The electric car market has expanded far beyond the Tesla Model 3. In the US, you'll find a wide range of new electric vehicles (EVs) across nearly every category, from affordable compact cars and spacious SUVs to high-performance luxury models. Choosing the right one depends on your budget, driving range needs, and desired features. The market is led by brands like Tesla, Ford, General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac), Hyundai, Kia, and Volkswagen, with new models from Rivian, Lucid, and others adding more options.
Key Considerations When Looking at EVs
Your most important factor is often the driving range, which is the estimated distance an EV can travel on a full charge, similar to a gas car's miles per tank. The EPA provides official range estimates. For daily commuting, a range of 250 miles is often sufficient, but for frequent long trips, you may want 300 miles or more. You'll also need to think about charging: Level 1 charging uses a standard household outlet and is very slow, while a Level 2 home charger is highly recommended for overnight charging. DC Fast Charging is crucial for road trips, capable of adding significant range in under 30 minutes.
The following table highlights the diversity of electric cars available in 2024, showing significant improvements in range and performance across different price points.
| Model | Starting MSRP (approx.) | EPA Range (miles) | 0-60 mph (seconds) | Body Style |
|---|
| Chevrolet Bolt EV | ~$28,000 | 259 | 6.5 | Compact Hatchback |
| Hyundai Kona Electric | ~$34,000 | 261 | 6.7 | Subcompact SUV |
| Tesla Model 3 | ~$39,000 | 272-341 | 5.8-3.1 | Sedan |
| Ford Mustang Mach-E | ~$43,000 | 250-320 | 5.8-3.3 | SUV |
| Kia EV6 | ~$43,000 | 232-310 | 7.2-3.2 | SUV |
| Volkswagen ID.4 | ~$39,000 | 209-275 | 7.6-4.8 | SUV |
| Chevrolet Blazer EV | ~$56,000 | 279-324 | 5.6-3.5 | SUV |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | ~$42,000 | 220-303 | 7.1-4.4 | SUV |
| Ford F-150 Lightning | ~$55,000 | 240-320 | 4.0-3.8 | Pickup Truck |
| Rivian R1T | ~$73,000 | 270-410 | 4.5-2.8 | Pickup Truck |
| Tesla Model Y | ~$44,000 | 260-330 | 5.0-3.5 | SUV |
| Kia EV9 | ~$55,000 | 230-304 | 7.7-4.1 | 3-Row SUV |
| Cadillac Lyriq | ~$58,000 | 307-314 | 5.7-4.0 | SUV |
| BMW i4 | ~$52,000 | 252-307 | 5.5-3.3 | Sedan |
| Lucid Air | ~$78,000 | 419-516 | 3.4-2.5 | Luxury Sedan |
Ultimately, the best electric car for you will balance your daily driving needs with your budget. It's a great time to shop, with more choices than ever before.
