If we talk about the future of the automobile industry, electric vehicles are here to stay. Although they might be costlier than their gasoline counterparts, we can help you find affordable electric cars in 2022.
Electric cars are the new most in-demand automobiles in the US. More and more people want them as their new ride, but high prices are the prominent barrier.
Buyers are looking for affordable alternates that can allow them to own an EV without breaking their bank balance. This is why many automakers have finally worked to give their customers what they want. So, if you want an EV, then now is the right time to purchase one. Forget the misconception that you need to spend a fortune to own a good quality EV.
Not everyone needs to own a Tesla to have a premium EV experience. There are many models out there that offer premium quality at outstanding prices. Like gasoline & diesel engine rides, EVs also come in varying price ranges. And you can go for anyone as per your budget.
Today we bring you the 9 most affordable electric cars of 2022. We have covered established names like Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, and some new faces in the EV world.
Furthermore, we will discuss some buying tips and frequently asked questions about all-electric automobiles.
So, let us get started and help you with your next electric ride purchase.
Top 9 Affordable Electric Cars 2022
Price plays a crucial role in purchasing any item. People prefer things they can easily afford to items they desire.
Owning anything that can hurt your credit is never worth owning. And this is true for automobiles too.
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If you research, you will find different models available in the market that can let you enjoy the perks of the modern-age ride at a reasonable price.
For your comfort & ease, below, we have listed the nine most affordable electric rides of 2022. This list can be your time & money savior.
- 2022 Nissan Leaf- $27,400
- 2022 Mini Cooper SE Hardtop- $29,900
- 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV- $33,500
- 2022 Mazda MX-30- $33,470
- 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning- $39,974
- 2022 Volkswagen ID.4- $41,230
- 2022 Kia EV6- $40,900
- 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5- $39,950
- 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E- $43,895
Factors To Consider When Buying The Best Affordable Electric Cars 2022
Buying an electric car sounds great & upbeat, but it is not as easy as it looks. Several factors are at play. As a buyer, you must consider various things to ensure you spend your money on the right purchase.
Similar to gasoline vehicles, electric cars also hold many variants. Each variant has different values for different buyers. Thus, you should ensure you have each variant verified per your needs.
To help you understand better, we have listed some crucial factors you must check before finalizing your purchase of the best electric cars in 2022.
- Range
The first factor to look for is the range of the vehicle you want to buy. In simpler terms, it means how far an EV goes on a full charge.
The better the range, the more expensive the vehicle is. Most electric cars in 2022 range between 250 to 300 miles on average, which is acceptable for daily needs.
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However, remember that the mentioned range is only an estimate by the manufacturer. It gets affected by external factors like weather, your driving habits, & others.
- Charging
An EV can survive and run as long as you can charge it accordingly. Look into how much time a particular vehicle takes to charge. Ideally, the battery type ensures how fast it can charge. So, look into its kWh.
Furthermore, ensure that whichever EV you choose, you can charge it in your home. It will save you from the hassle of public charging stations.
- Energy Use
Check how much kilowatts a vehicle consumes per 100 miles and find the comparative miles per gallon equivalent or popularly referred to as MPGe.
It is the fuel efficiency of your ride. The better numbers it can offer you in the city & on the highway, the better it is for you to consider it.
On average, an EV can offer about 100MPGe in both city & highway.
- Performance
You should look for handling, acceleration, braking, ride quality, towing capacity, and other equivalent measures.
See how much horsepower and torque you can expect under your radar of affordability. It will tell you if a vehicle is as robust & agile as you desire or not.
- Safety
Driving is all fun until one gets in an accident. So, check out what kinds of safety measures the manufacturer is offering in his ride.
Look for crash test result scores from NHTSA and IIHS. The better the scores, the safer the ride. Apart from this, look for driver-assist features like a rearview mirror, forward collision warning, lane assist, pedestrian detection, and more.
If you are looking for cheap electric cars in 2022 for your teenage driver, then focus on the safety features more.
- Space & Comfort
Being under a budget does not mean you can not expect anything good from your ride. A cramped-up ride is never a good idea as it will make you uncomfortable.
Look for a ride that offers ample interior space and comfort. Check for the legroom around the rear seats, overall cabin aesthetic, and more. And if you are looking for a three-row ride, see if the rear seats can be folded and if are they child seat friendly or not. This way, you will narrow each of your necessities and eliminate the choices accordingly.
- Cargo Space
A vehicle should be big enough to carry all your luggage. See how much load the trunk of a respective model can hold. You can base the ideal size based on your average cargo carrying.
Vehicles that offer a segment-best cargo or trunk space are always good options.
- Technology
Entertainment and technology are integral parts of any automobile. Without them, it is like driving an old age buggy.
Check out the latest base infotainment and technology features for a ride. Look for the standard features offered by the vehicle you like. The longer the list of standard features, the better.
Do not rely on available features as it will cost you to get them. Try to look for a ride with ample standard tech & entertainment features to satisfy you.
- Warranty & Maintenance Schedule
Different automakers offer different offers & services to make their customers happy. Automobiles are fragile, and over time, there can be issues with the parts.
Thus, to help customers out, automakers offer services. Check out for services like a limited warranty, a powertrain warranty, complimentary maintenance, and more.
Generally, companies offer warranties for over two years. The complimentary maintenance is not provided by all.
If you don’t have these warranties, you will have to pay for the fix if any issue arises. Thus, a vehicle with such services is best as they cover you for the initial few years of your purchase.
- Price
The biggest question you need to ask yourself while looking for an automobile is how much you are willing to spend.
Decide how much is enough for you. Set a budget and stick to it. It might take time, but you will be able to find an affordable electric car that favors your budget.
- Buy or Lease
After you have all the features & the budget set, you need to decide whether you want to buy the vehicle or lease it. Some people prefer to own things, while some are okay with leasing as they can leave them if they want.
Buying is ideal if you are a permanent resident where you live at present. However, if you are someone who travels frequently or stays in a place no longer than a year or two, then leasing makes more sense.
- Insurance
You need to look for insurance that will cover the ride you want to buy. Not every insurance provider will cover your ride. Also, your insurance & driving history plays a huge role. If you are a falter insurance candidate getting insurance will be hard.
Nevertheless, look for insurance (whether big or small) before signing the papers.
- Used or Brand New
EVs are getting so popular that you can even find used ones to buy if you want. However, with the COVID pandemic and the issue of demand & supply chain, buying a used EV will cost you almost as much as a brand new one.
So, decide if you want an all-new ride or a used one that will work fine for you.
The 9 Most Affordable Electric Cars In 2022:
If you want to ride a vehicle that ensures you are eco-friendly, electric vehicles are the best option.
With time, people are realizing the importance of a clean environment. They are making efforts to do their best at their part.
Emissions from automobiles comprise the biggest & most harmful to the environment. Thus, the automotive industry across the globe is opting for eco-friendly rides. Even at their lowest, EVs are expensive compared to gasoline & diesel ones. But they will eventually pay for themselves, saving you in the long run.
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With so many electric machine options, finding the right one at the right price can be troublesome for some buyers. This is why we bring this exclusive list of nine top affordable electric cars in 2022.
Each model is fully reviewed with all the crucial features, specs, and prices mentioned in detail. Go through each ride to find the most suitable one for yourself.
1. 2022 Nissan Leaf – $27,400
- MSRP: $27,400
- Horsepower: 147 to 214 hp
- Range: 150 to 226 miles
- MPGe: Up to 123 city/99 highway
- Battery Charge Time: 35h at 110V, 8-11h at 220V, 0.75h at 440V
- Transmission: 1-speed automatic
- Top Speed: 90mph
- Acceleration(0-60mph): 7 seconds
- Trims: 5
2022 Nissan Leaf comes with a standard 147hp electric motor with a 40kWh battery pack. The 214hp electric motor with a larger 62kWh battery is optional & only available with PLUS variants.
There are five trim levels available. S, SV, S PLUS, SV PLUS, and SL PLUS. The variants range from $27,400 for the base trim level to $37,400 for the highest trim level.
2022 Leaf battery takes 35 hours to charge over 110V, 8 to 11 hours over 220V, and about 0.75 hours at 440V. This ride comes with a long list of standard features. You get automatic climate control, push the start button, and proximity keyless entry.
8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay& Android Auto, Four-speaker stereo, satellite radio, BlueTooth, and voice recognition are some standard infotainment features. For safety, Nissan’s standard driver assistance features a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, & more.
Furthermore, the 2022 Nissan Leaf holds a 5-Star overall safety rating from NHTSA & IIHS, making it a safe choice.
Lastly, Nissan offers a basic warranty package for Leaf. You get 3 years limited warranty coverage, 5 years powertrain warranty coverage, 8 years battery warranty coverage, and no complimentary maintenance.
2. 2022 Mini Cooper SE Hardtop – $29,900
- MSRP: From $29,900
- Horsepower: 181 hp
- Range: 114 miles
- MPGe: 119 City / 100 highway
- Battery Charge Time: 4h at 220V, 0.58h at 440V
- Transmission: Automatic
- Trims: 5
Mini Cooper SE Hardtop is among the cheapest electric cars of 2022. It comes with a 32.6kWh battery producing 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque.
For 2022, the model gets an updated standard features list. 8.8″ touchscreen, heated steering wheel, lane assist, and more are now standard. You can choose from three trim levels: Signature, Signature Plus, and Iconic ranging from $30,750 to $37,750.
The mini electric offers an estimated driving range of 110 miles on a full charge. You can fast charge the battery up to eighty percent in 80 minutes.
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Dual-zone automatic climate control, an energy-efficient heat pump, pre-conditioning, Mini Connected telematics system, a six-speaker stereo, HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay are some impressive standard features.
Lastly, Mini offers 4 years limited warranty, 4 years powertrain warranty, 8 years of coverage for electrical components, and 3 years of complimentary maintenance.
3. 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV – $33,500
- MSRP: $33,500
- Horsepower: 147 to 214 hp
- Range: 247 miles
- MPGe: 125 city / 104 highway
- Battery Charge Time: 55h at 110V, 7.5h at 220V
- Transmission: 1-speed automatic
- Top Speed: 90.1mph
- Acceleration(0-60mph): 6.7 seconds
- Trims: 3
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV is an impressive all-electric subcompact sport utility vehicle powered by an electric motor & front wheel drive producing 200hp.
The model can attain a top speed of 90.1mph and sprint from zero to 60mph in 6.7 seconds. The Bolt EUV comes in three trim levels, namely, LT starting from $34,95, Premier starting from $38,995, & Launch Edition starting from $43,495
All trims come packed with a 65kWh battery that offers an EPA estimate of 247 miles of range & 115 combined MPGe. You can charge Bolt EUV on a standard 120Volt home outlet. However, for faster charging, a 240Volt connection will be better.
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For entertainment, you get a standard 10.2 inches touchscreen, 8″ digital gauge cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay& Android Auto, and wireless charging.
Automatic climate control, keyless entry, and push-button start are a few other impressive standard features. The forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and lane-keep assist are a few standard driver assistance features.
Lastly, you get a limited warranty for 3 years, a powertrain warranty for 5 years, electric components coverage for 8 years, and only one-time complimentary maintenance.
4. 2022 Mazda MX-30 – $33,470
- MSRP: From $33,470
- Horsepower: 143 hp
- Range: 100 miles
- MPGe: 98 City / 85 highway
- Battery Charge Time: 5.3h at 220V
- Transmission: Direct-drive
- Top Speed: 87mph
- Acceleration(0-60mph): 9.6 seconds
- Trims: 3
2022 Mazda MX-30 is a subcompact sport utility vehicle powered by a small 30kWh battery paired with a 143hp electric motor channeling front wheels.
MX-30 is the first all-electric ride from Mazda. You can buy it in three different trims. The base one comes with an initial price of $34,695, MX-30 EV starts from $34,695, & Premium Plus starts from $37,655. 2022 MX-30 is packed with a small 30kWh battery offering an estimated driving range of 100 miles per charge.
Furthermore, you can charge the battery on standard AC power and more advanced & faster DC chargers.
As per EPA, MX-30 offers 98 MPGe in the city, 85 MPGe on the highway, and 92 MPGe combined. The rating is inferior to many competitors. Mazda uses natural & sustainable materials for the MX-30 interior. The front row is spacious, but the rear one is cramped.
Heated front seats, 7″ digital gauge cluster, power sunroof, and auto-dimming rearview mirror are some of the prominent standard features. In addition, for your entertainment, you get 8.8″ digital sprouts featuring an audio system, navigation, backup camera, and more.
Regarding safety, the 2022 Mazda MX-30 holds a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, & others are standard safety features.
Lastly, Mazda offers a limited warranty covering three years, a powertrain warranty covering five years, and no complimentary maintenance.
5. 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning – $39,974
- MSRP: From $39,974
- Horsepower: 426 hp
- Range: 230 miles
- MPGe: 76 City/ 61 highway
- Battery Charge Time: 14h at 220V
- Transmission: Single-speed
- Top Speed: 111.8 mph
- Acceleration(0-60mph): 4.3 seconds
- Trims: 6
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning is a pickup truck offering excellent performance, eager acceleration, handy trunk space, and impressive towing capacity.
The pickup comes standard with two electric motors & all-wheel drive. With its standard range battery, the vehicle makes 452hp, while with an extended range battery, it produces 580hp.
The model is available in 6 trims, namely, Pro, XLT, Lariat, XLT Extended Range, Lariat Extended Range, and Platinum Extended Range, going from $39,974 to $90,669. F-150 Lightning is an all-new model and can sprint from zero to 60mph in just 4.5 seconds. Furthermore, it can attain a top speed of 111m8mph.
12.3″ touchscreen, 12″ digital gauge cluster, navigation, wireless Apple & Android integration, remote keyless entry, and push-button start are a few standard features. The 2022 F-150 Lightning offers 230 miles per charge with smaller battery & 320 miles with a bigger one.
In the case of efficiency, the F-150 Lightning rate is up to 78 MPGe in the city and 63 MPGe on the highway. This pickup is not rated for its overall safety by NHTSA or IIHS. But it comes standard with automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keep assists & others.
Lastly, your purchase is made better by Ford’s various warranty coverage.
You get a limited warranty covering 36,000 miles, a powertrain warranty covering 60,000 miles, a battery component warranty covering 100,000 miles, and no complimentary maintenance.
6. 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 – $41,230
- MSRP: From $41,230
- Horsepower: 201 to 295 hp
- Range: 245 to 280 miles
- MPGe: Up to 116 city / 98 highway
- Battery Charge Time: 7.5h at 220V
- Transmission: 1-speed automatic
- Top Speed: 112mph
- Acceleration(0-60mph): 7.6 seconds
- Trims: 2
2022 Volkswagen ID.4 is a compact SUV powered by either a single rear-mounted motor producing 201hp or a dual-motor with all-wheel-drive producing 295hp.
2022 ID.4 comes in two trims: Pro & Pro S, ranging from $41,230 to $46,025. With its 77kWh battery pack, the 2022 iD.4 offers 280 miles between charges. You charge the battery at home on 110V or 240V connections. Also, it is compatible with DC fast charging.
As for fuel economy, with real-wheel-drive ID.4 offers 104MPGe in the city and 89MPGe on the highway.
This luxury SUV comes standard with a 10″ touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, proximity keyless entry, 10-color ambient interior lighting, voice recognition, and more. For your safety, the 2022 Volkswagen ID.4 comes with a rearview camera, rain-sensing windshield wipers, automatic highway driving assist, blind-spot monitoring & others as standard.
Lastly, Volkswagen’s above-average 4yr limited warranty, 4yr powertrain warranty, 8yr battery components coverage, and 2yr complimentary maintenance make your purchase secure.
7. 2022 Kia EV6 – $40,900
- MSRP: From $40,900
- Horsepower: 167 to 320 hp
- Range: 232 to 310 miles
- MPGe: Up to 136 city / 100 highway
- Battery Charge Time: 51 to 68h at 110V, 6.3 to 8.7h at 220V, 1.05 to 1.22h at 440V
- Transmission: 1-speed automatic
- Top Speed: 117mph
- Acceleration(0-60mph): 5.1 seconds
- Trims: 3
Kia EV6 is another all-electric compact sport utility vehicle you can buy in 2022. It is available with a single electric motor mounted on either a rear axle or both axles.
The EV6 can be configured with both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, producing 167 to 320 hp.
This EV comes in two battery sizes, 58kWh, and 77.4kWh. The 58kWh is standard and offers a range of 232 miles. The 77.4kWh battery offers up to 310 miles. The batteries come with an operating voltage of 800V. It can charge from ten to eighty percent in under 18 minutes when plugged into a 350kW fast charger.
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There is an 11kW onboard charger that can refill the battery in 7 hours when attached to a Level 2 power outlet. With a single motor, EV6 offers a combined MPGe of 117, while the dual-motor offers a combined MPGe of 105.
The interior comes standard with a 12.3″ touchscreen, proximity keyless entry, remote start, navigation, Apple & Android integration, 5 USB ports, BlueTooth, & more. For your safety, this reliable SUV holds standard features like rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, highway driving assist, driver attention alert, & more.
Kia offers one of the best warranty plans in the American automotive industry. It gives 5yr limited warranty, a 10yr powertrain warranty, and no complimentary maintenance.
8. 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 – $39,950
- MSRP: From $39,950
- Horsepower: 167 to 320 hp
- Range: 220 to 303 miles
- MPGe: Up to 132 city / 98 highway
- Battery Charge Time: 6.3 to 8.5h at 220V
- Transmission: 1-speed automatic
- Top Speed: 115 mph
- Acceleration(0-60mph): 7.4 seconds
- Trims: 4
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a subcompact SUV powered by multiple powertrains. It comes with a 58kWh standard battery pack paired with a single, rear-mounted electric motor generating 168hp.
The larger 77.4kWh battery pack comes with rear-drive settings producing 225hp.
There is an all-wheel-drive version, which is said to be more powerful, channeling 320hp and 446 lb-ft of torque.
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offers four trims: SE Standard Range, SE, SEL, and Limited, ranging from $39,950 to $51,100. This debut EV offers 220 miles range with a standard battery pack & a 256 to 303 miles range with a larger battery pack.
The interior comes with a 12.3″ touch screen integrated with navigation, 6-speaker stereo, satellite & HD radio, BlueTooth& more. You also get to enjoy a 12.3″ digital gauge cluster and dual-zone automatic climate control. The cargo space is okay for the electric SUV class.
2022 Ioniq 5 is not tested by NHTSA or IIHS yet. However, it offers reak parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, & more safety features as standard.
Hyundai never disappoints its buyers. With Ioniq 5, you get 5-year limited warranty coverage, 10 years powertrain warranty coverage, and 3 years complimentary maintenance coverage.
9. 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E – $43,895
- MSRP: From $43,895
- Horsepower: 226 to 480 hp
- Range: 224 to 314 miles
- MPGe: Up to 110 city / 96 highway
- Battery Charge Time: 95h at 110V, 8 to 11.4h at 220V
- Transmission: direct-drive single-speed
- Top Speed: 124 mph
- Acceleration(0-60mph): 3.5 seconds
- Trims: 4
If you are looking for an EV with some native roots, then the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E is for you. This compact SUV by an American automaker will help you boost your style. This model is available in either a standard-range 70kWh battery or an extended-range 91kWh battery producing 266 to 480 hp.
2022 Mustang Mach-E comes in four trims starting from $43,895 for Select to $61,995 for GT.
This vehicle has an EPA-estimated range of 211 and 305 miles. The driving range entirely depends on the battery pack & electric motors. Each model holds fast charging capability. You can get a Ford mobile charger that can add up to 30 miles of range per night with a 120V outlet & 80% battery life with a 240V outlet.
2022 Mustang Mach-E holds excellent fuel efficiency. In addition, you get to enjoy proximity keyless entry, 15.5″ touchscreen, 10.2″ digital gauge cluster, navigation & other standard features. SUV’s standard driver assistance features include Forward& reverse collision warning with pedestrian detection, Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, & more.
For your purchase, Ford offers 3 years limited warranty, 5 years powertrain warranty, 8 years of electrical components coverage, and no complimentary maintenance.
Top FAQs About Best Affordable Electric Cars 2022 USA
What are the must-haves for every EV owner?
If you own an all-electric car, you must have a car battery jump starter with you all the time.
EVs are at the mercy of their batteries. And one can never know when their battery can die as even the good ones can stop working out of the blue. Thus, you need a device that can get you out of jeopardy.
Here you can check out the best portable car battery jump starters with an air compressor for 2022.
Which is the best cheap electric car in the USA in 2022?
If we are talking about the cheapest, then the 2022 Nissan Leaf is the one. This EV comes in five trims with an initial price of $27,400.
The vehicle comes with single & dual electric motors paired with one-speed automatic transmission producing 147 to 214 horsepower.
You get an electric range of 150 to 226 miles and excellent fuel economy. The 2022 Leaf battery takes 35 hours to charge at 110V, 8 to 11 hours at 220V, and around 1 hour at 440V.
Enjoy a top speed of 90 miles per hour with this ride and acceleration to 60mph in only 7 seconds.
What are the most affordable electric cars in 2022?
Affordability is a concern when it comes to EVs as they cost more than their gasoline counterparts. But in 2022, you do not need to kill your budget to own a decent all-electric ride.
Below we have listed the nine best 2022 has to offer to American auto lovers:
- 2022 Nissan Leaf- $27,400
- 2022 Mini Cooper SE Hardtop- $29,900
- 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning- $39,974
- 2022 Volkswagen ID.4- $41,230
- 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5- $39,950
- 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E- $43,895
How much does an electric car cost in 2022?
On average, a decent electric car will cost around $27,000 for its base model. As you move up the trim hierarchy, the price will go up.
The crucial thing to remember is that EVs are costlier compared to gasoline vehicles with similar features.
Are electric cars money savers?
The initial price for electric vehicles is more than gasoline and diesel cars. However, with time EVs turn out to be cheaper than the others.
You get tax benefits, insurance benefits, fuel-saving, and low maintenance costs, which eventually makes your overall purchase price lower in the longer run.
Are EVs the cars of the future?
YES. Electric vehicles are the future of the global automotive industry. It might not happen with the snap of a finger, but gradually it is happening.
People are realizing the importance of a cleaner environment and are eager to do their part. Also, the government is appreciating people for going eco-friendly by providing different benefits.
In the long run, EVs are beneficial to the environment and your pocket too; making them in demand more than ever.
What are the disadvantages of Electric Vehicles?
Like gasoline automobiles, EVs also come with their own share of advantages and disadvantages.
Where the benefits of the models are shown impressively, the drawbacks are not much talked about.
Here you can check what EVs hold in their other hand.
- EV batteries require rare metals to be constructed
- Manufacturing EVs cause more emission
- Expensive to buy
- Not as fast as gasoline vehicles
- Not enough charging points for the growing number of usage
Conclusion
We have listed the top nine most affordable electric cars in 2022. Each model is high-end, offers excellent features, and is easy on the pocket. We have included compact cars, SUVs, and pickups to make it useful for every reader.
Which 2022 EV did you find best to put your money on?
