There are many ways to assess a vehicle's worth.
In the plug-in EV world, you may want to consider how much coin you're dropping per kilowatt-hour
(kWh) of battery capacity.
We've compiled a half dozen of the best buys available right now in the USA (though
some are only available in certain states) using this method, and we've got to say,
the results were a little surprising.
Now, we've used the manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP), but it's quite possible
that your local dealer may offer some discounts.
Also, some vehicles which didn't make the list have, in the past, been offered up via
super affordable leases (we're looking at you, Fiat 500e), so that's also something
to keep in mind.
With an unprecedented influx of new models coming over the next years this list may change
drastically, but we'll try to keep you updated on what's current.
For now, here are the six best bargains in the plug-in universe, when the price is weighed
against the energy capacity of their batteries.
Number 6, Tesla Model S 100D – $940 per kWh
If you thought this list would be full of relatively affordable cars, our first entry
should make it clear that's not necessarily the case.
The size of the battery has a large effect on our results.
As the name suggests, this all-electric sedan boasts a 100 kWh pack beneath its floor.
So, despite a base price of $94,000, its big battery makes it a relative bargain when measured
on a coin-per-kWh basis.
Plus, it can still boast the best range of available EVs, with 335 miles of EPA-rated
range per charge.
Number 5, Ford Focus Electric – $869 per kWh
After getting a boost to its battery for 2017, this electrified version of the Ford Focus
sports a 33.5 kWh pack.
Combined with a relatively low $29,120 price tag, before incentives, this hatch has a high
kWh-to-MSRP ratio.
While it may have been seen by some as a "compliance car," that is to say, built in direct response
to edicts from the California Air Resource Board (CARB) requiring automakers selling
product in that state to produce EVs or buy EV credits, it is actually now available in
a few locations outside of the "CARB states."
Number 4, Volkswagen e-Golf – $852 per kWh
This battery-powered Golf variant is similar to the Ford Focus Electric above in the sense
that it was originally designed to be motivated by internal combustion — the two are, in
fact, often compared with each other.
Its German engineers, though, found a way to sandwich a decent sized 35.8 kWh battery,
and with its pre-incentive price of $30,495, it's enough to give it the edge in this
battle.
If you can find it, that is.
According to the Volkswagen e-Golf website, the model is "only available at participating
dealers in select states."
We should note that it is also offered for sale in Europe where it has seen relatively
strong sales.
Number 3, Nissan LEAF – $750 per kWh
After getting a new 40 kWh pack in its dramatic update for 2018, the original affordable EV
retains its rank high in the great value arena.
Using our coin-per-kilowatt metric, its relatively low $29,900 cost before incentives guarantees
the LEAF to be a great deal by any measure.
We can only imagine that the 60 kWh version on its way for the 2019 model year will cement
its position on this list.
Number 2, Chevy Bolt – $610 per kWh
This electric hatchback ticks lots of buyer's boxes, especially range, thanks to a 60 kWh
pack deep within its chassis that returns a 238 mile-per-charge rating from the EPA.
With a $36,620 price tag, you can add a very positive ratio of energy-storage-to-price
to the list of reasons to take one for a test drive.
Available throughout the US (and Canada), the Bolt underlines GM's commitment to electrification
and will likely share its platform with new models from the automaker in the relatively
near future.
Number 1, Tesla Model 3 Long Range – $547 per kWh
Though the California electric vehicle maker doesn't specifically state battery size
in the name of its entry vehicle like it does for its upscale models — it prefers to denote
the two planned versions by either "Standard Battery" or "Long Range" — the Model
3 sports a relatively massive 80.5 kWh battery pack.
Combined with a price of $44,000 for the Long Range, rear-wheel-drive configuration that
is currently being delivered to reservation holders, it should hold a vise-like grip on
its number one spot on this list for some time.
Currently, the Long Range Model 3 will cost you $49,000, due to the mandatory Premium
Upgrades package.
However, the math still puts the Tesla sedan ahead of the Bolt on our list, at ~$609 per
kWh.
There are several different ways to view value.
You could deem lowest total price as the best value.
You could examine standard equipment lists to determine bang for your buck.
But in the EV world, batteries are a big deal, so we think this dollar-per-kWh assessment
is most fitting.
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