The electric revolution is in full swing, and automobile prices have risen dramatically. Some of the most expensive on the market are electric vehicles, yet there are signs that the tide is changing, and cheaper cars are on the way.
Cheap doesn’t mean bad, either, and these 13 EVs in this list show that you can buy a good EV without breaking the bank.
Citroen Ami
The Citroen Ami is not your traditional EV, as the French manufacturer wants this to be an electric car solely for city driving. The Ami is a quirky and cute-looking car with a maximum range of just 46 miles, a top speed of 28 mph, and an 8-hp electric motor.
That isn’t a lot, but it is plenty for a small electric car designed for city use. People as young as 16 can get behind the wheel of the Ami, allowing them to get out and about in a vehicle that can also easily park in some of the tightest spots. While it has its faults, such as limited range and its bare-bones interior, the Ami is a brilliant concept that we hope is successful and one that costs around $10,700.
Nissan Leaf
While there might be better EVs on the market now, the veteran Nissan Leaf is still a key player in the EV world and has much to offer in terms of price. Currently, the 2024 Leaf retails at $28,140, and you have a comfortable, dependable, and practical EV that gets you up to 212 miles of range in Leaf SV Plus Trim for a fraction of the cost of other electric cars.
The Federal Tax Credit of $3,750 makes the Leaf even cheaper. You also get an infotainment system with button controls that don’t solely rely on a touchscreen. The Leaf is the perfect car for commuting to work and shorter days out.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
If you are wondering what the cheapest electric car currently on sale in the United States is, we can answer that by saying it is the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Currently, this Chevy EV starts at $27,800, and you get a Clean Vehicle Federal Tax Credit of $7,500 to apply to the price of the vehicle.
While it is cheaper than others, the Bolt EV doesn’t skimp on the price either. You get up to 247 miles of EPA estimated range and plentiful cargo space with 56.9 cu-ft. The driver’s dashboard is large and clear, and Chevrolet’s infotainment system is intuitive and user-friendly. Chevrolet is introducing a newer version for 2025, upgrading the model and hopefully maintaining the excellent price point.
Mini Cooper SE Classic
BMW and Mini have brought the iconic Cooper into the 2020s with the new electric version, the Cooper SE Classic. Priced at $30,900 in 2024, you get a quirky city car with that classic Mini styling and a few exterior extras to denote you have an electric Mini. However, You get a limited driving range of 114 miles, so that is something to bear in mind, particularly as the Leaf and Bolt offer more mileage for less money.
The Cooper was once the cheapest EV in the United States, but the Leaf and Bolt EV have undercut it. The base classic trim reintroduced in 2024 offers a more affordable starting point, but there are a couple of higher trim levels with a few extra features.
Hyundai Kona Electric SE
Hyundai is killing it in EVs, with the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 sporting two of the best exterior designs on any electric car. However, the manufacturer has a very good value offering priced below the Ioniqs in the Kona Electric SE, which currently retails for $32,675 MSRP.
With your $32,000, you get a good-looking and clean subcompact SUV that offers 261 miles of EPA-estimated range and 201 hp. Both figures are plenty for daily driving, and the Kona Electric represents excellent value for money amongst electric SUVs that retail for over $40,000. The base trim has less power at 133 hp, but you still get a range of 200 miles, which is still plenty for the average driver.
Tesla Model 3
Seeing a Tesla available at a lower price is suspicious. However, the EV giant has had to bring prices down to challenge the increasing competition, and the new Model 3 is one of its most affordable EVs so far. The new rear-wheel drive Model 3 has 272 miles of range and costs $38,990, which is excellent value for a brand-new Tesla.
You get a lot for the money, too, with 125 mph and a 0-60 mph time of just 5.8 seconds, making the base Model 3 a sprightly EV. The usual, reliable, and excellent Tesla technology is available inside the Model 3, and of course, you can access Telsa’s excellent and widely available Supercharger fast-charging network.
Renault 5 EV
We have spoken about the upcoming Renault 5 EV several times, but it is so good that we can’t help ourselves. The new Renault 5 EV pays tribute to the original 1980s classic with a retro-inspired design that keeps things fresh and slick for the 2020s.
Renault has said that the new EV should have a lifespan of up to 15 years and that they will update the model yearly. The good news is that the production car looks identical to the concept car we saw in 2021. In France, the new Renault 5 will start at €25,000, roughly converting to $26,900, with at least 205 miles of range, and there is even a sporty Alpine version on the way.
Fisker Ocean
Fisker is looking to worry the big boys with its upcoming EVs, and the Fisker Ocean is the first model that will genuinely worry the electric giants. The company is proud that it uses a lot of recycled materials in the construction of the Ocean, and it has a few quirky features such as the console-mounted ‘taco trays.’
Aside from the quirks, you will get an EV with an MSRP of $42,099 in Sport trim and base from a single motor with 282 hp and 232 miles of range. The top trim Fisker-Ocean extreme currently retails at a whopping $66,574, but you get a 564 hp dual-motor setup with 360 miles of range.
Volkswagen ID.4
While some might call it a tame, dull, and uninspiring EV, the Volkswagen ID.4 is one of the better offerings on the market. The design is clean and straightforward, and with a current MSRP of $39,735, it is one of the most affordable.
In the ID.4 Pro trim, the Volkswagen has up to 291 miles of range, and the base model will still provide at least 200 miles, which is more than enough for most owners. Thanks to the $7,500 federal tax credit eligibility, the price is as low as $32,790, making it an even more compelling offer, and that credit brings it almost right onto the base price of the Mini Cooper Electric.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
While die-hard muscle car fans might not like the Ford Mustang Mach-E’s use of the famous pony car’s name, it is rapidly becoming one of North America’s most popular electric vehicles. In 2024, Ford introduced a lighter rear motor, saving on weight and offering 264 hp and 387 lb-ft of torque, 70 lb-ft more than the 2023 Mach-E.
In base trim, the Mach-E offers up to 320 miles of range in the Premium trim, and the base Mach-E starts at $39,995, excluding the handling fee. The lineage with the Mustang muscle car is evident in the design, and the sleek Mustang Mach-E is one of the best-looking electric cars currently available.
MG MG4
Unfortunately, the MG MG4 isn’t currently available in the United States. However, the British company has produced one of the best-looking and most affordable EVs on the market, and it is picking up some very positive reviews in Europe.
The 2024 MG4 retails at around $32,000, putting it among the Leaf and Bolt in terms of price, and were it available in America, it would be a compelling alternative. MG offers five versions of the MG4 in its lineup, ranging from the base model to the Trophy, offering 218 and 270 miles of range, respectively. Its sharp lines give it an aggressive edge that it pulls off well, and it is undoubtedly one of the best EVs of recent times.
Fiat 500 Electric
Fiat is finally bringing its 500 Electric to the United States in 2024, and it is offering one of the best small EVs currently on the market. Fiat offers two versions of the 500e: a 24-kWh battery version with a 94-hp motor and 118 miles of range and a 42-kWh battery version with a 117-hp motor and 199 miles of range.
Fiat has kept the design very similar to the internal combustion-powered regular 500. However, it has also refreshed the design with a few tweaks, such as removing the front grille to create a cleaner-looking city car. Starting at $32,500, it priced itself well compared to its biggest competitor, the electric Mini Cooper.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
While it does sit on the more expensive side of this list, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 still offers exceptional value for money with its package. Key to this is the brilliant Hyundai E-GMP platform that its siblings, the Ioniq 6 and Kia EV6, also sit on. The Ioniq 5 is highly efficient, with at least 303 miles of EPA-estimated range and two miles per kWh.
The 2024 Ioniq 5 retails at $41,800, which is on par with the Ioniq 6 and EV6. The design is one of the best on any modern EV thanks to the retro-1980s look, which hints at Lancia Delta Integrale. Despite the boxiness, the Ioniq 5 has a drag coefficient of 0.28, a number many of its rivals would struggle to match.
