Welcome Spring By Going Green: A Round Up Of Electric Cars Around $30,000

March 20, 2023

Spring is in the air. The grass is starting to poke through the last touches of snow, the sap is running, and buds are beginning to form on the trees. Nature will soon be out in full bloom, and what a better way to celebrate the beauty of the world than by driving an eco-friendly car when we go sightseeing this season. Let’s take a look at some of the more affordable all-electric models we can enjoy this season.

Chevrolet Bolt EV

Chevy’s battery-electric entry to the marketplace is a solid choice for those looking to cut their carbon footprint. The all-electric sibling of the Volt can reach 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds from its 60-kWh battery pack and 200 hp electric motor. The Chev-e gets a solid 236 milesof range with a combined EPA rating equivalent of 119 mpg. While the electric crossover looks closer to a hatchback than others in its class, the interior is spacious since the batteries are stored in the floor, which avoids taking up cargo space and lowers the car’s center of gravity for a stable drive. With the optional quick charge system, the Bolt can recoup ninety miles of range for every half hour it’s plugged in, giving you more time amongst the trees. The Bolt’s $37,000 price tag makes it one of the more affordable electric vehicles on the market, especially when government rebates are taken into account as well, but it is far from the cheapest.

Our next brand sheds its guilty past to deliver a solid driving experience.

Volkswagen e-Golf

After the infamous ‘Dieselgate’ scandal of just a few years ago, Volkswagen has made a strong rhetorical push towards electric vehicles to atone for their eco sins. Their only electric entry in North America, the e-Golf is a strong contender in the EV market, bringing to the table the sporty handling and roominess of its gas-powered counterpart, without the smog. Pushed along by a 134 horsepower electric motor and 35.8-kWh battery pack, the e-Golf manages an EPA combined rating of 119 mpg, with a range of 125 miles. The mid-ranged EV also manages to charge in under six hours through the 240V home charger, or to 80% in under an hour through a DC fast charge system.

Our next e-car should feel right at home out amongst the trees.

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf has certainly made a mark in the EV market. With a relatively low base price of $30,875, the mid-range electric enters 2018 with an updated look that is more conventional than its previous bulbous styling. Running a permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor producing 147 hp, 236 lb-ft from its 40.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the Leaf gets an EPA combined rating of 112 miles per gallon equivalent. With a range of 150 miles, Nissan’s electric sedan sits near the top of the mid-range EVs, but lags behind the Bolt and Tesla’s Model 3. Ultimately, for the relatively low price, especially combined with current government incentives, the Leaf is an affordable electric with enough range to get most eco-conscious people from A to B without a carbon trace.

Up next is an e-vehicle is as small as its carbon footprint.

Smart Fortwo Electric Drive

The mini Mercedes has gone electric. The Smart ForTwo has done away with gas power in exchange for an 80-horsepower electric motor with a single-speed transmission. The Cabrio model features a convertible top so you can enjoy the air you’re not polluting. For afternoon trips, the Smart ForTwo can charge from 0 to 100 percent in three hours on a 240v charger, which is handy since the micro-car also has a micro-range of just sixty-three miles. Starting at just $28,750, the ForTwo is an affordable alternative for those who live and work in the city. With an EPA equivalent city economy of 134 mpg, the new Smart car is a eco-friendly choice for short range commuters.

Coming up: an electric vehicle with a whole lot of soul.

Kia Soul EV

Kia has been making big moves in the EV market in an attempt to dethrone the Prius from their affordable, eco-friendly throne. The Soul EV keeps the spacious cubic footage of its gas-powered sibling and sporty handling dynamics, without the fuel bill. The Soul EV is driven by a 30-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 109-hp motor, which push its equivalent fuel economy to 120 mpg in the city. While the Soul EV is relatively sluggish off the line, with a zero to sixty time of over nine seconds, the spacious interior with high seating and subcompact-crossover layout make the Soul one of the more practical EVs. Unfortunately, rural outings may be limited since the soul has range of just 111 miles, which is on the low end of average for other EVs with similar sized batteries and price tag. The Kia makes up for its limited range by providing a quick charge time of just 35 minutes to 80% using a level 3 DC charger, which should give you plenty of time to enjoy the fresh air.

Next we look the brand that really sparked the electric car revival.

Tesla Model 3

If you can manage to get one amidst Tesla’s production woes, the Model 3 is exactly what Tesla promised: an affordable full electric vehicle that is ready for the future. Tesla leads the lower-priced pack with 220 miles range on base model, which is increased to a healthy 310 miles with the Long Range model from its 50 or 75 kWh battery, depending on which you choose. The car comes ready for autonomous driving ability through Tesla’s wireless updating system once it comes fully online. In the meantime, the tech is currently used for active safety features such as blind spot detection and backup cameras. The Model 3 charges quickly as well when using Tesla’s Supercharger system, filling the battery for 130 miles after just a half hour of charging; that number is boosted to 170 miles on the Long Range model. The roof is a solid piece of glass, giving you a panoramic view of the trees above as you wind your way through a forest road.

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