Plug in and start saving - because these are the cheapest electric and hybrid cars to lease right now in the UK.
And with monthly leasing prices starting at just £214, joining the electric revolution could save you a fortune in fuel costs as the cost of living crisis continues to bite.
Remember that plug-in hybrid vehicles also allow you to access cheap electricity.
Most affordable electric lease deals
More and more electric vehicles are coming to market, and this week has seen the launch of the quirky ‘Funky Cat’, a compact EV from Chinese brand Ora.
You might not have heard of Ora but it has some serious weight behind it, being part of the ‘Great Wall Motors’ group, which is China's biggest producer of SUVs and pick-up trucks.
The Funky Cat - which will cost £30,495 for ‘First Edition’ models - will be available to order in the autumn of this year, and will have a range of up to 193 miles between charges, courtesy of a 48kWh battery.
To put that into perspective, the similarly-priced Mini Electric boasts a smaller 32.6 kWh battery and a lower range of 145 miles before you need to stop and plug it in again.
Not totally sure what that all means? Take a look at our guide on what kWh and kW really means.
But what if you’re looking for the most affordable electric car lease to enjoy immediately, rather than having to wait until the end of the year?
Here we talk you through the cheapest electrified lease cars - both pure EVs and economical self-charging and plug-in hybrids - to drive down your fuel bills in 2022.
1. Volkswagen e-Up! Electric Hatchback
Lease price from £214 per month*
The VW e-Up! is an all-electric version of the regular Up! hatchback and has been around for almost a decade, having first been launched back in 2013. And with a range of up to 161 miles between charges, as well as 50kW rapid charging capabilities, it’s an EV that should be exceptionally easy to live with.
Standard equipment is more than generous, coming with cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, and speed sensitive power steering.
2. Toyota Yaris Hybrid Hatchback
Lease price from £221 per month
The Toyota Yaris might be compact and cheap, but a lease deal has some big benefits.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a self-charging hybrid system, which does not need to be plugged in.
Instead you get a fuel economy of almost 70 mpg, decent power of 116 PS, and a comprehensive list of driver assistance and safety packages, including Lane Trace Assist and a Pre-Collision System.
3. Suzuki Vitara Hybrid SUV
Lease price from £234 per month*
A large 375 litre boot, great exterior styling and a sophisticated full hybrid system - there’s a lot to love about an affordable Suzuki Vitara lease.
Unlike a ‘PHEV’ model, a full hybrid doesn’t need to be plugged in, which offers maximum convenience.
But you do get a 1.5 litre petrol engine married to a 140V hybrid system, giving you low CO2 emissions and a fuel economy of up to 53 mpg - which is not bad at all for a large SUV.
4. Hyundai Kona Hybrid Hatchback
Lease price from £236 per month*
Everything about this full-hybrid version of the Hyundai Kona has been designed to save you cash.
The ‘GDi’ powertrain blends a 1.6 litre petrol engine with a 1.56 kWh lithium ion polymer battery to give you fuel economy of up to 75 mpg.
A clever ‘Dual Clutch Transmission’ system also sees the Kona hybrid switching to ‘coasting’ mode whenever you lift your foot off the accelerator, ensuring you sip at the tank of petrol.
Standard spec on this ‘SE Connect’ model includes rear parking sensors, cruise control, and a whole host of danger-detecting systems to keep you safe.
5. Smart EQ fortwo Electric Coupe
Lease price from £237 per month*
The Smart EQ fortwo is pretty much the cheapest all-electric vehicle you can buy in the UK right now, with prices starting at around £21,870. And that cost also translates into super-affordable leasing deals for this eye-catching urban two-seater.
All models get a 17.6 kWh battery that brings a range of up to 81 miles between charges. And when you use a dedicated home wallbox, you can recharge up to 80 per cent in just a shade over three hours, so make sure you pick your ideal charger to get the most out of every penny.
6. Smart EQ forfour Electric Hatchback
Lease price from £239 per month*
If you like the two-seat Smart EQ fortwo (see above!) but you need more space to park passengers’ bottoms, then check out the larger Smart EQ forfour, which is available to lease for just a few quid more each month.
The powertrain is the same as the fortwo - so you can expect a range of around 80 miles between charges. That should be perfect for criss-crossing the city or for slightly longer jaunts.
You also get goodies like a 9 inch infotainment screen, cruise control, and a rear parking camera.
7. Mazda MX-30 Electric Hatchback
Lease price from £257 per month*
The MX-30 is a great-looking SUV-hatchback crossover from Mazda.
And it’s an award-winner, too, having scooped the ‘Design Car of the Year’ prize at the 2021 Car of the Year Japan ceremony.
A 35.5 kWh battery brings a gutsy 145 PS of power and a range of up to 124 miles between charges. After a bit more distance? Take a look at our top 10 longest range EVs of the year.
And even base ‘Prime Line' models - like this particular lease deal - are loaded with everything from a Head-Up Display to a reversing camera.
8. Toyota C-HR Hybrid Hatchback
Lease price from £256 per month*
The way we see it, the Toyota C-HR is one of the most stylish compact cars on UK roads right now - and we’re not just talking about vehicles in the ‘affordable’ category.
Like other lease deals on this list, the C-HR is a full hybrid, so there’s no plugging-in necessary. A 1.8 litre petrol engine works in conjunction with a small battery and can bring you up to 57 miles to the gallon.
This base ‘Icon’ lease model also comes with a reversing camera, 17 inch alloys, and dual-zone climate control.
9. Nissan Leaf Electric Hatchback
Lease price from £281 per month*
The Nissan Leaf is the epitome of a sheep in wolf’s clothing.
It might look cute and cuddly, but with power of 150 PS it’ll sprint from 0-62mph in just 7.9 seconds. Not too long ago, that was proper hot-hatch territory.
This particular model boasts a 40kWh battery that delivers a range of up to 168 miles between charges.
And, speaking of charging, fast 50kW replenishing speeds means rapid battery top ups.
Leasing: The affordable way to drive electric cars in the UK
Budgets are tight while bills are going up. That's the big issue for countless families right now.
But one of the reassuring things about taking out a lease deal is that you enjoy fixed monthly payments that don’t increase- and that stands for the duration of your contract.
When it comes to driving electric, it’s also really important to remember that even with the rising price of energy, an electrified car is still much cheaper to run than a traditionally-fuelled petrol or diesel vehicle.
Our Select Electric experts recently crunched the numbers, and the savings you could make with an electric vehicle run to more than £1,000 per year in some cases.
And with a cheap car leasing deal, you also don’t suffer the enormous depreciation costs that come with buying a vehicle outright
*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 30/05/22.
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