Electric vehicle batteries are nearly 90% cheaper today than in 2008, according to the US Energy Department; however, some of the most popular electric vehicles are still quite steeply priced. Fortunately, quite a few companies have addressed this issue by manufacturing affordable EV cars. Plus, those who buy them will get to enjoy quite a few benefits, such as government rebates, lower maintenance costs compared to gas cars, and savings on gas.
Nissan Leaf
The latest Nissan Leaf is one of the most affordable electric cars in the country. Buyers searching for electric vehicles under $30,000 can opt for the budget-friendly base variant of the Leaf, which offers a commendable range of 149 miles on a full charge. Some of its key highlights are its easy handling, soft and supple ride, and urban mobility. The cabin legroom is adequate—42.1 inches in the front row and 33.5 inches in the rear row. It also has good cargo volume—23.6 cu-ft when the rear seats are up and 30 cu-ft when folded down.
The company’s reliable after-sales service and the quality of its pre-owned cars make the Nissan Leaf one of the most popular used electric cars for budget buyers.
Mini Cooper Electric
The Mini Cooper Electric base variant is priced in the range of $30,000 to $34,000. At this price point, buyers can acquire a visually appealing electric vehicle (EV) that has a strong road presence, nimble handling suitable for city driving, and fast charging capabilities. This vehicle ranks alongside other top budget-friendly EVs because of its powerful engine, with a base battery size of 40.7 kWh, producing 184 hp power and 214 lb-ft of torque. The Mini Cooper Electric also excels in terms of mileage and range. On a full charge, the range of this vehicle is about 144 miles. The highlight of its high-quality cabin is the versatile and intuitive central touchscreen that lets drivers control all the car’s various functions.
Hyundai IONIQ 6
The car’s MSRP is as low as $38,000 to $40,000, which is impressive, as it comes with a comfortable, well-appointed interior and loads of standard and safety features. Some of its optional extra features include adaptive cruise control, connectivity to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear parking sensors, lane keep assist, integrated turn signal mirrors, blind spot monitoring system, regenerative braking, and a hands-free trunk/liftgate mechanism. This 5-seater sedan comes with an electric crossover-styled design that helps it stand out from a crowd of other vehicles. It can deliver 123 MPGe in the city and 100 MPGe on the highway when fully charged.
This vehicle’s powerful 800-volt battery architecture is its main value proposition. The IONIQ 6’s long range on a single charge ranks it among the most popular low-cost EVs for commuters. According to Hyundai, it can go from a 10% state of charge to 80% in just 18 minutes on a 350-kW charger.
Fiat 500e
Like the Mini Cooper Electric, the Fiat 500e has a timeless design. The base variant of this all-electric subcompact car, priced in the range of $32,000 to $35,000, is among the best entry-level electric cars worth buying. On a full charge, this vehicle returns a range of around 141 to 149 miles. Some features buyers can pay for in their 500e are in-car Wi-Fi, lane keep assist, navigation, brake assist, proximity keyless entry, keyless ignition, remote engine start, rear parking sensors, automatic lane keep assist, and remote engine start.
Chevrolet Equinox EV
This is one of the most affordable compact electric SUVs on the market, with prices for its base variant ranging from $32,000 to $35,000. The Equinox EV comes with a single battery option. Its EPA-estimated battery range varies depending on whether clients buy front-wheel or all-wheel drive versions. The all-wheel-drive (AWD) version provides a range of 285 miles, while the front-wheel-drive (FWD) variant extends this vehicle’s range to a whopping 319 miles. These long ranges make the Equinox EV one of the ideal low-cost EVs for commuters.
Kia Niro EV
This hatchback belongs to a category of vehicles produced by Kia, which have the dual option of hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain versions. The vehicle’s 64.8-kWh battery pack and 201-hp motor help it achieve a maximum range of about 253 miles. Some of its biggest highlights include its visually appealing cabin that scores well in terms of features and ergonomics, its long list of safety features for its price range of $38,000 to $41,000, and its sharp handling around bendy roads and urban streets.
This is a good choice for people looking at other cheap electric cars with the best mileage.
Tesla Model 3
This entry-level sedan returns a mileage range of 346 to 363 miles. At a base price of around $43,880, buyers get a vehicle with loads of features in its cabin, including a single touchscreen user interface, a touch-sensitive light strip on the ceiling by this car’s rearview mirror, ABS, and airbags. Its impressive speed makes long-distance travel easy, and it is among the most popular affordable EVs for commuters.
