Electric vehicles (EVs) have many stereotypes; one of the larger ones is their inflated price tags. The good news is that stereotypes are meant to be broken, and while many EVs are expensive, there are still affordable options. These hand-sleeted models are some of the better EVs available in 2024 that cost less than $15,000.

Another common misconception is that buying cheap used vehicles is not an ideal financial move. This can be true in some scenarios, but some of the automotive companies listed below, such as Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Toyota, are known to develop reliable cars. So, with a breath of fresh air, here are some of the more affordable electric cars you can buy this year without breaking the bank.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including
Edmunds
,
Kelly Blue Book
, and
Consumer Reports
. The Models below have been ranked based on their starting average used price.

1 2014-2016 Chevrolet Spark EV 1LT/2LT

Average Price: ₹5,992-$9,390

Chevrolet experimented with the Spark within the EV industry, which received a short life. You would expect the car with a reputation of being the cheapest on the American market to either succeed or fail entirely. You’ll see shortly how the Chevy Spark EV was set up for failure.

In today’s world, even if something is inexpensive, people still have high expectations over their purchase. The Spark lacked many standard technology features seen on other affordable cars at the time. Some might not see this as a sacrifice to their daily commute, but Chevy didn’t allow some of these upgrades to be purchased as add-ons.

Performance Specifications

The Chevy Spark still made the list, and it isn’t entirely that bad. With most of the bad qualities out of the way, here are some of the appealing aspects of this hatchback. The exterior and interior are the car’s highlights with its aesthetically pleasing designs. With its compact design, a fun and practical car emerges. If you intend to go green without going over $10,000, then the Chevy Spark might be the car for you.

2 2013-2019 Fiat 500e Hatchback 2D

Average Price: ₹6,271-$12,677

Introduced in 2013, the Fiat 500e was quickly accepted within the EV industry. Some of its strengths were the inexpensive price and the above-average range. While it had a great start, cars such as the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model 3 set new standards that the 500e didn’t meet.

The 500e saw little changes over its six-year lifespan. Unlike many cars in the States, people could experience an affordable Italian-bred EV. Much like its gasoline-powered counterparts, the 500e kept that spunky handling and quickness.

Performance Specifications

The Fiat is an excellent option if you pack light and don’t mind small spaces. The eye-appealing design was ahead of its time and has aged like fine wine. It’s hard for a car made in 2013 to look like a newly designed vehicle, but Fiat hit the mark with the 500e. Similar to the BMW i3, another compact EV, it has limited range. This hot-hatch efficiently performs short commutes while running into minimal issues. Although production stopped, Fiat decided to carry the torch further with the all-new Fiat 500e set to release later this year.

3 2015-2018 Ford Focus Electric Hatchback 4D

Average Price: ₹7,463-$13,360

There’s no particular reason why most of these affordable EVs are hatches, but who’s complaining? The Ford Focus Electric marks another underrated vehicle. Many electric cars are quick but are not solely designed to incorporate that within their design. Well, Ford knows that the people want those known sport dynamics in the Focus, and this electric variant holds true to that.

Performance Specifications

Few cars in the compact class are both efficient and sporty. The one notable downside to the Focus is its long-lasting generation, which received minor changes. Aspects such as the 76—to 115-mile range are laughed at when looking at today’s standards. And so, another vehicle that acts as an ideal short-distance commuter emerges. The good news is many of the parts are shared with their gasoline counterparts. While EVs are known to have a hefty price for service and parts, the Ford Focus shares Ford’s passion for sourcing parts at a low cost. The Focus is set to retire in 2025, but Ford plans to keep some “focus” on its soon-to-be-discontinued hatchback.

4 2014-2018 BMW i3 Hatchback 4D

Average Price: ₹8,080-$14,132

The BMW i3 is one of the more funky cars on the list. While it might not be to everyone’s liking, the i3 had a solid eight-year run showcasing its practicality and modern technologies. While it marks another car on the list that was discontinued, the i3 was still successful in that it paved the way for future EVs within BMW.

Performance Specifications

The i3 had many notable features, including its futuristic design and advanced technology. While many automotive manufacturers dealt with the range crisis, BMW was one of the few that added a gasoline-powered motor that acted as an onboard generator to extend its range.

While it sounds like a hybrid, the main difference is that it only produces power for the electric motor, not the wheels. This is one of many features that show the i3 being ahead of its time within the EV industry. The major downside is that it also marks another car with limited range and is only suitable for small commutes. Overall, the BMW i3 is still a practical purchase when searching for an electric vehicle in today’s market.

5 2018-2021 Nissan Leaf S Hatchback 4D

Average Price: ₹8,820-$14,111

You might think this article is about the top ten EV hatchbacks with the number that are on the list. The Nissan Leaf S marks another hatch but does bring some new commodities to the table. Unlike other automotive manufacturers, Nissan has gone the route of quality over quantity. The Nissan Leaf was Nissan’s sole electric car until the Ariya was released back in 2022. While the Ariya blows the Leaf out of the park, the Leaf still puts up a fight. Unlike others on the list, the Leaf has won consecutive awards for Kelly Blue Book’s lowest 5-year Cost to Own.

Performance Specifications

In addition to saving costs, you might get a sigh of relief through its impressive safety ratings. The Leaf passed with flying colors, receiving a 5-star rating through the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) and superior ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Nissan has kept the Leaf pretty subtle with standard features seen within its class. If reliability and safety are a must, the Leaf is more than capable of keeping you safe.

6 2015-2017 Volkswagen e-Golf SE Hatchback Sedan 4D

Average Price: ₹10,253-$14,132

If you’re into sporty cars with luxurious tidbits, then check out this Volkswagen e-Golf SE. Like its German automotive companions, the e-Golf shares those eye-appealing characteristics through the black leather spread throughout and sleek body contours.

Performance Specifications

The e-Golf is practically its gas-powered sibling, minus the tailpipe, wheels, and engine. The interior is flooded with high-quality materials that match the minimal plastic trim well. Utility is no issue because it is a hatchback, providing additional room in the trunk. Don’t get your hopes up with performance. The electric version is not as snappy and has a limited range. The 2017 models received a battery upgrade, adding 69 miles from previous years. While the e-Golf is beautifully done inside and out, the 2017 models and above are the ideal models with added range and new features.

7 2015-2017 Kia Soul EV e Wagon 4D

Average Price: ₹10,949-$13,862

The Kia Soul EV was launched in 2015 and caught many people’s attention with its appealing design. Much like the gas-powered Soul, the EV carried over this funky but stylish exterior that set a different tone than its competitors. Although it was discontinued after five years, it is still a capable EV with a unique look and practical features. One major issue with electric vehicles is range anxiety. The Kia Soul EV has a 93-mile range at full charge, marking it as one of the lower cars on the list in terms of distance capabilities.

Performance Specifications

Unlike other vehicles on the list, like the Fiat 500e and Ford Focus EV, the Soul doesn’t shoot for a sporty drive. Comfort is what shows on the Soul in features like 16-inch tires, which provide nice ride quality and reduced road noise. Various car companies have had to give up space for their batteries, but Kia has designed its batteries to maximize the space within the cabin. The interior meets in the middle by not having flawed or above-and-beyond designs. If you need a little bit of funk in your life without causing too much of a headache, then you might like the Soul EV.

8 2012-2014 Toyota RAV4 EV Sport Utility 4D

Average Price: ₹11,254-$11,645

The RAV4 is one of Toyota’s highly praised platforms for its stress-free environment and affordability. However, the RAV4 EV was discontinued due to little interest from the public. This comes as no surprise since the RAV4 EV was only sold in California. With production stopping on this EV back in 2014, you’re more likely to find them scattered throughout the states.

The RAV4’s gas-powered counterpart was redesigned in 2014, but Toyota decided to leave the electric variant the same. Although the compact SUV lacked some improvements, its performance helped negate those negative features. A 115-kW electric motor powered the front wheels and could go 60 mph in 7.2 seconds.

Performance Specifications

With extra weight over its counterpart, the RAV4 is more planted on the ground, which ties nicely with its robust acceleration. One of the major flaws is the uninspired cabin design. The fabric and plastic show outdated qualities, changing the tone when entering the vehicle. Even though its interior design was stuck in the past, its notorious cargo space wasn’t hindered. The 36.4 cubic feet behind the second row brings new standards of how a compact SUV shouldn’t feel tight.

9 2017-2018 Hyundai Ioniq Electric Hatchback 4D

Average Price: ₹12,804-$14,757

The Hyundai Ioniq Electric is one of those cars that you buy and get what your money’s worth. It comes with a wide array of positive aspects, such as user-friendly technology, affordable pricing, and class-leading comfort. Oh, and yes, it’s also a hatchback.

Performance Specifications

For starters, don’t mistake this model for its superior siblings, the Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 5. The Ioniq Electric is sitting lower on the list due to higher used prices, but this is one of those cars that has aged well over time. There are several common traits on the list, with one being range. This EV marks another vehicle that is ideal for short commutes and not long road trips. Minus the short range, the Ioniq has minor downsides.

Hyundai is known for its advanced driving assistance aids, and this model comes with plenty. Some examples of these aids include blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. This EV is a great option for people wanting to put their foot in the door by owning an electric car.

10 2017-2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT Hatchback 4D

Average Price: ₹14,119-$14,958

General Motors released the Chevrolet Bolt, claiming it would be America’s most affordable EV. With a claim like that, people had high expectations and were correct in assuming great things. The general public’s displeasure over the Bolt led to its short production run, which raises the question of whether the Bolt was a smart investment.

Performance Specifications

Unlike some of the other vehicles on the list, the Chevrolet Bolt had some features that seemed promising over others. The impressive 238-mile range is competitive in today’s market with the more affordable EVs. So, what led to its demise? One outlier was its reliability, scoring a 5 out of 100.

The Bolt also received several recalls, one being a fire risk due to the battery. Before you think this car is a death trap, recalls can fix the problem, and Chevy did just that with the lithium battery replacement. While some cars come with some bats in their caves, the Bolt makes up for it with its useful technology, spacious interior, and functional features.