“Cheap” is a relative term in the electric vehicle world. The reality is that there are practically no EVs that we can call objectively affordable in the U.S. This is probably the single biggest hurdle facing uptake of EVs in this country: Most people can’t afford them.
Still, the market is growing fast, so there are a handful of cheap electric cars to choose from amid the sea of Audis, Cadillacs, BMWs and the like. They may not be as inexpensive as an $18,000 Nissan Versa or a $23,000 Kia K4, two of the lowest-priced gas cars.
But EVs aren’t only for the 1% anymore, either. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the 12 cheapest electric cars you can buy in America. We’ve also included each vehicle’s range and tax-credit eligibility to help guide your purchase.
How We Test And Rank Cars
InsideEVs editors have dozens of years of combined experience testing cars. We also spend every day reporting on the ever-changing electric car landscape, ensuring you have the latest information to make an informed decision. Throughout the year, we test dozens of EVs, at first-drive events, during week-long reviews and during Breakthrough EV testing. From the streets of Shanghai to our own driveways, we drive everything so we can give you the best possible information.
We’re basing this list on the sticker prices for 2025 models. Keep in mind that a bunch of factors can impact the final price you’ll pay for a car.
Some models qualify for a $7,500 federal EV tax credit at purchase, which can now be claimed as an upfront discount at the dealership. Any electric car qualifies for a federally funded discount when it’s leased, provided the leasing company is willing to pass those savings on. Some states and cities offer policies of their own that can bring down the upfront cost of getting into a plug-in vehicle.
Whether you buy or lease, it helps to shop around. Both dealerships and manufacturers regularly offer great EV lease deals, discounts, preferential loan rates and other incentives to move cars off of their lots.
These are the cheapest electric cars on sale in the U.S., arranged from most to least expensive. All prices include manufacturer destination charges. We’ve included some pros and cons about each vehicle, too, drawn from both real-world testing conducted by the InsideEVs staff and our analysis of the market.
Check out our full reviews of each vehicle get an even richer picture of what these cheap EVs offer.
America’s Cheapest Electric SUV: Chevrolet Equinox EV
Photo by: Motor1.com
Base price: $34,295 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit)
Range for base model (LT): 319 miles
Maximum range: 319 miles
Drive type: FWD or AWD
This compact crossover is the easiest vehicle to recommend on this entire list. It was our Breakthrough EV of the Year in 2024, after all. It’s also a double whammy: the cheapest electric SUV in America and the cheapest electric car with a 300-mile range.
Our testing found that the Equinox EV delivers something that’s been missing from the electric market for years: an affordable, appealing car with legitimate amounts of range. Even in its cheapest trim, the Equinox EV returns an EPA estimate of 319 miles, which is great. It also comes with a large touchscreen display and modern looks.
Overall, the Equinox EV is a very compelling package. We have noticed, however, that the FWD model is a bit sluggish. Another con for some: no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. General Motors has decided to eliminate those features from all its EVs.
Read our full Chevy Equinox EV review here.
Tesla Model 3
2025 Tesla Model 3 Performance.
Photo by: Andrei Nedelea
Base price: $44,130 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit)
Range for base model (Long Range RWD): 363 miles
Maximum range: 363 miles
Drive type: RWD or AWD
Tesla never really managed to hit the Model 3’s initially advertised base price of $35,000. But the sedan remains one of the best values on the EV market. Plus, after chugging along for years virtually unchanged, it got a much-needed facelift for the 2024 model year. That update brought fresh styling in front and rear, multicolor ambient lighting and more range, cementing its place as the best electric sedan on sale in America.
In our testing, we’ve found the Model 3 to be quick and agile. Since this is a Tesla, you can expect a smooth and feature packed infotainment system, seamless charging at thousands of the company’s Superchargers and Autopilot adaptive cruise control as standard equipment.
Some cons: The Model 3 foregoes conventional turn signal controls and instead has steering wheel-mounted buttons. Some may find the interior too spartan and the controls too concentrated in the touchscreen.
Read our full Tesla Model 3 review here.
Nissan Ariya
Base price: $41,160 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit when leased)
Range for base model (Engage): 216 miles
Maximum range: 289 miles
Drive type: FWD or AWD
Nissan was responsible for one of the first mass-market EVs in the U.S.: the Leaf hatchback. The Ariya is its long-awaited second act. Like many of the cars on this list, it’s solid. Not amazing, but not bad either. It’s a stylish EV inside and out, and I especially liked how some buttons are embedded in the wood-grain trim. In higher trims, you can get serious amounts of range, but the base one is a bit lacking in that respect.
See our full Nissan Ariya review here.
Kia Niro EV
Base price: $40,995 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit when leased)
Range: 253 miles
Drive type: FWD
Kia is a leader when it comes to mass-market EV tech. Models like the EV6 crossover and EV9 three-row serve up extremely quick charging speeds and advanced, 800-volt architectures.
The Niro EV, however, uses an older platform and isn’t a ground-up EV. It offers around 250 miles of range. Kia claims a max charging rate of just 85 kilowatts and a 10%-80% charge time of 43 minutes. Still, if you need an around-town EV and not a road-tripper, the Niro EV may be a good choice.
Read our full Kia Niro EV review here.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT.
Photo by: Patrick George
Base price: $39,990 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit when leased)
Range for base model (Select): 260 miles
Maximum range: 300 miles
Drive type: FWD or RWD
It can be easy to forget about the Mustang Mach-E, as it’s been on the market since 2020. But this crossover has quietly become America’s best-selling non-Tesla EV—and for good reason. It’s a great-looking EV with competitive specs and a big old screen. And after a price cut, the Select trim can be had for under $40,000 before any tax credits or incentives.
Read our review of the Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally here.
Subaru Solterra
Photo by: InsideEVs
Base price: $39,915 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit when leased)
Range for base model (Premium): 227 miles
Maximum range: 227 miles
Drive type: AWD
I’d put the 2025 Solterra in the category of “EVs you should consider if you can get a great deal.” It’s only available with all-wheel drive and a small battery, giving it so-so range. But it’s also pleasant to drive, is a nice size and has a charming, funky interior. I was a big fan of the Solterra’s digital gauge cluster, which is pushed back to the windshield and sits nicely near the bottom of the windshield.
Right now, this is the only electric Subaru you can buy, but an updated Solterra and a new electric wagon, the Trailseeker, are coming soon.
Lexus RZ
Photo by: InsideEVs
Base price: $44,095 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit when leased)
Range for base model (RZ 300e): 266 miles
Maximum range: 266 miles
Drive type: FWD or AWD
Surprised a Lexus made this list? Yeah, us too. But the RZ is now way down from the nearly $60,000 starting price it had when it debuted.
The RZ is Lexus’s sole EV in the U.S. This crossover shares its guts with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, both also found on this list. It looks cool and serves up excellent efficiency, but it falls short on range, charging speed and other features we typically look for in an EV. As Deputy Editor Mack Hogan put it in his review: “It’s the most efficient electric SUV on sale, but its EV ownership experience feels like a complete afterthought.”
The front-wheel-drive RZ 300e will get you the most range. Also, keep an eye out for the 2026 RZ, which arrives later this year as a much more compelling package.
Read our full Lexus RZ review here.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Photo by: Patrick George
Base price: $44,200 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit when purchased or leased)
Range for base model (SE Standard Range RWD): 245 miles
Maximum range: 318 miles
Drive type: RWD or AWD
The Ioniq 5 is what we’d consider the best overall EV in America that isn’t a Tesla. For 2025, it’s better than ever before with an updated interior, improved tech, more range and a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug. It can natively use Tesla’s Supercharger network or achieve the fast-charging times it’s famous for on a CCS plug using an adapter.
It’s worth noting, however, that this sub-$45,000 price is for the basic SE Standard Range version, which offers a mere 245 miles of range. You may need to upgrade if you need more than that. The good news is that now that it’s made in America, the Ioniq 5 qualifies for the $7,500 EV tax credit when purchased across all its trims. And keep an eye out for discounts; Hyundai often has good deals on offer.
Read our First Drive review here.
Kia EV6
Photo by: Kia
Base price: $44,375 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit when purchased or leased)
Range for base model (Light RWD): 237 miles
Maximum range: 319 miles
Drive type: RWD or AWD
Like its close mechanical relative, the Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 packs a lot of style, range and technology into a compelling package. Its coupe-like profile and somewhat more polarizing looks mean the EV6 is often outshone by the Hyundai, but it counts many fans among our staff, including EIC Patrick George, who is also an owner. For 2025, it also packs a Tesla-style NACS port and is made in America to get the $7,500 tax credit.
Note that its base price refers to the fairly limited Light RWD model, which is rated for a mere 237 miles of range. However, deals are often found on the upper trims to make it a much more practical daily-driver.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Limited AWD
Base price: $39,095 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit when leased)
Range for base model (SE Standard Range RWD): 240 miles
Maximum range: 342 miles
Drive type: RWD or AWD
Our testing shows that the Hyundai Ioniq 6 may be the best EV that nobody appreciates enough. This sleek sedan offers exceptional range of over 340 miles, great driving dynamics and the excellent charging performance that Hyundai’s latest EVs have become known for. Mack, our Deputy Editor, called the Ioniq 6 his “favorite EV” when he reviewed one last year.
Just remember: Like the Ioniq 5 above, the base model comes with a smaller battery and less driving range than other trims.
Read our full Hyundai Ioniq 6 review here.
Toyota bZ4X
Base price: $38,465 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit when leased)
Range for base model: 252 miles
Maximum range: 252 miles
Drive type: FWD or AWD
The bZ4X is the only electric Toyota available in the U.S. For years, its mid-tier range, slow charging and high price made it tough to recommend. It’s not exactly going to replace the extremely popular RAV4 anytime soon.
However, Toyota has given the bZ4X a big price cut for the 2025 model year, making the entry-level model around $6,000 cheaper than before. Now we’re talking. Other things the bZ4X gets right: Its two-tone styling and sharp looks set it apart from other bland crossovers. It’s not bad to drive, either. And it sports an interesting interior with some unusual materials.
The bZ4X still doesn’t provide as much range or as fast charging as more serious efforts from Hyundai and Tesla. So that should give you pause. But that’s set to change with the introduction of the redesigned 2026 bZ, which will deliver more than 300 miles in some trims.
Read our full Toyota bZ4X review here.
Hyundai Kona Electric
Photo by: InsideEVs
Base price: $34,470 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit when leased)
Range for base model: 200 miles
Maximum range: 261 miles
Drive type: FWD
The Kona Electric proves that EVs “don’t need to be complicated,” staff writer Kevin Williams writes in his review. It’s just a straightforward, no-nonsense EV, with swift acceleration, a comfy ride and futuristic looks.
But the Kona does have its caveats, like most of America’s cheapest electric cars. The base model only provides 200 miles of range, which is not competitive in the least. (Especially when you take a look at the even more affordable Equinox EV.) And, like its Kia Niro EV cousin, charging is nothing to write home about. It took Kevin around 41 minutes to recharge his tester from 10% to 80%.
Read our full Hyundai Kona Electric review here.
Fiat 500e
Base price: $34,095 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit when leased)
Range: 149 miles
Drive type: FWD
The 500e is, on paper, one of the very cheapest EVs you can buy new. But that doesn’t necessarily make it a great value. In his review of the 500e, small-car aficionado and InsideEVs staff writer Kevin Williams said he doesn’t know who it’s for.
According to Kevin, well over 30 grand is a lot to ask for a car that only goes 149 miles on a charge. Some pros, per his review: The 500e is cute and drives well. Cons: It’s too basic inside, lacks a heat pump and can’t go as far as similarly priced rivals.
But then again, if you’re in the market for a tiny city car that’s also electric, this is the only one you can buy new right now. The more premium Mini Cooper SE is on a hiatus in the U.S.
Read our full Fiat 500e review here.
America’s Cheapest EV: Nissan Leaf
Base price: $29,280 (Eligible for $7,500 tax credit when leased)
Range for base model (S): 149 miles
Maximum range: 212 miles
Drive type: FWD
And, finally, the absolute cheapest electric car in America: The 2025 Nissan Leaf.
This hatchback has been kicking around since 2010, when it launched as America’s first mass-produced electric car. While it’s gotten more range and a new design since then, it’s not quite on the same level as most modern EVs. And that helps explain why the Leaf is so cheap compared to the pack.
The Leaf uses an outdated CHAdeMO charging port, which no other EV in America has. The tiny 40-kilowatt-hour battery in the base model is only good for 149 miles of range. And that hatchback shape has quickly gone out of style in favor of crossovers.
The good news is that it doesn’t cost much, and Nissan regularly offers great lease deals. The even better news is that Nissan just unveiled a completely redesigned 2026 Leaf that brings this iconic electric car into 2025.
Read our full Nissan Leaf review here.
Our Takeaway: The Best Cheap EV May Be A Used One
If this list of the cheapest EVs in America shows us anything, it’s that there are very few of them and most bring major caveats.
Unless you land a screaming lease deal, the absolute best way to find an affordable electric car is to buy a used EV. The abundance of off-lease EVs and aggressive depreciation on plug-in cars means that if you’re willing to drive a car that’s a couple years old, you can save thousands of dollars on up-front cost.
That will change as the market grows and matures. In the next few years, we expect several cheap EVs to hit the market, expanding options for budget-conscious buyers. Those include the Slate truck, the Kia EV3 and EV4, and the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV. We’ll be sure to keep this list updated as those cars hit the road.
Contact the author: Tim.Levin@InsideEVs.com
