When most people think about electric cars today, they’re likely picturing a Tesla. The company’s cutting-edge vibe, long ranges per charge, sports-car driving experience, and luxury-car style make sure its lineup gets noticed. But Teslas are also priced like luxury cars. Even the company’s entry-level Model 3 compact sedan starts at $40,000 and rises quickly. What’s more, unlike most of today’s electric vehicles, you can no longer get a Tesla with a $7,500 federal tax credit — Teslas have sold so well, the company already burned through its allocation of tax credits.
If you’re looking to eliminate gasoline from your life without a luxury price tag, we present the 2020 Nissan LEAF: the least expensive fully electric vehicle (EV) sold in the U.S. It starts at $31,600, which falls to $24,100 after you factor in that tax credit. The five-door Leaf is more of a compact economy car than a luxury car, and it needs to recharge more often than Teslas do. But if a relatively spacious and affordable EV sounds appealing, keep reading.