The cheapest electric vehicles on sale in 2021

• Electric vehicles are not really cheap yet, but they are cheaper than ever before.
• More than a dozen are available for less than $ 40,000, the average price for a new car in the US.
• Some of the cheapest EVs available include the Mini Electric, Chevy Bolt EV, and Tesla Model 3.
• Visit Insider’s Business section for more stories.

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

EVs have entered the mainstream market in recent years, and as an increasing number of car companies make ambitious commitments to boost sales, zero-emission vehicles have steadily fallen in price. This year, buyers can choose from a range of more than a dozen electric vehicles costing less than $ 40,000, roughly the average price paid for a new car in the US.

But not all EVs under $ 40,000 are created equal. The estimated range for the cars listed below is 110 miles at the bottom to over 250 miles at the top. Some are luxury offerings from Tesla, while others come from mass brands such as Volkswagen and Nissan.

Only General Motors and Tesla have sold enough electric cars that their offerings no longer qualify for the $ 7,500 federal tax credit that is intended to boost sales of low-emission and zero-emission cars. This means that most of the vehicles listed below can be bought for much less than their official list price, and why a few of the listed cars sell for over $ 40,000.

Mini Electric – $ 29,900

BMW

BMW unveiled the Mini Electric in 2019 and started selling it last year. It’s the cheapest electric car currently available in the US, and the fact that it qualifies for the $ 7,500 federal tax credit makes the deal even sweeter.

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

Nissan Leaf – $ 31,620

Nissan

Introduced in 2010 and now in its second generation, the Nissan Leaf is one of the longest-running electric vehicles on the market.

The base model gets an EPA estimated range of 150 miles, while more expensive trim levels promise up to 225 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 electric cars to go mainstream. Chevrolet recently unveiled the updated 2022 Bolt EV, which will retail for more than $ 5,000 less than the current model this summer.

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

Hyundai Ioniq Electric – $ 33,045

Hyundai

While the Hyundai Ioniq Electric’s base price is attractive – especially with the addition of a federal tax credit – the hatchback is not sold in every state and has less range than some of its rivals. It will have an EPA estimated range of 170 miles.

There is also a more expensive $ 38,615 trim level available with the same powertrain but improved interior and tech features.

Chevrolet Bolt EUV – $ 33,995

Chevrolet

The 2022 Bolt EUV is a brand new GM electric crossover that shares its guts with the Bolt EV. Because it is slightly larger than the hatchback, it has a slightly shorter range of 400 kilometers.

It offers rear passengers a few inches more legroom than the Bolt EV and offers GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driver assistance system 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 appealing. The Model 3 offers some of the best range for its money, with the standard Standard Range model delivering 263 miles for a fee.

The Model 3 Long Range, which costs $ 49,990, can go 353 miles for a fee, while the sportier Performance model retails for $ 55,990.

Hyundai Kona Electric – 37,390,000

Hyundai

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

This month, Hyundai unveiled a refreshed 2022 Kona Electric (pictured above) with a sleeker design but no powertrain changes. How much the new model will cost is not yet stated.

Kia Niro EV – $ 39,090

Which

The Kia Niro EV shares a battery pack and engine with the Hyundai Kona Electric, which isn’t surprising given that both brands come under the same umbrella. Specs are slightly different, though, with the Niro EV getting an EPA estimated range of 239 miles.

Tesla Model Y – $ 39,990

Tesla

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

The Model Y Standard Range can travel 244 miles for a fee, according to the EPA, and can be chosen in five or seven-seat layouts. The top model Model Y Performance costs about $ 61,000.

Volkswagen ID.4 – $ 39,995

Volkswagen

Volkswagen’s first EV for the US market will hit the market this year, with the first deliveries starting in March. The vehicle promises a range of 250 miles and a familiar crossover shape that’s all the rage right now, so it could very well give the Tesla Model Y a run for its money.

Nissan Ariya – $ 40,000

Nissan

Another newcomer to the electric crossover market is the Nissan Ariya, the Japanese brand’s first major electric car since the Leaf was launched more than a decade ago.

Details are still scarce as the Ariya won’t go on sale in the US until the end of 2021, but we do know that the base model starts at around $ 40,000, there will be an all-wheel drive option, and the longest range model can travel up to 300 miles for a fee.

Ford Mustang Mach-E – $ 42,895

Ford

Since the 2021 Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s first major electric car – and the Blue Oval hasn’t sold many electric cars yet – the car qualifies for the $ 7,500 federal tax credit, bringing the theoretical starting price to just over $ 35,000 is coming.

That starting price gives you an EPA estimated range of 230 miles for the rear-wheel drive model and 211 miles for the all-wheel drive version. There are several other trims in the works too, including one with a range of 300 miles and a high-performance model that Ford claims will hit 100 mph in 3.5 seconds.

BMW i3 – $ 44,450

BMW

BMW i3 buyers can still take advantage of the full $ 7,500 federal tax credit, as the automaker hasn’t sold as much of the quirky hatchback in the years it’s been on the market. That’s right the i3’s starting cost to about $ 37,000.

But there are a few reasons why sales have been slow. Aside from its unconventional looks and high price, the base BMW i3 delivers just 150 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 a greater range from a small gas engine.