Although at the last Detroit Auto Show the only major debut was that of the 2023 Ford Mustang with a gasoline engine, there is no doubt that all manufacturers in the world are in a race to electrify their respective model ranges. At the moment, inventory shortages persist at dealerships and prices continue to rise
The news about new electric car factories or the expansion and transformation of existing ones, accelerated construction of battery production plants, ambitious plans to grow the infrastructure of recharging stations and the debut of hundreds of hybrid models, Plug-in Hybrid and 100% electric have captured the attention of drivers in the United States, who have gradually begun to accelerate the conversion from gasoline to electric plug.
One of the most anticipated models, the new Nissan Ariya 2023, will finally arrive at dealerships “in a few weeks” with a price range from $43,190 to $60,190, after almost three years of delays due to associated production problems. to the microchip crisis and the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paradoxically, the wait could benefit the Japanese manufacturer, because in recent months the increase in the price of gasoline has skyrocketed, along with the interest and sales (purchase or lease) of electric cars.
In other words, the Nissan Ariya, which offers the powerful acceleration common to electric cars and a range of up to 304 miles, can be said to have been late but on time.
Chevrolet, which, like Nissan, is somewhat behind compared to other brands in its electric transformation, reduced the price and increased the range of the electric compact, BOLT EV 2022, and has been presenting its new portfolio of electric models Blazer EV, Equinox for months. EV and the pickup truck, Silverado EV, which will go on sale throughout 2023.
Volkswagen, for its part, invested $800 million dollars to expand the production capacity of its plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and as of July 30, it began manufacturing the ID.4 there, with which it could benefit from credits. federal funds announced in August, under the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Volkswagen ID.4 2023 Made in USA will start arriving at dealerships in the United States at the end of October, but the German brand has more than 20,000 reserves of the 100% electric model with a range of at least 209 miles, with prices starting at the $37,495, so new consumers will have to wait months to receive one.
Volkswagen invested another $22 million dollars to build a laboratory just to perform the most extreme tests on the batteries that power the motors of its electric cars, as part of a strategy to improve the reliability of this new propulsion technology and, in turn, the confidence in consumers.
The Korean Kia updated the family of the compact Niro with improved versions of the hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and 100% electric variants, with which it is now the only one that offers all three electrification options so that drivers who still have reservations can choose the model with which they feel most confident for the transition.
Among luxury brands, we’ve also seen debuts of models like the BMW i4 sedan and BMW iX SUV; the growing family of the Mercedes-EQS sub-brand and the new Audi Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron Sportback, all of which are now on sale in the United States.
Volvo, the Swedish brand and its subsidiary Polestar, will present new 100% electric models before the end of 2022 to join a growing list in which you can even find electric variants from Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Lamborghini and even Bugatti, although this The latter promises nothing until 2030.
Meanwhile, consumers who are in the market to buy or lease an electric car before the end of 2022 to close out the year with tax breaks and try to combat the effects of runaway inflation and gas prices, options are few due to low inventory at dealerships.
As a buying guide, though with the caveat that not all of these models are likely to be available at any US dealer at these prices, the following is the list of the cheapest 2022 electric cars.
Top 10 Cheapest 2022 Electric Cars in America
- Nissan Leaf 2022
MSRP: $28,495
Official EPA Range:: 149 miles - 2022 Mini Cooper SE Hardtop
MSRP: $30,750
Official EPA Range:: 114 miles - Mazda MX-30 2022
MSRP: $34,695
Official EPA Range:: 100 miles - 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV
MSRP: $32,495
Official EPA Range:: 259 miles - Chevrolet Bolt EUV 2022
MSRP: $34,495
Official EPA Range:: 247 miles - Hyundai Kona Electric 2022
MSRP: $35,295
Official EPA Range: 258 miles - 2022 Kia Niro EV
MSRP: $41,285
Official EPA Range:: 239 miles - Ford F-150 Lightning 2022
MSRP: $41,769
Official EPA Range:: 230 miles - Hyundai Ioniq5 2022
MSRP: $41,245
Official EPA Range:: 220 miles - Volkswagen ID.4 2022
MSRP: $42,525
Official EPA Range:: 275 miles