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The Chevy electric car is the cheapest EV in US: Here are the Bolt’s rivals under $45k

The battle for the best affordable EV.

Published on Jun 7, 2022 at 4:10PM (UTC+4)

Last updated on Jul 4, 2022 at 10:22AM (UTC+4)

Edited by Kate Bain
Chevy electric car the Bolt vs the Nissan Leaf.

The latest Chevy electric car, the Bolt, is now the most affordable EV in the US after its price was slashed to $26,595.

It’s a major move that cut off about 27 percent of the 2020 model’s price.

And it now comes in a hair under the previous king of cheap EVs, the Nissan Leaf – which costs $27,400.

READ MORE! Ford electric truck can power your house for 10 days

With fuel prices sky-high, there’s never been a better time to get an EV.

So we’ve pulled together a list of the most affordable electric cars.

Before we start, just a note that there’s a stack of government incentives to get an EV that can lower these prices depending on where you live.

Make sure you do your research so you get the most out of these rebates and tax incentives.

Chevrolet Bolt – $26,595

  • Range – 416 kilometers (249 miles)
  • 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 6.5 seconds
  • 200HP

Chevy’s move to undercut the Nissan Leaf is great for buyers looking to get into the EV market.

There’s nothing like a bit of healthy competition.

The Bolt is exactly what you would expect here – it gives you an EV at a good price without any of the extra add-ons of a pricier model.

The Chevy electric car is a small wheelbase and is great for city driving.

Nissan Leaf – $27,400

  • Range – 363 kilometers (226 miles)
  • 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 6.7 seconds
  • 147HP

Like its main rival the Bolt, the Nissan Leaf is a base-model EV with a main goal of affordability.

Its specs and stylings are very similar to the Bolt as well.

The Nissan Leaf is a commuter car perfect for a city with small parking spaces.

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Hyundai Kona Electric – $34,000

  • Range – 415km (258 miles)
  • 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 6.4 seconds
  • 201HP

Hyundai’s Kona is like that bridge between the entry-level EVs and the next tier.

It has some extra creature comforts and it’s an SUV instead of a little hatchback – so the Kona is a fraction roomier.

The safety features are top-notch too.

Mini Cooper SE – $34,225

  • Range – 177km/h (110 miles)
  • 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 6.9 seconds
  • 181HP

From the outside, it looks like a regular Mini with the same classic shape.

Inside though, the crazy-looking dashboard display lets you know this is something a little different.

It’s a two-door hardtop that comes with a few more premium features than the first two electric cars on our list.

And it has that same charm as the original Mini.

Kia EV6 – $40,900

  • Range – 498km (310 miles)
  • 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 4.6 seconds
  • 167HP

The 40k+ range is where things start to get noticeably more premium. The EV6 is a lot bigger than our previous EVs, so there’s more room inside. You get a real boost in performance (it’s quicker than a Porsche Cayenne).

And you get some hi-tech stuff like a curved driver display and a key that can control the car like an RC remote.

Here’s our hands-on review of the Kia EV6 if you want more info.

Vinfast VF8 – About $41,000

  • Range – 471km (292 miles)
  • 0-100km/h (0-62mph) – 5.9 seconds
  • 204HP (base model)

The Vinfast VF8 is a brand-new contender in the US market for electric cars. The VF8 will release in the US sometime in the second half of 2022.

It’s designed in partnership with Pininfarina, and it has some incredible tech integrations like voice-activated controls.

Check out Supercar Blondie’s video below for all the details.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 – $41,245

  • Range – 487km (303 miles)
  • 0-100km/h (0-62mph) – 7.4 seconds (base model)
  • 168HP (base model)

While the Kona looks like a regular SUV, the Ioniq 5 is like the cooler older sibling.

You pay extra but you get some futuristic stylings and features that really set it apart.

Check out Supercar Blondie’s video about the Ioniq 5 below.

The Tesla Model 3 – $46,990

  • Range 576km (358 miles)
  • 0-100km/h (0-62mph) – 3.1 seconds
  • 480HP

Tesla’s entry model is the best-selling electric vehicle on the market.

It’s the most expensive on our list, but it’s the benchmark for EVs that other manufacturers are trying to chase.

If you fork out the extra cash you get a big upgrade in performance over the more affordable options.

But it’s not exactly cheap.

Qiantu K20 – $13,000

  • Range – 500km (310 miles)
  • 0-100km/h (0-62mph) – 4.7 seconds
  • 435HP

The K20 from Chinese automaker Qiantu has just been announced with a ridiculously cheap price point of $13,000.

It’s only got a China release confirmed so far, so don’t expect it to hit the US roads anytime soon.

But we included it so you can get an idea of what might be coming in the future.

The giant leaps in technology and thirst for EV cars mean prices eventually will come down.

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