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
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