Electric
Pure electric cars rely on lithium-ion batteries either in a subfloor layer, or stuffed under the rear seat in back of the vehicle. They are the most energy efficient vehicles widely available and the industry is fast going in their direction due to costs coming down and their ability to meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations. Prices are still higher than for other tech, but tax credits, subsidies, inexpensive lease deals, and reduced energy costs can offset the difference.
Name | Combined MPGe | Body Type | MSRP | Available | |
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2009 ZAP XebraChinese-built three-wheel road-ready electric vehicle. |
MPGe | Coupe | $12,000 | Now |
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2010 Tesla RoadsterThe Tesla Roadster is a screaming-fast, all-electric two-seater sports car built on the frame of the Lotus Elise. |
MPGe | Coupe | $109,000 | Discontinued |
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2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Review – VideoLaunched in Japan in 2009, Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV was the first of the new all-electric vehicles on the market. |
112 MPGe | Coupe | $29,125 | Now |
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2012 Mitsubishi iMiEV ReviewMitsubishi's i-MiEV is the value-priced choice for electric vehicles |
112 MPGe | Coupe | $29,100 | Now |
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2012 Nissan LeafThe top contender for first affordable mainstream all-electric car. |
99 MPGe | Sedan | $35,200 | Now |
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2013 Ford Focus Electric ReviewAn all-electric version of the Ford Focus, with 76 miles of range. |
105 MPGe | Sedan | $39,200 | Now |
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2013 Nissan Leaf Review – VideoNissan's refreshed 2013 Leaf is now made in U.S. and offers improved efficiency at a lower price than 2012. |
115 MPGe | Hatchback | $28,800 | Now |
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2013 Toyota RAV4 EV ReviewBased on the 2012 RAV4, Toyota says only 2,600 RAV4 EV units will be made, with production halting at the end of 2014. |
76 MPGe | SUV | $49,800 | Now |
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2014 Chevrolet Spark EV Test Drive ReviewThe Spark EV is peppy and economical, but available only in California and Oregon so far. |
119 MPGe | Hatchback | $27,495 | Now |
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2014 Nissan Leaf OverviewNissan's 2014 Leaf is carried forward with a few updates and has proven to be the best-selling EV globally. |
115 MPGe | Hatchback | $28,980 | Now |
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2015 Kia Soul EV Drive Review – VideoKia's Soul EV is a unique mini-SUV sold initially in California, due to branch to other states, and the first EV by KIA outside its home market. |
105 MPGe | SUV | $34,500 | |
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2015 Kia Soul EV ReviewKia's Soul EV is a unique mini-SUV sold initially in California, and the first EV by KIA outside its home market. |
108 MPGe | SUV | $34,500 | Now |
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2015 Kia Soul EV Road TestKia's Soul EV is a unique mini-SUV sold initially in California, due to branch to other states, and the first EV by KIA outside its home market. |
105 MPGe | SUV | $34,500 | Now |
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2016 Chevrolet Volt Review – First DriveThe 2016 Volt is waiting to be discovered. Gen 2 is better, and this is America's highest EV-range plug-in hybrid. |
106 MPGe | Hatchback | $33,995 | |
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2016 Nissan Leaf Review – VideoA 30-kilowatt-hour batter for the two upper trim levels of Nissan's venerable Leaf EV bump range from 84 miles to 107. |
114 MPGe | Hatchback | $29,860 | Now |
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2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV Review – VideoThe Chevy Bolt is the first EV for under $40,000 to offer over 200 miles range. |
119 MPGe | Crossover | $0 | |
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2017 Chevrolet Bolt Review – First DriveThe Chevy Bolt is the first EV for under $40,000 to offer over 200 miles range. |
MPGe | Crossover | $0 | |
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2017 Chevy Volt Review – VideoThe 2017 Volt is waiting to be discovered. Gen 2 is better, and this is America's highest EV-range plug-in hybrid. |
106 MPGe | Hatchback | $0 | |
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2017 Smart Electric Drive ReviewSmart has been an interesting experiment in urban mobility. On paper, these tiny runabouts are an ideal transportation option for residents of densely packed megalopolises around the world. |
107 MPGe | Coupes | $25,750 | Now |
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2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Review – VideoHyundai's all-electric Ioniq is the EV version of its Prius fighter. |
136 MPGe | Hybrid Sedans | $30,300 | |
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BMW i3 Electric Car Overview |
109 MPGe | $42,275 | ||
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Coda (Electric Sedan)Highway-capable, four-door plain-looking all-electric sedan from a California start-up. |
73 MPGe | Sedan | $37,250 | Now |
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Ford Transit Connect ElectricThe all-electric small service truck with car-like driving dynamics could be the first commercial vehicle with a green halo. |
MPGe | Pickup | $23,660 | Discontinued |
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Myers NmGThe Myers NmG is a funky, single-occupant three-wheeled electric vehicle. That’s right, there’s just enough room for you and a cart’s worth of groceries. |
MPGe | Coupe | $36,000 | Now |
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Phoenix Motorcars Electric Sport Utility TruckThis all-electric truck offers a 1,000 pounds of payload capacity and 120-horsepower performance. |
MPGe | Pickup | $45,000 | Discontinued |
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Subaru R1eSubaru's concept vehicle to work on getting charge times down to five minutes or so. |
MPGe | Coupe | $0 | Concept |
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Tango T600First, throw away all the expected conventions about the appropriate size of your daily car. This all-electric vehicle is half the size, from side to side, of most cars. |
MPGe | Coupe | $108,000 | Now |
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Tesla Model SA bright vision of what a practical and desirable all-electric sedan could be. |
89 MPGe | Sedan | $57,900 | Now |
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Tesla Model S ReviewThe first all-electric luxury sedan has hit the ground running, wowing fans, and winning even the jaded. |
89 MPGe | Sedan | $94,570 | Now |
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The eBoxThe eBox is an electric vehicle conversion of the Scion xB. |
MPGe | Van | $70,000 | Now |
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Think CityA small but viable highway-capable all-electric two-seater from an industry veteran. |
MPGe | Coupe | $36,495 | Now |
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Toyota FT-EVToyota FT-EV concept, an all-electric car based on the Toyota IQ, offers a driving range of 50 miles. |
MPGe | Coupe | $0 | Concept |
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Venturi FetishThe Venturi Fetish, described by its maker as “the first production electric sports car in automobile history,” will set you back $400,000. |
MPGe | Coupe | $400,000 | Now |
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Volvo C30 ElectricVolvo is putting safety first with the Electric C30 |
MPGe | Sedan | $0 | 2014 |