Save Money with the Cheapest Electric Cars of 2025

As CNET's expert on all things automotive, the question I've gotten most during these times of high inflation, tariff spikes and the end of the Federal EV tax credit has been, "Is now a good time to buy an electric car?" My short answer remains, unless your current ride is giving you trouble, never panic-buy a car. However, if you need a car today or are already planning to make the jump to an electric one, there are many excellent EVs at the affordable end of the spectrum worth considering (and many more arriving over the next few years.) You should know that EVs are generally pricier than their fossil-fueled contemporaries, but can also save you money with their lower energy use and reduced maintenance needs. Choosing a cheaper EV can mean getting to the break-even point (where operating savings cancel out the price premium) sooner. That said, cheaper isn't always better, and you should still be careful that the budget EV you're eyeing actually meets your motoring needs. To that end, here are the most affordable EVs you can buy today, along with my thoughts on each, organized by MSRP. What is the cheapest electric car? Enlarge Image After helping to bring electric cars into the mainstream, Nissan reinvents the Leaf EV as a compact electric SUV. Nissan Now that the Federal EV tax credit is no longer available, the cheapest EV you can currently buy is the 2026 Nissan Leaf S+, which starts at $31,485 (including the requisite $1,495 destination fee) but there's a catch: This new generation of the Leaf has only just started to arrive at dealerships, so finding one in your perfect spec can be tricky while more examples trickle onto lots. However, the new Leaf looks worth the wait, it's a dramatically different vehicle from the previous generation with significantly more range (up to 303 miles for the S+ model), updated dashboard tech and a more modern NACS charging port. Despite making the transition from a hatchback to an SUV, the new Leaf is slightly smaller than before by most exterior dimensions. However, the more upright silhouette means more rear seat headroom and significantly more room for cargo, which I think makes for a better balance of capacity and parkability.. Cheapest electric cars of 2024 Nissan 2026 Nissan Leaf S+: $31,485 The most affordable new EV Like Outstanding range for the money Dual charging ports for home bidirectional and public fast charging Modern Google Built-in infotainment suite with wireless smartphone mirroring Don't like So new that availability is limited and reliability unproven Smaller than the previous generation (with less ground clearance) despite SUV transformation The 2026 Leaf S+ marks a big leap forward for one of the pioneers in the EV world and Nissan's entry-level electric offering, transforming from its hatchback roots into a compact crossover with so much more range. With its larger 75-kWh battery, the new Leaf cruises up to 303 miles on a full charge, while the $31,485 starting price (including the $1,495 destination fee) maintains Nissan's position as the least expensive new EV you can buy in the US. Outside, the new Leaf sports dual charging ports, including a J1772 AC charger for home on the driver side and a NACS AC/DC port on the passenger side for charging on the go at Tesla Superchargers. Inside, the modernized EV features a modern dual-screen infotainment suite Google Built-In software and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. These updates and more take the 2026 Nissan Leaf from being just an affordable option to what should be an excellent one. Specs: Range: 303 miles Efficiency: TBD mi/kWh, 121 MPGe Plug: NACS, J1772 (CCS via adapter) See at Roadshow.truecar Antuan Goodwin/CNET 2025 Fiat 500e Inspi(Red): $32,495 A small, stylish option for city dwellers Like Thrives in conditions where maneuverability trumps range Surprisingly modern dashboard and safety tech for such a small package Don't like Small range and modest charging speed discourage longer roadtrips Super compact size may make some drivers nervous The compact Italian returns to America for its second electrified generation with what feels like just the right amount of range for urban driving (and not a whole lot more.), Despite its upscaled proportions, the Fiat 500e is still one of the smallest cars you can buy in the US today, electric or otherwise, which is great if space for city parking is at a premium, but not the best for nervous drivers who regularly share roads massive pickups and SUVs. The new 500e rolls out with a modern and 7-inch digital instrument cluster and an appropriately scaled 10.25-inch infotainment display, but my favorite addition is the audio fanfare that plays aloud for onlookers to hear as the little EV accelerates away. Cheeky. The Fiat is as much a fashion accessory as it is a mobility solution -- there's even a Giorgio Armani special edition this year -- but if you've been looking for an affordable electric car with heaps of style and just enough range, the Fiat 500e may be worth your attention. Specs: Range: 149 miles Efficiency: 3.45 mi/kWh, 116 MPGe Plug: J1772, CCS See at Roadshow.truecar Hyundai 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE: $34,470 An affordable all-rounder EV Like Solid range for the price Solid cabin tech and safety suite Don't like 100 kW DC charging is slower than its Ioniq siblings Base model has less range, power than more expensive specs Now bigger and bolder than before, Hyundai's new second-generation Kona Electric now sits in an even sweeter spot in its class with an even better balance of affordability and utility. An excellent choice for a subcompact electric commuter. The new Kona now boasts up to 46.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded flat and can cruise up to 200 miles per charge in its most affordable SE spec or up to 261 miles with the SEL model's larger battery and more powerful motor. Inside, the Kona is nicely appointed for an economy subcompact, with Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity being the cherries atop Hyundai's excellent dual-screen infotainment suite. If I had to nitpick, the 100 kW max DC charge speed is slower than the 350 kW max of its Ioniq EV siblings, but it's still plenty fast for the occasional road trip and home charging speeds are more comparable. Specs: Range: 200 miles Efficiency: 3.45 mi/kWh, 116 MPGe Plug: J1772, CCS See at Cargurus Chevrolet 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT1: $34,995 The best affordable EV with one big caveat Like Excellent range for the price Smart Google Built-In dashboard technology suite Compatible with GM Energy home bidirectional charging Don't like Does not support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto The 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV almost checks all of the right boxes, but one major tech omission may keep it off of your short list. With up to 319 miles per charge, the Chevy boasts exceptional range for its $34,995 starting price (including $1,395 destination.) The Equinox boasts more range and more space than the cheaper options on the list with road-going performance strong enough for me to call this practically a no-compromise replacement for similarly sized gasoline options. It's a tough combo to beat. However, GM recently made the decision to drop support for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for all of its electric vehicles moving forward, so the Equinox EV arrives without those popular technologies. For some of you, this will be a huge bummer and potentially a dealbreaker. Personally, I think Chevy's Google Built-In infotainment suite -- with Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play app store -- gets the job done with aplomb and is well integrated with the EV's charging and battery management software. Specs: Range: 319 miles Efficiency: 3.23 mi/kWh, 109 MPGe Plug: J1772, CCS (NACS via adapter) See at Roadshow.truecar Toyota 2026 Toyota bZ XLE: $36,350 An affordable EV that plays it safe Like Range is finally competitive with similarly priced models Improved acceleration and power for 2026 MY Don't like Opting for all wheel drive costs quite a bit of range 150 kW DC charging is just OK for this class/price Toyota's first serious venture into the US EV market has undergone a quiet glow up since its debut in 2022. Now going by just bZ, rather than the mouthful that was bZ4X, the compact electric crossover now boasts respectable range (up to 314 miles for the XLE spec), improved performance, and (more amazingly) a slightly lower starting price of just $36,350 (with the $1,450 destination fee.) Even with the extra oomph, the Toyota's performance is best described as "conservative," but it's more than zippy and surefooted enough for daily driving. Opting for all-wheel drive adds more power, torque and stability for drivers who need it, but comes with a significant range reduction to just 288 miles. I'm not the biggest fan of Toyota's infotainment software, but the availability of standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity keeps me from dinging the bZ too harshly for it. Overall, the 2026 Toyota bZ's improvements build on what was already a solid foundation -- if not, perhaps, one too safe in its design and specs -- and make it worth your attention when shopping in this price range. Specs: Range: 314 miles Efficiency: TBD mi/kWh, 131 MPGe Plug: J1772, CCS See at Roadshow.truecar Antuan Goodwin/CNET 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE RWD Standard Range: $36,600 Our Editors' Choice improves its value Like $7,600 to $9,800 less expensive than last year Excellent performance, range and tech Compatible with Hyundai V2L bidirectional power delivery Don't like Geometric look isn't for everyone Range for cheapest model isn't spectacular The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is such a good EV value that I awarded it our coveted Editors' Choice Award last year. Since then, a number of compelling low-cost alternatives have entered the market, so Hyundai has made a dramatic reduction to the 5's MSRP across all trim levels to stay competitive -- likely thanks in part to its Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America near Savannah, GA ramping up domestic production. The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 now starts at a nice and even $36,600 (with the $1,600 destination charge) for the base SE RWD Standard Range model, a savings of $7,600 versus last year that nets drivers 245 miles between charges. However, if you can swing it, I'd recommend stepping up at least to the SE RWD Long Range trim. At $39,100, it's $9,150 cheaper than before and only $2,500 more than the base model. However, for the money, you get a more powerful motor (225 hp, up from 168 hp) and around 30-percent more range (318 miles versus 245 miles). That's a much better, but still very affordable value for what I think is one of the best and most interesting looking new EVs you can buy today. Specs: Range: 245 miles Efficiency: 3.45 mi/kWh, 115 MPGe Plug: NACS (CCS via adapter) See at Roadshow.truecar Hyundai 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE Standard Range: $39,095 The most efficient affordable EV Like One of the most aerodynamic, efficient EVs you can buy Ultra fast DC charging, bidirectional power Excellent base level of infotainment and safety tech Don't like Higher upfront cost than slightly more spacious Ioniq 5 The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the second most efficient EV you can buy today, which may not seem like a big boast until you consider that first place, the Lucid Air Pure, is nearly double the price. The 6 owes its efficiency to its flowing aerodynamic sedan profile, allowing it to cut through the air with minimal resistance, returning up to four miles of range per kilowatt-hour drawn from its battery pack. That means lower energy costs over the life of the vehicle, potentially saving you money in the long run. In its least expensive $39,095 SE Standard Range spec, the Ioniq 6 returns around 240 miles of range per charge, which is more than respectable for commuting. However, as with the Ioniq 5, I recommend stepping up slightly to the $44,045 SE Long Range model. The extra dough gets you a larger battery, over 40% more range (up to 342 miles) and more power, making it a much better fit for drivers who plan to take longer trips -- trips made even easier thanks to the EV's ultra-fast charging which can zip from 10% to 80% charge in as little as 18 minutes at a 350-kW DC fast charging station. Specs: Range: 240 miles Efficiency: 4.00 mi/kWh, 135 MPGe Plug: J1772, CCS (NACS via adapter) See at Cargurus Antuan Goodwin/CNET 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning, $51,975 Most affordable electric truck Like 2.4 kW Pro Power Onboard paired with large 98 kWh battery Solid tech suite, even for stripped out base model Big ol' Mega Power Frunk Don't like Pro is a fleet truck, less luxurious than combustion-powered trucks of this price Consumer-focused models with larger batteries are significantly more expensive Modest 240 mile range for base model Significantly larger, more capable and boasting much larger batteries, electric pickups are significantly more expensive than the electric sedans and compact SUVs that dominate this list. Fortunately, we don't have to jump too far upmarket to reach the 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro, the least expensive electric truck you can buy today starting at $51,975 (including an eye-watering $2,195 destination charge.) At that price, the Lightning isn't exactly the best electric truck you can buy -- the Pro spec is a work truck with vinyl seats, a simplified exterior design and without advanced features like BlueCruise hands-free highway assist. That said, it's still a very high-tech bit of kit. We're talking dual electric motors making 452 horsepower and a large 98 kWh battery good for up to 240 miles of range. The Lightning features web-connected infotainment, a solid base suite of driver assistance tech and -- my favorite feature on any EV truck -- a large Mega Power Frunk storage space under the hood. Plus, even this base model retains the ability to power a worksite, campsite or parts of your home with its battery, delivering up to 2.4 kW of AC output via its Pro Power Onboard system. Specs: Range: 240 miles Efficiency: 2.04 mi/kWh, 68 MPGe Plug: J1772, CCS (NACS via adapter) See at Roadshow.truecar Factors to consider before buying a cheap EV Efficiency: Efficiency is often the most overlooked number on an EV's spec sheet, but when considering the affordability of an EV, it's one of the most important. I prefer to measure miles per kilowatt-hour, but I've used kilowatt-hours per 100 miles in this guide to make operating cost estimates easier. Simply multiply this number by your local energy rates (you can even use off-peak rates, if you plan on frequently charging overnight at home) to easily calculate how much it costs to operate an EV and how much you could potentially save compared to a conventional combustion car. Operating costs and maintenance: Along with the energy cost, there are other operating expenses to consider relative to a combustion car. Insurance rates can sometimes be higher for EVs, but maintenance costs are usually significantly lower thanks to the lack of oil changes, fewer mechanical parts and reduced brake wear. Enlarge Image Volvo's EX30 is one of the most anticipated affordable EVs set to hit the road next year. Volvo Options and upgrades: Take care when choosing options and upgrades like wheels, roof racks or performance packages. Larger wheels, for example, may look pretty sweet but could increase the sticker price and reduce an EV's efficiency, so much so that some automakers list separate EPA estimates for different wheel and tire packages. Tires for big wheels may also cost more to replace or wear more quickly, costing you more money over the long term. Range: The battery is usually the most expensive component on an electric car, so cheap EVs tend to have the shortest ranges. Yet, even the least expensive options usually boast enough range for commuting and running errands around town. When choosing the right amount of range for your budget, consider leaving a little wiggle room in your estimate for unexpected journeys, cold weather range reduction (if applicable) and your driving habits. And if your average journey is on the longer side or you frequently road trip, spending a little more for more range can add a lot of peace of mind. How we test and rank the cheapest electric cars I've driven almost every EV model sold in the US over the last 15 years and, for each car I test, I cover over 200 miles behind the wheel on a mixed driving route. That includes dense urban roads (complete with potholes), long stretches of highway driving and some good fun twisty mountain roads mixed in for flavor. On the road, I test DC fast charging, driving dynamics, efficiency and range, comparing my real world experience with estimates reported by the US EPA, both to double check the official numbers against the real world and to make sure my experiences represent those of the typical American driver. Enlarge Image I've been evaluating cars — electric and conventional — at CNET for over 15 years. CNET For this list of affordable electric cars, I tried to keep an even playing field by considering only the least expensive spec of each EV available for sale in the US today, while avoiding mixing range and performance numbers from pricier variants. All prices include destination charges -- an unavoidable cost that I personally believe all automakers should bake into their advertised prices anyway -- but exclude any temporary manufacturer incentives and Tesla's weird "estimated three-year gas savings." (Most EVs should save money, since electricity is usually less expensive than gas.) I've also excluded any available state or local incentives or tax rebates in the ranking, as they'll vary from buyer to buyer depending on where you make your purchase. FAQs Are electric cars more expensive than gas-powered cars? Within the same class, EVs tend to be more expensive than their combustion-powered cousins due to the rare and costly materials that make up their large battery packs. Economies of scale and new production processes could eventually result in price parity at the point of purchase, but for now prospective buyers will want to look to any available federal and state tax incentives or rebates to offset the cost. Additionally, EVs can be less expensive to operate, potentially saving money over the long term. What is the lifespan of an electric car? Battery degradation is, generally, what shoppers are really asking about with this question. According to a 2019 study, the average EV lost around 2.3% of its range every year, which worked out to around 15 miles for a 150-mile EV over 5 years of ownership. Factors, such as frequent DC fast charging or constant exposure to extreme weather, can accelerate that degradation, but battery technology has improved significantly over the last few years. New cell chemistries are estimated to last longer and the average range for an affordable EV has increased significantly over the last five years. Current estimates from the US Department of Energy put electric cars' lifespan nearly on par with their combustion-powered cousins with an average 8 to 12 year service life. What should you look for in a cheap electric car? A cheap car costs less to purchase, but a truly affordable EV should cost less to own. Consider factors listed above — including your local taxes and incentives, energy efficiency, your area's electricity rates, and even the price for home EV charger installation if applicable — weighing the complete picture against your current combustion ownership costs to determine if an EV is truly an affordable option for you.