Best Chinese electric cars in the UK

BYD Seal 

BYD’s flagship car and Tesla Model 3 rival, the Seal, took the world by storm when it came out in 2022. 

Not only is it more affordable than the Tesla, but it’s also full of some incredible features.  

From a double front wishbone (like a Porsche 911 GT3) – which helps it corner brilliantly – to a large panoramic sunroof, the Seal feels much more expensive than it is. 

And with a 354-mile range and up to 523hp, it’s no slouch either. 

• Watch our BYD Seal review 

BYD ATTO 3 

From the ‘guitar strings’ in the door pockets (no, really) to the rotating central screen (no, really... again), the BYD ATTO 3 is probably the most impressive small SUV money can buy – plus, it’s electric and super affordable.

The ATTO 3 has plenty of other nifty tricks up its sleeve and borrows the battery tech from the Seal but in a body shape more suitable to family life. 

With a range of up to 260 miles and a 440-litre boot, it’s ideal for the school run or a longer weekend getaway. 

• Watch our BYD ATTO 3 review 

BYD Dolphin 

The smallest car BYD sells in the UK is called the Dolphin, and apart from making a splash in the small EV market, it’s ideal for city use. 

With a 265-mile range from the bigger 60kWh battery version, it’s perfect for zipping around town, and when it needs to, it tackles a motorway with ease. 

Range does drop more than bigger electric cars at high speeds because the Dolphin is a city car at heart, but it’s still plenty capable. 

It’s also one of the cheapest new electric cars you can buy, but they’re even cheaper on the used market, which is flippin’ great. 

• Read our BYD Dolphin review 

MG4 EV 

As a first-attempt electric hatchback, the MG4 EV isn’t half bad. In fact, it’s stellar. 

Whether you opt for an SE or Trophy trim, or perhaps a feistier XPower model, you’re in for a treat. It’s easy to drive, a piece of cake to park and is efficient enough for all types of trips.  

Plus, it comes in at a great price and still has all the kit you’d ever need in a hatchback. 

Its 64kWh battery offers up to 323 miles of range, which helps you not only around town but on a longer motorway trip, too. 

• Read our MG4 review 

MG ZS EV 

It took the MG ZS EV a couple of years to come into its own, and models from 2021-onwards prove why it’s one of, if not, the best electric SUVs on the market today. 

From its high build quality to its comfortable cabin, this MG is why you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg on a car. 

With 273 miles of range and a healthy 154hp, it’s a perfect car for ferrying the kids around without breaking the bank. 

• Read our MG ZS EV review 

MG5 EV 

Electric estate cars are far and few between. If you want one, you usually need to look at Porsches, Audis and Volkswagens and they’re very expensive.  

But the MG5 undercuts them all while still offering 479 litres of boot space and a 250-mile range. That’s on top of a solid infotainment system and spacious rear seats.  

MG sadly discontinued the ‘5’ in 2024 in favour of more SUVs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get some great bargains on the used market. 

• Read our MG5 review 

MG Cyberster 

Electric sports cars are even rarer than electric estates. Other than high-end hypercars from Rimac and Lotus, there wasn’t much for the average person, until the MG Cyberster came along. 

This two-seater convertible electric sports car produces up to 503hp in the GT, a 0-62mph time of 3.2 seconds while maintaining a respectable 316-mile range. 

For the price, there’s very little else you’d want to show off at the school gates – just look at those doors. 

• Watch our MG Cyberster review 

ORA 03 

The ORA 03 (previously called the ORA Funky Cat) is a quirky electric car that looks like nothing else on the road. 

Its surprised-looking headlights and interior reminiscent of the early 2000s MINIs, we think this is a true curveball that works. 

Its 260-mile range and decent 170hp also help make it a well-rounded car.

• Small electric cars with the longest range

OMODA E5 

OMODA is one of the new kids on the block, but so was BYD at first. And if it keeps making cars as good as the E5 then it’ll be as established as its compatriot in no time.  

The OMODA E5 is a mid-sized electric SUV with a well-put-together interior, lots of interesting tech and a well-developed electric powertrain. And yep, you guessed it, it’s cheap as chips.  

Backed by Chinese conglomerate Chery, it’s got the funding and car-making capabilities to become a part of the UK car furniture in no time. 

• Read our OMODA E5 review 

Maxus T90EV 

Not many electric pickup trucks exist in the UK, but the Maxus T90EV is one that decided to enter the market and see what it could do. 

Available in either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, the T90EV promises to bring silent driving to pickup truck life – and on a budget. 

It does only get 220 miles of range, but if you’re just using it around a farm or town, it may be just fine.