I drove the cheapest new EVs until THEY DIED!

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How far can Europe's cheapest and tiniest electrical cars really go on a single charge before shutting down entirely? Sign Up With Mat Watson as he drives 8 budget-friendly EVs until each and every single one runs completely out of juice!

Beginning with the featherweight of the group, the long-range Microlino starts from around ₤ 22,870 and weighs in at an ultra-light 535 kg. Powered by a modest 17 hp electric motor, its 15 kWh battery pack promises an official WLTP claimed series of 142 miles.

Next up is the lightweight Dacia Spring Electric 65, which comes in with an economical beginning rate of ₤ 16,995 and suggestions the scales at a lean 975 kg. It packs a 65 hp power output and claims a main WLTP driving variety of as much as 140 miles on a complete charge.

Going up in size, the streamlined Honda Super-N begins with ₤ 18,995 and brings a total kerb weight of 1,097 kg to the test. With 94 hp available through its temporary increase mode, Honda declares it will provide up to 128 miles of WLTP variety.

Representing the new wave of spending plan EVs, the compact Leapmotor T03 starts at ₤ 15,995 and comes in with a kerb weight of 1,175 kg. Its electric motor produces a reputable 95 hp, providing it an official WLTP declared series of 165 miles.

The sharp-looking Hyundai Inster Long Range starts from ₤ 27,395, weighing in at 1,335 kg while kicking out 113 hp. Thanks to its bigger battery setup, it boasts the longest claimed range in our test with an official WLTP figure of 229 miles.

Bringing strong retro styling to the mix, the Fiat Grande Panda EV has a beginning cost of ₤ 21,995 and a kerb weight of 1,380 kg. Driven by a 113 hp electrical motor, Fiat prices quote a main WLTP combined variety of as much as 199 miles.

Sharing its hidden platform, the comfortable Citroën ë-C3 begins at ₤ 23,815 and weighs 1,416 kg while producing the exact same 113 hp output. Just like its Italian cousin, it claims an official WLTP range of 199 miles on a single charge.

Lastly, the BYD Dolphin Surf Increase enters the test with a starting cost of ₤ 22,625 and a weight of 1,370 kg. Its electric motor produces 88 hp, permitting its battery pack to achieve a claimed WLTP variety of 200 miles.

Which of these budget EVs will take a trip the furthest before running entirely flat, and which one will surprise us with its real-world efficiency?

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:48 Microlino
05:16 Honda Super-N
08:19 Dacia Spring
12:17 Leap Motor T08
14:27 Citroen e-C3
17:45 Fiat Grande Panda
21:44 BYD Dolphin Browse
24:33 Range Test Update
27:25 Hyundai Inster
32:12 What Vehicle Will Win?
43:25 Results

Comments

72 responses to “I drove the cheapest new EVs until THEY DIED!”

  1. @the_deee Avatar
    @the_deee

    7+1 Cars in a Range test? I wonder the logistics of all the people there.

    1. @patriotbarrow Avatar
      @patriotbarrow

      There were some chase cars but probably not enough for every contender. Gopros on instrument clusters, cameras on windscreens for the drivers. And probably one camera person + driver per chase car.

    2. @the_deee Avatar
      @the_deee

      @patriotbarrow7 cars, the +1 is for the cute Microlino but if we add chase car (LC250 Prado) that would be 9 cars

  2. @alexemmy12 Avatar
    @alexemmy12

    Air con with the windows opened

    1. @Thecat1962-h8p Avatar
      @Thecat1962-h8p

      And turn on the lights.

    2. @lemcake32422 Avatar
      @lemcake32422

      did it for the test

    3. @waskus Avatar
      @waskus

      ​@Thecat1962-h8pits led lights and they hardly use any power.

    4. @Ktmzqw Avatar
      @Ktmzqw

      @Thecat1962-h8p DRL

  3. @itscoldpapa Avatar
    @itscoldpapa

    the best carwow series is back

    1. @jakey1014 Avatar
      @jakey1014

      Yeah definitely my fav too

    2. @tesla_models Avatar
      @tesla_models

      Yep …no drag races

    3. @Pistonpull.70 Avatar
      @Pistonpull.70

      Drag Races depends on the cars, EV Range tests depends on the cars.

      Conclusion:Depends on the cars 🚗,!!.

    4. @tesla_models Avatar
      @tesla_models

      ​@Pistonpull.70 Norma car races are ok but hypermarket cars not that much

    5. @conor7154 Avatar
      @conor7154

      At no point in my life will I ever buy a cheap little European market EV (thank god). So yes I will be watching the whole thing.

  4. @derekmiles767 Avatar
    @derekmiles767

    One of my best carwow series is back.

  5. @VyshnavSChandran-w9e Avatar
    @VyshnavSChandran-w9e

    3:04 Bro looks like a budget james bond in the microlino😂

  6. @Muradkhan-r2l7w Avatar
    @Muradkhan-r2l7w

    Finally, an honest breakdown of budget EVs! Love how you focused on the actual weight and range. The Dacia Spring being under 1,000 kg is a massive win for efficiency, but that Leapmotor price point is definitely going to shake things up. Great video as always!

  7. @mikadavies660 Avatar
    @mikadavies660

    I cannot understand how anyone in the UK would even consider the Microlino? It is at least £10,000 overpriced.

    1. @vik.1903 Avatar
      @vik.1903

      At least…

    2. @edkl.o Avatar
      @edkl.o

      it’s okay to have a little fun sometimes

    3. @Steven-vo4ee Avatar
      @Steven-vo4ee

      It’s a toy, people who will buy one aren’t bothered by the price.

    4. @erotallman Avatar
      @erotallman

      But but but I charged it with solar which was totally free but but but it was only to go to the shops but but but I don’t drive on weekends…..

    5. @YGVares Avatar
      @YGVares

      Being a swiss brand, in central europe they make sense since they can be driven at 14

  8. @V_Dubya Avatar
    @V_Dubya

    Great little EVs. Good to see Carwow content that isn’t another drag race

    1. @LaReynedeNeige Avatar
      @LaReynedeNeige

      Can’t be bothered with those myself

    2. @Channel-h4b Avatar
      @Channel-h4b

      Drag races are for children.

    3. @andycotton162 Avatar
      @andycotton162

      Is that another Rue Paul video?

  9. @Srevelation Avatar
    @Srevelation

    Surprised that microlino is motorway legal

    1. @Ktmzqw Avatar
      @Ktmzqw

      This one is even as a quadricycle because it’s registered with a top speed superior to the 28mph motorway minimum. The other model Mat mentions isn’t motorway legal

    2. @HaralHeisto Avatar
      @HaralHeisto

      The 56mph version is motorway legal because it’s categorized as “L7e Heavy Quadricycle”, the cheaper 28mph version isn’t because it’s a “L6e Light Quadricycle”. The slow one is legal with only AM license, but the fast needs a full B1 license

    3. @stephen546 Avatar
      @stephen546

      ​@HaralHeistoWhy are you using American spelling

    4. @HaralHeisto Avatar
      @HaralHeisto

      @stephen546 Ugh, autocucumber got me. I disgust myself!

    5. @dekhog Avatar
      @dekhog

      I’m surprised it’s even road legal…

  10. @iantownsend500 Avatar
    @iantownsend500

    I love the drag races, off-road stuff, car reviews but my absolute favourite is, the electric car range test, I never thought I’d actually say that

  11. @Connor_HasArrived00 Avatar
    @Connor_HasArrived00

    For those who use metric :
    1st : Hyundai Inster : 212 miles =341.181 kilometers, 95% of claimed range and 4.4mi/kWh
    2nd : Fiat Grande Panda : 202 miles =325.0875 kilometers, 102% of claimed range and 4.1mi/kWh
    3rd : BYD Dolphin Surf 185.6 miles =298.694 kilometers, 93% of claimed range and 4.8mi/kWh
    4th : Citroen e-C3 170.7 miles =274.715 kilometers, 86% of claimed range and 3.3mi/kwh
    5th : Leap Motor TO3 140 miles =225.308 kilometers, 85% of claimed range and 3.9mi/kWh
    6th Dacia Spring 123 miles =197.949 kilometers, 88% of claimed range and 4.8mi/kWh
    7th Honda n-one e121 miles =194.731 kilometers, 95% of claimed range and 4.4mi/kWh
    8th Microlinco 115 miles =185.0746 kilometers, 101% of claimed range and 7.7mi/kWh

    1. @vik.1903 Avatar
      @vik.1903

      Cheers

    2. @EDS_-0_0-_EDS Avatar
      @EDS_-0_0-_EDS

      For those who use metric :
      1st : Hyundai Inster : 212 miles =341.181 kilometers, 95% of claimed range and 4.4mi/kWh=14.12 kWh/100 km.
      2nd : Fiat Grande Panda : 202 miles =325.0875 kilometers, 102% of claimed range and 4.1mi/kWh=15.16 kWh/100 km.
      3rd : BYD Dolphin Surf 185.6 miles =298.694 kilometers, 93% of claimed range and 4.8mi/kWh=12.95 kWh/100 km.
      4th : Citroen e-C3 170.7 miles =274.715 kilometers, 86% of claimed range and 3.3mi/kwh=18.83 kWh/100 km.
      5th : Leap Motor TO3 140 miles =225.308 kilometers, 85% of claimed range and 3.9mi/kWh=15.93 kWh/100 km.
      6th Dacia Spring 123 miles =197.949 kilometers, 88% of claimed range and 4.8mi/kWh=12.95 kWh/100 km.
      7th Honda Super-N 121 miles =194.731 kilometers, 95% of claimed range and 4.4mi/kWh=14.12 kWh/100 km.
      8th Microlinco 115 miles =185.0746 kilometers, 101% of claimed range and 7.7mi/kWh=8.07 kWh/100 km.

    3. @nielsdebakker3283 Avatar
      @nielsdebakker3283

      The honda is not called inster but n-one e

    4. @Connor_HasArrived00 Avatar
      @Connor_HasArrived00

      @nielsdebakker3283thanks for letting me know. I’ll fix the issue right away

    5. @wleng Avatar
      @wleng

      @nielsdebakker3283not the N-One e. This is the Super-N in the UK, or Super-One for the rest of the world.

  12. @matejkukolik2716 Avatar
    @matejkukolik2716

    The cars locking themselves in park should be just criminal …

    1. @LaReynedeNeige Avatar
      @LaReynedeNeige

      Yes, seems dodgy

    2. @dogsbodyish8403 Avatar
      @dogsbodyish8403

      Probably to protect the drivetrain from the effects of towing.

    3. @LagartoPT Avatar
      @LagartoPT

      @dogsbodyish8403 It’s a safety feature it just uses those last electrons to prevent the car from rolling down the hill … But apparently all models have a way to unlock it in case you want to push it.

  13. @wleng Avatar
    @wleng

    In Australia, the BYD is $19,990 drive away while the Honda is $36,900 drive away! Makes the BYD a no brainer then?

    1. @emptybottle2405 Avatar
      @emptybottle2405

      Yes but that one has a really small battery

    2. @wleng Avatar
      @wleng

      @emptybottle2405it has a 30kwH battery, which is the same size as the Honda. Is the UK car tested here with a bigger battery?

    3. @John-p7i5g Avatar
      @John-p7i5g

      ​@emptybottle240530kWh which is 2 more than the old Hyundai Ioniq 28.

    4. @USUG0 Avatar
      @USUG0

      amusing how the UK exited the EU, and yet Chinese cars are priced like with EU tariffs

  14. @orineelza Avatar
    @orineelza

    I can not see how anyone in the UK would even consider the Microlino? It is at least £10,000 overvalued

    1. @rahulan5026 Avatar
      @rahulan5026

      Shame to see you copy and paste another people’s comment, unless you are a bot.

    2. @FranzTraininand Avatar
      @FranzTraininand

      Perfect third car in rich households where £30K is toy money. It isn’t for us normal people.

    3. @alanthehat595 Avatar
      @alanthehat595

      @FranzTraininand Yeah, spot on. It’s really just a fancy city runabout (down to the deli) for the weekend.

    4. @BionicRusty Avatar
      @BionicRusty

      Mike?
      That you??

    5. @zezinharias Avatar
      @zezinharias

      you are a bot too

  15. @billymakuwe5536 Avatar
    @billymakuwe5536

    “KEEP EYES ON ROAD” i can imagine hearing that everyday, id probaby end up punching the screen

    1. @Ktmzqw Avatar
      @Ktmzqw

      Big brother is watching you

    2. @dekhog Avatar
      @dekhog

      You just need to stick a bit of black tape over it and all the nagging goes away forever…

    3. @EvilPanda_14 Avatar
      @EvilPanda_14

      I will say I own that car and it doesn’t go off NEARLY as often as these videos show. It’s just cause they are shooting a video and looking at the camera all the time

  16. @husseinbaghdadi4533 Avatar
    @husseinbaghdadi4533

    i want the violet Honda so bad

    1. @victors_armament Avatar
      @victors_armament

      Same man. So sad it isn’t available in europe

    2. @dekhog Avatar
      @dekhog

      Honda configurator in the UK … pearl white with grey stripes and black badging is epic!

    3. @victors_armament Avatar
      @victors_armament

      ​@dekhogoef just looked it up the color options suck. The purple gave me the idea there were gone be color options. Not just the boring traffic color or purple. Would love it in bright yellow honestly

    4. @husseinbaghdadi4533 Avatar
      @husseinbaghdadi4533

      @victors_armament It is so sad that Honda is reducing their business in EU.

    5. @victors_armament Avatar
      @victors_armament

      ​@husseinbaghdadi4533yeah it sucks. All the brands I like slowly leave and only the garbage remains

  17. @TeaBreak. Avatar
    @TeaBreak.

    In BYD cars you can tape over the driver camera and all it does is display a coffee mug symbol.

    1. @krmr Avatar
      @krmr

      Coffee mug? Tea break, come on mate! Teacup!

    2. @TeaBreak. Avatar
      @TeaBreak.

      ​@krmrhaha yeah fair point. It’s a good trick though, 1 warning when you turn the engine over then a tiny mug and zero warnings. It does drive you up the wall without doing that. Can’t watch YouTube in peace while driving. 😂

    3. @imbethondion4572 Avatar
      @imbethondion4572

      Same in the Leapmotor.

  18. @Strmi Avatar
    @Strmi

    You should do same cars in every season so we can see real results. Winter one with at least -5C and snow, spring one 15-20C dry, summer 30c+ sunny and autumn 10-15 rainy. One test with all season and one with proper winter / summer tyres

  19. @skitzvitz Avatar
    @skitzvitz

    That Panda is bloody awesome!

  20. @shravansreekumar1608 Avatar
    @shravansreekumar1608

    2:58 Flashbacks of Jeremy Clarkson in a Citroen

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