The main electric car models you can buy today

The electric vehicles on the market right now fall into a few basic categories: sedans (four-door cars), SUVs and crossovers (taller vehicles with more cargo space), hatchbacks (compact cars with a rear door that opens upward), and trucks. Within each category, models differ in how far they can drive on one charge, how much they cost, and what features come standard.

Some of the most common sedans include the Tesla Model 3, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Hyundai Ioniq 6, and BMW i4. Popular SUVs and crossovers include the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Equinox EV, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Kia EV6. If you want a truck, the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV are the main options currently available, though more are coming. Hatchbacks like the Volkswagen ID.4 and Nissan Leaf offer a middle ground between a sedan and an SUV.

The vehicle you choose depends on what you actually need to do with it — how far you drive most days, whether you need to haul cargo or tow, and what your budget is. This guide walks through the main differences so you can understand what each type offers.

Key Takeaways

  • Electric cars come in sedans, SUVs, hatchbacks, and trucks, each with different cargo space and driving range.
  • Range varies widely by model and battery size, from about 200 miles to over 300 miles on a single charge.
  • Price depends on the model, battery size, and features, with options ranging from around $25,000 to $80,000 or more.
  • Charging speed at home is much slower than at public fast-charging stations, so your daily driving distance matters when choosing a model.
  • Many electric cars come with federal tax credits or state rebates that can lower the purchase price, though the amount varies by location and income.

How far each model can drive on one charge

The distance an electric car can travel before needing to charge is called its range, and it varies significantly between models. Most modern electric cars can drive between 200 and 300 miles on a full charge. Some models go further — the Tesla Model S Long Range, for example, can travel over 400 miles — while smaller or older models might only reach 150 to 200 miles.

Range depends on two main things: the size of the battery and how efficiently the car uses energy. A larger battery holds more power and lets you drive farther, but it also costs more and makes the car heavier. A more efficient car uses less power to go the same distance, which is why some models with the same battery size have different ranges.

Your actual range on any given day will be less than the maximum listed, because cold weather, highway driving, and hilly terrain all reduce how far you can go. If you mostly drive short distances around town, a model with 200 miles of range is probably enough. If you regularly take long trips or live somewhere with few charging stations, you may want a model with 300+ miles of range.

Price differences between models and battery sizes

Electric car prices start around $25,000 for basic models like the Nissan Leaf and go up to $80,000 or more for high-performance vehicles like the Tesla Model S Plaid. Most popular models fall somewhere in the middle, between $35,000 and $55,000 before any credits or rebates.

The biggest factor in price is the battery size. A model with a smaller battery costs less upfront but has a shorter range. The same model with a larger battery costs more but can drive farther before charging. For example, the Chevrolet Bolt EV comes in a standard version and an extended-range version; the extended version costs several thousand dollars more but adds about 50 miles of range.

Other features that affect price include whether the car has all-wheel drive (which costs more than front-wheel drive), what technology and comfort features are included, and whether you choose a higher trim level. A federal tax credit of up to $7,500 is available for some new electric cars, though the amount depends on where the car was made, the buyer's income, and the vehicle's final assembly location. Some states offer additional rebates or credits on top of the federal amount.

Sedan versus SUV versus truck: what each type is built for

An electric sedan is a traditional four-door car designed for passengers and a small amount of cargo. Sedans are usually the most efficient and have the longest range for their battery size, because they are lighter and more aerodynamic. They are a good choice if you mostly drive alone or with one or two passengers and do not need to carry large items. Models like the Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt EV fall into this category.

An electric SUV or crossover is taller and has more cargo space than a sedan, making it better for families or anyone who regularly hauls gear. The tradeoff is that SUVs are heavier and less aerodynamic, so they use more power and have shorter range than a sedan with the same battery. Popular electric SUVs include the Tesla Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Hyundai Ioniq 5. These vehicles cost more than comparable sedans but offer more interior space.

Electric trucks like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV are designed to tow and carry heavy loads. They are the heaviest electric vehicles, which means they use the most power and have the shortest range per battery size. They also cost the most, typically starting around $50,000 to $60,000. Choose a truck only if you actually need to tow or haul regularly; otherwise, an SUV will give you more range for the same price.

Home charging versus public charging stations

How you plan to charge matters when choosing a model. If you have a garage or driveway where you can install a charger, you can charge at home overnight, which is slow but convenient. A standard 120-volt outlet (the kind most homes have) adds about 3 to 5 miles of range per hour of charging. A 240-volt home charger, which costs $500 to $2,000 to install, adds 20 to 30 miles per hour.

Public fast-charging stations, found along highways and in parking lots, can add 150 to 200 miles of range in 20 to 30 minutes. These stations use direct current (DC) fast charging, which is much quicker than home charging but also more expensive per mile. If you take long road trips regularly, you will rely on these stations, and you should choose a model that supports fast charging and has good range.

Most people with a home charger can go weeks between public charging sessions, because they charge overnight and start each day with a full battery. If you do not have a place to charge at home, you will need to use public stations more often, which is slower and more expensive. This is an important factor to consider before buying an electric car.

New features and technology in modern electric cars

Modern electric cars come with technology that gas cars do not have. Most have a touchscreen dashboard that shows how much charge you have left, estimates how far you can drive, and lets you control climate and entertainment. Many can connect to your phone so you can check the battery level or start charging from anywhere.

Some models have one-pedal driving, which means lifting off the accelerator slows the car down and recovers energy that would normally be wasted as heat. This makes driving smoother and extends range. Others have advanced driver information features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping information, and adaptive cruise control, though these vary by model and trim level.

Battery management systems in newer cars are also more sophisticated, with better cooling and heating to protect the battery in extreme temperatures. This means modern electric cars hold their charge better in winter and summer than older models did. However, these features add to the cost, so a basic model will have fewer of them than a higher-trim version of the same car.

How to compare models side by side

When you are looking at different models, focus on the specs that matter for how you actually drive. Start with range: look at the EPA-estimated range, which is the official U.S. measurement, not the manufacturer's claim. Next, check the price and what battery size comes with each trim level. Then look at charging speed — specifically, how many miles of range the car gains per hour on a 240-volt home charger and how fast it charges on a DC fast charger.

Read reviews from owners and testing organizations to learn about real-world reliability, how the car feels to drive, and whether the features you want actually work well. Visit a dealership and test drive a few models if you can; electric cars feel very different from gas cars, and you should experience that before deciding.

Make a straightforward list of your must-haves — for example, "at least 250 miles of range," "can tow 5,000 pounds," or "costs under $40,000" — and use that to narrow down your options. Then compare the remaining models on secondary features like interior space, technology, and warranty length.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all electric cars use the same charging plug?

No. Most new electric cars in North America use the Tesla connector or the Combined Charging System (CCS) plug. Older Nissan Leafs and some other models use the CHAdeMO plug. Before buying, check which plug your car uses and whether charging stations near you have that connector type.

How long does an electric car battery last?

Most modern electric car batteries are warrantied for eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. In practice, they typically last much longer — many retain 80 to 90 percent of their capacity after 10 years. Battery degradation is gradual, not sudden, so you lose a few miles of range per year, not all at once.

Can I tow a trailer with an electric car?

Some can, but not all. Sedans and hatchbacks typically cannot tow at all. Many SUVs can tow 2,000 to 5,000 pounds, though towing significantly reduces range because it requires more power. Electric trucks are designed for towing and can handle 10,000 pounds or more, but again, range drops when you tow.

What is the difference between plug-in hybrid and fully electric?

A plug-in hybrid has both an electric motor and a gas engine, so it can run on electricity for short trips and switch to gas for longer ones. A fully electric car has only an electric motor and must be charged to drive. Plug-in hybrids cost less upfront but have higher fuel and maintenance costs over time.

Are used electric cars a good deal?

Used electric cars can be cheaper than new ones, but battery degradation means they have less range than when new. Check the battery health report if available, and expect to pay less per mile of range than you would for a new car. Warranty coverage may be shorter on a used car, so factor in potential repair costs.