Cheapest Chinese electric cars in Portugal: prices and range

In the first six months of this year, one in every ten cars sold in Europe came from a Chinese brand. That share could have been higher, were it not for the tariffs the European Commission has imposed on electric cars built in China - including those sold under European badges.

With tariffs or without them, electric-car sales are still climbing. Right now, they are being pushed up in particular by swings in fuel prices. On top of that, the choice keeps expanding, sometimes faster than it is easy to keep track of.

To make things simpler, we have pulled together the cheapest Chinese electric cars in Portugal in this article - both the models already on sale and those about to arrive. We have also widened the net slightly to include cars that wear European emblems but were developed or produced in China.

BYD Dolphin Surf from 23 395 €

This is BYD’s smallest and least expensive model on sale in Portugal. From the outside, the front end has a hint of Lamborghini about it, while inside it shares many of the mechanical and electrical parts used in the brand’s higher segments.

The 23 395 euro figure applies to the Active version, which comes with a 30 kWh battery and a 220 km (WLTP) range. There is another option with a 43,2 kWh battery and more than 300 km of range, but the price increases to 24 990 euros. Across the whole line-up, one consistent theme is a very generous standard equipment list.

Up front, it faces tough competition from the Citroën ë-C3, the electric Fiat Grande Panda, and every other model mentioned later on.

Dacia Spring from 16 900 €

Yes, Dacia is not a Chinese brand. In fact, it is increasingly aligned with European tastes. Even so, the Dacia Spring is built on a Chinese platform supplied by Dongfeng.

Since its market launch, it has been the undisputed price leader - and it still is. In entry-level Essential trim, it costs 16 900 euros. It uses a small 24,3 kWh battery, but thanks to the car’s low overall weight it can claim 225 km of range (WLTP).

Dongfeng Box 26 750 €

It is electric, it is Chinese, but it is not particularly cheap - at least when you compare it with its closest rivals. Dongfeng Box prices begin very close to 27 thousand euros and can exceed that once registration and transport costs are added.

That puts it head-to-head with European alternatives such as the Renault 5, Volkswagen ID. Polo and CUPRA Raval.

In return, it offers strong cabin space (the front seats fold down and the boot holds 326 litres) and plenty of equipment. With 95 cv and a 42,3 kWh battery, this electric vehicle quotes a 310 km range (WLTP), which is enough to make it more than just a city car.

Geely E2 prices not yet confirmed

The first Geely E2 units are due to reach Europe later this year. This is not simply another electric car: it is the best-selling electric car in China. There, it has been outpacing BYD, Chery and SAIC, helped by a remarkable sales tempo of more than 50 thousand units per month.

There are still no official European prices or specifications, but Automotive Reason understands that two battery options will be offered.

The smaller pack is expected to deliver ranges below 300 km, while the larger one could go beyond 350 km. As for pricing, entry versions are expected to land at around 22 thousand euros.

Keep an eye on the Automotive Reason YouTube channel, because we have already filmed a first drive with this model in Germany.

Leapmotor B03X from 22 500 euros

Leapmotor is a Chinese brand, but part of its shareholding is held by Stellantis - the owner of marques including Peugeot, Citroën, Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Opel, among others. Its European push began with the basic T03 (covered further down), but it has been growing rapidly.

The B03X may be the clearest example, because it goes straight for what many Europeans want: an SUV body style paired with a very aggressive 22 500 euros price point.

Beyond the price, it delivers 176 cv and a 39,8 kWh battery. WLTP range is quoted at 292 km. For those who want more, there is a version (ProMax) with a 52 kWh battery. It is a model that will, without doubt, shake up the European market.

Leapmotor B05 from 24 500 euros

The B05 is the newest Leapmotor model to arrive in Portugal and one of the most compelling entries on this list. Starting at 24 500 euros, it positions itself as an alternative to European electric hatchbacks, with a balance of space, equipment, range and price that is hard to overlook.

In entry form, it uses a 160 kW (218 cv) motor and a 56,2 kWh battery, enough to claim up to 4o1 km of range (WLTP). That figure, combined with the interior room, standard kit and the way this model drives on the road, should make the B05 one of the most competitive Chinese EVs in its segment.

Leapmotor T03 from 18 500 euros

This was the first Leapmotor model to be sold in Portugal and, with prices from 18 500 euros, it remains one of the most affordable electric cars available in the country.

It features a 95 cv electric motor, a 37,3 kWh battery and a claimed range of up to 265 km (WLTP). Against its main rivals, it stands out for its comprehensive standard equipment, for offering a noticeably larger battery, and for being more versatile than its small footprint suggests. That was, in fact, one of the things that surprised us most when we drove it for the first time.

Renault Twingo E-Tech from 19 490 euros

Right, let’s clear something up straight away: the Renault Twingo E-Tech is not Chinese. We know. Even so, it earns a place here because it was co-developed in China by Renault’s Advanced China Development Center (ACDC), a division created to speed up the development of affordable electric models. It is a good example of how China’s car industry now shapes the market well beyond local brands.

At 19 490 euros, it is among the cheapest electric cars on sale in Portugal. It comes with a 27,5 kWh battery and claims up to 263 km of range (WLTP), blending a retro-futuristic design - inspired by the original 1993 Twingo - with a package aimed primarily at urban driving.