Cheapest Electric Cars To Buy: Top 9

The world of electric cars is expanding at a rapid pace. As demand rises, so does the amount of choice on the market.

Consumers can now find an EV in seemingly every segment of the automotive world. Pickup trucks, SUVs, Sports Cars, and even Cargo Vans can be had lacking any form of gasoline engine. Those looking for an affordable electric vehicle are also in luck.

Recent advancements in battery technology have enabled manufacturers to make electric cars more accessible, so buying an electric car on a budget is now possible. No longer does a consumer have to choose between decent range or a low price tag. It’s now feasible to get both all in one package. Of course there still are some EVs with smaller driving ranges that focus on offering the lowest price possible. With all this choice, to help you, the consumer, we have gathered together the 9 cheapest electric cars currently on sale today.

We have the prices including destination charges as it’s a mandatory fee that actually changes the order on our list in a few circumstances. We also excluded any potential tax credits as it can change from state to state, country to country. Read on to see the most affordable EV options.

Starting Price (USD): $41,285

Starting Price (CAD): $46,790

Beginning our list is a vehicle on the verge of replacement. The Niro EV was Kia’s first all electric car sold in North America and it’s due to be replaced by a new model next year. As it stands though, it’s still the 9th least expensive all-electric vehicle currently on sale.

The Niro EV EX starts at a price of $41,285 after destination charges. It comes standard with a 201 hp, 291 lb-ft. electric motor that powers the front wheels. Kia lists maximum range at 239 miles on a single charge. Unlike other vehicles on this list, stepping up to a higher trim (EX Premium) does not improve engine power or range.

Starting Price (USD): $41,245

Starting Price (CAD): $46,824

With the original IONIQ discontinued, the new IONIQ 5 is now Hyundai’s second least expensive EV currently on sale. It just undercuts the Kia Niro EV by $40 after destination charges in the United States. For Canadians though, it’s actually $34 more expensive than the Kia.

The most affordable model is the IONIQ 5 SE Standard range that utilizes an electric motor making 168 hp and 258 lb-ft. of torque. It delivers a maximum range of 220 miles on a single charge. There is a choice of more powerful, longer range models; a rear-wheel drive version good for 303 miles and an all-wheel drive that can go 256 miles. Of course, these upgrades cost more than the entry price of $41,245.

Starting Price (USD): $38,790

Starting Price (CAD): $43,995 (not including destination)

A lot of manufacturers are entering the world of EVs with compact SUV-like vehicles. Volkswagen’s contender in this space is the ID.4. Introduced a few years ago, the ID.4 gets an update for 2023, most notably the addition of a more affordable model as the vehicle switches production to VW’s plant in Tennessee.

Starting under $40,000 after destination charges, the new ID.4 comes with a 201 hp motor powering the rear wheels. Range is not yet listed for this new model, but it does come with a smaller 62 kWh battery compared to the more expensive ID.4 Pro which has a 82 kWh battery. That larger battery is also included in the more powerful (and pricier) ID.4 Pro AWD.

Starting Price (USD): $35,295

Starting Price (CAD): $46,224

Making its second appearance on our list is Hyundai. The brand’s smaller Kona crossover is a rare vehicle that can be had as an economy hatchback, all-wheel drive SUV, performance vehicle, and yes, even an electric vehicle. The entry level Kona Electric SEL starts at a price just over $35,000 in the United States. But Canadian consumers will find the entry price much closer to that of the Volkswagen ID.4 and even Hyundai’s own IONIQ 5.

Like the Kia Niro EV, the Kona Electric only comes with a singular powertrain – an electric motor making 201 hp and 295 lb-ft. of torque. It sends power exclusively to the front wheels and has a driving range of 258 miles.

Starting Price (USD): $35,075

Starting Price (CAD): $47,835

Now for something completely different. Unlike most vehicles on this list, the Mini Cooper SE Electric is not a crossover or SUV. It’s an electric hatchback that puts a decent emphasis on fun. Powering the Cooper SE Electirc is a 181 hp motor with 199 lb-ft of torque. Mini claims it can go from 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds. But take note, this is more of a commuter car than a long distance traveller as it’s only rated to drive 110 miles on a single charge.

Easily the smallest vehicle on our list, the MINI can still seat four people and begins at a price a hair over $35,000 in the United States. Canadian shoppers aren’t quite as fortunate as the Mini Cooper SE Electric starts at a price nearing $48,000, which would put it ninth on this list.

Starting Price (USD): $34,695

Starting Price (CAD): $42,150 (not including destination)

And while on the topic of EV commuters, we have the fourth least expensive vehicle on this list, the Mazda MX-30. This high-riding hatchback is more of a crossover than the Mini Cooper SE Electric, but also puts an emphasis on fun-to-drive. Power comes from a 143 hp electric motor that delivers 200 lb-ft. of torque to the front wheels. Range is lowest on our list, with just 100 miles available on a single charge.

And while on the topic of availability, the MX-30 is currently only offered to American shoppers that reside in the State of California. The story is much the same north of the border where only Canadian buyers from the province of Quebec can purchase this electric Mazda.

Starting Price (USD): $28,195

Starting Price (CAD): $41,998

The most affordable all-electric crossover is the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, and it’s not even close. After receiving a massive price cut for the 2023 model year, the Bolt EUV LT now starts at a price of $28,915 after destination charges in the United States. The same price cuts did not occur for Canadian consumers though. Still, the Bolt EUV remains the most affordable EV crossover in Canada, but the price gap to the United States is large.

Regardless of country, this Chevrolet features a 200 hp electric motor powering the front wheels. It’s claimed to go from 0 to 60 mph around 7 seconds flat and has an official driving range of 247 miles on a single charge.

Starting Price (USD): $28,895

Starting Price (CAD): $41,619

Last year the Nissan Leaf received a massive price cut in the United States (but not in Canada) and became the lowest priced electric vehicle in America. This year Chevrolet has undercut Nissan, making the Bolt the lowest priced EV currently on sale. But that doesn’t mean the Leaf isn’t still a good value.

Powering the entry level Leaf S is a 147 hp motor delivering 236 lb-ft. of torque to the front wheels. Range is listed at 149 miles on a single charge. This falls short of many entries on this list, but is still more than the Mazda MX-30 and Mini Cooper SE Electric. If more power and range are required, the Leaf SV Plus has 214 hp and 212 miles of range. Of course, it will cost more for that model, with an asking price of $36,895 after destination charges.

Starting Price (USD): $26,595

Starting Price (CAD): $39,998

As mentioned, Chevrolet slashed the price of the Chevrolet Bolt EV significantly this year, making it the most affordable electric car currently on sale in the United States. And even if Canada didn’t receive the same price reduction, the Bolt still holds the crown as the least expensive EV in the country.

Mechanically, it is very similar to the Chevrolet Bolt EUV. Power comes from a 200 hp electric motor that drives the front wheels. It’s claimed to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds and has an official driving range of 259 miles on a single charge. This makes the Bolt EV quite an electric bargain compared to other vehicles in the top five on this list.