For a whopping $5,000 or less, you can own an electric vehicle. And while they may not be the most exciting choices in terms of range, they'll still get you from point A to point B with significantly lower emissions.
The best bet here is to look at older models like the Nissan Leaf. Now, we're talking about cars that are several years old and have smaller batteries to boot. The first-generation Leaf had a battery capacity of just 24 kWh, but its range was a paltry 84 miles. It's not exactly a road trip machine, but if you're only driving short distances, it'll do the trick.
The second-gen Leaf fares slightly better with a range of up to 147 miles on a full charge, thanks to some minor updates to the battery pack. But, if you can't find one of these, there are other options like the Mitsubishi i-MiEV or the Chevrolet Spark EV. The i-MiEV was actually the first car I ever tested back in the day, and it's still quirky enough to be memorable.
Now, before we get started, let me make one thing clear: if you're going to buy an electric vehicle on a shoestring budget, you need to have a reliable place to plug it in. These cars don't come with the fancy fast-charging infrastructure that newer models do. You'll be lucky to get Level 2 charging at most.
So, what are some options out there? Well, for starters, you've got the old Nissan Leaf. It's cheap, but don't expect a lot of range or any real comfort features. Then there's the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which has even less range than the Leaf, with just 16 kWh worth of battery power when new.
Other options include the Chevrolet Spark EV and the Fiat 500e, both of which are pretty compact and easy to park in tight city spaces. And if you're feeling fancy, there's even a Kia Soul EV out there that'll get you around town without breaking the bank.
But here's the thing: when it comes to buying an electric vehicle on a budget, it's not just about finding a cheap car – it's also about how far you can drive before running out of juice. Most of these cars are Level 2 chargers at best, which means you'll need to stop every 50 miles or so.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Can't I just buy a bunch of cheap EVs and see who gets closest to home?" And, yes, that would be an entertaining video series. But in the real world, shipping those cars across long distances is a whole different story.
So, if you're serious about buying an electric vehicle on a budget, do your research, find something reliable with good range, and make sure you've got a plan for where you'll plug it up every night. And don't forget to choose something popular – you never know when you might need some expert advice from Reddit or online forums.
All things considered, the world of cheap electric vehicles is out there, but it's not exactly a paradise of range and comfort. Just be patient, do your research, and you'll find a car that fits your budget – even if it doesn't exactly fit the bill in terms of excitement factor.
The best bet here is to look at older models like the Nissan Leaf. Now, we're talking about cars that are several years old and have smaller batteries to boot. The first-generation Leaf had a battery capacity of just 24 kWh, but its range was a paltry 84 miles. It's not exactly a road trip machine, but if you're only driving short distances, it'll do the trick.
The second-gen Leaf fares slightly better with a range of up to 147 miles on a full charge, thanks to some minor updates to the battery pack. But, if you can't find one of these, there are other options like the Mitsubishi i-MiEV or the Chevrolet Spark EV. The i-MiEV was actually the first car I ever tested back in the day, and it's still quirky enough to be memorable.
Now, before we get started, let me make one thing clear: if you're going to buy an electric vehicle on a shoestring budget, you need to have a reliable place to plug it in. These cars don't come with the fancy fast-charging infrastructure that newer models do. You'll be lucky to get Level 2 charging at most.
So, what are some options out there? Well, for starters, you've got the old Nissan Leaf. It's cheap, but don't expect a lot of range or any real comfort features. Then there's the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, which has even less range than the Leaf, with just 16 kWh worth of battery power when new.
Other options include the Chevrolet Spark EV and the Fiat 500e, both of which are pretty compact and easy to park in tight city spaces. And if you're feeling fancy, there's even a Kia Soul EV out there that'll get you around town without breaking the bank.
But here's the thing: when it comes to buying an electric vehicle on a budget, it's not just about finding a cheap car – it's also about how far you can drive before running out of juice. Most of these cars are Level 2 chargers at best, which means you'll need to stop every 50 miles or so.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Can't I just buy a bunch of cheap EVs and see who gets closest to home?" And, yes, that would be an entertaining video series. But in the real world, shipping those cars across long distances is a whole different story.
So, if you're serious about buying an electric vehicle on a budget, do your research, find something reliable with good range, and make sure you've got a plan for where you'll plug it up every night. And don't forget to choose something popular – you never know when you might need some expert advice from Reddit or online forums.
All things considered, the world of cheap electric vehicles is out there, but it's not exactly a paradise of range and comfort. Just be patient, do your research, and you'll find a car that fits your budget – even if it doesn't exactly fit the bill in terms of excitement factor.
idk why ppl r complaining about electric vehicles being old models tho? like, its still way better for the environment than gas guzzlers. and $5000 or less? thats a steal! i mean, you gotta weigh the pros & cons, but if you're just using it for short trips, an older model leaf or miEV can work great. plus, think of all the money u'll save on charging 
...
. The fact that you can get one for under $5k is pretty sweet too. But yeah, range might be a bit of a concern, especially if you gotta drive far. Level 2 charging can be super annoying though 
. I've seen those old MiEVs around and they do look quirky... not sure if I'd want one myself tho 
. I mean, sure, they're cheaper than their gas-guzzling counterparts, but you have to think about all the other costs that come with it... like finding reliable charging spots 
. I was thinking of getting one of those old Nissan Leafs, but then I thought, "Wait a minute, that thing's got 24 kWh battery and only goes 84 miles on a charge?" 
Like, what's the point? I need something with some real range, you know? Maybe the Fiat 500e or Kia Soul EV would be okay, but shipping those around is just gonna break the bank 
. Anyways, if you're looking for an affordable EV, do your research and find something reliable, but be prepared for some compromises 
.
. Like, $5k is a good price or whatever but what's the catch? You're gonna be stuck with some ancient battery that's only good for 50 miles and you'll be scrambling to find a charging spot every night. And don't even get me started on the Nissan Leaf - 84 miles?! That's not exactly road trip material 
they're all about compromise - smaller batteries = shorter range 
and no fast charging 
but hey, if you're stuck with a shoestring budget, the Nissan Leaf is like the safe bet 
it's not gonna break the bank ($5k or less) and it'll get you from point A to B 
. I mean, 84 miles of range? okay 
but at least it's reliable 
and there are some decent alternatives out there like the Mitsubishi i-MiEV 
just don't expect to go on any road trips with these things 
the only thing i wish is that i had faster charging capabilities but overall its a great little car 
.
️. But hey, if you're just cruising around town, they should be fine 
. It shows that even though they might not be the flashiest cars on the market, they can still get the job done 
. So yeah, if you're in the market for an affordable EV, go for it! Just don't say I didn't warn you about the charging limitations 