product that is sold by Hozon Auto. The NETA U is a compact crossover SUV that is one of the larger models on this list.
The NETA U implements a very smart design that is aerodynamic. And even though a larger car, it is able to get up to 660 km of range.
Not to mention that the NETA U has more advanced options than most of the models on this list. And all this makes the NETA U more expensive, starting at $21,000 it is the most expensive model on this list.
| Price: $21,000 | Release year: 2020 |
| Engine: Single Or Dual Motor | Top speed: 150km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: 150 s | Power: 161 – 295 hp |
| Torque: 310 Nm | Range: 400 – 660 km |
5. AION Y
The AION Y is also a compact crossover SUV, just like the NETA U. They are both similar in terms of size. The only difference is that the AION Y is made by GAC.
The AION Y is a car for the people, it does not have as many luxury features as the NETA U but this makes it far cheaper.
The AION Y starts as low as $14,000. Making it really affordable. Not to mention the nice range you get with this model, which is about 600 km. With the AION Y, you will forget when was the last time you charged it up.
| Price: $14,000 | Release year: 2021 |
| Engine: Single Motor | Top speed: 150 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: 4.5 seconds | Power: 134 hp |
| Torque: 225 Nm | Range: 410 – 600 km |
6. Ora Good Cat
The Ora Good Cat is also a hugely popular model in China. Especially when it comes to women drivers.
The design of the Good Cat is really feminine with rounded edges and overall very sensible look. It gets a lot of inspiration from models such as the VW Beetle.
The interior of the Good Cat is also quite good and has a lot of features. And one of the main highlights of this model is the 500 km range that it gets!
| Price: $14,550 | Release year: 2020 |
| Engine: Single Motor | Top speed: 150 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: 8.5 seconds | Power: 143 – 171 hp |
| Torque: 210 Nm | Range: 400 – 500 km |
7. Changan Lumin
The Changan Lumin is the only EV offered by Changan currently. This EV is a micro car, just like the Wuling Mini EV.
But the Lumin is much better in terms of design and features. This is why the Lumin is one of the most expensive micro cars around. Starting at $7,500.
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But if you have a larger budget to spend on a micro car, we definitely recommend the Changan Lumin.
| Price: $7,500 | Release year: 2022 |
| Engine: Single Motor | Top speed: 101 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: 6.5 seconds | Power: 41 hp |
| Torque: 48 Nm | Range: 155 – 210 km |
8. Chery New Energy – Little Ant
If you are looking for a micro EV that performs well, the Little Ant is a really good option to go for.
The Little Ant is a real pocket rocket. This model is a micro car with some serious attitude. This model is not boring at all.
It accelerates very heavily, it only needs 4.9 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h, making the Little And the fastest micro car in the Chinese market.
| Price: $10,600 | Release year: 2023 |
| Engine: Single Motor | Top speed: 100 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: 4.9 seconds | Power: 75 hp |
| Torque: 150 Nm | Range: 408 km |
9. BYD Dolphin
In the BYD lineup of models the Dolphin is definitely one of the best selling vehicles. The Dolphin is a bit larger than the Seagull that we previously covered.
This model is quite similar in size as the MG4. But the Dolphin is a bit cheaper and less performance oriented.
The goal of the Dolphin is to be a good city cruiser and we can say that it does its job really well. The range is 405 km.
| Price: $13,130 | Release year: 2021 |
| Engine: Single Motor | Top speed: 150 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: 7.5 seconds | Power: 94 – 201 hp |
| Torque: 180 – 290 Nm | Range: 405 km |
10. Chery QQ- Ice cream
When it comes to micro cars, the QQ Ice Cream is definitely one of the most sought after models.
Mainly because of its design and also because of its price. This model starts as low as $4,100. Which puts it on the same level as the Wuling Mini EV.
But the QQ Ice Cream is more focused towards female buyers. The design is pretty feminine and the colors this model comes with.
| Price: $4,100 | Release year: 2021 |
| Engine: Single Motor | Top speed: 100 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: Unspecified | Power: 27 hp |
| Torque: 85 Nm | Range: 175 km |
11. Panda Mini EV
The Geely Panda Mini EV is another micro car. But this model is slightly more expensive than the other micro models.
The Panda Mini EV starts at $6,000. This means that this model packs more performance and also more range.
The Panda Mini EV will give you a max range of 200 km. Which for a model of this size is a really respectable number.
| Price: $6,000 | Release year: 2022 |
| Engine: Single Motor | Top speed: 100 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: Unspecified | Power: 40 hp |
| Torque: 85 Nm | Range: 120 – 200 km |
12. Leap Motor T03
When it comes to affordable electric cars, the Leapmotor T03 really stands out from the crowd. This is a very popular model that sells really well. It is a small car but not a micro car like the Wuling Mini EV or the Panda Mini EV.
This makes the Leapmotor T03 a lot more practical and usable on a day to day basis. It has a very good range of 400 km and also an incredible price of only $9,200.
| Price: $9,200 | Release year: 2020 |
| Engine: Single Motor | Top speed: 100 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: 14 seconds | Power: 73 hp |
| Torque: 155 Nm | Range: 400 km |
13. Wuling Bingo
The last on our list of affordable EVs in China is the Wuling Bingo. The Bingo is another subcompact electric car like the T03 that we previously covered.
The Bingo was introduced in 2023 and the model immediately started to sell really well. Mainly because of its looks and also because of the incredible price. The Bingo starts as low as $8,370.
Not to mention that this model also delivers a really good range of 410 km.
| Price: $8,370 | Release year: 2023 |
| Engine: Single Motor | Top speed: 100 km/h |
| 0-100 km/h: Unspecified | Power: 40 – 67 hp |
| Torque: 110 – 150 Nm | Range: 410 km |
Conclusion
In this article, we covered the 13 most affordable EVs that you can buy in China. We added micro cars, subcompact models and compact crossover SUVs.
Overall, these niches are really popular in China. People want to get the smallest cars around that will give them a good range and are easy to park in tight parking lots.
