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2023 chevrolet bolt:
Price: $27,495
EPA-rated range: Up to 259 miles
When it comes to value for money, nothing beats the Chevrolet Bolt. The little American-made electric hatch delivers almost 260 miles of range per charge, all for under $30,000. In a world where charging stations are still few and far in between, that's huge.
Those who need a bit more space can opt for the bigger Bolt EUV, an SUV-ified version of the Bolt hatch with a taller ride height and more interior room. Just be ready to sacrifice a few miles of range if you go that route.
Nissan Leaf:
Price: $29,235
EPA-rated range: Up to 215 miles
The Nissan Leaf has been chugging along in showrooms since 2011, receiving update after update to keep it relevant in the quickly-changing electric vehicle market. The EPA's 215-mile range estimate for the larger of the two available batteries is a far cry from competitors like the Chevy Bolt, but if you're a Nissan fan, that won't matter to you.
Those who want to save as much money as possible can opt for the smaller battery, which delivers 149 miles of range. That's enough to cover most people's daily commutes—not bad for under 30 grand.
Mini Cooper SE:
Price: $30,895
EPA-rated range: Up to 110 miles
The all-electric Mini Cooper SE combines the company's traditional charming looks and small size with a single e-motor spinning the front wheels, delivering 181 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque from a relatively small 28.9-kWh battery.
Range isn't great, at an EPA-estimated 110 miles, but the sheer joy you'll get from behind the wheel should make up for the lack of distance per charge, so long as your commute is reasonably short. If that number isn't acceptable for you, Mini's already teased the 2025 model, set to launch sometime next year. That car should have more range.
BMW i4:
Price: $53,195
EPA-rated range: Up to 307 miles
The BMW i4 shares many of its panels and interior with the gas-powered 4-Series Gran Coupe, giving buyers more assurance they'll be stepping into something familiar rather than a futuristic spaceship, as some competitors feel. There are three powertrains available, the most powerful of which, the M50, producing 536 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque.
If you'd rather save money there's the base i4 eDrive35. It uses just a single rear-mounted motor to deliver 281 hp, capable of up to 256 miles on a single charge, according to the EPA.
Mercedes Benz EQE:
Price: $76,050
EPA-rated range: Up to 300 miles (est.)
Like the EQS, it's best to think of the Mercedes-Benz EQE as the all-electric version of the company's mid-range E-Class sedan. It brings similarly rounded-off looks and tech features in a slightly smaller, less expensive package.
The base EQE350+, with its single rear-mounted e-motor, delivers 288 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, which should be plenty for most buyers. Those that demand as much performance as possible can upgrade to the AMG model shown above, which can deliver 677 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque when its overboost function is active.