The least expensive new electric car on sale in the U.S. is the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, a small hatchback Chevrolet calls a limited-run model.
Kia’s EV3 and Nissan’s redesigned Leaf cost a little more, and the Leaf goes farther for the money than anything else in my ranking.
The federal EV tax credit ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025, so these are the prices buyers pay before dealer discounts. I collected base prices and destination charges from each automaker’s U.S. site or price sheet on November 9, 2026, and EPA range from fueleconomy.gov, after spending a week in a 2027 Bolt RS.
Key Takeaways
- 2027 Chevrolet Bolt LT: $28,995 with destination, 262 miles, the least expensive EV on sale.
- 2027 Kia EV3 Light: $31,385, 221 miles.
- 2026 Nissan Leaf S+: $31,565, 303 miles, the lowest cost per mile of range at $104.
- Five more EVs land between $36,400 and $36,900, led on range by the Chevrolet Equinox EV at 319 miles.
- The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y both rate 321 miles, at $38,380 and $41,380 plus a $250 order fee.
- The federal tax credit is gone for EVs acquired after September 30, 2025.
- Coming next: the Slate truck at $26,400 with destination and Ford’s Fathom pickup at $29,945, neither delivering yet.
New EVs Under $42,000, Ranked by Price
| # | Model and base trim | Price with destination | EPA range | Price per mile of range | Charge port |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2027 Chevrolet Bolt LT | $28,995 | 262 mi | $111 | NACS |
| 2 | 2027 Kia EV3 Light FWD | $31,385 | 221 mi | $142 | NACS |
| 3 | 2026 Nissan Leaf S+ | $31,565 | 303 mi | $104 | NACS |
| 4 | 2026 Subaru Uncharted Premium FWD | $36,445 | 308 mi | $118 | NACS |
| 5 | 2027 Toyota bZ XLE FWD | $36,575 | 236 mi | $155 | NACS |
| 6 | 2027 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT FWD | $36,795 | 319 mi | $115 | NACS |
| 7 | 2027 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE RWD Standard Range | $36,900 | 245 mi | $151 | NACS |
| 8 | Tesla Model 3 RWD | $38,380 | 321 mi | $120 | NACS |
| 9 | 2027 Toyota C-HR SE AWD | $38,675 | 287 mi | $135 | NACS |
| 10 | 2027 Kia EV6 Light RWD | $39,445 | 237 mi | $166 | NACS (adapter may be required) |
| 11 | 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV | $39,740 | 282 mi | $141 | NACS |
| 12 | 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E Select RWD | $39,840 | 260 mi | $153 | CCS1 |
| 13 | 2026 Subaru Solterra Premium AWD | $39,945 | 288 mi | $139 | NACS |
| 14 | 2026 Kia Niro EV Wind | $41,195 | 253 mi | $163 | CCS1 |
| 15 | Tesla Model Y RWD | $41,380 | 321 mi | $129 | NACS |
Leftover 2025 Hyundai Kona Electrics, at $34,470 with destination and 200 miles, and 2025 Ioniq 6s are still on some lots, but Hyundai has no newer model year of either in its U.S. lineup, so they are left out of the ranking.
Least Expensive: 2027 Chevrolet Bolt
The Bolt LT costs $28,995 and the RS $32,995, both with a 65-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, a 210-hp front motor, 262 miles of range and a native NACS port with 150 kW DC fast charging. It is a five-door hatchback with 16.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, and Chevrolet calls it a limited-run model.
The RS I drove for a week stickered at $35,685 with a sunroof and the Technology Package. It was easy to charge and easy to park, with firm seats and a firm ride; my 2027 Bolt RS review covers the week and my LT vs RS breakdown prices both trims.
Most Range per Dollar: 2026 Nissan Leaf S+
The redesigned Leaf S+ lists at $29,990 plus $1,575 destination and carries a 75-kWh battery rated at 303 miles, 41 more than the Bolt for $2,570 more.
That works out to $104 per mile of range, the lowest of any EV here.
It charges through a native NACS port at up to 150 kW, and Nissan keeps a J1772 port for Level 2 charging.
A Small Crossover Under $32,000: 2027 Kia EV3
The EV3 Light FWD costs $31,385 with destination for a 58.3-kWh battery and 221 miles of range, the shortest rating among the top three. Kia quotes a 10-80% DC fast charge in 29 minutes. The Wind trim’s 81.4-kWh battery stretches the range to 321 miles for $34,990 before destination.
The $36,000 Cluster
Five EVs sit within $455 of each other.
The 2027 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT, at $36,795, carries the most range of the group at 319 miles, and the 2026 Subaru Uncharted Premium FWD, at $36,445, is rated at 308 with a 74.7-kWh battery and 150 kW charging. The 2027 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE Standard Range ($36,900, 245 miles) and the 2027 Toyota bZ XLE FWD ($36,575, 236 miles) trade range for price.
Tesla’s Base Model 3 and Model Y
Tesla’s least expensive cars are the rear-drive Model 3, at $36,990 plus $1,390 destination, and the Model Y, at $39,990 plus the same destination charge. Both are EPA-rated at 321 miles, and the Model 3’s 225 kW fast-charge peak is the highest any automaker in this ranking publishes.
Affordable EVs Still Coming
| Vehicle | Announced price | Timing, per the automaker |
|---|---|---|
| Slate truck | $24,950 + $1,450 destination | First deliveries late 2026 |
| Ford Fathom pickup | $28,350 + $1,595 destination | Preorders early 2027 |
| Rivian R2 Standard | $44,990 | 2027 |
Which Affordable EV to Choose
- For the lowest price: the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt LT at $28,995.
- For the most range under $32,000: the 2026 Nissan Leaf S+ at 303 miles.
- For a small crossover under $32,000: the 2027 Kia EV3 Light.
- For more than 300 miles in a compact SUV under $37,000: the Chevrolet Equinox EV or the Subaru Uncharted.
- For the fastest published charging under $40,000: the Tesla Model 3 at 225 kW.
- For a used EV at a lower price: a 2017-2023 Chevy Bolt with the battery recall done, covered in my used Bolt buyer’s guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable electric car in 2027?
The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt LT is the least expensive new EV on sale, at $28,995 including destination. It is EPA-rated at 262 miles.
What is the least expensive new EV in the USA?
The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt LT, at $28,995 with destination, followed by the 2027 Kia EV3 Light at $31,385 and the 2026 Nissan Leaf S+ at $31,565, based on automaker prices checked November 9, 2026.
Which affordable EV has the most range?
Under $32,000, the 2026 Nissan Leaf S+ leads at 303 miles. Under $42,000, the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y rear-drive models are rated at 321 miles and the Chevrolet Equinox EV at 319.
Is there still a federal tax credit for electric cars?
The federal clean vehicle credit ended for new and used EVs acquired after September 30, 2025, according to the IRS. Prices in this ranking are before any state incentives or dealer discounts.
Is the Nissan Leaf cheaper than the Chevy Bolt?
The 2026 Leaf S+ costs $31,565 with destination, $2,570 more than the 2027 Bolt LT. It is rated at 303 miles against the Bolt’s 262, so it costs less per mile of range.
What is the least expensive electric SUV?
The 2027 Kia EV3 Light FWD, at $31,385 with destination and 221 miles of range. For more range, the 2026 Subaru Uncharted Premium FWD at $36,445 and the 2027 Chevrolet Equinox EV LT at $36,795 are both rated above 300 miles.
Do affordable EVs charge at Tesla Superchargers?
Most of the EVs in this ranking have a native NACS port, the Tesla-style plug, including the Bolt, Leaf, EV3, Equinox EV, Ioniq 5, bZ and Uncharted. The Mustang Mach-E and Niro EV use CCS1 and need an adapter.
When does the Slate truck come out?
Slate says first deliveries are slated for late 2026, at $24,950 plus $1,450 destination. Ford’s Fathom pickup opens preorders in early 2027 at $28,350 plus destination.
The manufacturer provided a 2027 Bolt RS for a week of driving with a full charge. Prices are automaker list prices and change often; check with a dealer before you buy.
Michael Kahn
Michael Kahn is the writer, photographer, and publisher behind The Weekly Driver. He cares about how cars drive and what they're like to own. He covers automobile industry news, car shows and events, and new car reviews. The reviews come from behind the wheel: day trips that favor back routes, treating a good meal as half the reason to go. He directs and produces the visual media, matching each car to a setting and mood that fit it. When he's not reviewing new cars, Michael races paddleboards, camels, and ostriches, along with the occasional exotic car on the racetrack, and has driven in every state and country visited.
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