The cheapest electric vehicles on sale in 2021

• Electric vehicles are still not very cheap, but they are cheaper than ever.
• More than a dozen can be purchased for less than $ 40,000, the average price for a new car in the United States.
• Some of the lowest cost EVs available include the Mini Electric, Chevy Bolt EV and Tesla Model 3.
• Visit the Business section of the Insider for more stories.

There are more cheap electric vehicles on the market than ever before – and they are getting cheaper and cheaper.

EVs have burst into the mainstream market in recent years, and as an increasing number of automotive companies make ambitious promises to increase sales, prices for zero-emission vehicles have steadily declined. This year, buyers can choose from a variety of more than a dozen EVs that cost less than $ 40,000, roughly the average price paid for a new car in the U.S.

But not all EVs under $ 40,000 are created equal. The estimated ranges for the cars listed below range from 110 miles on the lower end to more than 250 miles on the high end. Some are luxury offers from Tesla, while others come from mass-market brands like Volkswagen and Nissan.

Only General Motors and Tesla have sold enough electric vehicles that their offerings are no longer eligible for the $ 7,500 federal tax credit that aims to stimulate sales of low-emission, zero-emission cars. This means that most of the vehicles below can be purchased for much less than your official MSRP, and why some of the cars listed are sold for more than $ 40,000.

Mini electric – $ 29,900

BMW

BMW unveiled the Mini Electric in 2019 and started selling it last year. It is the lowest-cost electric car currently available in the United States, and its eligibility for the $ 7,500 EV federal tax credit makes the deal even more enjoyable.

This low MSRP means that the Mini Electric reaches only 110 miles in range, but is aimed primarily at people who live in cities and are unlikely to drive long distances. And with a claimed horsepower of 181 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of less than seven seconds, it’s very fast.

Nissan Leaf – $ 31,620

Nissan

Launched in 2010 and now in its second generation, the Nissan Leaf is one of the oldest electric cars on the market.

The base model achieves an EPA estimated range of 149 miles, while the more expensive trim levels promise up to 226 miles along with a more powerful engine.

Chevrolet Bolt EV – $ 31,995

Chevrolet

Like the Leaf, the Chevrolet Bolt EV was one of the first EVs to become mainstream. Chevrolet recently unveiled the revamped 2022 Bolt EV, which will sell for more than $ 5,000 less than the previous model when it arrives at dealerships this summer.

The latest generation of the Bolt EV promises 259 miles of range across all trim levels – just like the previous generation – but features a much more elegant design.

Hyundai Ioniq Electric – $ 33,045

Hyundai

While the base price of the Hyundai Ioniq Electric is attractive – especially with the addition of a federal tax credit – the hatchback is not sold in all states and has less scope than some of its rivals. It reaches an EPA estimated range of 170 miles.

There is also a more expensive trim level of $ 38,615 available with the same powertrain, but an updated interior and technology features.

Chevrolet Bolt EUV – $ 33,995

Chevrolet

The 2022 Bolt EUV is a new electric crossover from GM that shares its guts with the Bolt EV. As it is slightly larger than the hatchback, it has a slightly reduced range of 250 miles.

It offers a few inches more legroom for rear passengers than the Bolt EV and offers GM’s semi-autonomous driver assistance technology, Super Cruise, as an option.

Tesla Model 3 – $ 36,990

Tesla

Tesla recently lowered the price of the Model 3 by $ 1,000 to $ 36,990, making an already popular car even more attractive. The Model 3 offers one of the best options for money, with the basic Standard Range model delivering 263 miles on one cargo.

The Long Range 3 model, which costs $ 46,990, can travel 353 miles on a charge, while the more sporty Performance model retails for $ 55,990.

Hyundai Kona Electric – $ 37,390

Hyundai

The basic 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric has a 201 horsepower engine and an EPA estimated range of 258 miles.

This month, Hyundai unveiled an updated Kona Electric 2022 (pictured above) with a more elegant design, but with no changes to the drivetrain. I haven’t said how much the new model will cost.

Kia Niro EV – $ 39,090

Kia

The Kia Niro EV shares a battery and an engine with the Hyundai Kona Electric, which is no surprise, given that both brands are under the same umbrella. The specs are slightly different, however, with the Niro EV achieving an EPA estimated range of 239 miles.

Tesla Model Y – $ 39,990

Tesla

In January, Tesla unveiled a new entry-level model of its popular Model Y crossover with a “standard” range. And this month, Tesla cut the price of the car by $ 2,000, to just below $ 40,000.

The Model Y Standard Range can travel 244 miles on a charge, according to the EPA, and can be optional in five- or seven-seat layouts. The top-level Model Y performance costs about $ 61,000.

Volkswagen ID.4 – $ 39,995

Volkswagen

Volkswagen’s first EV for the US market hits the streets this year, with first deliveries starting in March. The vehicle promises a 250-mile range and a familiar crossover form that’s in vogue now, so it might as well give the Tesla Model Y a run for its money.

Nissan Ariya – $ 40,000

Nissan

Another new entry into the electric crossover market is the Nissan Ariya, the Japanese brand’s first major EV since the Leaf’s launch more than a decade ago.

Details are still scarce, as the Ariya is not set to be sold in the United States until the end of 2021, but we know that the base model will start at around $ 40,000, there will be an option for four-wheel drive, and the model longer range can travel up to 300 miles on a charge.

Ford Mustang Mach-E – $ 42,895

Ford

As the 2021 Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s first major electric car – and the Blue Oval has not yet sold many EVs – the vehicle qualifies for the $ 7,500 federal tax credit, bringing its theoretical starting price to just over $ 35,000.

That starting price gives you an estimated EPA range of 230 miles for the rear-wheel drive model and 211 miles for the four-wheel drive version. There are also several other finishes, including one with a range of 300 miles and a high-performance model in the works that Ford says will reach 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

BMW i3 – $ 44,450

BMW

Buyers of the BMW i3 can still take advantage of the entire $ 7,500 federal tax credit, as the automaker has not sold as many original cars in the several years it has been on the market. This beats the initial cost of the i3 to around $ 37,000.

But there are a few reasons why sales may have been slow. In addition to its unconventional appearance and high price, the base BMW i3 offers only 153 miles of range, significantly less than more affordable options like the Tesla Model 3, Chevrolet Bolt EV and Hyundai Kona Electric.

There is also a more expensive version that gets an increase in range of the small gasoline engine.