Whether it’s your first or fiftieth time, buying a car is always a challenge. This is due to the wide variety of models available that are both affordable and stylish. The challenge is worse, however, if you want to buy an electric car. Many people don’t know what to expect and what to consider when making a decision.
According to Elon Musk, electric cars are the future of the automobile industry. Given a few years, the number of charging stations will have increased considerably, and there will be more than a handful of good quality electric cars to choose from. But for now, here is a guide to the most affordable electric vehicles.
Tesla Model 3
Over the years, Tesla has revolutionized the car industry by continually releasing electric cars with unmatched performance ability and design. Tesla’s best release has to be the Tesla Model 3 four-door fastback sedan. It debuted at number one for the best luxury electric car and best-selling electric vehicle in the USA in 2018.
The car is small, compact, and modest on the outside yet luxurious on the inside. As Tesla puts it, it comes with a partial premium interior. Since the company was going for a minimalistic approach, the driver only gets two points of engagement, buttons on the steering wheel, and a 15-inch screen on the right-hand side. Minimal, yes, but it gets the job done.
The screen has a Google maps feature that shows you how much battery life you need to get to your destination. It also shows Tesla supercharging stations available on your route if you need to recharge. The battery offers you 322 miles of range, which is impressive for its $38,000 price tag.
Not one to compromise on comfort, Tesla gave this model comfortable heated leather seats, an infrared panoramic glass sunroof, a state-of-the-art climate control system, and enough leg and hip room to fit five fully sized adults. The front and rear trunk space amount to 15-cubic feet, which should be enough for all your ferrying needs.
As with most sedans, it is made with aluminum and high-strength steel and typically weighs 3,550 pounds. You also get a level 2 autonomous system that allows the car to drive itself in autopilot. Tesla advises you only to use this feature on highways and freeways.
If you are looking for a luxurious yet highly functional car, the Tesla Model 3 is it.
Hyundai Kona Electric
Thanks to its long driving range and great design, the Hyundai Kona is one of the best electric cars. Since its release in 2018, Hyundai has continuously improved its features based on the reviews the company received. In 2020, Hyundai added a battery warmer to reduce charging times and a 10.3-inch display screen.
Thanks to its 201-hp electric motor and 64 kWh battery, one charge can last for up to 279 miles. For home charging, Hyundai recommends a 240-volt outlet, but once in a while, feel free to use a 110-volt outlet. If you are a speedy driver, you will be impressed by the ability to jump from 0-60 mph in less than 6.4 seconds.
The interior styling is basic and rather modest. The materials are high quality, however. With the back seats up, you can fit a total of five suitcases, but with them laid down, you can fit up to 15 of them. This means that there is enough room for luggage and enough leg space for up to six adults.
The Hyundai comes with comfortable cream leather seats and a gray dashboard to match. Its steering allows you to move up, down, in, and out. This translates to it being comfortable for people of all sizes.
The 10.3-inch infotainment screen is somewhat small, but all in all, it is easy to read. It comes fitted with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, DAB radio, and Android Auto. The premium version of this car comes with parking sensors on both the front and rear as well as bright LED headlights that make it easier to see far out without blinding oncoming traffic.
The Hyundai Kona Electric is an affordable EV that is perfect if you are always on the go, need a car that charges fast, and like a car with a large battery capacity.
Chevrolet Bolt EV
If you love road trips and are looking for an affordable electric car, then the Chevrolet Bolt EV is a great option. Chevrolet heard the cry of motorists who complained that in order to get an affordable electric vehicle, they had to sacrifice the driving range. For only $36,500, you can now get this car, which boasts a 259-mile range.
Thanks to its 200 horsepower and 266-pound feet of torque, the car can pick up speed quickly. It is smooth on the road, and the steering is responsive and accurate. The braking system is above average, and it has ample regenerative power that allows you to drive without always touching the brake pedal.
If you use a 240-volt charging station as is recommended, the Chevrolet Bolt takes up to nine hours to fully recharge. Using the fast charging option on a level three charging station gives you about 90 miles in under 30 minutes.
If you love luxurious interiors, Bolt’s simple interior design may slightly disappoint you. The dashboard’s design is hard plastic with some added textured materials to spice it up. However, if you lean more towards practicality versus design, then the Chevrolet interior should be fine.
You can comfortably fit up to five normal-sized suitcases behind the rear seats, meaning the storage is more than ample. The seats fit up to five fully grown adults and leave enough leg and hip room for all of them. The seats are rather flat, which means they may be somewhat uncomfortable for long rides.
The car comes with a 10.2-inch display screen that is easy to operate thanks to its exemplary organization. Though it doesn’t come with Google maps, you get Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The display also shows you the remaining battery capacity and range left all with the press of a button.
Who said you need to be extremely rich to own an electric car? The affordable Chevrolet Bolt is here to debunk that myth.
Kia e-Niro
People loved the specs of the Kia e-Niro so much that it sold out in less than a month after its launch. This was mostly attributed to its 300-mile range and roomy interior. However, this car is somewhat lacking in the design sector. Both the dashboard and door panels are made out of plastic and come with many buttons. These buttons can be a plus if you don’t care for touch-screen designs.
For your comfort, the car comes with electrically adjustable heated leather seats and a heated steering wheel. Though the display is a little lackluster, it comes equipped with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and Android Auto.
The Kia e-Niro’s performance is its selling point. It accelerates up to 62 mph in less than seven seconds and has a maximum speed of 104 mph. If you are using a 230-volt socket, it will take you to 29 hours to reach full percentage. However, armed with a 7.2 kWh charger, you only need 10 hours and you are good to go.
If your priorities lie more on performance and less on design, the Kia e-Niro car is a perfect affordable fit.
Conclusion
As Elon Musk said, electric cars are the future. Though you need more capital and the charging stations are not as plentiful as gas stations yet, you can still save up to 20- 30% in maintenance costs. This is because electric cars do not need oil changes and the mileage costs are significantly lower. The best part is, they are aimed for luxurious user experiences, so the drive is going to be smooth and pleasant.
