Well, there’s never been a better time than 2022 to buy an electric car. An increasingly large number of new options pop up every week. Moreover, many traditional auto giants and innovative new startups bring in ever more efficient products.
EVs promise to bring down our environmental footprint in our collective resolve to combat climate change. While their clean operation, increasing reliability and affordability is set to gradually phase out the inefficient IC engine vehicles.
We have made a list of the top 11 EVs that are incredibly affordable to look out for in the market in 2022. Hopefully, it would help most people make the right choice in selecting the electric car of their choice.
- Tesla Model 3
- Volkswagen ID.3
- Nissan Leaf
- Polestar 2
- Mini Electric Hardtop EV
- Fiat 500e
- CUPRA Born
- Dacia Spring Electric
- Smart EQ Forfour
- Hyundai IONIQ Electric
- Peugeot E-208
Tesla Model 3
Tesla is an inseparable part of the picture when it comes to EVs, thanks to its bold and visionary ventures into the hugely uncharted territory of electric mobility. Thus, the first electric car on the list, unsurprisingly, the Tesla Model 3 – the most sought-after electric car in the world.
The Model 3 – an all-rounder car with excellent range, advanced features and robust performance, as well as superb seating and baggage space. But most importantly, it’s well within most people’s budgets when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle. Evidently, these factors have made the Model 3 the most sold electric car for multiple years in a row.
Also to note, it’s offered in different combinations of battery and electric drives. The Standard Range Plus gives a range of around 422 km, while the Long Range gives around 568 km.
Specifications
Brand | Tesla | Model | Model 3 Long Range Dual Motor |
Type | Sedan | No. of Seats | 5 |
Battery Capacity | 82.0 kWh | Range | 490 km |
Drive | AWD | Max. Payload | 388 kg |
Top Speed | 233 km/h | Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 4.4 sec |
Total Power | 340 kW | Total Torque | 493 Nm |
Charge Time 11 kW AC (0->490 km) | 8h15m | Fast charge Time (49->392 km) | 25 min |
Volkswagen ID.3
Volkswagen ID3 is an all-electric, five-door, five-seat hatchback from the auto giant.
It is offered with three different options for battery pack (45, 58 and 77 kWh) and electric motor power configuration. The entry-level model ‘Pure Performance’ can go around 275 km on a full charge. Mid-level models ‘Pro Performance’ and ‘Pro’, both have a range of around 350 km. The top model of 77 kWh battery can go around 450 km.
All the variants have a top speed of 160 km and can pace to 100 km/h in as little as 7.3 secs to 9.6 secs, depending on the variant.
Overall, the VW ID3 is a car that is compact, yet big enough to classify as a family car. So, undoubtedly it is amongst the best electric vehicles in 2022.
Specifications
Brand | Volkswagen | Model | ID.3 Pro S |
Type | Hatchback | No. of Seats | 5 |
Battery Capacity | 82.0 kWh | Range | 450 km |
Drive | Rear | Max. Payload | 420 kg |
Top Speed | 160 km/h | Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 7.9 sec |
Total Power | 150 kW | Total Torque | 310 Nm |
Charge Time 11 kW AC (0->450 km) | 8h15m | Fast charge Time (45->360 km) | 34 min |
Nissan Leaf
Nissan is among the leading automakers in the EV segment with its highly successful Leaf models. The Leaf is listed as the all-time top-selling PEV through December 2019.
Nissan Leaf has added gradual improvements in its revisions over the years. The car comes in a number of different variants of battery sizes and other features.
The Leaf boasts of a 40 kWh battery pack that gives it a range of about 240 km. It is able to reach 0-100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds and has a top speed of 144 km/h
Specifications
Brand | Nissan | Model | Leaf |
Type | Hatchback | No. of Seats | 5 |
Battery Capacity | 40.0 kWh | Range | 225 km |
Drive | Front | Max. Payload | 490 kg |
Top Speed | 144 km/h | Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 7.9 sec |
Total Power | 110 kW | Total Torque | 320 Nm |
Charge Time 3.6 kW AC (0->225 km) | 12h15m | Fast charge Time (23->180 km) | 41 min |
Polestar 2
Polestar 2 is a 5 seat liftback sedan with modest looks but is highly packed with features and performance. It is built on the CMA platform that was jointly developed by Volvo and Geely.
It is available in multiple variants of a single and dual motor as well as battery sizes of 61 kWh and 75 kWh.
The driving experience in this EV is touted as one of the best amongst EVs. It can do 0-100 km/h in just 4.7 secs and has a top speed of 205 km/h on the higher-end dual-motor version. Nice!
The Polestar 2’s 61 kWh single motor variant can go for around 350 km on a single full charge. While on the other hand, the bigger 75 kWh battery enables the single motor version to go for 425 km and the dual-motor to 395 km according to EVDB
Polestar 2, unquestionably, is one of the lucrative options with a good package of handsome looks, superb performance and a feature-stuffed car that has a decent driving range. It obviously is amongst the top electric vehicles 2022.
Specifications
Brand | Polestar | Model | Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor |
Type | Liftback Sedan | No. of Seats | 5 |
Battery Capacity | 78.0 kWh | Range | 395 km |
Drive | AWD | Max. Payload | 487 kg |
Top Speed | 205 km/h | Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 4.7 sec |
Total Power | 300 kW | Total Torque | 660 Nm |
Charge Time 11 kW AC (0->395 km) | 8h15m | Fast-charge Time (40->316 km) | 32 min |
Mini Electric Hardtop
The Mini Electric is an electric version of its famous hardtop design hatchbacks of the Mini.
It is a two-door 4 seat car that has spacious interiors and is claimed to be very enjoyable to drive by many reviewers.
It boasts a 32.6 kWh battery to drive a 135 KW motor that is able to produce a torque of up to 270 Nm.
A full charge can give the EV a range of around 183 km, good enough for a city car that would comfortably be able to take a small family on excursions nearby on weekends.
Additionally, its Li-ion battery pack comes with an 8 year or 160000 km, whichever comes first, warranty for a worry-free experience.
Specifications
Brand | MINI | Model | ELECTRIC SE |
Type | Hatchback | No. of Seats | 4 |
Battery Capacity | 32.6 kWh | Range | 185 km |
Drive | Front | Max. Payload | 410 kg |
Top Speed | 150 km/h | Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 7.3 sec |
Total Power | 135 kW | Total Torque | 270 Nm |
Charge Time 11 kW AC (0->185 km) | 3h15m | Fast-charge Time (19->148 km) | 29 min |
Fiat 500e
Fiat 500e, also called the New Fiat 500 is a compact electric hatchback that is able to seat 4 people.
It is the first car to bring Level 2 Autonomous Driving to the market.
It’s offered in two versions of motor and battery pairing. Firstly, the entry-level version ‘Action’ comes with a 24 kWh battery powering a 70 KW motor while the other is a higher version boasting a 42 kWh battery to power an 87 KW motor.
The 500e is equipped with a fast-charging system – the entry-level ‘Action’ version of up to 50 KW charging and the higher version with 85 KW charging.
Additionally, the car has three types of driving modes – “Normal”, “Sherpa” and “Range” to suit the user’s needs.
Evidently, the hatchback from Fiat is a decent budget variant for electric vehicles 2022
Specifications
Brand | Fiat | Model | 500e |
Type | Hatchback | No. of Seats | 4 |
Battery Capacity | 42.0 kWh | Range | 250 km |
Drive | Front | Max. Payload | 336 kg |
Top Speed | 150 km/h | Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 9.0 sec |
Total Power | 87 kW | Total Torque | 220 Nm |
Charge Time 11 kW AC (0->250 km) | 4 hours | Fast charge Time (25->200 km) | 25 min |
CUPRA Born
Cupra Born is an all-electric 5 seat hatchback from the Spanish automaker that is based on VW MEB. So unsurprisingly, it is much identical to the Volkswagen ID3 but comes with a sporty feel.
It has smooth performance and is pleasant to drive and the interiors are spacious and comfy.
It is available in 45 kWh and 58 kWh versions, as of now when writing this article. A beefier 82 kWh version is slated to be ‘coming soon\’ on EVDB
Specifications
Brand | CUPRA | Model | Born |
Type | Hatchback | No. of Seats | 5 |
Battery Capacity | 82.0 kWh | Range | 450 km |
Drive | Rear | Max. Payload | – |
Top Speed | 160 km/h | Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 7.0 sec |
Total Power | 170 kW | Total Torque | 310 Nm |
Charge Time 11 kW AC (0->450 km) | 8h15m | Fast-charge Time(45->360 km) | 34 min |
Dacia Spring Electric
Dacia Spring Electric is a 4 seat hatchback from the Romanian manufacturer. It is designed like a small city car and is one of the most affordable electric cars on the market.
Its 26.8 kWh battery gives it a range of around 170 km. The Dacia Spring Electric is supposed to come in three versions dedicated to different segments of the market.
Obviously, the simple, compact-sized yet versatile and robust design makes Spring Electric a lucrative option for most city dwellers. It’s one of the most affordably priced electric vehicles 2022.
Specifications
Brand | Dacia | Model | Spring Electric |
Type | Hatchback | No. of Seats | 4 |
Battery Capacity | 26.8 kWh | Range | 170 km |
Drive | Front | Max. Payload | – |
Top Speed | 125 km/h | Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 15.0 sec |
Total Power | 33 kW | Total Torque | 125 Nm |
Charge Time 6.6 kW AC (0->170 km) | 5 hours | Fast charge Time (17->136 km) | 59 min |
Smart EQ forfour
Smart EQ forfour is a compact yet feature-packed car from Daimler AG.
The all-electric is extremely maneuverable and is highly suitable for urban environments. Interiors are tight but surprisingly it is able to seat 4 people.
The mini EV features a 17.6 kWh battery which would give it a range of around 95 km according to EVDB.
It is powered by a 60 KW motor that can produce 160 Nm of torque. Also, it has a top speed of 130 km/h and can reach 100 km/h in 12.7 seconds.
Android Auto and Apple Carplay come as standard.
Specifications
-Brand | Smart | Model | EQ forfour |
Type | Hatchback | No. of Seats | 4 |
Battery Capacity | 17.6 kWh | Range | 95 km |
Drive | Rear | Max. Payload | 445 kg |
Top Speed | 130 km/h | Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 12.7 sec |
Total Power | 60 kW | Total Torque | 160 Nm |
Charge Time 4.6 kW AC (0->95 km) | 4h30m | Fast-charge Time | – |
Hyundai IONIQ Electric
Hyundai, a household name in the auto market, has come up with ‘Ioniq’, a segment dedicated to electric vehicles.
The Hyundai Ioniq Electric is a liftback sedan version from the lineup. It comes with a 38.3 kWh battery that enables a driving range of about 250 km.
Hyundai is giving an unlimited mileage warranty of 5 years for the car. Additionally, an 8 year or 160000 km, whichever comes first, warranty for the battery pack. All these offerings make the sedan stand amongst the best electric vehicles 2022.
Specifications
Brand | Hyundai | Model | IONIQ Electric |
Type | Sedan | No. of Seats | 5 |
Battery Capacity | 40.4 kWh | Range | 250 km |
Drive | Front | Max. Payload | 443 kg |
Top Speed | 165 km/h | Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 9.7 sec |
Total Power | 100 kW | Total Torque | 295 Nm |
Charge Time 7.2 kW AC (0->250 km) | 6h15m | Fast-charge Time (25->200 km) | 47 min |
Peugeot E-208 (Electric Vehicle 2022)
The new Peugeot e-208 is an electric version of its 208 models. The mini car can seat 5 people and has a cargo space of around 265 litres.
It is powered by a 100 KW motor that is able to pace the car from 0 to 100 km/h in just 8.1 secs and has a top speed of 150 km/h.
A torque of 260 Nm can be obtained from the front wheel-driven car. It can be driven for around 285 km from a single full charge of its 45 kWh battery according to EVDB.
Specifications
-Brand | Peugeot | Model | e-208 |
Type | Hatchback | No. of Seats | 5 |
Battery Capacity | 45.0 kWh | Range | 285 km |
Drive | Front | Max. Payload | 455 kg |
Top Speed | 150 km/h | Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h | 8.1 sec |
Total Power | 100 kW | Total Torque | 260 Nm |
Charge Time 7.4 kW AC (0->285 km) | 7h15m | Fast-charge Time (29->228 km) | 26 min |