AFTER changes were made this April to electric car tax, we have compiled a list of the cheapest EVs to insure.
As of the beginning of April 2025, electric car owners are now required to pay tax.
The exact amount of tax is dependent on the age of the vehicle you drive e.g. from as little as £20 (for cars from 2001-2017) to a rate of £195 for newly registered motors.
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Changes to electric vehicle tax from 1 April 2025
To simplify matters, we’ve outlined the changes below:
- Electric, zero, or low-emission cars registered on or after 1 April 2025: Requires the lowest first-year rate of vehicle tax, set at £10, starting from 1 April 2025. From the second year, you will need to pay the standard rate, which is £195.
- Electric, zero, or low-emission cars registered between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2025: You’ll be liable for the standard rate of vehicle tax, which is £195.
- Electric, zero, or low-emission cars registered between 1 March 2001 and 31 March 2017: These vehicles will move to the first band with a Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) value, which will be £20.
Top 5 cheapest electric vehicles to insure
The helpful people at Admiral have listed their cheapest electric vehicles to insure. Here they are in order of cost to insure, also available on Sun Motors:
- Lexus LBX
- Cupra Born
- Volkswagen ID
- Honda E:Ny1
- Mini Cooper Electric
Lexus LBX (Average annual premium: £622.23)
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Model: Lexus LBX
The Lexus LBX is the smallest Lexus, but it’s still a Lexus – that means luxury driving, excellent in-car entertainment, a lush interior and a smooth ride
You can find models starting from £570 per month on Sun Motors.
Cupra Born (Average annual premium: £623.33)
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Model: Cupra Born
The Cupra Born is an all-electric hot hatch that’s fast and a little furious. It’s built on the same platform as the Skoda Enyaq IV and VW ID.3, so you know it’s built to last.
Models start from £334 per month on Sun Motors.
Honda E:Ny1 (Average annual premium: £633.04)
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Model: Honda E:Ny1
The Honda E:NY1 is a practical electric vehicle with above-average performance and battery life, says Whatcar?. It’s slightly let down by slow(er) battery charging time when compared to rivals.
There are models available on Sun Motors starting from just £489 per month.
Mini Cooper Electric (Average annual premium: £641.07)
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Model: Mini Cooper Electric
How can you not love the Mini Cooper Electric? It’s everything that we love about the traditional Mini with a battery-powered motor.
Top Gear agrees, saying it’s a huge amount of fun to drive with great handling. Space is limited, but the clue is in the name…
This edition of a timeless classic is available on Sun Motors from just £163 per month.
Volkswagen ID (Average annual premium: £626.24)
The VW ID is a small(ish), city-style SUV that’s leading VW’s all electric range. Reviews have been positive, and it’s a reliable and robust car that’s aimed at the urban market, like this VW ID 4.
Electric car insurance costs: Cheapest electric car insurance UK
The popularity of electric vehicles means that you don’t need to go to a specialist anymore. You can use any of the comparison sites or go directly to an insurer’s website.
The exact costs you’ll pay for electric vehicle insurance depend on all the factors outlined above.
It’s worth getting several quotes and taking the time to compare each policy to see what is and isn’t covered.
Some drivers may benefit from working with a broker, particularly if they have lots of points on their license, a poor credit rating, or want to insure a modified or high-value electric vehicle.
Electric vehicle tax and insurance FAQs
Which electric vehicle is the cheapest to insure?
According to insurance company Admiral, the Volvo EX30 is the cheapest electric vehicle to insure, with an annual premium of £620.
Why is it so cheap? The Volvo EX30 is a stylish and capable SUV that’s received rave reviews from experts, including Whatcar?. At less than £40k it’s classed as an affordable EV, but it’s certainly not cheap.
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Model: Volvo Ex30 Plus
We’re not able to access Admiral’s systems to understand why it’s so cheap, but we trust their calculations.
Sun Motors: Buy your next vehicle today
If you’re part of the 3.3 million Brits looking to buy a used vehicle this year, Sun Motors is an ideal place to start
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Sun Motors is a seamless, straightforward, transparent platform that ranks by customer searches, not payments. It offers innovative financing and concierge services, ensuring a simple, fair car-buying experience.
Enjoy:
- A choice of fuel type whether it’s petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid
- A range of models from convertible, estate, saloon and many more
- A range of top brands such as Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota and BMW
- Financing options
- Trusted dealers
Do electric cars have to pay the congestion charge in 2025?
Drive an electric car into London and you’re currently exempt from the congestion charge, but this is due to change on 25 December 2025.
From this date onwards, all EV drivers will need to pay £15 to drive in London. (This is because the vehicles no longer qualify for the Cleaner Vehicle Discount.)
Electric vehicles are currently exempt from paying to enter many of the UK’s congestion zones in cities like Bristol, Bath and Birmingham.
However, this can – and probably will – change, so it’s always worth checking before you travel.
Use this Government congestion zone checker to see if you’ll need to make a payment to drive your electric vehicle in a low-emissions zone.
Is there a tax difference between electric and hybrid/petrol vs electric vehicles?
PHEVs and HEVs are both classed as low-emission vehicles, so the new tax rules apply.
From 1 April 2025, you’ll need to pay tax for your electric vehicle, plug-in electric hybrid or hybrid car.
Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you’re looking for automatic, manual or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.
