August 26, 2016
In the past few years many people have started switching from gas vehicles to electric ones. Electric vehicles are great for those that want an economical car that’s good for the environment and doesn’t require gas station stops. While electric cars may have zero emissions and be great for the environment, they are not always cheap. When looking for an electric vehicle, there are quite a few affordable options. The most affordable electric vehicle currently available in the US is the Mitsubishi I-MIEV. This compact car starts off at $22,995 and is backed by one of the best warranties in the industry. I-MIEV owners get an 8-year / 100,000 limited warranty so they don’t have to worry about replacing their battery during the life of their car. The car produces 66 horsepower and gets 66 miles or driving from a full charge. The battery can be fully charged in 22 hours with a regular 110v outlet, or in 6 hours if you upgrade to a 220v outlet. Next up is the Chevrolet Spark EV which starts off around $25,000. This electric car from Chevy gets you 82 miles per charge which is slightly higher than the Mitsubishi I-MIEV. The battery in the Spark also takes 20 hours to charge in a regular 110v outlet and 7 hours for a 220v outlet. This car pushes 140 horsepower which is double that of the I-MIEV, making the Spark much more comfortable to take on a long drive. A better design and a better driving range make the Spark a more popular choice when compared to the I-MIEV even with the slightly higher price tag. The Nissan Leaf and Ford Focus Electric tie for third place on our list since they cost about the same. The Nissan Leaf starts at around $29,800 while the Focus Electric starts at around $29,900. The Leaf has 107 horsepower, trailing behind the Focus which has 143. Both cars take about 20 hours to charge with a 110v outlet but the Focus charges in just 3.5 hours with a 220v outlet while the Leaf takes 4-6. Even though both of these cars are about the same price, the Ford Focus wins when it comes to charge time, mileage range and power as well. There are other electric vehicles that are coming out in the next year which will also be priced at low prices such as the Tesla Model 3 which will start at around $35,000. With more car manufacturers investing in electric vehicles, every year a new and more affordable vehicle is introduced. As time goes on, more electric cars will be introduced at an affordable price allowing people to transition from gas to electric.