EV prices continue to shrink as battery technology improves and more models enter the market. Electric vehicles are now competitive with gasoline cars and SUVs in nearly every class. You can find a variety of new, affordable electric cars starting at $37,000 and below. Many of them qualify for federal and state EV tax incentives. Check out this handy comparison of EV prices to help you make an informed decision about which one best suits your needs and budget.
The most economical Compare prices of electric cars on the market currently are the Nissan LEAF and Ford Fusion Energi. The LEAF starts at $27,400 with the standard 40 kWh battery or $20,875 with the available $7,500 federal tax credit. The Fusion Energi starts at $30,800 and offers a similar range to the LEAF with slightly better efficiency. Other models in the $30,000-and-under category include the Mitsubishi Outlander, Chevrolet Bolt and Honda Clarity. Used EVs are also becoming more common, often selling for much less than their original price.
While electric car prices are still generally higher than their gas counterparts, the gap is narrowing year after year. Falling R&D costs, economies of scale and the emergence of affordable Chinese-made models are helping to bring down the cost of EVs. The result is that EVs are finally becoming accessible to more buyers, especially those who want to reduce their carbon footprint.
One of the biggest benefits of driving an electric vehicle is that there are no tailpipe emissions. This helps to combat climate change and reduce air pollution, which can lead to a wide array of health issues. A recent study found that driving an EV can save 1.5 million grams of CO2 per year, which is the equivalent of four return flights to Barcelona.
Another advantage is that EVs use far fewer moving parts than traditional gasoline-powered cars. This helps reduce maintenance costs and repairs. It’s estimated that EVs require around half the number of regular service visits than comparable gasoline vehicles, and their batteries can last for up to 100,000 miles before needing to be replaced.
In the future, it’s possible that electric trucks could save fleet owners even more money than passenger EVs. A new study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory finds that running an electric big rig is 13% cheaper than its diesel counterpart.
Electric cars are the future, and the cost advantage is growing. In order to help you decide whether an EV is right for your family, we’ve put together this list of the cheapest new and used electric cars on the market. It includes the latest EVs that are currently available and some that are upcoming. This cheatsheet compares EV prices by MSRP, but be sure to click on each vehicle for full data.