Last Updated 2 years ago
So, what’s the best affordable EV on the market right now? There are TOO many options out there and the search for the right one is daunting.
If you’re struggling to narrow down what would be your next electric vehicle, then this new report will give you the inspiration you need.
The automotive research company The Kelly Blue Book tested different electric vehicles and evaluated features like driving range and performance of EV models available in the market this year.
We shortlisted and took the top 5 models that right now show a starting price below $35,000 so that you can have this information in just one article.
From the lowest ranked to the highest, these are the 5 Best Electric Cars Under $35,000 according to the experts at KBB:
5. 2024 Mini Electric Hardtop 2 Doors
- Starting Price: $30,900
- Driving Range: 114 miles
- 0 to 60 miles per hour: 6.9 seconds
This Mini Cooper is one of the cheapest electric cars in the country right now. Not only is the price very attractive, but across the internet, experts highlight the minimalist design that BMW put in this EV.
Although the driving range is the lowest compared to other cars on this list, we think that the Mini Electric is great for short errands or daily commuting within the city.
4. 2024 Nissan Leaf
- Starting Price: $28,140
- Driving Range: up to 212 miles
- 0 to 60 miles per hour: 7.4 seconds
Although the Nissan Leaf is on this list as a top electric car, this year is your last chance to get a brand-new one. After 14 years in the American market, Nissan has decided to discontinue the Leaf to focus on newer models like the Nissan Ariya.
Just keep in mind that even though Nissan only has two fully electric models available in the U.S., the Nissan Leaf and the Nissan Ariya, the Nissan Ariya is about $15,000 more expensive than the Leaf.
Although this car has the second-lowest driving range on this list, the Nissan Leaf has been highly reliable since its introduction to the American market in 2010 and because of this, we think it’s an excellent choice for daily commuting.
3. 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6
- Starting Price: $34,950 ($42,450 MSRP – $7,500 discount)
- Driving Range: up to 361 miles
- 0 to 60 miles per hour: up to 4.3 seconds
The Hyundai Ioniq has been recognized as one of the best electric cars in 2024 by the Kelly Blue Book. But this model has also received several recognitions from other car review experts like Car and Driver and the Midwest Automotive Media Association for its technology and design. Even the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the SUV version, has been awarded as the best EV of the year by MotorWeek. Those are a lot of endorsements for the Ioniq family.
Needless to say, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the car with the fastest acceleration on this list going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in only 4.3 seconds. And, although it is also the most expensive, Hyundai is offering a $7,500 discount on all trims of the Ioniq 6 until February 29th, which puts the starting price closer to that of the 2024 Mini Electric.
2. 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
- Starting Price: $27,800
- Driving Range: 247 miles
- 0 to 60 miles per hour: 6.7 seconds
It’s not a surprise for anyone that the most affordable electric vehicles are the Chevy Bolt EUV and the Bolt EV. What’s surprising is the decision of General Motors to stop the production of this model even though car experts have classified the Bolt model as one of the best electric cars in the market with sales of more than 49,000 units in 2023 being the highest volume of sales General Motors has seen for the Bolt since its introduction in 2017.
The 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV is perfect to use as a family car. And because the size matters, it comes with 39.1 inches of legroom in the rear seat to accommodate your loved ones comfortably. This model also includes the SuperCruise feature that allows you to drive it hands-free.
1. 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Starting Price: $26,500
- Driving Range: 259 miles
- 0 to 60 miles per hour: 6.5 seconds
And the first place is for the Chevy Bolt EV, the cheapest electric vehicle in the market. It is so cheap that it’s even more affordable than many gasoline cars. Unfortunately, there are limited units in the market, since Chevrolet has announced that it will discontinue the production of the Bolt.
On top of this, the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt is eligible for the full $7,500 tax credit. This means that if you are eligible for the tax credit, you can get $7,500 discounted from the price directly at the dealership.
We think that the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV is the best deal on the market because it offers a driving range above the average, and although it is the cheapest EV in the U.S. in 2024, the tax credit discount makes it even cheaper to get.
To recap, 3 out of the 5 models in this list have been discontinued. Surprisingly, these 3 models are also the most affordable ones. So this year is your last chance to get a brand-new electric car at these super low prices.
What do you think? Do you agree with the automakers’ decision to discontinue the most affordable electric cars in today’s market?