14 Electric Cars Worth Comparing — Because They’re Not All What You Think They Are

The hearing the word “electric” can conjure up visions of a tiny car barely making it down the road. Well, those days are coming to an end — quickly. Get ready to think of electric cars in a completely different way.

Chevy Volt — 8.8 Seconds

The Chevy Volt offers a very good balance between performance and comfort. The 18.4 kWh battery pack is rated at 53 miles before the 1.5-liter engine kicks in. The combined electric/gasoline fuel economy is 106 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent. Not bad for an electric car for under $34,000.

Fiat 500e — 8.7 Seconds

This spunky Fiat is another electric car that falls under the “affordable” category, coming in with a price tag of $32,000. The 500e offers one engine: an 83 kW electric motor with a single-speed transmission. It boasts an 87 mile range and just a four hour recharge time.

Ford C-Max Energi — 8.5 Seconds

A starting price of $32,000 makes the Ford C-MAX Engergi an electric call we can all afford. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is accompanied with a 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The C-MAX Energy might not be the flashiest car, but it gets the job done.

Renault Zoe — 8.2 Seconds

The Renault Zoe is the all-time best selling all-electric car in the French market. The 65 kW electric motor is paired with a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery pack — which delivers a range between 130 and 150 miles. That’s almost enough to make you want to move to France!

Ford Fusion Energi — 7.9 Seconds

Surprisingly, Ford makes the list again with the Fusion Energy. The 7.6 kWh battery pack enables an EPA-rated 19 miles of all-electric range. Once the battery is depleted, the 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle engine kicks in. The Fusion Energi will run you around $34,000.

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric — 7.9 Seconds

The B-Class can go up to 87 miles on a single charge, thanks to the 28 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Along with the battery pack, the B-Class features a 132 kW electric motor that pushes out 177 hp. The B-Class does come with a hefty price tag — checking in at $41,000.

Cadillac ELR — 7.8 Seconds

The Cadillac ELR is one of the sleekest looking electric cars on the market, but all that style comes with a price — a very steep price. Starting at $65,000, the ELR features a 17.1 kWh 360 V lithium-ion battery rated for a range of 35 miles. If you can afford the asking price, the ELR is a very stunning car to add to your collection.

Volkswagen Golf GTE — 7.6 Seconds

Unfortunately, the Golf GTE is unavailable here in the United States, but that might be the only knock against the car. The GTE features a 1.4-liter turbocharged TSI engine under the hood, along with a liquid cooled, 8.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. Volkswagen states the GTE can travel 31 miles on electricity only, and is rated for a combined 157 mpg! 

Chevy Spark EV — 7.2 Seconds

The Chevy Spark EV is one of the cheapest electric cars you will find, taking only $26,000 out of your pockets. The stated range of 82 miles instantly puts the Spark EV near the top for longest electric range. Not to mention the 119 MPGe rating, making it one of the most energy efficient vehicles sold in the US.

Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid — 5.7 Seconds

The Volvo V60 PHEV is another great electric car that’s unavailable in the US. The front wheels are driven by a 2.4-liter five-cylinder D5 turbo diesel engine, while the rear is powered by a 12 kWh lithium-ion battery. The all-electric range of the V60 PHEV is 31 miles with a fuel economy of 124 MPGe.

Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid — 5.4 Seconds

You can’t make a fast car list without having at least one Porsche. The Cayenne S E-Hybrid crossover comes equipped with a 9.4 kWh lithium-ion battery and a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine. Don’t expect to be getting this Porsche for cheap anytime soon though — the starting price is almost $80,000!

Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid — 5.2 Seconds

Why have one Porsche, when you can have two! The Panamera S E-Hybrid is powered by a 1.7 kWh nickel-metal hydride battery, which is estimated to have a range of 20 miles. But lets’s face it: the asking price of $96,000 is pretty steep.

BMW i8 — 4.4 Seconds

We’ll just come out and say it: you aren’t buying this car for its fuel economy, you are buying it based on looks. The BMW i8 is one of the best looking cars on the market — hybrid or not. The i8 has a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that delivers an electric range of 23 miles. All this beauty isn’t cheap, you will be dropping $140,000 for it.

Tesla Model S P90D — 2.8 Seconds

You probably knew the Tesla Model S was going to be the winner from the start. The Model S P90D features a 90 kWh battery upgrade over the P85Ds, which is part of the “Ludicrous Package.” The EPA range for the battery is 265 miles, which is insanely impressive for this luxury car. All this technology and beauty can be yours, but only if you are willing to shell out $120,000.