Skip to main content

These are the most affordable electric cars on the market today

You can find many of these affordable electric cars for under $30,000

General Motors recently released images of the still-in-development 2024 Chevy Equinox. Planned for dealer floors by fall 2023, the car giant asserts that this will be an EV that everyone can afford, beginning “around $30,000.”

“We have every intention to build and sell the vehicle that will start in that price range,” Scott Bell, vice president of global sales at Chevy, said during a briefing with reporters. “That is critical to the success of what we’re doing at Chevrolet — building an EV for everyone.”

Related Videos

Historic inflation and supply chain constraints have not curtailed GM in its pursuit for an affordable, entry-level EV. While the price remains aspirational, there are a number of cheaper electric cars on the market around or under a $35,000 MSRP that you don’t have to wait for. Here you can compare prices and features before you hit the showroom floor to join the club saving at the pump.

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
Chevrolet

Chevrolet Bolt

Starting Price: $25,600

EV Range: 259 miles

Chevy’s Bolt is the most affordable EV on the market and a great deal for the price. A roomy interior, smooth ride, and long battery range offer a solid bang for your buck. The Bolt offers a 259-mile driving range on a single charge and can be fully recharged in 7 hours with a standard, Level 2, 240-volt home charger. Level up to a Level 3 DC fast-charging station (as an added option) and add up 100 miles of charge in 30 minutes.

The 2022 Bolt’s popularity already has hit the federal tax credit volume limit, but GM baked in a $5,900 discount to the 1LT original starting price of $32,495 (which includes a $995 freight delivery charge). Customers can upgrade to the 2LT for $3,200 to add leather upholstery, machined aluminum wheels, heated exterior mirrors with turn signals, a 360-degree camera system, and adaptive cruise control (hands-free) on eligible roads for $375.

Learn More

2022 Nissan Leaf
Nissan

Nissan Leaf

Staring Price: $27,800

EV Range: 149 miles

After being released in 2011, the Nissan Leaf is one of the original EVs on the road. As such, Nissan now sports several Leaf models including the affordably priced 2022 S and SV standards models beginning at $27,800 after the EV tax credit. With quick acceleration and quality handles, this year’s model also has expanded options to go with the Leaf’s useful 149 miles of range in the base model.

The Leaf has always featured limited storage and back seats that don’t fold flat, but these are small quibbles that go hand-in-hand with saving you money.

Plus S, SV, and SL models include a larger 62-kWh unit and 160 kW electric motor that can go about 212 miles on a full charge. With added driver-assist tech, cell phone app connections, and other add-ons, the Plus Leaf is much more of a leap at a $33,495 base price.

Learn More

2022 Mini Cooper SE
Cooper

Mini Cooper SE

Starting Price: From $29,900

EV Range: 114 miles

If its something more sporty you’re in the market for, the Mini Cooper SE offers the original rally car ride for the road. The go-cart-like Mini is traditionally more expensive than most mainstream rivals, but the 2022 Mini Cooper SE is an exception as one of the most cost-friendly EV models.

Starting at $30,750 (tacking on an $850 freight fee), the Mini Cooper SE features the same frisky handling and signature style as its 61-year-old, original petroleum-powered British forebearer. In 2022, Mini Cooper updated the car’s front and rear bumpers, added a standard digital instrument panel, and a larger standard touchscreen.

The catch is that this EV only carries an EPA-estimated 114 miles of range — a good deal less than its competitors. If you live in a small or close-knit area, the Mini SE can handle quick commutes and is small enough to squeeze between tight city spaces.

Learn More

2022 Mazda MX-30 EV
Mazda

Mazda MX-30

Starting price: $33,470

EV range: 100 miles

Mazda’s first full, U.S. EV is now sold out at dealers. If you are to get your hands on one, it will have to be in the secondary market. The SUV, hatchback hybrid might be worth seeking and is definitely worth waiting for 2023 models if you’re looking for an upscale interior created with sustainable materials and cargo space for hauling adventure equipment.

The MX-30’s sporty, futuristic design matches well with rear-hinged half doors and a minimalist inside space featuring environmentally friendly materials like cork in the center console, animal-free upholstery, and recycled plastic bottle fibers for the door trim.

A 35.5 kilowatt hour electric motor only generates about 144 horsepower and 200 pounds-feet of torque, which leads to a tortoise-like 9 seconds to 60 miles per hour. The MX-30’s 100-mile range also leaves quite a bit to be desired, especially among its price-level competitors. Mazda does, however, toss in a few perks to make up for its EV’s shortfalls — complimentary loaner vehicles for road trips and $500 in ChargePoint credits either for public charging or to go toward installing a Level 2 home charger.

Learn More

2022 Hyundai Kona
Hyundai

Hyundai Kona Electric

Starting price: $35,245

EV range: 258 miles

The Korean car maker Hyundai is all-in on EVs and green goals. The promise of innovative platform upgrades is driven by Hyundai’s mission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. This drive is apparent in the sporty, stocky Kona Electric.

The four-door subcompact SUV is at the top of its price class with 258 miles of EV range, and a large 64 kilowatt-hour battery. DC fast-charging capabilities can go from a 10% to an 80% charge in as little as 47 minutes. A 201-horsepower electric motor powers the front wheels, making the Kona quick, nimble and fun to drive. In addition to a rugged, toned exterior, Hyundai also refreshed the 2022 model’s interior, and added a number of added features. This includes a long list of standard equipment such as its 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch instrument display, and a redesigned center console with wireless charging capability.

This is still a small car, though, so rear legroom can be tight, cargo space limited, and availability isolated only to certain states (primarily those with required targets for zero-emission vehicle sales). An $8,500 upgrade to a limited model will get buyers all the trim in addition to adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams.

Learn More

2023 model EV models will begin to be available in just a few short months. This means the window is closing for picking up 2022 models before prices rise and EV tax credits become much more restrictive.

Make sure to do your homework before joining the club to save hundreds of dollars a year while protecting the planet sans gas fill-ups. With battery life, charging time, and accessibility rising with each coming day, buying an EV is likely a decision you won’t regret.

Editors' Recommendations

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Syntopia brings haute fashion to cars
Rolls claims that the one-off is the most complex Phantom ever made
Rolls-Royce Phantom Syntopia side profile in a studio with purple swirling lines in the back.

Amid the electric vehicle revolution and the introduction of more semi-autonomous technology, automakers are eager to change their bios from traditional automakers to tech companies. Rolls-Royce, well, Rolls-Royce is different. While the iconic British marque has introduced its first EV with the Spectre, Rolls-Royce really does expand its reach beyond the world of cars as a luxury marque. Case in point, the latest vehicle from Rolls-Royce is the Phantom Syntopia. It was made in collaboration with Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen and blends the worlds of high fashion and cars.
You may not think that fashion and cars belong together, but the Syntopia certainly makes a case for more collaboration across the two industries. The Syntopia is very purple and is inspired by the concept of “weaving water.” The automaker, which has created some stunning vehicles over its extensive history, calls the Syntopia a “bespoke masterpiece.” Heavy words from a brand that’s known for going above and beyond with some of the most bespoke vehicles on sale. But we believe the company certainly went to great lengths to make the Syntopia, seeing as how it took Rolls-Royce four years to perfect.

Previous

Read more
The 8 fastest cars in the world right now
Find out who tops the list of fastest cars
Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+ Coupe

Despite the push to make more fuel-efficient vehicles with smaller engines, automakers are using high-powered supercars to attempt to set new top speed records. Automakers have made large strides in aerodynamics and have found a way around emissions by keeping production of record-setting vehicles incredibly limited. Like lap records, top-speed runs are purely for bragging rights. There’s no incentive to having one of the fastest cars in the world beyond giving automakers the ability to say that they have one of the fastest cars in the world. It really is that simple.
World's fastest cars

Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+: 304 mph
Hennessey Venom F5: 301 mph*
SSC Tuatara: 295 mph
Koenigsegg Agera RS: 278 mph
Hennessey Venom GT: 270 mph
Bugatti Veyron Super Sport: 268 mph
SSC Ultimate Aero TT: 265 mph 
McLaren Speedtail: 250 mph*

Read more
The coolest automotive-inspired watches for men who love cars
Auto enthusiasts will need to add one of these watches to their collection
best automotive inspired watches for men omega speedmaster racing

Automotive enthusiasts that love the mechanical aspects of cars tend to like watches. The mechanical characteristic of watches is what makes them so cool and so closely related to automobiles. This could explain why auto enthusiasts are drawn toward watches that have automotive-inspired features.

For automotive enthusiasts that can't bear to be away from their car for more than a few hours, there are a few watch companies that make timepieces that are inspired by cars. Some watches have lightweight materials found on cars, while others have designs that are meant to mimic a car's instrument cluster. Here are some of the coolest automotive inspired watches an enthusiast can buy.

Read more