What are the Cheapest Electric Cars to Insure?

It is common knowledge that electric cars are significantly cheaper to run than their petrol-fuelled equivalents, but there is more to running costs than simply how your vehicle is powered.

Indeed, purchasing a new car means taking other factors into account, such as road tax, servicing costs and – as we highlight here – insurance.

Moreover, the cost of insurance can really vary from car-to-car, more so for electric models, as we explain below.

Every car in the UK is categorised into an insurance group that has been determined independently by the Association of British Insurers with a rating from 1 (the lowest), all the way to 50 (the highest).

The cost of insurance takes in myriad factors, including the car itself and the person taking out the policy. Young people and first-time buyers will typically pay more insurance, so sourcing a car that can help negate those premiums by being cheaper to insure can result in major savings.

It should be noted that a single insurance group applies to a particular make and model – different trim levels and engines can affect the group it features.

Nevertheless, Vertu has done the legwork for you to ensure you can insure with confidence and get those pesky premiums down…

* Insurance groups correct as of July 2026

Why Are Electric Cars in Higher Insurance Groups?

Electric cars cost more to insure primarily because a large portion of the car’s value comprises the battery pack, meaning any damage to it – minor or otherwise – will cost more to fix than damage to an internal combustion engine.

It is therefore more likely that an insurer would be willing to write-off a car entirely rather than go to the expense of fixing it as the combination of parts and skilled labour costs would push the repairs beyond the value of the original vehicle.

As a result, insurance premiums for electric cars are more dependent on the complexity of the car’s construction itself, rather than size, value and performance as it would be for an ICE model.

On the flip side, however, electric cars have fewer moving parts than an ICE-equipped car and are therefore generally considered to be more reliable.

BYD Dolphin Surf

Model: 30kWh Active

Insurance Group: 14A

It is the BYD Dolphin Surf that earns the title as sitting in the lowest insurance group for an electric car.

It also happens to be one of the cheapest electric cars on sale and, thanks to its zero-emission powertrain and that low insurance group, should ensure the Dolphin Surf is also one of the UK’s most affordable cars to run.

As well as costing less to drive on a day-to-day basis, the Dolphin Surf is one of the funkiest looking small electric cars on the road with its rakish lines and sharp features, especially if you spec it with one of the more lurid colours available.

In 30kWh trim, the Dolphin Surf will manage around 140-miles of range, while still offering impressive standard kit, including air-conditioning, vegan leather seats and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility.

Citroen e-C3 Aircross

Model: 54kWh PLUS

Insurance Group: 14E

Good value has always been front and centre of the Citroen e-C3 Aircross’ appeal and this stretches beyond its competitive price tag by incorporating one of the lowest insurance groups for an electric model.

Considerably larger than other electric cars in its price bracket (below £25,000*), interestingly the e-C3 Aircross comes in a lower group than the petrol equivalent.

For that, the 54kWh e-C3 Aircross will drive upwards of 240-miles (WLTP) in terms of range, while it comes with the benefit of a raised driving position and plenty of rugged SUV kerbside appeal.

Moreover, the e-C3 Aircross’ upright, boxy proportions make it far more spacious than its modest external dimensions might have you believe, while it benefits from Citroen’s expertise in driving comfort.

Vauxhall Frontera Electric

Model: 54kWh Design

Insurance Group: 14E

A sister model to the Citroen e-C3 Aircross, it stands to reason that the Vauxhall Frontera Electric is as similarly cheap to run for an electric vehicle as its French sibling.

Better yet, there is more choice on offer than the Citroen with a 44kWh variant and three trim levels also available, all of which are listed in groups 14-16 for insurance.

More practical and comfortable than the similarly pitched Vauxhall Mokka, the Frontera gets suitably rugged styling and a well packaged interior that offers plenty of space for up to five adults.

While the lowest insurance group of 14E is available on the larger 54kWh battery variant (£27,495), the 44kWh comes in at 15E and is available for less than £24,000*.

MINI Cooper Electric

Model: 40.7kWh Monochrome 3dr

Insurance Group: 17E

While the frisky little MINI Cooper certainly doesn’t rank as one of the cheapest petrol-fuelled cars to insure, the MINI Cooper Electric Monochrome – in group 17E – by contrast is one of the best value EVs to run.

It’s just another string to the bow of an already accomplished car, which has for many years been earmarked as one of motoring’s most desirable models, not to mention built to a high standard of quality, well-equipped, safe and a riot to drive.

In entry-level Monochrome trim, the MINI Cooper Electric is available in Midnight Black or Nanuq White colours, while it loses none of the essence of what makes the entire range so appealing.

Better yet, it returns up to 186-miles of range, while it will accelerate to 62mph in little more than seven seconds.

Ford Puma Gen-E

Model: 46.8kWh Select

Insurance Group: 18E

The best-selling Ford Puma is already the UK’s favourite car according to the end-of-year rankings, and now the Ford Puma Gen-E brings electric appeal to the accomplished line-up.

Even better, not only is the Puma Gen-E great value to buy at £29,995 with the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant applied, it is one of the cheapest electric cars to insure in the UK too.

The only external clue to what lies underneath can be seen at the front with a covered panel in place of the grille, while inside the effect of the battery’s placement opens-up a vast 556-litre boot, up from the standard model’s already generous 456-litres.

Under the skin, the Puma Gen-E uses a 46.8kWh battery that – following recent updates – now travels up to 259-miles on a single charge.

Renault 5 E-Tech

Model: 40kWh evolution

Insurance Group: 18E

Few launches have caused a stir as fevered as the new Renault 5 E-Tech, which is undoubtedly one of the most desirable electric cars on sale right now.

Better yet, it’s also one of the best value in 40kWh trim, thanks to its moderately low 18E insurance group, which puts the 5 E-Tech’s superbly judged neo-retro design flourishes and trendy specification within closer reach.

While the styling – both inside and out – does much of the talking for the pint-size Renault, the 5 E-Tech consolidates this with a frugal 40kWh battery that delivers over 192-miles of range on a combined cycle.

It should be noted that the mechanically identical Nissan MICRA can be had with an insurance group of just 19E too.

*Prices correct at the time of publishing