Electric cars are convenient, cost less to drive, and are much quieter to operate than other types of vehicles. They’re also one of the best options on the road to environmental sustainability because they do not emit exhaust gases. Electric vehicles have the potential to transform transportation and mitigate air pollution in cities.
Whether your reasons are environmental, economic, or anything in between, we got you covered with the best electric cars. There are many options out there, so my priority is to highlight innovation as well as efficiency.
Also: The best affordable electric cars
The Tesla Model 3 was one of the top-selling electric cars of 2022, with good reason. It combines functionality with innovation at a higher price point. Cars usually depreciate in value over time but used Tesla prices show the opposite.
I once ordered a Lyft, and the driver showed up in a Model 3. I had no idea how to open the door. I didn’t know right away that you had to press one side, and the other popped open as a handle. Once I was inside, I was blown away by the comfort of the car, the roof that took panoramic to another level, and the large touchscreen that the driver was using to navigate.
The car has futuristic features, like autopark and auto lane change (part of the $12,000 upgrade to full self-driving capability). It’s expensive but a solid investment with some cool perks.
Take the Tesla key card, for example. It’s a sleek black card that fits perfectly into your wallet: Forget your keys no longer! If you have more than one Tesla, spanning different models, you can use your one specific key card to unlock them all. If you lose the key card, you can delete it from the car and order a replacement for $25.
Say you forget to tap your card on your Tesla to lock it – the car has a walk-away feature that detects when you walk away and locks automatically (watch YouTuber POGAuto demonstrate here). If you leave the windows open, the car will automatically close them for you when it locks. You can also control the car from the Tesla app, opening and closing the trunk, flashing the lights just in case you’re in a dark space and need to locate it, and much more. If you’ve ever had that moment of “oh no, I think I left my trunk open,” this is the car for you.
If you want something different from a Tesla Model 3 but with similar specs and a comparable driving experience, look no further than the Polestar 2. This sleek electric vehicle has a panoramic roof and an Android tablet screen that connects seamlessly to Google Maps with no need for a phone connection – and it features Spotify, a radio, and a “Hey Google” function, too.
You can even control the heated front seats (included) and the car’s temperature from the tablet. Also included with the driving experience is a digital driver display behind the steering wheel with multiple views that helps you navigate without being distracted by your phone.
Read the review: An electrifying weekend with the Polestar 2
Speaking of phones, you can actually open this car with your phone! Just download the free Polestar app, link it to your Polestar ID, and safely unlock your car by touching the door handle. You can even set the car’s temperature in advance – perfect for hot days when your car feels like an oven or cold days when you need to warm up.
When it comes to the car’s design, Polestar has its design roots in Volvo, which can be seen in subtle choices throughout the vehicle. The audio is also top-notch. The system delivers 250 watts through eight speakers, including one mounted underneath the hood, just underneath the windshield.
The Polestar 2 holds its own as an electric car with top-of-the-line features.
Video review: A comprehensive, entertaining walkthrough of this vehicle
This car won the prestigious 2022 MotorTrends Car of the Year award for a reason – it’s incredibly powerful in both range and horsepower. You get up to 520 miles per charge, and it only takes 20 minutes to charge the car up to 300 miles. The car is made of sustainable materials and has the option of a glass canopy roof.
Its staggering 1,111 hp max power is more than double that of the Polestar 2 and the Tesla Model 3, and that max power finds a perfect complement in the 2.5-second acceleration time needed to get from 0-60 mph.
I admired the dashboard display on the Polestar 2, but the Lucid Air takes it to a higher level with a 34-inch, 5K glass cockpit display, a 21-speaker surreal sound system, and Alexa-enabled voice commands.
The only downside is the luxury price range for this line of electric vehicles. The Lucid Air Pure starts at $87,400 while the most expensive option of the lot, the Lucid Air Dream Edition, starts at an eye-watering $169,000.
Still, this car won came out on top compared to other cars, electric or otherwise, to secure the car of the Year award. The criteria included efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence, safety, and performance.
This car costs roughly the same to charge per year as a Tesla and has a 120 MPGe, which sets it apart as a highly efficient EV – and yet it’s more affordable than cars with similar stats.
The standard model comes with Chevy Safety Assist, which has front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, distance indicator for a vehicle you’re following, and auto high beams that adjust to traffic conditions. That’s a considerable amount of value for the standard model price tag.
Chevy will install a Level 2 charging outlet in your home for free if you purchase or lease a 2022 Bolt EV or EUV. If you go on a road trip, download the myChevrolet mobile app to calculate when and where you’ll need to charge along the way – and find those needed charging stations, too. The app uses the vehicle’s current battery level and real-time weather to alert you when to stop and charge the car when you’re on the road. It also automatically changes its recommendations when driving conditions change.
The 8-inch graphic display behind the driving wheel shows you essential driver information, like the battery range. There’s another screen above the radio, a built-in tablet, that wirelessly connects to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so that you can stay connected. The icing on the cake is a built-in Alexa that responds to every question and command. This car incorporates the essential high-tech features of luxury options at an accessible price point.
The 2023 Bolt is cheaper than the comparable Nissan Leaf and has a significantly higher driving range. It also has a 56.6 cubic feet cargo capacity with the rear seats folded down compared to the Leaf’s 30 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
The Kona Electric is a formidable all-electric SUV that prioritizes safety and comfort. The steering wheel has mounted audio and cruise controls, the basic package comes with an 8-inch color touchscreen display for audio, and there’s a push-button to start.
There are some class-exclusive features of the Kona that aren’t available on the Chevy Bolt EUV, like the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Class exclusive safety features include Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. The vehicle can also avoid forward collisions with a pedestrian detect feature and monitor your driving patterns to detect drowsy or inattentive driving.
The convenience package is $3,500, and it gives you access to some of the perks that higher-end electric vehicles have, including heated front seats, a sunroof, LED interior lighting, and the Hyundai Digital Key, which is an app on your phone that you can use to control your car.
Some of these factors might mean more to you than the others, so I tried to cast a wide net for specs, but not too wide that you were drowning in details, like available colors or wheel size. The pricing for these EVs could vary depending on the dealer, the configuration you choose, and delivery time. I set apart MPGe and charging costs in a comparison table.
You can get the Model 3 with rear-wheel drive or dual motor all-wheel drive. Adding enhanced autopilot costs $6,000 and full self-driving capability costs $15,000. The Model 3 long range will be available this year.
The batteries for EVs need lithium, copper, cobalt, and other metals that take effort to mine. Making an EV releases the same amount of CO2 as making a non-EV. Even though the environmental aspects are debated, an EV lasts for a long time and most have long warranty periods.
