The 10 cheapest electric cars you can buy in 2022 from the Nissan Leaf to Ford F-150 Lightning

You don’t need to spend a fortune to make the switch to an electric vehicle. The cheapest electric cars you can buy include the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevy Bolt EV, and Kia EV6. The cheapest model starts at $19,900, after factoring in the federal tax credit for EV purchases.

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Looking to buy an electric car? Electric vehicles tend to cost more than gas-powered ones on the whole, but not all EVs need to break the bank. In addition to some high-priced examples sold by Elon Musk, lots of 2022-model-year electric cars can be had for less than $35,000, particularly when you consider the federal government’s $7,500 tax incentive for EV purchases. Sure, that’s not exactly cheap, but studies have shown that electric-car owners save big on maintenance, repairs, and fueling costs over time.

One big caveat: Electric cars are in short supply right now, so finding popular models for sale at MSRP is easier said than done. Some, like the Ford F-150 Lightning, are selling with huge dealer markups. Nissan Leaf 2022 Nissan Leaf electric hatchback Nissan Retail price (with federal tax credit ): $27,400 ($19,900) Environmental Protection Agency-estimated range for base model: 149 miles The Nissan Leaf launched in 2010 as one of the first mass-market electric cars.

Now it’s the cheapest one you can buy. An extra $5,000 over the base price gets you a larger battery pack that provides 226 miles of range. Mini Cooper SE Hardtop The Mini Cooper SE.

BMW Group Retail price: $29,900 ($22,400) EPA-estimated range: 114 miles Mini’s electric car offers an appealing base price, but that comes at the expense of range. Buyer beware: Mini is jacking up the price for the 2023 model. Chevrolet Bolt EV 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV.

Chevrolet Retail price: $31,500 EPA-estimated range: 259 miles Chevrolet refreshed the Bolt hatchback for 2022 with modern looks and a price cut. A large recall over battery fires meant Chevy stopped making Bolts for several months, but now production has resumed and the company says it’s sorted out the problem. Mazda MX-30 Mazda MX-30.

Mazda Retail price: $33,470 ($25,970) EPA-estimated range: 100 miles For its first electric car, Mazda went all out with sleek styling and funky rear doors that swing backward. But it gave the MX-30 confusingly poor driving range, less than half that of some rivals. Mazda is selling the MX-30 in California to start.

Chevrolet Bolt EUV The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV. Chevrolet Retail price: $33,500 EPA-estimated range: 247 miles The Chevy Bolt EUV is all new for 2022. It shares a lot with the Bolt EV but is meant to be a small SUV rather than a hatchback.

You get a bit more interior space and ground clearance than the hatchback, but less range. Good news: The Bolt EUV and Bolt EV are getting $6,000 cheaper starting with the 2023 model. Hyundai Kona Electric 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric.

Hyundai Retail price: $34,000 ($26,500) EPA-estimated range: 258 miles The electric version of Hyundai’s popular little SUV comes with excellent range and advanced safety tech like blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking. Hyundai Ioniq 5 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5. Hyundai Retail price: $39,950 ($32,450) EPA-estimated range for base model: 220 miles If you want all-wheel drive and longer range, you’ll have to pony up.

But the Ioniq 5’s base model offers the same funky looks and spacious interior as pricier versions. Ford F-150 Lightning The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro. Tim Levin/Insider Retail price: $39,974 ($32,474) EPA-estimated range for base model: 230 miles The Ford F-150 Lightning Pro carries an MSRP just below $40,000, but it could be years before they’re readily available at that price.

A combination of hot demand and low supply means dealers are slapping hefty markups on Ford’s first serious electric truck. Kia Niro EV The 2022 Kia Niro EV. Kia Retail price: $39,990 ($32,490) EPA-estimated range: 239 miles The inconspicuous Niro EV is great for people who want a regular-looking electric car that doesn’t stick out, our reviewer wrote of the inaugural 2019 model.

Stay tuned: the entire Niro lineup is getting a major redesign for 2023, introducing sleeker styling and more electric range. Kia EV6 The 2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line. Tim Levin/Insider Retail price: $40,900 ($33,400) EPA-estimated range for base model: 232 miles The Kia EV6 is new for 2022.

In testing, we were impressed by its sporty handling and head-turning looks. Plunk down more money and you can get extras like all-wheel drive and up to 310 miles of range. .