These Affordable EVs Are Your Cheapest Ticket to Electric Freedom
These are the cheapest new EVs currently on sale for budget-minded shoppers.
Going Electric...On the Cheap
One of the biggest knocks against electric vehicles is that they're more expensive than their ICE-powered counterparts, and it's a fair argument. However, prices are certainly on a downward trend, and there are several EV models currently available that qualify as affordable. Thus, we've gathered up a list of the cheapest new EVs on the market right now for the bargain-minded shoppers out there.
Photo: Chevrolet
Mini Cooper SE
The Mini Cooper SE retails for $29,900, though that bargain-basement price does not include an $850 delivery fee. However, it does qualify for the federal $7,500 tax credit (as most on this list do), making it a true bargain proposition. The only downside? It won't get you too far down the road, with only a 110-mile range, but it's great for around-town commuting.
Photo: Mini Cooper
Nissan Leaf
The Leaf has been around for over a decade now, making it one of the longest-running EVs on the market. It's also quite inexpensive, with an MSRP of $32,535 including destination and delivery for the base S model. That low price nets you just 150 miles of range, but springing for the more expensive Leaf Plus will result in a more reasonable 226 miles of range for those that don't want to stop as much on road trips.
Photo: Nissan
Hyundai Ioniq Electric
The Hyundai Ioniq Electric received a host of updates for the 2020 model year that help justify its $34,000 starting price, including a boost in range from 124 miles to 170, as well as Level 3 charging capability. For that competitive price, it's certainly worth a look for budget-minded consumers.
Photo: Hyundai
Chevrolet Bolt EV
Like the Leaf, the Bolt EV has been around for some time now, which means that it isn't currently eligible for the federal tax credit. However, with a starting price of $37,495, you'd be hard-pressed to find a more affordable EV that can match its 259 miles of range or feature content for the money. It's worth noting that a refreshed version is on the way for 2022 that carries a host of improvements and a cheaper $31,995 MSRP, along with a bigger EUV twin.
Photo: Chevrolet
Tesla Model 3
The Model 3 has long been the best-selling EV on the planet, and for good reason - it's hard to beat in terms of value for the money. Tesla has been changing prices quite a bit lately, but as of this writing, the Standard Range Plus starts out at $39,490 (plus a $1,200 destination charge) and provides 263 miles of range. Step up to the Long Range for $48,490, and you'll get an impressive 353 miles of range.
Photo: Tesla
Trending Down
Looking further down the road, it's clear that the future is bright for affordable EVs. The most intriguing is Tesla's planned $25,000 EV, which CEO Elon Musk first talked about in 2018. The model will most likely be designed and built in China but sold globally. The biggest question is when it will arrive, of course, but it really depends on battery prices and Tesla's ability to bring down its manufacturing costs.
Photo: Tesla
