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At a time when the average transaction price for a new vehicle is inching closer to $50,000, getting your money’s worth matters more than ever. Electric vehicles are popular, but they’re expensive. Most importantly, not all EVs are equal in terms of range, charging speed, and overall value for the money. These are the worst deals for a new electric car in 2022, plus some better alternatives on the market today.
Toyota bZ4X
Long the authority when it comes to hybrid powertrains, the world waited with great anticipation for the first all-electric Toyota. The automaker that brought us the legendary Prius collaborated with Subaru to engineer the 2023 Toyota bZ4X, and its sibling the Subaru Solterra (more on that below). The result is puzzling. At a time when Hyundai, General Motors and of course Tesla are bringing cars to market with fast-charging times under 30 minutes, Toyota jumps into the game with an electric crossover that takes a whole hour to charge under optimal conditions.
Okay, so it charges slowly. What about the Toyota bZ4X’s range? The front-wheel drive bZ4X is rated for 242 miles with the Limited trim, and 252 miles on the XLE. Upgrade to dual-motor all-wheel drive, and range suffers. The AWD Toyota bZ4X is EPA-rated for 222 miles on the Limited, and 228 miles with lower trims.
Pricing starts at $43,215 before incentives, and tops out at $49,995 for the bZ4X Limited all-wheel drive.
Here’s a summary of what the 2023 Toyota bZ4X offers:
Up to 200 miles of range added in one hour
Peak 150 kilowatt (FWD) or 150 kilowatt (FWD) charging
222 to 252 miles of range, depending on trim and motor configuration
Two different battery suppliers, depending on the trim selected
bZ4X pricing: $43,215 – $49,995
The bZ4X does qualify for the $7,500 EV federal tax credit
Subaru Solterra
I get why Subaru drivers love their cars. I’m a fan of the outdoorsy, all-terrain capable vehicles at an attainable price. Now that Subaru’s first electric vehicle has arrived, I’m heartbroken. It’s not a compelling EV, especially compared to the competition as a 2023 model.
Toyota’s new electric platform paired with all-wheel drive and the Subaru badge will set you back at least $46,220, and the Solterra Touring’s MSRP is a lofty $53,220. Range isn’t anything to brag about. In fact, it just might cause range anxiety from day one.
2023 Subaru Solterra
Price: $46,220 – $53,220
Range: 222 – 228 miles
Add up to 180 miles of range in one hour (peak 100 kilowatt charging)
8.3 inches of ground clearance (best in class)
X-MODE electric traction control settings
Perhaps if you don’t travel too far off the beaten path, the 2023 Subaru Solterra could be right for you. But that defeats the purpose of having a Subaru, doesn’t it?
When it comes down to the specs, looks and driving experience, the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge is not a bad car. Many owners love its zippy performance and Scandinavian looks. What’s not to like? The price paired with the range. The XC40 Recharge is not an affordable EV. With a starting price of $51,700 and most trim options ending up around $60,000, this Volvo’s price approaches that of its competitor: the Tesla Model Y.
Here’s what to expect from the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge:
223 miles of range
Up to 156 miles of range added in 37 minutes
Google operating system for infotainment
0-60 time of 4.7 seconds
Qualifies for the federal EV tax credit
Jaguar I-PACE
The I-PACE was one of the first electric vehicles to earn mainstream popularity in North America. When it arrived in 2018, range and charging capabilities were on-par with the best. What’s the problem then? Jaguar has not invested in powertrain upgrades for the I-PACE, and it has consequently fallen out of favor among EV buyers.
The 2022 Jaguar I-PACE starts at an MSRP of $71,200, plus destination and fees. What do you get for such a lofty price, other than the Jaguar brand?
234 miles of range
Add 187 miles of range (0 to 80%) in 45 minutes at a DC fast charger
0 – 60 time of 4.5 seconds
Qualifies for the federal EV tax credit
Lucid Air
Seasoned electric vehicle enthusiasts may be surprised to see the Lucid Air on this list of overpriced EVs, but hear me out. Although the newly-released 2022 Lucid Air starts at $78,900, you’d be hard pressed to find one in 2022 for under $150,000. Lucid’s design is sharp and sleek, and it’s certainly worthy of a luxury price tag. But if you want all the bells and whistles seen in Lucid’s commercials, brace yourself for sticker shock. The fully-loaded Lucid Air Dream Edition costs $169,900.
Within the electric luxury sedan segment, the Lucid Air makes the Tesla Model S look like a bargain. Although the base ‘Air Pure’ starts at $77,400, the Air Pure won’t be available until late 2022 at the earliest. If you’re looking for luxury, a glass roof, and insane performance, the Tesla Model S offers that and more at $99,990. Even with the federal EV tax credit factored in, the Lucid Air Dream Edition costs over $50,000 more, and stepping down to the Lucid Air Grand Touring at $139,900 will still cost 30% more than the Tesla.
At least you get some impressive specs with the Lucid Air, but the competition offers more value and a longer track record of build quality and electric powertrain performance. Still, the Lucid Air is the range king of all electric cars for now.
Price (for early 2022 availability): $139,900 – $169,900
Range: 406 to 520 miles on a charge
The fastest charging: adds up to 300 miles of range in 20 minutes
At CarEdge, we’re all about solutions. If you’re on the market for one of these overpriced electric cars, here are some more compelling EVs to take for a test drive.
Electric Crossovers
2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5
Why? For less than $50,000, this retro-styled EV sports a roomy cabin, decent range, and ultra-fast charging powered by the new e-GMP platform’s 800-Volt engineering.
Price: $44,875 – $56,200
Range: 256 to 303 miles
Charge time: Adds 180 – 200 miles of range in 18 minutes (230 kW charge speeds)
Why? If you love the Hyundai IONIQ 5’s specs and pricing, but aren’t a fan of the looks, chances are the Kia EV6 will be right up your alley. This sporty electric crossover is also powered by the new e-GMP platform’s 800-Volt architecture for the fastest charging available.
Price: $40,900 – $55,900
Range: 274 to 310 miles
Charge time: Adds 190 – 210 miles of range in 18 minutes (230 kW charge speeds)
Why? You’d be hard-pressed to find a dissatisfied Mustang Mach-E owner. This EV is on a much more sport-oriented suspension, with a family-friendly modern interior.
Price: $43,895 – $61,995
Range: 224 to 314 miles
Charge time: Charging improvement incoming via over-the-air update, but for now, the Mustang Mach-E adds 59 miles of range in ten minutes, and charging from 10%-80% takes about 45 minutes.
Why? This is still the best electric crossover on the market. Great efficiency, range and charging speeds paired with Tesla’s superior over-the-air update capabilities makes this EV the EV sales leader. If only it still qualified for the federal tax credit!
Price: $62,990 – $82,990
Range: 303 – 330 miles
Charge time: Add 200 miles of range in 15 minutes at over 1,200 Tesla Supercharger locations in North America.
Availability: Available now via Tesla’s direct-to-consumer sales, or pre-owned on CarEdge Car Search.
Does it qualify for the federal EV tax credit? No, not unless the tax credit is revised by congress.
Why? If you can find one at MSRP, the ID.4 is a solid choice for those opting for a more leisurely, less sporty EV. However, it has lost much of its appeal ever since the Hyundai and Kia electric crossovers hit the market with much faster charging.
Price: $41,230 – $52,500
Range: 249 – 260 miles
Charge time: Add up to 190 miles of range in 40 minutes
Why? Tesla’s first mass-produced model has matured into the gold standard among luxury EVs. It’s pricey, but sky-high resale value and frequent OTA updates make this Tesla a smart choice for those in the market for something larger than the more popular Model 3.
Price: $99,990 – $156,990
Range: 348 – 405 miles
Charge time: Add up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes
Availability: Available now via Tesla’s direct-to-consumer sales, or pre-owned on CarEdge Car Search.
Does it qualify for the federal EV tax credit? No, not unless the tax credit is revised by congress.
Why? The first dedicated electric vehicle from Mercedes to make it to North America is something to behold. It doesn’t have the Tesla Supercharger network, but the interior is luxury on another level.
Price: $102,310 – $108,510
Range: 350 miles
Charge time: Add up to 200 miles of range in 20 minutes
Do you agree with this analysis, or did we miss the mark? Please, let us know in the comments below, or join us at the CarEdge Community to talk cars, deals and more. Our CarEdge auto experts are ready to take the headache out of your car buying experience.
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Here in the United States, the first quarter of 2023 brought EV market share to 7.2% along with a new EV sales record, despite an overall auto market slump. Electric cars are hot right now, but buying one is easier said than done. Supply shortages, insufficient charging infrastructure and unattainable prices are just some of the reasons why many Americans want an EV, but hesitate to make the switch. Nevertheless, California has announced a ban on new ICE vehicles that starts in 2035. Other states are beginning to follow suit. Which states are banning ICE cars, and which 17 are likely to go that route next? The answers tell us a lot about where the automotive industry is headed, and also the challenges that consumers may face when buying a car in the next decade.
California Was First to Announce ICE Car Ban
Why don’t states have to follow federal emissions rules? Well they do, but they are allowed to enforce more stringent rules. California was originally granted a waiver from the 1970 Clean Air Act so that it could enforce even stricter emissions standards to combat smog. Since then, other states have followed suit with transportation-related emissions targets.
Today, nearly a quarter of Americans live in a state where sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are set to be phased out.
If you’re no stranger to the auto industry, you likely know that California’s strict emissions standards have shaped fuel economy standards and electrification plans for a few decades. In August of 2022, California announced that it will phase out gasoline-powered cars by 2035 to reduce demand for fossil fuels responsible for human health hazards and climate-warming emissions. Governor Gavin Newsom said the transportation sector is “responsible for more than half of all of California’s carbon pollution, 80 percent of smog-forming pollution, and 95 percent of toxic diesel emissions.”
Will California’s ICE ban be moved forward to 2030? It’s possible. While it seemed to be a likely move just one year ago, the limitations that automakers face in making EVs will likely prevent states from moving up timelines to before 2035. Still, some politicians are advocating for a quicker phase out of fossil fuels, and the cities of Oakland, Culver City and Berkeley are already targeting a 2030 deadline.
California ICE Ban Timeline
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the Advanced Clean Cars II proposal on August 25. In addition to banning light-duty vehicles powered by internal combustion engines in 2035, the new rules set a timeline for a phase-out period.
California’s new CARB policy requires that 35 percent of new passenger vehicle sales in California must consist of zero-emissions vehicles by 2026, with the requirement increasing to 68 percent by 2030, and 100% in 2035.
Accelerated Timeline for Ridesharing
A new regulation promoted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) would require that rideshare companies achieve a level of zero greenhouse gas emissions and to ensure 90 percent of their vehicle miles are fully electric by 2030. California, a state that relies on ridesharing more than most other American states, will be putting the pressure on Uber, Lyft and others.
Since the 1990s, 17 states have enacted laws requiring state emissions policies to mirror those of California. These are the states that follow CARB emissions standards:
California
Connecticut
Colorado
Delaware
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
Washington D.C
All of these states and the District of Columbia are likely to officially adopt the 2035 ICE ban in the coming days or weeks.
Washington State Plans to Ban ICE Cars
We’re one nation under different sets of rules. Washington and Massachusetts have so-called trigger laws in the books that require them to follow the lead of the California Air Resources Board (CARB). With the latest news from California, Washington and Massachusetts have also announced a 2035 ban on ICE cars.
Previously, the 2022 Move Ahead Washington transportation package passed the state’s legislature and made it to Governor Inslee’s desk for a signature. Thirty-six percent of the $16 billion transportation package is dedicated to climate-friendly transportation infrastructure, such as electric vehicle charging, public transit electrification, and even low-emissions ferries.
Within the 2022 Move Ahead Washington package is a bold new policy aimed at ending sales of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles starting in 2030, just 7 years away. For now, Washington has decided to pursue California’s 2035 target. Perhaps politicians in Washington state have been keeping an eye on automakers struggling to ramp up EV production just 7 years from the more ambitious target.
“Transportation is our state’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. There is no way to talk about climate change without talking about transportation. This package will move us away from the transportation system our grandparents imagined and towards the transportation system our grandchildren dream of,” Inslee said in a statement.
In 2020, transportation overtook electricity generation as the top source of carbon emissions in the United States.
New York will ban the sale of ICE cars and light-duty trucks starting in 2035. In September 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill implementing the future ban. The New York law also seeks to eliminate emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by 2045. The state government is required to create a detailed plan for zero-emissions vehicle development by the end of 2023.
The New York ICE ban has eyes on the truck sector. Governor Hochul instructed the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to propose new regulations that will accelerate the adoption of electrified trucks in particular.
“When adopted, this new regulation will require an increasing percentage of all new trucks sold in New York to be zero-emissions vehicles beginning with the 2025 model year, cementing our state as a national leader on actions to address climate change while spurring economic opportunities and helping to reduce air pollution,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos.
Massachusetts is another state with a trigger law requiring state emissions policy to mirror that of the California Air Resources Board. The state has now adopted the same 2035 ICE ban that the Golden State has.
Roughly 27 percent of Massachusetts emissions come from passenger vehicles. As the state seeks out strategies to achieve net-zero fossil-fuel emissions by 2050, a ban on the sale of new combustion-powered vehicles has entered the picture.
Massachusetts is one 17 states that adhere to California’s vehicle emission standards, a policy first adopted in 1991 to ensure the state has strict anti-pollution regulations.
Virginia Follows Suit, and Some Lawmakers Regret It
In 2021, Virginia became the 17th state to adopt some of California’s tailpipe emission standards that are stricter than federal rules. One year later, elections shifted the balance of power.
“House Republicans will advance legislation in 2023 to put Virginians back in charge of Virginia’s auto emission standards and its vehicle marketplace,” House Speaker Todd Gilbert said in an August 2022 statement, according to the AP. “Virginia is not, and should not be, California.”
For the time being, Virginia is on track to ban light-duty ICE vehicles in 2035 as it follows California’s lead. With a republican governor and House, it is quite possible that this could change.
Will There Be a Nationwide Phase-Out of Gas-Powered Vehicles?
In 2023, the 17 CARB states are seeking to set a target date for the nationwide phase-out of combustion-fueled light-duty vehicles starting in 2035.
Why stop at heavy duty trucks? The battery and charging technology isn’t quite there yet for big rigs, and supply chain logistics are too fragile to disrupt with talk of bans on combustion engines.
Proponents of a nationwide ban on ICE sales say that it’s the most effective way to combat pollution since emissions spread beyond state borders. A nationwide ban on ICE vehicles does not appear likely for now, but we’ll keep an eye on the latest developments at both the state and federal levels.
Q2 2025 Update: Preliminary sales and market share numbers are here. See the latest U.S. EV market share estimates below as we await final numbers for the second quarter of 2025.
As electric cars continue to enter the mainstream, the tug-of-war between EV startups and legacy giants is intensifying. With federal EV tax credits set to expire on September 30, 2025, EV sales are heating up. Will Tesla hold its lead, or will Ford, General Motors and the rest catch up? Bookmark this page for the latest quarterly and monthly sales and market share updates for electric vehicles in the United States.
Q2 2025 Electric Vehicle Market Share and Sales (U.S.)
Q2 2025 EV sales numbers showed the strength of the U.S. electric vehicle market during the slowest months of the year for car buying. Here are some standouts that got our attention:
U.S. EV market share was 7.4% in Q2 2025, down slightly year-over-year.
EV sales volume was down slightly to 310,839 vehicles sold.
Tesla’s U.S. EV market share increased slightly to 46%, but sales are down 10% year-over-year.
General Motors doubled EV sales since Q2 2024, while Ford’s EV sales were down.
With federal tax credit set to expire, Q3 2025 is expected to see a large jump in EV sales.
In the second quarter of 2025, battery electric vehicle market share reached 7.4% of all new car sales in the United States. This is down slightly from 8.0% EV market share one year prior, and nearly unchanged from 7.5% of the market in Q1 2025.
Q2 2025 EV Sales Totals
Here’s how U.S. EV sales totals in Q2 2025 compare to the past three years:
In Q1 2025, Tesla is down to 46% of EV market share in America. Tesla remains the dominant player in an increasingly crowded field. According to analyses by Cox Automotive, Tesla sales accounted for 49% of all EVs sold in the US in 2024, down from 55% in 2023, and 62% in 2022. At the start of the year in Q1 2022, Tesla had a 75% EV market share in America.
Ford, GM, and Hyundai Motor Group continue to fight for second place. Hyundai and Kia EV sales soared in 2024, but have waned this year. Last year, Ford’s EV sales were overtaken by GM somewhat unexpectedly. GM is now running away from Ford, outselling their chief rival nearly three to one.
Historical Data
Q1 2023
Q2 2023
Q3 2023
Q4 2023
Q1 2024
Q2 2024
Q3 2024
Q4 2024
Q1 2025
Q2 2025
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)
7.3%
7.2%
7.9%
8.1%
7.3%
8.0%
8.9%
8.7%
7.5%
7.4%
Electrified (HEV, PHEV, BEV)
14.5%
16.0%
17.7%
16.0%
17.8%
19.1%
21.2%
30.7%
TBD
TBD
In 2024, the US EV market share reached 8.1% of all light vehicle sales, up from 7.3% of sales in 2023. In 2022, 5.8% of the new cars Americans bought were fully electric, which was a sharp increase from 3.2% in 2021.
According to EIA.gov, Combined sales of hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and battery electric vehicles in the United States rose to 16.3% of total new light-duty vehicle sales in 2023. In 2022, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and BEV sales were 12.9% of total sales.
Electrified powertrains continue to see rapid growth, despite less growth in the electric-only segment.
General Motors President Mark Reuss told CNBC Monday that ‘electrified’ and fully-electric Chevrolet Corvette versions will be out as soon as 2023. An electric Corvette has long been rumored, but this is the first official news about the Corvette EV. 2022 and especially 2023 are shaping up to be pivotal years for GM’s electrification strategy, as the automaker looks beyond the Chevy Bolt towards mainstream EVs like the Silverado EV and Chevrolet Equinox EV.
First, GM will debut an electrified Corvette in 2023. This will be either a hybrid Corvette, a plug-in hybrid, or both. News of a hybrid Corvette may perplex Corvette aficionados, however other performance cars have seen much success with hybrid powertrains, including the BMW i8 and the new McLaren Artura.
Electric Corvette Powered By GM’s Ultium Platform
To those accustomed to associating General Motor’s electric vehicles with appliance-looking Chevy Bolts, fear not. The new electric Corvette will be powered by the all-new Ultium battery and electric motor platform. The Ultium platform recently made its production debut in the Cadillac Lyriq luxury crossover, as well as the lavish GMC Hummer EV. GM partnered with LG Chem to engineer the Ultium battery. LG Chem also makes batteries for Tesla, Lucid, Stellantis, and other automakers.
The strengths of the Ultium platform are lowered battery costs, higher energy efficiency, and faster charging. All three of these improvements are going to be central to GM’s fight to compete with both Tesla and Ford in the years to come.
General Motors CEO Mary Barra says that the new Ultium electric platform will unlock battery production at scale for less than $100 per kilowatt-hour. Combined with Ultium’s improved efficiency and ultra-fast charging (at up to 350 kW speeds), GM is banking on their new platform to catch up to Tesla. In fact, the Ultium battery and motor powertrain was chosen by Honda’s engineers to power the upcoming Honda Prologue electric SUV.
Electric Corvette Specs and Performance
For now, General Motors President Mark Reuss is not sharing many details. He did liken the announcement of the Corvette EV to the coming 2023 Corvette Z06, so he’s setting the bar high. Chevrolet shared a 30-second teaser video, and all-wheel drive looks likely. That would put the Corvette EV on par with competing electric sports cars, including Teslas. We’ll be sure to update this page with the latest once more details are announced.
What do you think about the electric Corvette? Join the CarEdge Community to connect with auto enthusiasts and car buying experts. We’ve helped members save thousands of dollars in today’s hectic market. Join the fastest-growing automotive community online at CarEdge to see why car ownership minus the headaches is changing the game.
If you’re in the market for an affordable electric vehicle, you’ve likely already arrived at the realization that ‘affordable’ doesn’t mean cheap in 2022. In fact, our own CarEdge list of the best affordable electric cars features one car (the Tesla Model 3) that now starts just shy of $50,000. Are there any truly cheap electric cars available today? You may be surprised with what we found.
2022 Nissan LEAF
After earlier rumors suggested that the Nissan LEAF was to be discontinued, a Nissan executive recently stated that the LEAF is here to stay. That’s GREAT news for EV affordability.
We must point out that General Motors decided to slash the price of the LEAF’s competitor, the Chevy Bolt, to steal the title of ‘cheapest EV in America.’ More on that below.
Price: Starting at $27,400
Range: 150 to 226 miles, depending on battery size
Charging Speed: Either 50 kW or 100 kW speeds, depending on battery
Tesla is the face of electric cars today, but for years it was the Nissan Leaf at center stage. When Nissan brought the Leaf to market in 2010, it was a short-ranged novelty that somehow began to catch on. With just 73 miles of range on a good day, the first iteration of the Leaf was a bug-eyed appliance good for around town, but not much else.
Over a decade later, and the 2022 Nissan Leaf is a lot better than the first. However, it’s still a budget vehicle, and you get what you pay for. Still, it’s a great entry point into EVs for many. The Leaf now has enough range to make regional travel realistic, but charging speeds have unfortunately remained too slow to make it easy. If you’re eager to get into an electric car for under $30,000, you’ll surely want to check out the 2022 Nissan Leaf.
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV – The Cheapest Electric Car
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
Price: Starting at $26,595
Range: 259 miles
Charging Speed: 55 kW speeds (adds 100 miles in 30 minutes of charging)
Tax Credit: The Bolt no longer qualifies for the federal EV tax credit, but state incentives may apply
The 2023 Chevy Bolt is the cheapest electric car today. It is available at dealers nationwide, as long as the mandatory recall fixes have been completed. See who has inventory at CarEdge Car Search: Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV
General Motors has sold over 100,000 Chevrolet Bolt EVs since launching the subcompact crossover in 2016. In 2021, the Bolt gained a new sibling: the larger Bolt EUV. Shortly after the Bolt EUV joined the show, several Bolt battery fires spurred a very urgent recall into action. When all was said and done, battery supplier LG Chem was found to be responsible for the Bolt battery fires, and agreed to pay General Motors $2 billion in damages.
Fast forward to 2022, and most Chevrolet Bolt’s (all for sale) have received new battery packs. The Bolt is a GREAT deal now that it’s fixed. If you’re never in a rush on road trips (or just plan to use the car around town), the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt is worth a look. It charges painfully slow, but hey, it is the cheapest electric car today.
If you check out used Bolts, request official documentation showing that all recall work was completed. The Bolt will be eligible for the new EV tax credit here in the United States, but only after 1/1/2023. See our full guide to EV tax credits for more info.
2022 Hyundai Kona EV
Price: Starting at $34,000
Range: 258 miles
Charging Speed: 100 kW speeds (180 miles added in 47 minutes)
The 2022 Hyundai Kona EV is no Tesla, but it has decent range and room to fit most lifestyles. Plus, it’s really cheap AND still qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit.
For just $34,000 before incentives, you can become the owner of the original Hyundai EV. This front-wheel drive subcompact crossover gets 258 miles on the charge, exceptional range for a budget EV. Some owners get over 275 miles on a single charge. The Limited trim, top-of-the-line option comes in at $42,500.
If you plug in at home, charging to 100% from a 240-volt dryer outlet will only take you about 9 hours from 10% state of charge. That will get you a full battery overnight while you’re sleeping. At a fast charger, the Kona is behind the competition. In 47 minutes, the Kona Electric charges from 10% to 80% capacity.
The all-new Hyundai IONIQ 5 has stolen the show with more range, MUCH faster charging, and retro looks, but it starts closer to $45,000 with destination and availability is very limited. For those who are willing to give up a few luxuries, the Hyundai Kona EV is a solid choice.
2022 Kia Niro EV
Price: Starting at $39,990
Range: 239 miles
Charging Speed: 100 kW at a DC fast charger (adds 100 miles of range in about 30 minutes)
The Kia Niro electric version is the sibling to the aforementioned Hyundai Kona EV. Both source their power from a 64 kilowatt-hour battery, which is a tad smaller than more expensive electric cars. The Niro EV can charge at up to 100 kilowatt speeds at a fast charger. At least that’s better than the Nissan LEAF and Chevy Bolt.
The Niro EV’s back seat is slightly more spacious than the Kona’s, so it’s more popular with families and those with large pets. There’s also a plug-in hybrid version. For just a few thousand dollars more, keep in mind that you could check out the base trims of the newer Kia EV6, Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Volkswagen ID.4.
2022 Mini Cooper SE Hardtop Electric
Price: $30,750
Range: 114 miles
Charging Speed: 50 kW speeds (about 90 miles of range in 36 minutes)
For just over $30,000, you can own an electric Mini. It’s practically a luxury golf cart! Jokes aside, it’s not a bad deal IF you don’t plan to go very far. With 114 miles of EPA-rated range, it’s a zippy way to scoot around town.
Why didn’t I include Mazda’s first fully-electric vehicle on this list? It’s a brand-new model, yet it only gets 100 miles of range on a charge. That, and the fact that it is only sold in California as a regulatory compliance vehicle for now. Come on, Mazda! That’s not enough range to safely make it across Los Angeles!
CarEdge’s Take
An electric car under $35,000? Sounds like science fiction, but as you can see, a few can be had for what used to be considered average car prices. Most of these cheap electric cars don’t have the best range, the fastest charging or the need for speed, but they won’t drain the bank like a Tesla will. Let me know which cheap EVs you’re checking out in 2022.
Some parting advice: consider all options, and test drive as many electric vehicles as you can. You’ll be amazed at what’s out there, and even more amazed at what’s to come.
CarEdge Insights
