Cheapest EVs You Can Buy Right Now (Under $35k)

The Most Affordable EVs on Sale Today

The EV market has finally pushed past the "luxury only" phase. Several compelling electric vehicles now start under $35,000, making EV ownership accessible to mainstream buyers. Here are the best options ranked by value.

The Rankings

1. Nissan Leaf — Starting at $28,140

The Nissan Leaf remains the most affordable new EV you can buy. With a starting MSRP of $28,140, it undercuts everything else in this list. The base S trim gets an EPA-estimated 149 miles of range — enough for most daily commuters.

MSRP: $28,140
Range: 149 mi (base) / 212 mi (S Plus)
Body style: Hatchback
Best for: Budget-conscious commuters

The Leaf won't win range wars, but at this price, the cost per mile of range is hard to beat.

2. Fiat 500e — Starting at ~$33,000

Fiat's tiny electric city car brings Italian style to the EV market. It's small, fun to drive, and perfect for urban environments where parking matters as much as range.

MSRP: ~$33,000
Range: ~149 mi
Body style: Hatchback
Best for: City drivers who want personality

3. Mini Cooper SE — Starting at ~$34,000

The Mini Cooper SE is the driver's car of the budget EV segment. It's genuinely fun to toss around corners, and Mini's interior quality punches above its price point.

MSRP: ~$34,000
Range: ~114 mi
Body style: Hatchback
Best for: Driving enthusiasts on a budget

4. Chevrolet Equinox EV — Starting at $34,995

This is the game-changer. GM's Equinox EV brings a full-size SUV form factor to the sub-$35k segment. With an estimated 319 miles of range on the base model, it offers by far the most range per dollar in this price class.

MSRP: $34,995
Range: ~319 mi
Body style: SUV
Best for: Families who want space and range without breaking the bank

At roughly $110 per mile of range, the Equinox EV is the value champion of the entire list.

5. Chevrolet Bolt EUV — Starting at ~$28,795

The Bolt EUV adds crossover proportions and an available Super Cruise hands-free driving system to the affordable Bolt formula. It's slightly roomier than the standard Bolt and still comes in well under $35k.

MSRP: ~$28,795
Range: ~247 mi
Body style: Crossover
Best for: Buyers who want a do-everything affordable EV

Range Per Dollar: The Value Metric That Matters

When comparing budget EVs, raw range isn't enough — you need to consider range per dollar. Here's how our picks stack up:

Vehicle	MSRP	Range	Miles per $1,000
Chevrolet Equinox EV	$34,995	319 mi	9.1
Chevrolet Bolt EUV	$28,795	247 mi	8.6
Nissan Leaf S Plus	$28,140	212 mi	7.5
Fiat 500e	$33,000	149 mi	4.5
Mini Cooper SE	$34,000	114 mi	3.4

The Bottom Line

The Chevrolet Equinox EV is the standout — SUV space and 319 miles of range for under $35k is remarkable. For the absolute lowest entry price, the Nissan Leaf gets you into an EV for $28,140. Both are excellent starting points for first-time EV buyers.