With new electric models with a retail price of more than £40,000 set to be hit by a yearly tax charge of up to £620, a growing number of drivers looking to get behind the wheel of their first EV are looking at more affordable alternatives.
Currently, the cheapest full-size electric car sold in the UK is the £14,995 Dacia Spring. However, in other parts of the world, drivers can buy a considerable range of interesting EVs for even less.
In Japan, the best-selling electric model is the Nissan Sakura – a tiny electric hatchback named after the local word for cherry blossom that has been on sale in the country since 2022.
Local drivers can take to the roads in a brand new Sakura for 2,599,300 yen (£13,329) – nearly £2,000 than the little Dacia and about £10,000 cheaper than any Nissan currently sold in the UK.
Nevertheless, the Japanese EV still offers a considerable range of features and decent performance and practicality that makes it an ideal choice for city driving.
One of Japan’s many ‘kei cars’, a particularly small type of model that must conform to strict size and power regulations, the Nissan Sakura is just 3.4 metres long – around 27cm less than a Fiat 500e.
However, compared to most western city cars, the Sakura features quite boxy styling, with a near-flat front end, featuring the same front end as the much larger Nissan Aryia crossover, and a short, stubby bonnet.
The Sakura’s rear end is equally as squared-off, but a full light bar that spans across the tailgate and a sizable spoiler help to give the design some character.
Inside, the Nissan Sakura mimics a wide range of much larger electric models, featuring a large touchscreen as the centrepiece of a fabric-covered dashboard and copper accents throughout.
Despite its small stature, the little Nissan is just about capable of housing four adult occupants, but the 107-litre boot is likely much smaller than most Brits would expect from a new hatchback.
As standard, the entry-level Sakura X comes equipped with automatic air conditioning, a heat pump, and automatic emergency braking. However, buyers will need to pay extra for a radio.
Compared to almost all electric models sold in the UK, the Nissan Sakura has a fairly small powertrain, comprising of a 63bhp motor and a 20kWh battery pack.
Nevertheless, whilst a Sakura is unlikely to outpace a Tesla Model S Plaid, the little hatch can still reach a top speed of 81mph and cover up to 112 miles on a single charge – making it handy for city commuting or as a second family car.
Whilst it is unlikely that the Nissan Sakura will arrive in the UK anytime soon, Japanese kei cars like it serve as a good reminder that drivers should not have to spend a fortune to get a practical EV.
