What’s the Best Electric Car on the Market?

In the past few years, electric cars have gone from the cutting edge of technology that was a novelty on the streets, to the affordable option that many of us would consider as a first choice when it comes to car buying.

Nowadays, there are electric cars for sale for people of many different income levels. And, the top electric cars are no longer for the ultra-rich and more and more places are doing their best to become the best cities for electric vehicles.

 

If you’re in the market for an electric car, you’re probably wondering where to start. Are cheap electric cars reliable? How can you tell what’s a good budget range? Do you have to pay top dollar to drive top electric cars?

Here’s everything you need to know about buying electric cars right now, including the best choice to get the bang for your buck, how to find the right range and efficiency, user reviews and our top choices. 

 

First, a few things to look out for

Before we start comparing top electric cars, there are a few things to keep in mind about electric cars. 

The first question you have to consider is whether you want a fully electric car or a hybrid. Hybrids have been more common in the last few years because they allow drivers the flexibility of using both gas and electricity. They also tend to be slightly larger, which is great for families and doggo owners. 

But hybrids usually have a smaller battery than electric cars, which means that you’ll end up with a shorter range if you plan on driving for long periods of time  According to online marketplace for clean energy products EnergySage, hybrids may also cost more in maintenance costs than electric cars and come with fewer incentives and rebates. 

So, you’re on board with a fully electric car, now what can we tell you about your range of options? Well, we can tell you it’s not really something buyers are worrying about anymore. Electric cars in 2019 are pushing the limits of how far drivers can go between charges, with models ranging anywhere between 150 and 375 miles. Plus, the technology behind these batteries gets better every year.

Given that the average American only drives about 28 miles per day, we’d say that while range is an important deciding factor, it maybe shouldn’t be at the top of your list when you’re comparing electric cars.

Finally, there’s price. How much can you expect to pay for electric cars these days? Electric car manufacturers are doing their best to put affordable models on the market, and they’re making big strides. As of August 2019, the average price for an electric car was $55,600. 

Alright, that is higher than the cost of a conventional car, which boasts of an average of $36,600. But one thing to keep in mind is that the price of conventional cars is on an upward trend, whereas the price of electric cars is projected to drop.

Okay, enough of the intro details, let’s talk about some particular models. Here are all of the electric cars to keep in mind when you’re in the market.  

Nissan Leaf Plus

The Nissan Leaf isn’t new, but 2019 saw the introduction of the Nissan Leaf Plus, an improved model with a better battery and motor. This car was built for urban settings and freeway driving, which require a quick, light, manageable car.

Some of the improvements include a quicker and smoother acceleration, more controlled braking, and an overall smoother and more enjoyable ride. It’s got a 360-degree view, which makes driving and parking the city a breeze. It’s not a performance vehicle, but if you’re looking for a reliable electric car to get through your morning commute comfortably, the Nissan Leaf Plus is great.

Plus, there’s no engine noise, which will make your ride pretty peaceful. If you’re interested in the tech, the Nissan Leaf Plus has even more upgrades for you to enjoy. Smartphone integration is seamless, there’s a 7-inch navigation system touchscreen, and Bluetooth. And you’ll have driver aids like emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist, if you opt for it.

Now, how about the range? The standard Nissan Leaf offered drivers a range of 150 miles. The new Nissan Leaf Plus goes even further, with 226 miles. It has a 62 kWh battery and can hit 60mph in just 7 seconds. 

According to one driver who owned both the Nissan Leaf and the Nissan Leaf Plus, the newer version “is so significantly different, my wife prefers driving this car over our luxury sedan.” 

The starting price for the Nissan Leaf Plus is $30,885.

Audi e-tron

Audi is in the business of luxury cars, and the Audi e-tron does not disappoint. It’s a beautiful car with all of the driving ease and enjoyability of similar conventional models. And with a 95 kWh battery, you can expect a fast charge and a long range of over 200 miles. Their big sell is that with just 10 minutes of charge, you can take the Audi e-tron 54 miles, which is more than most of us would travel in a single trip. In terms of speed, the Audi e-tron can hit 60 miles per gallon (MPG)  in just 5.5 seconds.

The starting price for the Audi e-tron is $74,800 and within the first year of ownership, you can get free charges at any Electrify America fast-charging stations. 

Ram 1500 with eTorque

It’s pretty amazing that a pickup truck would make the list, but what can we say? Even the companies known for making gas guzzlers are thinking about the environment. 

Now, we should mention that the Ram is a mild hybrid, but don’t cross it off your list just yet. This 48-volt hybrid system won the award for best full-size pickup in 2019, and can save you up to 50 gallons per year. 

The 2019 Ram 1500 comes in a V6 and V8 model, with an mpg of between 17 and 22 (which is, of course, not amazing, but better than previous models which gave drivers a mere 13 to 17mgp.)

The price for the Ram 1500 goes for between $33,490 and $61,335. For anyone who is going to be buying a truck anyway, the engine with eTorque is an excellent upgrade.

Tesla Model 3

Now, you just knew that this one would make the list right? It’s the electric car that everyone is talking about. So far, it’s the most affordable Tesla on the market, and it’s beating out the competition in a variety of tests. 

The range for the Performance Tesla Model 3 is 322 miles, and a charge of just 15 minutes will take you up to 172 miles. It can go from 0 to 6 in just 3.2 seconds. The Standard Plus Tesla Model 3, which is more of your everyday car, has a range of 250 miles and can hit 60 in 5.3 seconds. The Standard Plus has a 54 kWh battery, and the top-of-the-line Performance Tesla Model 3 has a 75 kWh battery.

What hasn’t been so easy to pin down about the Tesla Model 3 is the price. The concept behind the Model 3 was to provide consumers with an affordable electric car; however, Tesla has shifted the price multiple times in the last year. Back in August, Car and Driver reported that the price was dropping back down to its original price of $36,200. A few months later, CNBC found that the company would be jumping from $38,990 to $39,490. So, how much consumers will actually pay and how long they will have to sit on a waiting list is hard to say. 

Yet, despite the uncertainty, this is a car that consumers are raving about. Buyers are saying that the high level of performance, handling and tech are unreal. Many people talk about it as if driving home a Tesla Model 3 for the first time is a life-changing experience. 

One owner of the Long Range Sedan said that they had saved $3600 in gas in their first year of owning a Tesla. 

On the car review website Edmunds, 90% of reviewers gave the Model 3 a 5 star rating. We found one 1 star review which pointed to physical blemished on the car instead of anything having to do with performance or efficiency. 

The round up

We’ve talked about four of the best electric cars on the market right now. Let’s summarize them quickly so that you can get to the important part: making your purchase! 

Make/Model

Range

Acceleration time from 0 to 60

Price range

Nissan Leaf Plus

226 miles

7 seconds

$30,885

Audi e-tron

200 miles

5.5 seconds

$74,800

Ram 1500 with eTorque

n/a

8.5

$33,490 and $61,335

Tesla Model 3

250

3.2 or 5.3

$39,490

Which electric car is in your future? Let us know what your thoughts are on the top electric cars available today!

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