The Ultimate Cheap EV Test?! 200 Miles Through Rural Wales!

TL;DR

Three cheap EVs — BYD Dolphin Surf, Citroën ë-C3, and Leapmotor T03 — complete a 186-mile rural Wales road trip to find the best affordable electric car.

Key Points

• 1.The route is a genuine stress test for budget EVs. The A470, Wales's longest road at 186 miles, runs through Snowdonia with minimal charging infrastructure, making it a real-world worst-case scenario for small electric cars.
• 2.The Leapmotor T03 is the cheapest car at around £14,500, with no options whatsoever. It undercuts rivals by £8,000 but suffers from a poor infotainment screen, no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and a confusing UI where range is shown by pressing the windscreen wiper stalk button.
• 3.The Citroën ë-C3 wins on comfort and interior quality. Robert praised its heated seats, one-button climate controls, responsive infotainment, and spacious feel — the dogs slept soundly in the boot throughout the entire twisty journey.
• 4.The BYD Dolphin Surf's biggest flaw is its climate control, which uses an arbitrary number scale instead of Celsius or Fahrenheit. It also lacks an exterior temperature display and has a volume that inexplicably goes to 39, puzzling the presenter throughout the trip.
• 5.The Citroën ë-C3's charging speed is a serious deal-breaker. It claims a peak of 100 kW DC but repeatedly maxed out at 31–32 kW across multiple charging stops in cold weather, dramatically extending journey times versus the advertised spec.
• 6.Efficiency across all three cars was respectable, ranging from 3.8 to 4.0 miles per kWh. The Leapmotor and Citroën both benefited from regen on Snowdonia descents, and the electric torque made hill climbs effortless compared to equivalent small petrol cars.
• 7.The BYD Dolphin Surf impressed on refinement at 50–60 mph but struggled at low speeds. Pothole absorption was poor, and the car continued swaying noticeably after impacts; the presenters also struggled to identify a single clear USP beyond 'good enough.'
• 8.All three cars completed the 200-mile rural Wales route without drama, leading the presenters to declare it an exciting moment for affordable EVs. They flagged upcoming rivals — Renault Twingo, Dacia Spring facelift, Grande Panda, and a forthcoming Korean model — as signs the affordable EV era has truly arrived.