In 2025–2026, the Chinese EV invasion has decisively reshaped the European market. MG4 (a SAIC Motor subsidiary) was the best-selling EV in the EU in 2024 — outselling Tesla Model Y in France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands.
The EV choice under €30 000 has expanded significantly in 2026. In this article — a detailed 5-model comparison: which suits city driving, which suits families, which has the best TCO.
WHEELSTREET — AI and tech startup (founded 2025). Over the past 12 months we have imported ~500 vehicles. We specialise in affordable / value-retaining EVs suited to Northern European climate.
Table of Contents
- Why EVs under €30 000 are real in 2026
- SERES E3 — new Chinese contender
- MG4 — best-selling EV in EU
- MG S5 — new SUV (2025 launch)
- BYD Dolphin — reliability + LFP
- Citroën ëC3 — European budget option
- Full comparison table
- FAQ
Why EVs Under €30 000 Are Real in 2026
Three main drivers pushed EV prices down:
- Massive Chinese production — BYD makes 4.3 million cars/year, MG (SAIC) ~1.5 million, SERES ~120 000
- LFP batteries getting cheaper — 2023: 130 USD/kWh, 2026: about 85 USD/kWh. A 60 kWh battery — $5 100 = ~€4 700 (vs €7 800 in 2023)
- Supply-chain maturity — new factories in Hungary (BYD), Spain (Chery), optimised Chinese exports
For the first time in market history, Europe has real EV choice under €25 000 with sufficient range for daily use.
SERES E3 — New Chinese Contender (2025 EU Launch)
SERES Group — former Huawei automotive partner (AITO models), expanded to Europe with the SERES brand in 2024. Yangtze delta factory, 120 000 cars/year.
| Parameter | SERES E3 |
|---|---|
| Type | Compact SUV |
| Battery | 52 kWh LFP |
| WLTP range | 425 km |
| Power | 145 kW (197 HP) |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.8 s |
| DC charging | 130 kW (400V) |
| AC charging | 11 kW |
| Seats | 5 standard, 7 option |
| Vehicle warranty | 5 y / 100 000 km |
| Battery warranty | 8 y / 160 000 km |
| Price (WHEELSTREET) | ~€26 900 |
Pros: 7-seat option (unique in segment), Huawei HiCar integration, large boot (510 L). Cons: lower DC charging speed (130 kW vs MG4 150 kW), new brand in Europe — residual value unclear.
MG4 Electric — Best-Selling EV in the EU 2024
MG Motor (SAIC Motor / China's UK brand, acquired 2007) — one of the oldest automotive brands (UK Morris Garages, 1923). Today MG is a Chinese-UK co-production with manufacturing in Shanghai and Hungary.
| Parameter | MG4 Standard | MG4 Comfort | MG4 Trophy LR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | 51 kWh LFP | 64 kWh NMC | 77 kWh NMC |
| WLTP range | 350 km | 450 km | 520 km |
| Power | 125 kW | 150 kW | 180 kW |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.7 s | 7.9 s | 6.5 s |
| DC charging | 117 kW | 135 kW | 150 kW |
| AC charging | 6.6 kW | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Price | ~€24 900 | ~€28 500 | ~€33 900 |
Pros: best-selling EV in EU 2024, RWD configuration (sporty driving), 7-year warranty (longest in segment), compact hatchback — good for city. Cons: tighter boot (363 L vs SERES E3 510 L), no heat pump (winter range -10 % more).
MG S5 — New SUV (2025 Launch)
MG S5 — replacement for the ageing ZS EV. Launched October 2025, arrived in Northern Europe via EU dealers in early 2026.
| Parameter | MG S5 Standard | MG S5 Long Range |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Compact SUV | |
| Battery | 49 kWh LFP | 64 kWh LFP |
| WLTP range | 340 km | 480 km |
| Power | 125 kW | 170 kW |
| 0-100 km/h | 8.0 s | 7.2 s |
| DC charging | 110 kW | 139 kW |
| AC charging | 6.6 kW | 11 kW |
| Price | ~€27 900 | ~€31 900 |
Pros: more modern design than ZS, larger cabin, 7-year warranty, good DC charging for this price class. Cons: shorter range than MG4 LR, smaller boot than BYD Atto 3.
BYD Dolphin — Reliability + LFP Safety
Interested in BYD or MG?
WHEELSTREET stocks BYD Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal U as showroom cars. MG models delivered in 4-6 weeks from EU dealers. 24-month MANGO warranty.
BYD Dolphin — one of BYD's first European export models.
| Parameter | Dolphin Active | Dolphin Comfort | Dolphin Design |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | 44.9 kWh Blade LFP | 60.4 kWh Blade LFP | 60.4 kWh Blade LFP |
| WLTP range | 340 km | 427 km | 427 km |
| Power | 70 kW | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| 0-100 km/h | 12.3 s | 7.0 s | 7.0 s |
| DC charging | 60 kW | 88 kW | 88 kW |
| AC charging | 7 kW | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Battery warranty | 8 y / 200 000 km | ||
| Price | ~€25 000 | ~€28 900 | ~€32 500 |
Pros: Blade LFP battery (0 % fire risk, longer life than NMC), 8 y / 200 000 km battery warranty (best in segment), established BYD service. Cons: slow DC charging (88 kW vs MG4 135 kW), smaller cabin than SERES E3.
Citroën ëC3 — European Budget Option
Citroën ëC3 — the first truly affordable European EV under €25 000. Built at Stellantis Trnava (Slovakia), EU origin matters to certain buyers.
| Parameter | Citroën ëC3 You! | ëC3 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 44 kWh LFP | 44 kWh LFP |
| WLTP range | 320 km | 320 km |
| Power | 83 kW (113 HP) | 83 kW |
| 0-100 km/h | 11.0 s | 11.0 s |
| DC charging | 100 kW | 100 kW |
| AC charging | 7 kW (11 kW option) | 11 kW |
| Price | ~€21 300 | ~€23 300 |
Pros: EU manufacturing (Trnava, Slovakia), dense Citroën service network, simple design (fewer faults), quick DC charging (100 kW). Cons: shortest range in this comparison (320 km), slow acceleration (11 s), smaller cabin, small boot.
Full Comparison Table
| Parameter | SERES E3 | MG4 Comfort | MG S5 LR | BYD Dolphin Comfort | Citroën ëC3 Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | 26 900 | 28 500 | 31 900 | 28 900 | 23 300 |
| WLTP range | 425 km | 450 km | 480 km | 427 km | 320 km |
| Battery | 52 kWh LFP | 64 kWh NMC | 64 kWh LFP | 60.4 kWh LFP | 44 kWh LFP |
| Power | 145 kW | 150 kW | 170 kW | 150 kW | 83 kW |
| 0-100 km/h | 7.8 s | 7.9 s | 7.2 s | 7.0 s | 11.0 s |
| DC charging | 130 kW | 135 kW | 139 kW | 88 kW | 100 kW |
| AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW | 11 kW | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Seats | 5/7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Boot | 510 L | 363 L | 478 L | 345 L | 310 L |
| Vehicle warranty | 5 y | 7 y | 7 y | 6 y | 3 y |
| Battery warranty | 8 y | 7 y | 7 y | 8 y / 200k | 8 y |
Which Model Suits Which Buyer?
Family with children (3+)
SERES E3 (7-seat option) or MG S5 LR. SERES gives maximum flexibility — 7 seats, large boot. MG S5 — newest design, more cabin space.
City (young buyer)
MG4 Comfort or Citroën ëC3 Max. MG4 — sportiest driving (RWD), best-selling EV in EU. Citroën — cheapest option, dense EU service.
Maximum reliability + long-term use
BYD Dolphin Comfort. Blade LFP battery + 8 y / 200 000 km warranty — best combination.
Many highway trips
MG S5 LR or MG4 Trophy LR (€33 900). Best DC charging speed (135–150 kW), sufficient range (480–520 km).
