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10 Cheapest Electric Cars in 2024

2024 Nissan Leaf SV Plus / Photo credit: Nissan
Nissan Leaf / Credit: Nissan

These Are the Most Affordable EVs Available Today

While electric cars are more expensive than comparable gas cars, prices are coming down. In addition, EVs are cheaper to own than gas cars since they have fewer moving parts and virtually no fluids to change, which should mean less maintenance. EVs are also incredibly efficient, so you’ll spend much less money on electricity than you do on gasoline. To help you find the best deal on an electric vehicle, we’ve ranked the cheapest new electric cars & SUVs from least expensive to most. (Related: Cheapest Electric SUVs)

Some vehicles on this list may be from a previous model year but they are still available as new models. Sometimes automakers are slow to update specs and pricing. Other times they may be redesigning a model or have excess inventory.

How We Ranked These Electric Cars


1. 2024 Nissan Leaf • $28,140

2023 Nissan Leaf
2024 Nissan Leaf / Credit: Nissan
  • Price: $28,140
  • Range: 149-212 miles
  • What We Like: Cheap
  • What We Don’t: Not as upscale as most EVs; below-average range

Nissan is a pioneer in the electric car segment, debuting the Leaf in 2011. In 2019, Nissan started offering the Leaf Plus, which has more power and extended range. For 2022, Nissan has made DC fast charging standard in the Leaf.

Lower pricing helps the Leaf compensate for the fact that most rivals have more range and better driving dynamics. If you stick with the standard Leaf, you’ll only have 149 miles of range and 147 horsepower. The Leaf is spacious and comfortable, but its interior lacks the modern look and premium materials in other EVs and cars with similar price tags.

Shopping for a Used Leaf?

The Nissan Leaf got a styling refresh for 2023, but its basic design has been the same for years.


2. 2024 Mini Cooper Electric SE • $30,900

2024 Mini Cooper SE / Photo Credit: Mini
  • Price: $30,900
  • Range: 114 miles
  • What We Like: Retro styling; agile handling; cheap
  • What We Don’t: Very low range

The Cooper SE is nearly identical to the iconic gas-powered Cooper Hardtop. It’s stylish, upscale, peppy, and athletic. The front seats are roomy and comfortable. The rear seats don’t offer much legroom, and there’s not much cargo space behind them.

The Cooper Electric Hardtop has been usurped as the least expensive EV available today. The Leaf is now cheaper, and the Mini’s base price jumped several thousand dollars. Mini justifies that with a new infotainment system and additional driver assistance features. However, it has less range than any current EV and doesn’t offer blind-spot monitoring or Android Auto. The Cooper SE is an OK value for people who don’t take long road trips often or those looking for a second car.

Shopping for a Used Mini Cooper Electric?

The Mini Cooper Electric was a brand-new model for 2020 and hasn’t changed much since.


3. 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric • $32,675

2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric / Credit: Hyundai
  • Price: $32,675
  • Range: 200-261 miles
  • What We Like: Comfortable, decent range with optional powertrain
  • What We Don’t: Base powertrain could use more power and range

The Hyundai Kona Electric is a dynamic and modern subcompact SUV with an upscale cockpit outfitted with easy-to-use tech features. It’s equipped with a sleek dual 12.3-inch display screen behind one piece of glass. The Kona has a comfortable front seat and a decent rear seat and cargo space.

Two powertrains are available: a 133-horsepower system with 200 miles of range and a 201-horsepower system with 261 miles of range. Both have a single motor driving the front wheels. The base powertrain has weak acceleration and limited range, so we’d recommend upgrading to the 201-horsepower version, if possible. The Kona Electric is available in three trims: the base SE, the nicer SEL, and the top-of-the-line Limited.

Shopping for a Used Kona Electric?

The Kona Electric was introduced as an all-new model in 2019. It was restyled for the 2022 model year and completely redesigned for 2024.


4. 2024 Tesla Model 3 • $38,990

2024 Tesla Model 3
2024 Tesla Model 3 / Credit: Tesla
  • Price: $38,990
  • Range: 272-341 miles
  • What We Like: Sedan practicality with supercar speed, modern interior, good price
  • What We Don’t: Handling doesn’t match acceleration

The Model 3 is one of the best-selling EVs across the globe, and for good reason. It’s well-priced, delivers lively acceleration, lots of cargo space, and a modern, roomy interior. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard, though dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) is available. Though the base model is no slouch, choosing the dual-motor AWD model makes the Model 3 sports car fast and gives it an impressive 341-mile range.

Nearly every feature in the Model 3 is controlled via the sedan’s large 15.4-inch touch screen. It doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration, but it does offer maps, live traffic visualization, in-car internet, music, media, games, and more.

Shopping for a Used Model 3?

For 2024, Tesla gave the Model 3 its first major redesign since its debut in 2017. Models made from 2017 to 2023 won’t look as sleek or be as quiet on the road as models from 2024 and later, but available features and overall performance should be similar.


5. 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 • $38,995

2021 Volkswagen ID.4 / Photo Credit: Volkswagen
2023 Volkswagen ID.4 / Credit: Volkswagen
  • Price: $38,995
  • Range: 245-275 miles
  • What We Like: Bright and spacious cabin
  • What We Don’t: Not as fun to drive as rivals

The ID.4 has a spacious cabin that’s bright and accommodating. It has more cargo space than most electric SUVs but not as much as the Tesla Model X and Model Y. The ID.4 offers both a single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) model and a dual-motor AWD model with more horsepower, though it’s not as much fun to drive as other EVs.

All ID.4 SUVs come standard with  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The ID.4 also comes with three years of free public fast-charging at Electrify America stations nationwide. Drivers can add 70 miles of range in just 10 minutes.

Shopping for a Used ID.4?

The VW ID.4 was all-new for 2021. These first-year models are mostly single-motor FWD models. The dual-motor AWD versions arrived later in the year.


6. 2024 Kia Niro EV • $39,600

2023 Kia Niro EV
2024 Kia Niro EV / Credit: Kia
  • Price: $39,600
  • Range: 253 miles
  • What We Like: Solid all-around electric SUV
  • What We Don’t: Pricier than key competitors

The Niro EV is the Kona’s corporate cousin. It’s a bit roomier, but it is pricier and has less range. It features comfortable seats and decent cargo capacity, but taller adults may wish for more rear-seat legroom.

The Niro EV is quick off the line, but it’s less powerful than most electric SUVs. The Niro EV handles well, is easy to maneuver, and provides a comfortable ride. It also has a well-equipped cabin. Standard features include a 10.3-inch infotainment screen and heated front seats.

Shopping for a Used Niro EV?

Kia redesigned the Niro EV for 2023. The previous version ran from 2019 to 2022.


7. 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 • $41,650

2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 / Credit: Hyundai
  • Price: $41,650
  • Range: 269-303 miles
  • What We Like: Great range
  • What We Don’t: Pricey for a Hyundai

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is an electric crossover and the second electric vehicle in the Ioniq lineup, following the discontinued Ioniq EV hatchback. Where the Ioniq EV was a modest hatchback, the Ioniq 5 is a bold styling statement. Its proportions and clean lines hide the vehicle’s true size. The Ioniq 5 provides solid cargo space and incredible passenger space.

The clean design of the exterior carries into the interior, where the lack of a conventional driveline opens up the center area below the dash. The large dual-screen digital dash may look futuristic, but it is easier to use than Tesla’s all-screen/no-buttons approach. That said, the unique shifter design has a bit of a learning curve.

The Ioniq 5 can be had with RWD or AWD. The AWD model provides inspired acceleration and dialed-in handling. The Ioniq 5 is pricier than other vehicles on this list, and the Limited trim has a luxury-level price tag.

Shopping for a Used Hyundai Ioniq 5?

The Ioniq 5 was all-new for 2022 and heads into 2024 unchanged.


8. 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 • $42,450

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 / Credit: Hyundai
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 / Credit: Hyundai
  • Price: $42,450
  • Range: 361 miles
  • What We Like: Great range; sleek design
  • What We Don’t: Pricey for a Hyundai

The Ioniq 6 has a wind-cheating exterior that makes this electric sedan a head-turner and aids in boosting driving range. Based on the platform used in the Ioniq 5 SUV, the Ioniq 6 is available with a single or dual electric motor arrangement in RWD or AWD. Hyundai says the Ioniq 6 will deliver up to 361 miles of range on a full charge. That’s on par with the Tesla Model 3, an EV squarely in the crosshairs of the Ioniq 6. The airy and futuristic cabin of the Ioniq 6 pairs a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. 

Shopping for a Used Hyundai Ioniq?

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 was an all-new model for 2023, but the versatile Ioniq 5 has been on the market since 2022. It offers over 300 miles of range (2023 Long Range trim) and has DC fast-charging capability.


9. 2024 Kia EV6 • $42,600

2024 Kia EV6 / Credit: Kia
  • Price: $42,600
  • Range: 230-310 miles
  • What We Like: Roomy; quick GT model
  • What We Don’t: Pricey

The Kia EV6 is an electric crossover with sharp styling, though its angular roof cuts in on usable cargo space and rear headroom. The front seats are spacious and comfortable, and the rear seats provide decent legroom. A hands-free power liftgate is available.

The EV6 has a long list of standard equipment, including wireless device charging and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The base setup features a single 167-hp electric motor powering the rear wheels. The upgraded setup features a larger battery and either a 225-hp motor at the rear wheels or a dual-motor setup with a combined 320 horsepower. The top-end GT trim makes over 576 horsepower! Low-end acceleration is swift, and the dual-motor setup provides extra grunt. No matter the setup, the EV6 provides lively, responsive handling.

Shopping for a Used EV6?

The EV6 was an all-new model in 2022. Kia added the GT model to the lineup for 2023.


10. 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E • $45,995

2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Electric SUV
2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E / Credit: Ford
  • Price: $45,995
  • Range: 224-312 miles
  • What We Like: Great performance
  • What We Don’t: Gets expensive with upgrades

The Mach-E is an electric crossover with Mustang DNA. It provides swift acceleration, adept handling, and a smooth, quiet ride. Inside, you find a modern cabin with ample space for five adults, competitive cargo volume, and intuitive technology.

The Mach-E was designed as a direct competitor to the Tesla Model Y, and it comes close to the Tesla’s performance specs. The Mach-E isn’t as quick, and it doesn’t have as much range, but it’s not far off.

The Mach-E is well-priced for what it is. However, once shoppers add AWD and other key features, it gets expensive.

Shopping for a Used Mustang Mach-E?

The Mach-E was introduced for the 2021 model year, and the design hasn’t changed since. For 2022, Ford added available BlueCruise hands-free driving capability.


Next Steps


How We Ranked the Cheapest Electric Cars

These are the cheapest electric cars available today based on starting MSRP, excluding destination, tax, and other applicable fees. In addition, we’ve given you an idea of what you get for your money by summarizing each vehicle’s strengths and weaknesses.


Electric Cars


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