Introduction
Electric vehicles (EVs) or electric cars are becoming more and more popular, as the future of driving appears to be electric. However, there are still many more people driving non-electric cars, or gas-powered vehicles, but more people are making the switch— or at least thinking about making the switch to electric. Tesla is probably the most well-known car company to sell EVs, but who else is making electric cars? Here’s a list of some of the most popular EVs on the road, and the prices and features of each.
Audi
If luxury cars are more of your thing, take a look at the 2021 Audi E-Tron. This is one of the quietest EVs (though all of them are much quieter than gas-powered engines), with all of the trimmings you’d expect from a German brand. Because it is a luxury car, it costs close to $70,000 and it doesn’t have the longest driving range— but it isn’t the shortest either. This means that you can only drive a certain number of miles (about 222 on this car) before you have to charge the battery, which could take hours.
BMW
BMW is a popular German luxury car company, and one of their EVs is the 2021 BMW i3. This is one of the fastest-accelerating and smoothest driving EVs, but it is a bit pricier than the rest. The price is around $44,000, but the range is only about 150 miles. Features include heated seats, parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive headlights, and a fast battery charging capability,
Chevrolet
The 2021 Chevy Bolt is one of the most impressive EVs on the market, with a driving range of more than 250 miles per charge, and it’s priced reasonably well at $36,500. Unfortunately, this EV doesn’t come standard with DC Fast Charging (DCFC). It does, however, come equipped with all the smartphone connectivity that most non-EVs come standard with these days.
Ford
The 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E, like most of Ford’s vehicles, is a pretty reliable car with a beautiful interior. This spacious EV gives you nearly 300 miles of driving range (about 270 miles) and it’s decently priced at $43,000— which is good considering the driving range you get compared to other cars.
Hyundai
The 2021 Hyundai Kona Electric is a good choice if you’re looking for a family car. It has a 258-mile driving range, and it is pretty affordable at $39,000. It also comes equipped with many safety features. Hyundai’s electric cars see pretty favorable reviews, and their luxury brand, Genesis, is planning to go fully electric in the near future.
Mini
Mini is one of the more recent car companies coming into the EV world. The Mini Cooper SE is the most reasonably priced on this list at just $30,000, but it’s also one of the EVs with the shortest driving ranges at 110 miles per charge. Making up for a short driving range, you’re able to get an 80% battery charge in about 30 minutes when using a fast charger.
Nissan
Nissan’s LEAF has been a very popular electric vehicle for years, and is the more affordable EV option, with prices starting at $32,000 for the 2021 model. Still, the driving range is only about 150 miles. Features of the LEAF include a roomy interior, an eight-inch touch screen, and driver-assistance systems. Another benefit is that since it’s more affordable, your car insurance rates are likely to be lower compared to other EVs.
Conclusion
When choosing the best electric car, it all comes down to what you’re looking for in the vehicle. One of the main things to look at is the driving range if you’re going to use your car to drive long distances, but this won’t matter to you if you’re only going to use it for short daily commutes. Depending on your specific needs, you may have to pay more for a longer driving range.
Aftab Hussain is a versatile journalist who covers a wide range of news topics with depth and precision. His commitment to delivering unbiased reporting ensures that readers stay well-informed about the most significant events and stories shaping India and the world.