If the financial hurdle for buying an e-car has been too high up to now, you can be pleased: The range of particularly affordable e-cars is growing by several new models.
Despite Corona, 2020 was the first real boom year for electric cars in Germany. Together with the plug-in hybrids, their market share climbed to well over 10 percent. This means that e-mobility is finally out of its niche. In addition to a growing selection of models, financial incentives, especially the generous environmental bonus, fueled the boom. And that should pick up speed this year, because several battery-electric models are coming onto the market at low prices. Together with the environmental bonus, which can still be called up, entry into e-mobility is possible at even a four-digit price level.
The new Fiat 500 is freshly in the starting blocks. In its new edition, the little Italian does without an “e” or “Elektro” as an addition to its name. Like the old Nitro-500, the purely electrically powered successor is simply called the 500. Fiat is offering it at the official price of 23.560 euros in the basic version Action. The electric motor in this variant has an output of 70 kW / 95 PS, which allows a sprint from standstill to 100 km / h in 9,5 seconds. The top speed is a bit modest at 135 km / h. According to realistic WLTP measurements, the battery with 23,8 kWh should enable a combined range of 180 kilometers, and even 240 kilometers in pure city traffic. In addition to sufficient range, the two-door basic version offers a few niceties as standard. There is an electric parking brake and window lift, Keyless Go, air conditioning, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, an audio system and an automatic transmission. After deducting the environmental bonus, which rises from 19 percent to 9.570 euros with the re-applicable VAT, the entry-level price for the small electric car drops to around 14.000 euros.
Renault's electric Zoe has been particularly successful in Germany for years thanks to its low price. This year the French are rounding off their offer with the Twingo Electric downwards. The higher-quality version Vibes can already be ordered at prices starting at 24.790 euros. Renault increases the environmental bonus to a good 10.000 euros. In return, the E-Twingo, which is practically just under 15.000 euros, offers decent equipment, including 16-inch light-alloy wheels, electric exterior mirrors, four entry doors, cruise control, leather steering wheel, a charging cable suitable for charging stations, heated seats, 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, climate control and light and rain sensor includes. The drive provides 60 kW / 82 PS, which allows a sprint to 100 km / h in 12,9 seconds and a maximum of 135 km / h. With the 21,4 kWh battery, a range of 190 kilometers is possible. Renault wants to submit a basic version of the Twingo Electric soon at prices starting at a good 21.000 euros. After deducting the environmental bonus, the purchase price can even drop to 11.000 euros.
The Dacia Spring should be even cheaper than the basic Twingo. It also competes with its 3,73-meter-short five-door body in a small car format. Thanks to the robust planking and body elevation, however, it looks like an SUV. With 33 kW / 45 PS, its drive is designed more for range than for performance. After all, a maximum of 125 km / h is possible. Thanks to the 26,8 kWh battery, one charge should last at least 225 kilometers, in city mode even almost 300 kilometers are possible. There is still no detailed information on price, equipment and market launch date in Germany. But it is very likely that the Spring will cost less than 20.000 euros and, minus the sponsorship bonus, may even be available at a four-digit price.
At the first market launch in early 2020, the Aachen start-up E.Go ran out of breath surprisingly quickly with the small electric car Life. After restructuring, the now insolvent company wants to make a second attempt at the beginning of 2021 and start producing cars again. However, it is still unclear which versions of Life will be available with which drive and battery systems. In the list of eligible electric cars from Bafa, the cheapest 2020 variant is still the well-equipped “First Edition” at a price of around 20.700 euros. Less the environmental bonus, this would correspond to a price of just over 11.000 euros. However, last year E.Go announced a slimmed-down and significantly cheaper basic variant. If such a variant is offered in 2021, E.Go Life should also be available for a four-digit amount.
The Suda SA200, imported from China in small series (01 vehicles / year), has been officially available in Germany for a few months and is currently being offered in Germany for 9.990 euros minus the environmental bonus. AutoSL GmbH, based in Düsseldorf, sells the 80 kW / 109 PS strong, 134 km / h fast and around 4,40 meter long notchback sedan. A traction battery made from LiNiCoMn cells with a capacity of around 40 kWh should allow a WLTP range of 210 kilometers. The equipment is quite impressive with automatic air conditioning, light alloy wheels and an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen. What is missing is the actually obligatory ESP, the waiver of which only the small series status makes possible. If there are more Sudas in Germany in the future, ESP is needed, which will, however, also drive up the price. Even in view of the growing competition in the lower price segment, the currently very cheap imports from China will probably not have it easy.