Most Affordable New Electric Cars to Consider

These electric vehicles minimize the extra cost you’d typically have to shell out over conventional gas-powered cars.

Nicole Wakelin | 

Dec 1, 2021 | 4 min read

BMW

The most affordable electric cars you can buy today include compacts, sedans, and crossovers. Although they're not priced like their gas-powered competition, the cars on this list are the least expensive in their respective segments. In order to stick to lower-priced cars, luxury brands were eliminated as possible contenders.

While "affordability" will always depend on your personal situation, and while you should carefully consider your financial situation before making any vehicle purchase, here's a short list of cars you might want to put on your radar. Whether you're searching for a short-range commuter car or something that can handle longer trips, these are the most affordable electric cars to better fit your budget.

Nissan

2022 Nissan LEAF

The Nissan LEAF is a compact car that offers two choices when it comes to range. The short-range LEAF has a 40 kWh battery with an EPA-estimated range of 149 miles and fuel economy of 111 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) combined. The long-range LEAF has a 62 kWh battery with an EPA-estimated range of 226 miles and fuel economy of 108 MPGe combined.

A Level 2 charger takes 8 hours to fully charge the short-range battery or 11.5 hours for the long-range battery. Use a DC fast charger and the short-range battery gets an 80% charge in 40 minutes with the long-range battery taking 60 minutes. Pricing starts at around $27,000 with an increase of $5,000 for the long-range battery.

BMW

2022 MINI Cooper SE

The MINI Cooper SE has the signature quirky styling of a MINI with the crisp, performance handling for which the brand is known. It has a brisk 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds and can charge up to 80% at a 50 kW charger in as little as 36 minutes.

A Level 2 charger provides a charge of 20% per hour. Plug in at a DC fast charging station and you'll get a charge of 80% in just 36 minutes. The MINI Cooper SE has an EPA-estimated range of 114 miles and fuel economy of 110 MPGe with pricing that starts at around $30,000.

Chevrolet

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV

The Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle (EV) is a compact hatchback that has seating for up to five passengers. It has a roomy interior with great cargo flexibility thanks to its hatchback design. Rear passengers benefit from 36 inches of legroom, making it a comfortable choice even on long road trips.

The Bolt EV has an EPA-estimated range of 259 miles with a fuel economy of 120 MPGe. That high range makes this a good option for those who plan to tackle longer trips in their EV. It gets roughly 39 miles of range per hour at a 240-volt charger or up to 100 miles of range in only 30 minutes at a DC fast charger. Pricing starts at about $32,000.

Hyundai

2021 Hyundai Ioniq Electric

The Hyundai Ioniq Electric is a roomy electric car that's also available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid. Note that the electric has limited availability, so it's sold only in select states. The Ioniq has a spacious interior well-suited to carrying adults in the back seats. It also has a hatchback rather than a trunk for added versatility to manage large, bulky cargo.

The Ioniq can be fully charged in about 6 hours at a 240-volt charging station. It can also utilize DC fast charging to gain a charge of 80% in just 54 minutes. The Ioniq has an EPA-estimated range of 170 miles and fuel economy of 133 MPGe. Pricing starts at about $33,000.

Mazda

2022 Mazda MX-30

The Mazda MX-30 is an all-new EV that will initially be available only in California, but Mazda plans to expand that availability nationwide. The MX-30 has an EPA-estimated range of 100 miles and fuel economy of 92 MPGe. That makes it ideal for running errands around town and shorter daily commutes.

This compact crossover has a unique interior with trims that focus on sustainability. These include cork on the center console and felt on the door panels. The MX-30 can reach an 80% charge at a DC fast charger in as little as 36 minutes. Pricing starts at around $33,500.

Kia

2022 Kia Niro EV

The Kia Niro is a compact crossover that's available as a gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric car. It has a roomy interior with ample cargo capacity thanks to the versatility of its hatchback design. Availability of the Kia Niro Electric is limited to select states.

This vehicle has an impressive EPA-estimated range of 239 miles and gets 112 MPGe. Whether you want an EV for quick errands around town, the daily commute, or longer weekend adventures, the Kia Niro Electric has the range to make the trip possible. Pricing starts at $39,990.

There are lots of options when it comes to EVs, but not all of them are easy on your wallet. This list of the most affordable electric cars lets you make the move to electric without breaking your budget.

Nicole Wakelin

I write about cars. A lot. That's because I’ve always loved cars and the fact that they regularly hand me the keys to shiny new automobiles so I can write about them is a constant source of amazement. I cover breaking news, write reviews, and attend auto shows and new vehicle launches across the country. The more winding the road and the more unknown the route, the better.