Electric vehicle pricing has drifted down as more automakers fill out their entry-level lineups, though base prices still vary widely from one model to the next. Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds both publish current starting prices alongside estimated range for the cheapest electric cars and SUVs. Here are twelve of the most affordable new EVs on sale for 2026 and 2027.
1. Chevrolet Bolt: Cheapest On The List
The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt heads Kelley Blue Book’s cheapest-EV list at a $28,995 starting price with an estimated 262 miles of range.
A sub-$30,000 sticker is a rare sight among new electric cars, and the Bolt’s range is workable for most daily driving. Shoppers on tight budgets should note that the figure is a base price before destination and options. That makes it the lowest starting price among all twelve vehicles on this list, ahead of the Nissan Leaf by more than two thousand dollars.
2. Nissan Leaf: Redesigned And Long-Legged
The redesigned 2026 Nissan Leaf starts at $31,535 with 303 miles of estimated range, per Kelley Blue Book.
The new Leaf offers a longer range than the cheaper Bolt for a few thousand dollars more. Buyers comparing the two get a clear tradeoff between the lowest price and the extra miles on a single charge. The Leaf’s 303 miles beats the 262 of the Bolt, which gives shoppers a real reason to consider spending a bit more.
3. Fiat 500e: City Car Pricing
The 2026 Fiat 500e city car starts at $37,695 with an estimated 141 miles of range, Kelley Blue Book lists.
The 500e costs more than the Bolt and Leaf yet delivers far less range, so it suits urban drivers who value style and size over distance. Shoppers should weigh that gap before choosing the Fiat for a daily commute. At 141 miles, the Fiat has the shortest range among the twelve, so the price premium over the Bolt buys design rather than distance.
4. Hyundai Ioniq 6: Sedan With Big Range
Kelley Blue Book lists the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan from $39,095, with an estimated 342 miles of range and a 4.6 expert rating.
The Ioniq 6 has the longest range of the Kelley Blue Book group, and the high expert score signals that the low-slung sedan is more than a bargain. Buyers who regularly drive long distances will find the numbers appealing. Its price still sits well under the $41,630 starting price of the Tesla Model Y listed elsewhere in this group.
5. Hyundai Kona Electric: Compact Crossover Option
Edmunds lists the Hyundai Kona Electric at a $34,470 starting price, based on 2025 pricing, with 200 miles of base-model range.
The Kona Electric sits between the cheapest models and the sedans, with a modest base range that suits shorter commutes. Because the figure uses 2025 pricing, shoppers should confirm current numbers before heading to a dealership. The Kona’s 200 miles is the smallest base-model range among the Edmunds entries, which makes the lower price easier to understand.
6. Tesla Model 3: Highland Base Price
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 starts at $38,630 with a 321-mile base range, according to Edmunds’ September 2026 guide.
Tesla’s compact sedan delivers one of the longer base ranges on this list at a price below $40,000. Shoppers comparing it with the Ioniq 6 will weigh range, price and software against interior and charging preferences. That is about $1,600 less than the Volvo and roughly $3,000 less than the Model Y, while the range is 60 miles longer than the Volvo’s.
7. Volvo EX30: Small Volvo, Premium Badge
Volvo’s compact 2026 EX30 carries a $40,245 starting price and 261 miles of base range, Edmunds reports.
The EX30 costs more than the Tesla and offers less range, so the premium badge and Scandinavian design are the draw. Buyers who value brand and style may accept the tradeoff, while others will look elsewhere on the list. Its range is 60 miles shorter than the Tesla Model 3, which shows how much the badge and compact styling add to the cost.
8. Tesla Model Y: Priciest Of The Cheap
The 2026 Tesla Model Y starts at $41,630 with a 321-mile base range, per Edmunds’ list of the most affordable EVs.
The Model Y is the most expensive entry in the Edmunds group, but its crossover body adds cargo and passenger space over the Model 3. It matches the sedan’s range, so the extra cost goes mostly toward size. Both Teslas list the same 321 miles, so the price gap of $3,000 is the only difference in the numbers.
9. Toyota bZ: Electric SUV Entry
Kelley Blue Book lists the 2027 Toyota bZ electric SUV at a $36,575 starting price, placing it among the cheaper electric SUVs.
The price puts it in direct competition with other affordable SUVs. Buyers who like Toyota’s reputation for reliability may find the bZ a natural step into electric driving. Its price is lower than the Mach-E and close to the Ioniq 5, so shoppers have three crossovers to compare in a narrow price band.
10. Hyundai Ioniq 5: Ioniq 5 Stays Competitive
The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 5 starts at $36,600, making it one of the cheapest electric SUVs on Kelley Blue Book’s list.
The Ioniq 5 sits a few dollars above the bZ and brings a distinctive hatchback shape. Shoppers can compare the two crossovers on price first and then consider range, charging speed and cabin design. Both crossovers sit within a few dollars of each other, so the Hyundai and Toyota are close rivals for shoppers who want an electric SUV on a budget.
11. Chevrolet Equinox EV: Equinox EV Value
The 2026 Chevrolet Equinox EV starts at $36,795 and goes up to 319 miles on a charge, Kelley Blue Book says.
The Equinox EV combines a price in the mid-$30,000 range with a long maximum range, which makes it a strong value among electric SUVs. Buyers should check which trim delivers the 319-mile figure, since the maximum may not apply to the base version. Kelley Blue Book lists the Equinox EV between the Ioniq 5 and the Mach-E on price, which places the Chevrolet in the middle of its group.
12. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Mach-E Entry Price
Ford’s 2026 Mustang Mach-E electric SUV carries a $39,840 starting price on Kelley Blue Book’s cheapest electric SUV list.
The Mach-E is the costliest SUV in the Kelley Blue Book group, but it still lands under $40,000 before options. Shoppers drawn by the Mustang name can compare it with cheaper rivals and decide what the badge is worth. Its sticker exceeds the Bolt’s by more than ten thousand dollars, a reminder of how wide the price range runs among electric vehicles in 2026.
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