What’s the cheapest EV car?

J

John@Outfront

Forum Moderator
Joined
Apr 30, 2021
Messages
1,356
Reaction score
1,823
Have done zero homework but wife is wanting an electric car as backup. We live a little remote. I’m sure it will be parked and not used much but she wants an alternative if there is no gas at the stations. We are always prepping for rough times. 
 

share what you know

 
Heard something about a Chevy bolt. Between jan-march they qualify for the full $7500 credit. But only works if you can get the dealer to give it to you for Msrp. Haven’t dove in deep enough to know though.

 
A year ago I got my daughter a Chevy Volt from board member @URCLEVER. She loves the car. I drive it occasionally to work on Graveyard shift. It gets 33 miles to a full charge then averages 45mpg on the gas generator. I've also driven it to Fortin in El Cajon, 250 miles R/T and to Indio, 200 miles R/T. Takes 6 hrs to charge on 240v and 12 hrs on 120v. 

 
I think the obvious answer is a nissan leaf. Hated by many to say the least but bang for the buck is there. I think 86 miles was actual distance logged. 

Edited to add: I'm talking 2015ish models.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Chevy Bolt. MSRP around 30K with up to $7500 Federal tax credit and California has some incentives as well. Chevrolet offers free charging outlet install or $500 charging credit. Some electric utilities offer rebates as well. Close to 300 mile range per charge. 

 
Cheapest would be the Fiat 500e.  2013-2019.  Had mind for 3 years now.  Gets 80-110 miles of range.  Can be had from $8k-$18k.  Only problem is you have to get them with really dark window tint so your friends don't see you driving it....

 
r3meyer said:
Cheapest would be the Fiat 500e.  2013-2019.  Had mind for 3 years now.  Gets 80-110 miles of range.  Can be had from $8k-$18k.  Only problem is you have to get them with really dark window tint so your friends don't see you driving it....
Click to expand...
Boss got one for his wife. The range is perfect for her to get to the gym, store, grandbabies and Office all in a day. She doesn't have to check the oil and can't forget to fill it with gas.  It is the perfect car for her.

 
I have the fully loaded Model 3 performance from Tesla and I love it. It is not the cheapest by any means but it is Ferrari fast and super fun to drive. It does 0-60 in 2.9 seconds. It claims about 310 miles on a full Charge but I drive 80-90 everywhere so I usually get about 250 ish on a full charge. Also, it’s really hard not to full throttle the thing just playing around. I also have full self driving which I am learning to trust. If you have a 50 amp plug the car will go from nothing to fully charged by morning. A 50 amp outlet plug charges 30 miles per hour of charge. A 30 amp plug gets about 20. If you go with the Tesla you would be able to drive to your shop and back without using any fuel. Also, if you have solar and you add a panel or two it could cost you nothing. They have a 40k model it’s just not as fun. 

 
r3meyer said:
Cheapest would be the Fiat 500e.  2013-2019.  Had mind for 3 years now.  Gets 80-110 miles of range.  Can be had from $8k-$18k.  Only problem is you have to get them with really dark window tint so your friends don't see you driving it....
Click to expand...
I leased a fiat a few years ago when the dealer was giving them away for 99 bucks a month

it was fun to drive and by far the easiest car to park I have ever owned

 
jeeperdino said:
I leased a fiat a few years ago when the dealer was giving them away for 99 bucks a month

it was fun to drive and by far the easiest car to park I have ever owned
Click to expand...
Yeah they were only made to meet California emissions standards.  They lost money on everyone they sold.

 
FWIW, my son said to stay away from the Nissan.  I guess there are lots of issues & none of them resolved in a solid way.

 
r3meyer said:
Cheapest would be the Fiat 500e.  2013-2019.  Had mind for 3 years now.  Gets 80-110 miles of range.  Can be had from $8k-$18k.  Only problem is you have to get them with really dark window tint so your friends don't see you driving it....
Click to expand...
Couple friends had those. Like 50 buck a month lease and cars were basically free to them due to amount saved from driving trucks to and from work. 

 
if you do decide to stay with gas powered

image.png

 
If I was looking for an EV car and my friends wouldn't judge me, I would go with the Bolt for sure.  Hybris would be Prius as well, simple and work.

I have a couple of friends with the Porsche EV, both cars have spent a considerable time at the dealer, I don't think the dealers know how to work on them??  They both came from owning Teslas, and they said they wouldn't go back to Tesla as well, no idea why.

 
r3meyer said:
3 years now and only issue has been a burned out signal bulb and I had to replace the in cabin air filter.
Click to expand...
i started my career as a Fiat and Lancia mechanic, had lots of X1/9's bravo's and spyders, even an 850  i actually loved working on them and it was easy to transition from the DOHC Fiat motor with cam buckets and shims to almost the exact same thing on subaru's.  now their electrical was something else!

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top