If you are interested in buying an electric car in the United States, you may wonder which makes and models have emerged as the best-selling vehicles. After crunching the numbers, the top two positions belong to Tesla with Chevrolet, Nissan, Toyota, and Ford rounding out the top spots along with another Tesla model.
Tesla Model 3
Approximately 300,400 Tesla Model 3 cars were sold during 2019. This all-wheel-drive car with a starting price tag of about $35,000 has a range of 322 miles. This car is safe, having received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). You will enjoy driving this aluminum and steel car because of its all-glass roof that allows you to see the beautiful sky above your head.
Spend more time enjoying driving without your vehicle in the shop because this fabulous vehicle has two independent motors, and each one has only one moving part. Breeze past other cars as you weave in and out of traffic in this car that goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds. You and four of your closest friends will find 15 cubic feet of storage space split between the front and back of this model, which is plenty for a weekend getaway.
Tesla Model S
The second Tesla model to make the list is the Tesla Model S. This sporty car has a starting price tag of about $75,000. If you want to make a quick getaway from the stoplight, then you can trust this car to get the job done as it goes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.3 seconds. Zipping through your day in this car is never a problem because it has a 402-mile range.
This sporty all-wheel-drive vehicle is built to withstand most impacts, and it has a very low rollover risk because the 100-kWh battery pack is at the bottom of the car, which increases the vehicle’s impact resistance. No matter how rough the highway gets, you will ride in comfort in this four-door sedan because of its superior air suspension. You can choose between the marvelous long-range model or the up-tuned performance model.
Chevrolet Volt
Selling almost the same amount of units as the Tesla Model S, the Chevrolet Volt was discontinued for 2020, leaving only the Chevrolet Bolt in the brand’s lineup. Nonetheless, this vehicle was the third-highest best-seller in 2019. You can find the Volt in the LT or the Premier trim levels. The base LT models start at an affordable $31,400. An 18.4-kWh battery powers both options, and the vehicle has a combined range of about 380 miles.
While sitting in the back as an adult can be a cramped experience, the front passenger and driver have ample room. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto lets everyone listen to their favorite tunes as they cruise along. This vehicle designed to hold five passengers offers 10.6 cubic feet of storage space. The Volt uses its battery until the battery supply is gone regardless of whether you pick up the power to pass the car next to you or you are going up a steep hill. The car will go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a very respectable 8.4 seconds.
Nissan Leaf
Starting at about $31,600, the Nissan Leaf comes in five different trim levels. Enjoy using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to listen to your tunes as you ride along, and these systems can also help you find your way to new and exciting destinations. The standard 110-kW electric motor that comes in a 40-kWh battery pack provides the power to this front-wheel-drive vehicle, or you can upgrade to a 62-kWh battery pack. When the car is coasting, the battery automatically recharges, helping you go even farther than the 150-mile range or the 215-mile range with the upgraded battery.
The Leaf earned good ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and you also can upgrade several safety features on this spacious vehicle that holds five adults comfortably. With a folding back seat, the cargo space in this four-door vehicle offers 23.6 cubic feet of space with the seat up and 30 cubic feet of space with the seat down.
Toyota Prius Prime
The Toyota Prius Prime, starting at $27,900, features three different trim levels. The base trim is the LE, the next step up is the XLE, and the top of the line is the Limited. You can pass many gas stations with this hatchback as it offers a 25-mile electric-only driving range and an EPA-estimated combined rating of 54 miles per gallon. Get through your day easier by using the car’s included Amazon Alexa, or listen to your favorite music on Apple CarPlay.
Lane-departure warning with steering assist, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control are just some of the safety features found on this vehicle. In 2018, the IIHS named the Toyota Prius Prime one of their top safety picks. This five-passenger vehicle offers 19.8 cubic feet of cargo space, so you will have plenty of room to haul groceries or your favorite recreational gear.
Tesla Model X
The third Tesla vehicle to make the list of top-selling electric cars in the U.S. is the Tesla Model X. This seven-passenger SUV offers a range of 351 miles. The NHTSA gave this SUV a five-star rating.
This vehicle offers 88 cubic feet of cargo space, and it can pull a trailer weighing up to 5,000 pounds. Even adults can easily get in and out of the second- and third-row seats in this vehicle because of its falcon doors. At supercharging stations, you can recharge the battery to get you another 123 miles in 15 minutes to keep on trucking down the highway or through city traffic. This vehicle starts about $86,100, and it comes in long-range or performance trim models.
Ford Fusion Energi
Next on the list is the Ford Fusion Energi. Available in front-wheel drive, this vehicle will get you where you want to go, even when the weather turns bad. Five roomy seats help ensure you stay comfortable. This vehicle has a range of 26 miles. An additional sunroof is the only option available to upgrade this midsize sedan that comes in a single trim level.
Single people will find plenty of space to store things in the trunk as there is 8.2 cubic feet of space, and a folding rear seat will let you carry larger items. The rest of the trunk space contains the 9-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Many safety features are included in this luxurious vehicle, including a pre-collision warning system with automatic braking and pedestrian detection. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both available to help keep you entertained. This vehicle will go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about eight seconds.
These seven electric vehicles are the top sellers in the United States, and each stands out for its own reasons. While most are midsize sedans, do not overlook the SUV model. They all have different ranges, so consider your driving habits. One thing that they all share in common is that they are very comfortable to drive. Consider which one meets your needs the best.