Top 14 Electric Cars - The Cheapest in 2021 - In the World

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Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 2020 Mini Cooper SE Electric Hardtop is the cheapest EV on the market today. Besides, we prepared a list of 13 other affordable electric cars for this year.

List of 14 Cheapest Electric Cars in 2021

14. 2020 Tesla Model Y - $49,990

13. 2020 BMW i3 - $44,450

12. Ford Mustang Mach-E — $42,895

11. Nissan Ariya — $40,000

10. 2020 Kia Niro EV - $39,090

9. Volkswagen ID.4 — $39,995

8. 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric - $37,190

7. 2021 Mazda MX-30 - $34,050

6. Chevrolet Bolt EUV — $33,995

5. 2020 Tesla Model 3 - $35,400

4. Hyundai Ioniq Electric – $33,045

3. Chevrolet Bolt EV — $31,995

2. 2020 Nissan Leaf - $31,600

1. 2020 Mini Cooper SE Electric Hardtop - $29,900

Detailed Information on 14 Cheapest Cars in 2021

14. 2020 Tesla Model Y - $49,990

Photo: Pinterest

The 2020 Tesla Model Y is essentially a crossover/hatchback version of the Tesla Model 3. It boasts energetic acceleration, agile handling, and a roomy and upscale cabin that’s packed with state-of-the-art tech features.

The Model Y comes equipped with heated front and rear seats, a 15-inch touch screen, a Wi-Fi hot spot, over-the-air software updates, a built-in dashcam, Sentry Mode (a feature that “watches” and captures video around the car while it's parked), blind spot monitoring, side collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Some of these features are part of Tesla’s standard Autopilot semi-autonomous driving system, which relies on cameras and sensors around the vehicle. The Model Y is also the first Tesla vehicle to feature a heat pump, which maximizes efficiency, especially in cold weather.

The Model Y has an EPA-estimated 315 miles of range. However, only the Model Y Performance is listed on the EPA’s website. According to Tesla, the $59,990 Model Y Performance, which now comes standard with the Performance Upgrades package, two electric motors, all-wheel drive, and 21-inch wheels, has a range of 291 miles. It can scoot from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

The only other current Model Y option is the dual-motor all-wheel-drive Long Range model. Tesla says it delivers 316 miles of range and a 4.8-second zero-to-60-mph time. Following in the footsteps of the Model 3, the automaker plans to offer the Model Y in cheaper configurations later. In addition, a third row will be available in the future.

13. 2020 BMW i3 - $44,450

Photo: BMW

The 2020 BMW i3 is an outlier when it comes to electric vehicles. It’s much pricier than most EVs, yet it only offers an all-electric range of 153 miles. For about $4,000, you can add a range-extending gas engine, which increases the i3’s overall range to 200 miles, but reduces its all-electric range to only 126 miles.

Even with the gas range extender, the i3 doesn’t travel as far as some rivals. Essentially, you’ll be driving a variation of a plug-in hybrid, rather than a true all-electric car. The range extender isn’t connected to the wheels; instead, it simply acts as a safety net for range anxiety by charging the car’s battery.

Using a 240-volt charger, you can fully charge the i3’s battery in about 6.5 hours. With the car’s built-in DC fast-charging capability, you can charge it to 100 percent in under 1.5 hours at a public fast-charger.

The i3 features solid build quality, peppy off-the-line acceleration, and good ratings for safety and predicted reliability. It comfortably seats four people and has plenty of cargo space. The i3 is loaded with standard features, such as a 6.5-inch display screen, Apple CarPlay, heated front seats, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and heated and power-folding outside mirrors.

A BMW i3s (sport) model is also available and starts at $47,650. It offers an additional 11 horsepower, a sport suspension, and upgraded exterior styling.

12. Ford Mustang Mach-E — $42,895

Photo: Ford

Since the 2021 Mustang Mach-E is Ford's first major electric car — and the Blue Oval hasn't sold very many EVs yet — the vehicle is eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit, bringing its theoretical starting price to just over $35,000.

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

11. Nissan Ariya — $40,000

Photo: Nissan

Another new entry to the electric-crossover market is the Nissan Ariya, the Japanese brand's first major EV since it launched the Leaf more than a decade ago.

Details are still scant, as the Ariya isn't set to go on sale in the US until late 2021, but we do know that the base model will start at around $40,000, there will be an all-wheel-drive option, and the longest-range model will travel up to 300 miles on a charge.

10. 2020 Kia Niro EV - $39,090

Photo: Kia

The Kia Niro made its debut for the 2017 model year. It’s a solid choice thanks to its plentiful cargo capacity, long warranty, and history of solid safety and predicted reliability ratings. The Niro offers composed handling, a smooth ride, a well-built cabin, spacious seats, and good cargo capacity for a subcompact SUV.

Kia added an all-electric variant to the Niro lineup partway through the 2019 model year, though it’s only available in limited numbers in a handful of states. However, both the Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid are widely available.

The 2020 Niro EV offers 239 miles of range and comes standard with DC fast charging, which allows it to charge to 80 percent in about an hour. A 240-volt home charging system will get you a full charge in under 10 hours.

9. Volkswagen ID.4 — $39,995

Photo: Volkswagen

Volkswagen's first EV for the US market hits streets this year, with the first deliveries beginning in March. The vehicle promises a 250-mile range and a familiar crossover shape that's all the rage right now, so it very well may give the Tesla Model Y a run for its money.

8. 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric - $37,190

Photo: Hyundai

The Hyundai Kona was brand-new for the 2018 model year, and has been near the top of our subcompact SUV ranking ever since. It boasts nimble handling, excellent safety scores, a high-quality cabin, and accommodating front seats. It also comes with one of the longest warranties in the industry, and earns an above-average predicted reliability rating. Downsides include a cramped second row and low cargo capacity for the class.

Early in 2019, Hyundai introduced an all-electric version of the Kona, which is nearly a carbon copy of the gas-powered Kona aside from its powertrain. However, it’s only available in 11 states. The 2020 Kona Electric offers an impressive 258-mile range, which is one of the best numbers out there among battery-electric cars.

With a 240-volt charger, you can charge the Kona’s battery to full in about 9.5 hours. DC fast charging comes standard and allows you to recharge 80 percent of the battery pack in a little less than an hour. If you opt for a Kona EV in Limited or Ultimate trim, it comes with a battery warmer, which will help range and charging in cold weather.

7. 2021 Mazda MX-30 - $34,050

Photo: Mazda

If you're drawn to small SUVs for their convenience and versatility but find their size or price to be a little too excessive, the extra-small SUV class may be a perfect fit. At the top of that class is the 2021 Mazda CX-30. It squeezes between the smaller CX-3 and larger CX-5 in Mazda's SUV lineup. (Why the company's marketers just didn't call it the CX-4, we'll never know.)

The CX-30 satisfies all of the usual requirements of comfort, safety and technology, and it pulls ahead with its sharp style, interior refinement and spunky performance. Further driving home the CX-30's penchant for behind-the-wheel fun is the newly available turbocharged engine. With up to 250 horsepower on tap, the CX-30 2.5 Turbo is one of the quickest models in its class.

With this kind of broad appeal, it's no surprise we rank the CX-30 higher than other tiny SUVs that include the Hyundai Kona, Kia Soul, Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR. Want to know more? Check out our Expert Rating for more in-depth evaluation on this year's CX-30.

6. Chevrolet Bolt EUV — $33,995

Photo: Chevrolet

The 2022 Bolt EUV is a brand new electric crossover from GM that shares its innards with the Bolt EV. Since it's a little bigger than the hatchback, it has a slightly reduced range of 250 miles.

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

5. 2020 Tesla Model 3 - $35,400

Photo; Tesla

The Tesla Model 3 is currently the best-selling electric car in the United States, and the first EV to outsell many gas-powered rivals. It secures a spot near the top of our competitive luxury hybrid and electric car ranking, just behind the top-ranked Tesla Model S. The 2020 Model 3 delivers potent acceleration, athletic handling, incredible efficiency, and lots of range.

Inside, the Model 3 offers an elegant and futuristic cabin, spacious seating for five passengers, and abundant cargo volume. It receives top marks in crash tests and provides a host of cutting-edge technology. Highlights include a 15-inch touch screen, over-the-air software updates, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a built-in dashcam, Sentry Mode, side collision warning, blind spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and cameras and sensors on all sides of the car.

The least expensive Model 3 on Tesla’s website is the Standard Range Plus, which is priced at $37,990 and provides 250 miles of range. However, you can special order the $35,400 220-mile Standard Range variant by contacting a Tesla store. It’s important to note that the Model 3 Standard Range is the only Tesla vehicle that doesn’t come standard with the Autopilot semi-autonomous technology.

4. Hyundai Ioniq Electric – $33,045

Photo: Hyundai

The 2020 Hyundai Ioniq Electric places in the top third of our hybrid and electric car rankings. It has one of the highest MPGe ratings among electric cars, at 133 MPGe. It offers 170 miles of range and can charge to full in about six hours on a 240-volt charger.

The Ioniq Electric comes with a long warranty, earns high safety scores, and has an above-average predicted reliability rating. In addition, it’s packed with attractive standard niceties, like an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, HD Radio, satellite radio, and heated front seats.

The Ioniq Electric offers roomy front seats and decent cargo capacity, though its rear seats are cramped for taller passengers. This EV delivers peppy acceleration, but its handling is unexciting and its ride is bouncy.

3. Chevrolet Bolt EV — $31,995

Photo: Pinterest

Like the Leaf, the Chevrolet Bolt EV was one of the first EVs to go mainstream. Chevrolet recently unveiled the revamped 2022 Bolt EV, which will retail for more than $5,000 less than the outgoing model when it hits dealers this summer.

The latest generation of the Bolt EV promises 259 miles of range across all its trim levels — just like the previous generation — but sports a much sleeker design all around.

2. 2020 Nissan Leaf - $31,600

Photo: Nissan

The Nissan Leaf is the best-selling electric vehicle of all time, with over 400,000 copies delivered globally. In an attempt to spark renewed interest in the model, Nissan completely redesigned the Leaf for the 2018 model year, and added a long-range Leaf Plus variant for 2019. The 2020 model year saw the addition of some new features.

The 2020 Leaf is well-priced and offers a spacious cabin, fantastic cargo capacity, composed handling, and lively acceleration. However, other compact cars offer more upscale interiors and better predicted reliability ratings.

According to the EPA, the standard Leaf offers 149 miles of range, while the Leaf Plus can travel up to 226 miles. The Leaf Plus has a starting MSRP of $38,200.

1. 2020 Mini Cooper SE Electric Hardtop - $29,900

Photo: Mini Cooper

The 2020 Mini Cooper SE Electric Hardtop is the cheapest all-electric car on the market today. It’s sporty and fun to drive, much like its gas-powered stablemate. The Cooper SE also features a premium cabin, lots of maximum cargo space, and an intuitive infotainment system. However, its rear seats are tight for adults and there’s not much space behind them for your gear.

The Cooper Electric Hardtop comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a 6.5-inch display, navigation, Apple CarPlay, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection.

The Cooper SE’s single motor and battery pack deliver eager acceleration, but it only has 110 miles of driving range. This makes the Mini the shortest-range vehicle on our list. Still, if you qualify for the federal electric car tax credit, you can get a Cooper SE for less than $23,000. That’s unheard-of for an electric car with so much to offer. It may be a solid option for some people, especially as a second car for city driving, commuting, and errands. You can charge it at home in as little as four hours with a 240-volt outlet.

***READ MORE: Top 10 Electric Cars - Most Expensive in the World

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