Cheapest Electric Cars For Rideshare & Delivery

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Are you considering buying an electric car? If you’re like most of us, you want to get the cheapest electric car on the market, but also one that performs well and doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. RSG contributor Chonce Maddox-Rhea has broken out the best, cheapest electric cars available on the market right now.

Electric vehicles have stormed onto the scene in recent years and have become more and more attainable for people to own.

As you may already know, electric cars don’t use a typical gas engine, but rather get their power from a rechargeable battery-powered engine. This is a big reason why electric cars can be better for the environment, as well as your wallet, later down the line.

Some electric cars may sell at a higher price, but the engine is quieter and you have the potential to save a lot on gas over time since you don’t have to fill up the tank. These are just some of the benefits of transitioning to an electric vehicle.

If you’re interested in getting an electric car but are worried about the price, here are some of the most affordable options to consider.

Quick summary:

  • Our top pick? The Chevy Bolt
  • Some states and manufacturers are offering tax credits for purchasing electric vehicles
  • Some electric vehicles, like the Nissan Leaf, also offer additional safety features

Cheapest Electric Cars

Chevy Bolt

The Chevy Bolt is an electric hatchback that is capable of driving long-range. The car can travel up to 259 miles on one single charge.

The 2020 versions are the LT and premier. The premier offers features like wireless phone charging, two additional USB ports, and rear heated seats.

Contrary to what some drivers may say about electric vehicles, the Bolt steering is accurate and quick. When it’s time to charge the battery, the Chevy Bolt will need to be plugged into a 240-volt outlet and will take 9 hours to fully charge.

Price: $28,000-$40,000    

Curious about how a Chevy Bolt holds up to strenuous driving for Uber and Lyft? Take a look at the video below: I drove 32,000 Miles for Uber and Lyft with a Chevy Bolt – Here’s How an Electric Car Holds Up!

 

Mini Cooper SE

cheapest electric cars

A car that doesn’t allow quite as much mileage as the Chevy Bolt, but is still a quality EV is the Mini Cooper SE. This car is one of the cheapest electric cars out on the market today. It’s unfortunate that the vehicle is a little small outside of the driver and passenger seats. The back seats are a little too small for adults.

This Mini Cooper SE can hit 0-60 seconds in 6.1 seconds. The car has a 28.9-kWh battery and offers 110 miles on a single charge. A Mini Cooper  SE car owner is eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 when purchasing. Some states like Colorado offer consumers an additional $4,000 off the purchase.

According to Car and Driver, the SE can save the average American $4,446 in fuel costs in a 6-year span. The battery can be charged to 80% in just 35 minutes.

Price: $29,900-$33,900

Volkswagen e-Golf EV

cheapest electric cars

Another compact electric car option is the Volkswagen e-Golf. The range for this car’s electric battery life ranges to about 125. Horsepower for the e-Golf has improved over the years and is now over 134.

A common Level 2 charger can get the Volkwagen battery fully charged in a little under 6 hours. The car has a 1 speed direct-drive transmission and can hit 0-60 mph in 9.3 seconds.

Price $30,000+

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is one of the most popular and best-selling EV ever. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Leaf offers 149 miles of range on a single charge. The Leaf Plus does offer a bit more capping out around 226 miles.

The standard Leaf comes with an 8-inch touchscreen for drivers. Some other notable features with the Nissan Leaf are blind-spot monitoring and lane departure warning.

Price $31,000- $34,000

Hyundai Ioniq Electric

The Hyundai Ioniq has 170 miles of range, and can charge to full in 6 hours. Some notable features with the Ioniq are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also stands out because Hyundai uses eco-friendly materials in its interior.

The Ioniq made the jump from 124 to 170 miles of range in 2020 from 2019. The Ioniq includes pedestrian detection and LED headlights.

Price: $31,000-$33,000

Tesla Model 3

cheapest electric cars

When you think of Tesla, you may not think ‘cheapest electric car’, but the Model 3 is definitely a cheaper option than other electric cars on the market. The most recent version of the Model 3 ranges from 263-353 miles on a charge. The black or chrome trim around the turn signals, window trim, and door trim are some of the many things that make the Tesla Model 3 stand out.

Unfortunately, any car color except white will cost the buyer an additional amount. Red is the most expensive, adding an additional $2,000 to the total cost.

The Model 3 can also accelerate quickly and delivers drivers a nice ride. It is also said that the Tesla Model 3 can launch between gears with little or no noise!

Want to learn what it’s like to drive for Uber with a Tesla? Here’s what it’s like driving for Uber with a Tesla Model 3.

Price: $35,000+

Hyundai Kona

The 2020 Hyundai Kona ended up being a finalist for the US News and World Report best hybrid or electric SUV for the money reward. The Kona has the capability to maintain a quality comfortable ride no matter what road surface it encounters.

The Hyundai Kona EV gets up to a 258-mile range. Some of the safety technology includes forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Because this is an SUV, the starting cost is a little more than other EV’s on this list.

Price: $36,000+

Kia Niro EV

If you’re looking for an SUV and the Kona doesn’t seem like the one for you, consider the Kia Niro EV. The Niro has plenty of space and makes seating for 5 comfortable and easy. The interior screen size has gone up every year and the 2020 version is now 10.25 inches. The SUV also has driver drowsiness monitoring.

The Niro EV also qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit, but is currently only sold in 14 states. The Niro EV gets power from a 201 horsepower electric motor.

Price: $38,000 +

Ford Focus Electric

One of the cheapest electric cars is a Ford Focus Electric. This offers a 143 horsepower electric motor.

The EPA estimates the Ford Focus Electric has a range of 115 per single charge. The car tops out at 84 miles per hour.

Price $29,000+

Summary

On average, an electric car will cost thousands more than a vehicle that requires gasoline. However, there are plenty of options within the $30,000 to $35,000 range. Plus, the benefits could outweigh the cost. Electric car drivers regularly say they save thousands on gas and maintenance costs, which saves you money and headaches.

Electric cars are not built with the hundreds of components that go into a gasoline vehicle’s engine. With fewer moving parts and the opportunity to level up the trip experience for passengers, it’s best to carefully weigh the pros and cons of going electric to see if it’s right for you.

Do you drive an electric vehicle? If so, which one do you drive and do you like it?

-Chonce @ RSG

👉 Do you use an EV to drive for rideshare or delivery? Join our Facebook Group for EV gig drivers for discussions about the current state and future of EVs.