What is the cheapest electric car?

Oct 9

Are you looking to buy an electric car for a low price in 2022? Our experts have compiled a list of the most affordable and best-selling electric cars available.

Although the best electric cars are more expensive than petrol and diesel models, they are becoming more affordable. EVs can be very affordable once you consider their lower running costs.

In recent months there have been a lot of new electric vehicles on the market. However, we are updating this guide to the best-selling and cheapest electric cars available. Prices include the Government's plug-in car grant, if applicable. However, if you're looking for a better deal, we have compiled a list of the most affordable electric cars you can purchase and the lowest-cost electric cars to insure.

2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5--$41,245 HYUNDAI

Driver rating 9/10
EPA-rated driving distance: 220 miles

The Hyundai has a single rear-mounted motor and a 58.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The entry-level Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range has 168 horsepower. Even the cheapest Hyundai EV has 220 miles of EPA-rated driving distance.

You can purchase one of the Ioniq 5 models for those with more cash. These have a larger capacity battery pack of 77.4 kWh. A dual-motor all-wheel-drive system is also offered for those willing to give up some driving range in exchange for more performance.

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning--$41,769 JOHN ROECAR AND DRIVER

Driver Rating: 8.5/10
Driving range EPA-rated: 230 miles

The entry-level Ford F-150 Lightning Pro starts at $41,659 and is the most affordable way to buy an electric pickup. Ford offers fleet buyers the opportunity to purchase this full-size electric truck with a 131.0 kWh battery pack which provides more than 300 miles of range. However, most consumers can buy the Pro only with Lightning's 98.0-kWh standard pack.

The base pack's smaller capacity means less driving range. According to the EPA, Lightning can travel 230 miles on a single charge with such a configuration. This should be enough for most buyers.

The Lightning Pro is the most affordable version, but it's not without its flaws. Standard features include a pair of 12.0-inch screens in the middle of the dashboard and one serving the instrument cluster. There's also a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system with 426 horses.

2022 Kia Niro EV--$41,285 KIA

Driver rating 8/10
Driving range: 239 miles

The Niro EV is the cheapest Kia electric car. It costs $41,285 for EX. This is $1410 less than the EV6, which is a larger model. The cheapest EV6 has a single rear-mounted 167 hp motor with a 58.0-kWh power pack. This gives it 232 miles of EPA-rated range. However, the Niro EV's front-mounted 201 hp motor and a 64.0 kWh pack provide it with 239 miles. On our 75-mph highway range test, we drove 210 miles from the 2020 Niro.

Although we prefer the EV6's style and size to the Niro EV's, it is clear that this small electric SUV still provides a solid value. The Niro EV EX can accelerate to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. It also has factory navigation, a touchscreen infotainment screen, and a wireless phone charger. All Niro EV trims do not have all-wheel drive.

2022 Hyundai Kona Electric--$35,295 CAR AND DRIVER

Driver rating 8/10
Driving range: 258 mi

The Hyundai Kona Electric has one of the best EV segments, with a starting price of $35,295. The base Kona Electric SEL comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment screen, a 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility.

However, it may not be easy to find the Kona Electric model because the automaker restricts sales to 12 states (California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Maine). Massachusetts. Maryland. New Jersey. New York. Rhode Island. Vermont.

The Kona Electric, like its corporate counterpart, the Kia Niro, features a front-mounted, 201-hp motor powered by a 64.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This combination gives the front-drive EV respectable acceleration numbers, with a 2019 Kona Electric reaching the mile-per-minute mark in just 6.4 seconds.

Despite having a range of 258 miles, or 19 more than the mechanically identical Niro EVs, the 2019 Kona Electric provided 160 miles of driving range in our 75-mph highway test--50 miles less than what a 2020 Niro EV could.

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV--$34,495 CHEVROLET

Driver rating 8/10
Driving range: 247 miles

Chevrolet's BoltEUV is Chevrolet's entry into the electric SUV market. This more significant, upright version of the Bolt EV hatchback makes Chevrolet a leader in the segment. While its $34,495 starting price may not make the Bolt EUV the cheapest EV, the front-drive SUV is still a relatively inexpensive battery-electric-powered option. The Bolt EV's 247-mile range is EPA-rated, which applies to all Bolt EUV models. This makes it a reasonable choice.

2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV--$32,495 CHEVROLET

Driver rating 8/10
Driving range: 259 miles

The Chevrolet Bolt EVO will enter 2022 with an updated interior and exterior design but a new powertrain. This affordable electric car offers plenty of performance, and a sizable 66.0-kWh battery pack provides 259 miles of EPA driving distance.

The Bolt EV, which costs $32,495 and is more significant than its Bolt EUV counterpart, is likely to be sold at a substantial discount. As the base price of the 2023 model will drop by almost $6000, the Bolt EV's price is expected to drop to $32,495. Although the Bolt EV is not the cheapest electric vehicle for the 2022 model year, it has the potential to be one of the best in the segment.