Electric vehicles have been widely considered a great alternative for people avoiding the noisy, environmental concerns, and high maintenance costs of gasoline cars in the U.S. But the average price around $50,000 could be a sore thumb for people on a tight budget.
However, in China, with that same budget, you could get around five EVs in China. Many EV makers in China face intense competition, which is one of the reasons for the lower EV prices in the country.
The Beijing Auto Show, a global automotive exhibition, is one of the places where you get to see cool EVs that are extremely competitively priced. The show, which started on April 24, will end May 3. So far it has featured significant displays from major international brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Toyota, alongside Chinese automakers like BYD, Nio, Xiaomi, and Huawei-backed firms.
Here are five of the best vehicles shown at the event already:
1) Geely EX2 — Starting at $10,060
Geely’s EX2 isn’t just cheap; it’s the best-selling car in China across all categories in 2025.
That alone says a lot. For the price, it packs in features you wouldn’t expect at this level: a front trunk, multiple storage compartments, and a 14.6-inch touchscreen running Geely’s own system. The top version pushes up to 255 miles of range on China’s testing standard.
This is where the shift becomes obvious. In most markets, affordability usually means compromise. Here, it still feels like a complete product.
2) Wuling MiniEV — The ultra-cheap city car, starting at $6,500
The Wuling Motors MiniEV leans fully into the “cheap but cheerful” idea — and it works.
It’s tiny. Really tiny.
You could fit two of the older versions into the space of something like a Ford F-150. The newer model stretches things a bit with four doors and slightly more rear space, but it’s still clearly built for tight city driving.
Top speed sits around 62 mph, with a range of about 127 miles. This isn’t a highway car. It’s a daily errand car, and it’s priced like one.
3) Wuling Bingo Pro — Small, but more practical
Wuling goes a step further with the Bingo Pro, starting just over $8,000.
This one feels more usable beyond the city. It’s designed for longer trips, with a range of up to 250 miles. The styling leans retro, which helps it stand out in a sea of compact EVs.
It’s still cheap, but it doesn’t feel as limited.
4) BYD Seagull — Starting at $10,200
If there’s one company dominating this segment, it’s BYD.
The Seagull is the clearest example of why. Since launch, it has been a breakout success, surprising analysts with how much it delivers at such a low price.
It looks modern, drives well for its class, and hits a balance between cost and usability that’s hard to ignore.
5) BYD Yuan UP — Starting at $10,945
The Yuan UP moves slightly upmarket while staying under $11,000.
It offers more space and a more traditional SUV feel compared to the smaller hatchbacks. For buyers who want something practical but still affordable, this sits right in the middle.
BYD Qin Plus DM — Starting at $11,675
This one stands out for a different reason — it’s a hybrid.
The Qin Plus DM blends electric driving with a petrol engine, making it more flexible for longer distances. In markets where charging infrastructure is still developing, that matters.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
