How Much Does the Most Affordable Electric SUV Cost?
Electric SUVs are taking over the automotive industry. Some of the most popular automakers in the world are releasing electric SUVs. How much is the most affordable electric SUV?
What is the price of the most affordable electric SUV?
The most affordable new electric SUV is none other than the controversial Chevy Bolt EUV. The 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV starts at $34,495. The Bolt EUV has the lowest MSRP of all new electric SUVs, but that doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily the most affordable model. The federal electric vehicle tax incentive can decrease an EV’s price by thousands of dollars. The Bolt EUV is no longer eligible for the incentive since General Motors already sold so many electric vehicles (Chevy Bolt models).
The 2022 Mazda MCX-30 EV is actually the most affordable electric SUV if you factor in the EV tax credit. It starts at $33,470. The MX-30 ‘s price decreases to $25,970 after applying the incentive. It may seem incredibly underpriced, but you get what you pay for with the MX-30 EV.
Mazda’s electric SUV model gets an underwhelming 100-mile driving range. That’s less than half the range of average new electric SUVs. While there’s plenty to say about the MX-30, let’s explore the more practical (and thus more appealing Bolt EUV instead.
Is the Bolt EUV a good buy?
The Chevy Bolt EUV is the sibling to what could be the most controversial electric SUV of all time: the Chevy Bolt. The Bolt had an amazing debut in 2016, and it was well-received. Critics ranted and raved about GM’s practical little electric vehicle. The Bolt EUV was meant to build upon that success as a larger model and compete in the competitive SUV segment.
The main issue with the Bolt nameplate was that it gained a bad reputation for battery fires. Reports trickled in about isolated incidents. Eventually, there were so many reports of Bolt batteries overheating that General Motors was forced to issue a mass recall to save face and protect against any more damage. The Bolt EUV shared a battery with the Bolt before GM had to address the overheating issue.
It’s tough to separate the Bolt EUV from controversy, but assuming that it’s safe now, it actually isn’t a bad electric SUV at all. The Bolt EUV has 247 miles of driving range. It makes 200 horsepower. Car and Driver recommends the Launch Edition model for features like the light-up charge port, Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving mode, and the sunroof.
What’s the difference between the Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV?
The Chevy Bolt EUV is larger than the Chevy Bolt EV hatchback. Its exterior design also appears to be rougher than the Bolt’s design. Chevy had a rough time with EVs last year. Will the 2022 Chevy Bolt EUV get the American automaker back on track toward the electric future?
