⚡ Shortlist 2026

Best Electric Cars Under €40,000 in Latvia (2026)

A real, honest shortlist at absolute prices — not an ad, but numbers beside numbers, so you can compare for yourself.

📅 Updated: June 2026⏱️ 8 min read

If your budget is up to €40,000 and you are thinking about an EV, the 2026 shortlist looks different from a couple of years ago. For this sum you no longer have to choose between a small city car and a compromise — models with real space, power and range have arrived. This is an honest list: we put absolute prices beside named Western models and let you compare. No percentages, no tricks — just numbers.

What €40,000 actually buys in 2026

Until recently, a €40,000 EV anywhere meant a compromise: either a compact model with modest range, or a used premium car with no warranty left. In 2026 that is no longer the case. This budget now reaches full-size electric SUVs and powerful sedans with 450–800+ km of factory range and a full factory warranty.

This article is not a sales pitch. It is the list we would want to see ourselves when choosing a car: specific models, absolute prices including VAT, real specs, and an honest note on where each option is strong and where it is not. We also name the Western rivals at their real prices, so the comparison is fair.

How we built this shortlist

To make the list, a model had to meet four simple conditions. No "maybe soon" or hopeful numbers — only what is actually available and verifiable:

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Price up to €40,000 incl. VAT

The absolute price, including VAT — the way you actually pay it, not a "from" price before tax.

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Real range

At least ~450 km on the factory standard, with an honest note on the WLTP vs CLTC difference.

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Active warranty

A full factory warranty — 3 years / 100,000 km, serviced in the EU, not lapsed out of cover.

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Modern charging tech

A verifiable battery maker (CATL) and, where applicable, an 800V architecture for faster charging.

The headline table: absolute prices side by side

Here is the core — two models under €40,000 incl. VAT, set beside named Western rivals at their real absolute prices. Read it and compare for yourself:

Model	Price (incl. VAT)	Warranty
Deepal S07 218–258 HP · 475 km WLTP · ~80 kWh CATL · electric SUV	€35,033	3 years / 100,000 km · EU service
Xiaomi SU7 Max AWD 673 HP · 830 km CLTC · 101 kWh CATL · 800V · sedan · 0–100 in 2.78s	€39,100	3 years / 100,000 km · EU service
VW ID.4 Electric SUV (Western reference point)	~€45,000	Warranty depends on age/mileage
Tesla Model 3 Electric sedan (Western reference point)	~€42,000	Warranty depends on age/mileage
Hyundai Kona Electric Compact electric SUV (Western reference point)	Market price	Warranty depends on age/mileage

Only the top two models land under €40,000 incl. VAT with a full 3-year / 100,000 km warranty. The Western models are set as named reference points at their real prices — availability and used-market pricing tend to vary. No percentages: you look at the absolute prices and decide for yourself.

Pick by need

No car is best for everyone. Here is which model makes sense depending on what matters to you:

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Best all-round under €40k

Deepal S07 — €35,033

An electric SUV with 475 km WLTP, an ~80 kWh CATL battery and a 3-year / 100,000 km warranty. Space, comfort and a verifiable battery at a price that leaves room in the budget.

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Best for families (SUV)

Deepal S07 — €35,033

A higher seating position, more luggage room and comfort than a sedan. An electric SUV with a safe CATL battery is the logical family pick in this budget.

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Best performance per euro

Xiaomi SU7 Max — €39,100

673 HP, 0–100 in 2.78s, 830 km CLTC and 800V charging in a sedan for under €40,000. That is a power level you usually shop for in much pricier cars.

The warranty angle most lists skip

Most "best EV" lists only compare price, power and range. But there is one more number that genuinely affects what a car costs you over the coming years: the warranty.

The Deepal S07 and Xiaomi SU7 Max on this list come with a full 3-year / 100,000 km factory warranty, serviced in the EU. A used Western EV for similar money is often already out of factory cover — and then a single major battery or electronics repair can cost several thousand euros out of your own pocket.

So in an honest comparison it is worth looking not only at price, but also at which car is still covered. A new car with a full warranty gains a quiet but real edge over a used car without one.

More on exactly how service and warranty work in Europe: Who services a Chinese EV in the EU? Service & warranty.

Range & charging: the honest reality

Range numbers in lists can mislead, because they are measured on different standards. WLTP is the European standard and is usually closer to real life. CLTC is the Chinese standard and tends to be more optimistic. So the Xiaomi SU7 Max's "830 km CLTC" is not directly comparable to the Deepal S07's "475 km WLTP" — they are measured with different rulers.

The practical takeaway: in real driving, expect a lower figure than any factory number, especially in winter, when cold reduces range. This applies to all EVs — Chinese and Western alike — so it is not a one-brand problem.

Charging speed is the second factor. The Xiaomi SU7 Max uses an 800V architecture, which charges considerably faster than older 400V cars. The batteries in both models are from CATL — the world's largest maker, which also supplies Tesla, VW and Mercedes.

CATL is the world's largest battery maker and supplies cells to Tesla, VW and Mercedes EVs. A "Chinese battery" and "the battery in a Western EV" are often literally the same cell from the same factory.

If you want to understand who actually makes these batteries and why they are trustworthy: Who makes EV batteries? The CATL story.

Honest caveats worth weighing

The list would be incomplete without honest notes. Here is what is worth considering before deciding:

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Younger resale market

The resale market for some of these models in Latvia is younger than for established Western brands, so future value is less predictable. Warranty transfer and battery health help offset that.

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Dealer-network density

Western brands have a denser official service network. These models are serviced in the EU via a local partner — check service availability in your region before buying.

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Winter range

Cold reduces range on all EVs. Plan with a buffer and, if you can, charge at home — it is more convenient and cheaper than public fast chargers.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best electric car under €40,000 in Latvia right now?▼

There is no single "best" — there is a best for a specific need. If you want a family crossover with space and comfort, the Deepal S07 (€35,033, 218–258 HP, 475 km WLTP, ~80 kWh CATL, electric SUV) is a strong candidate. If you want power and maximum range in a sedan, the Xiaomi SU7 Max (€39,100, 673 HP, 830 km CLTC, 101 kWh CATL, 800V) marks the top of this budget. Both come with a 3-year / 100,000 km factory warranty, serviced in the EU.

Is a Chinese EV under €40k as good as a VW ID.4 or Tesla Model 3?▼

Spec for spec, they are seriously competitive. For this budget the Deepal S07 (€35,033) and Xiaomi SU7 Max (€39,100) beside the VW ID.4 (~€45,000) and Tesla Model 3 (~€42,000) offer similar or more power and range. The main practical difference is warranty status and dealer-network density. We do not claim one always wins — we put the absolute prices side by side and let you decide.

Do these EVs still have a factory warranty?▼

Yes. The Deepal S07 and Xiaomi SU7 Max come with a 3-year / 100,000 km factory warranty, serviced in the EU. That is a meaningful difference from a used Western EV, which is often already out of factory cover — in which case every repair comes out of the buyer's pocket. For more on exactly how service and warranty work in Europe, read the separate article.

How much real range do you get under €40,000 (WLTP vs CLTC)?▼

It depends on the model and the test standard. The Deepal S07 is rated 475 km on WLTP (the European standard, closer to real life). The Xiaomi SU7 Max is rated 830 km on CLTC (the Chinese standard, which tends to be more optimistic than WLTP). In real driving, especially in winter, expect a lower figure than any factory number — this applies to all EVs, not just Chinese ones.

Which sub-€40k EV is best for a family?▼

In this budget, a family wants an electric SUV with space and a safe battery. The Deepal S07 (€35,033, electric SUV, ~80 kWh CATL) is the logical pick — a higher seating position, more luggage room and comfort than a sedan. The Xiaomi SU7 Max is a sedan, so it suits people who value power and dynamics over maximum family space.

Where can I service one of these EVs in Latvia / the EU?▼

These models are delivered and registered in the EU, and serviced by a local partner in Europe — diagnostics, warranty work and parts are handled here, not shipped to China. Service and warranty are the part people most often worry about, so there is a dedicated article with the details of the 3-year / 100,000 km cover.

Want to see the specific models at absolute prices?

If you want to see all the available EV models at absolute prices, with power and a 3-year / 100,000 km warranty — see the EV guide →

See the EV guide →