Month: March 2022

Cheapest Electric Cars On The Market In 2022

Written by Rentalmoose on . Posted in Electric Mobility, Pro tips for renting a car.

EVs certainly don’t have to break the bank, and these vehicles prove it. Check out 10 of the cheapest electric cars from across the globe. Note that some of the models are only available in specific parts of the world. Buyers from the US, Europe, and Asia will all find at least one model that suits them, though.

We’ve only included cars with fully electric drivetrains on this list. If you’re wondering what the difference between an EV and a PHEV is, check out this article.

10 Cheapest Electric Cars To Buy In 2022

10. Opel Corsa-E- $33 100

The Opel Corsa-E is an eco-friendly variant of the popular Corsa. It's also one of the cheapest electric cars sold in Europe.
Opel Stellantis

The Corsa has been a vital part of Opel’s lineup for years. In fact, the Vauxhall Corsa is the best-selling vehicle in the United Kingdom. If you ever rented an economy car in Europe, there is a great chance that you have gotten an Opel Corsa. Now, the German automaker has introduced a cleaner, fully electric version of this beloved vehicle.

The Opel Corsa-E is one of the cheapest electric cars available on the market today, similar to its gas-powered counterpart which is also very affordable. The single-charge range can be as high as 400 kilometers (250 miles)in optimal weather conditions, thanks to the car’s 45kWh battery pack.

Rentalmoose tip: Wondering how long it takes to charge a 45kWh battery pack like the one in the Opel Corsa-e? Check out this insightful guide.

9. JAC iEV7S- $33 200

JAC iEV7s is a budget-friendly Chinese electric car that's sold throughout Europe, China and Russia.

Never heard of this electric car before? We don’t blame you. You may be surprised to hear that this EV is actually offered for sale in Europe- a first for the Chinese manufacturer. One thing is for sure- you are bound to stand out driving one of these around.

Not only is the JAC iEV7S one of the most unique picks on our list, but it is also one of the cheapest electric cars you can get your hands on. Pricing starts at roughly $33 000, or €30 000. In exchange, you receive a 116-horsepower EV with a claimed range of up to 300 kilometers on a single charge.

8. Chevrolet Bolt EV- $32 000

The futuristic Chevrolet Bolt EV is one of the only electric cars offered in the US for under $32 000.
Chevrolet Pressroom

The Bolt EV is perhaps one of the most futuristic-looking electric cars on the market today. The fact that it doubles as one of the most affordable ones, at least in the US, makes it even more attractive for potential buyers. Those who have driven one praise the car’s agile handling and best-in-class range.

Its 200-horsepower electric drivetrain has a range of up to 260 miles (420km) on a single charge. Buyers in America can drive off the lot in a brand new Bolt EV starting at just $31 995. And that’s before applying any tax reliefs, which are offered at both state and federal levels. Bad news for EV buyers in Europe- this model is no longer offered here.

7. Mini Cooper SE- $30 800

An electric Mini Cooper is an exceptional eco-friendly alternative to the iconic hatchback. It's also one of the cheapest EVs in Europe
BMW Press club

An electric Mini Cooper is an exceptional eco-friendly alternative to the iconic hatchback. It comes powered by a 32.6kWh battery pack, which generates 181 horsepower. As a result, the Mini Cooper SE can sprint to 100km/h (60mph) in only around 7 seconds.

The range of the Mini Cooper SE is quite similar to its competitors. Drivers can expect to go up to 275km (170 miles) on a single charge in optimal weather conditions when driving in the city, or around 180km (110 miles) in cold weather. Pricing starts at a little under $31 000 (€28 000) before extra options. Buyers in the US should prepare at least $30 750 to buy an electric Mini, excluding additional state and federal tax reliefs.

6. Volkswagen e-Up! -$29 800

The electric version of the Volkswagen Up! is affordable, fun to drive, and perfect for the daily commute.
Volkswagen Newsroom

Volkswagen’s E-Up! is one of the best EV deals under $30 000 (€27 000). Many owners praise the car’s practicality, small size, and surprisingly agile performance. The E-Up! is available throughout Europe, though it cannot be ordered in North America.

This small city car can drive over 300 kilometers on a single charge in optimal conditions, thanks to its 32kWh battery pack. As a result, the E-Up! is a solid pick for both the daily commute as well as longer trips. It can also accommodate up to four occupants, although the rear seats are a little cramped.

5. Nissan Leaf- $28 000 (Cheapest Electric Car In The US)

Nissan Leaf is the cheapest new electric car in the United States, starting at less than $30 000.
Nissan Newsroom

The new Leaf has quickly made headlines directly after its debut. This is because the electric Nissan Leaf is officially the cheapest new EV available on the US market. That’s right, car buyers in the US can drive off the lot in a brand new electric car for under $30 000. The base price sits at around $28 000, before any additional state and federal tax reliefs. In practice, this means that the price can go down even further depending on where the vehicle is purchased.

The new Nissan Leaf features a fully electric drivetrain powered by a 39kWh battery pack. This equates to a range of up to 355 kilometers (220 miles) in optimal conditions. That’s quite impressive given the car’s affordable price tag. Buyers in Europe should expect to pay a little more, between $33 000 to $36 500 (€30 000- €33 000) for the base model.

4. Fiat 500e- $26 100

Electric Fiat 500e parked next to vintage Fiat 500 shows the future of mobility, as well as paying homage to classic motoring.
Fiat Stellantis

Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want a fully electric version of the cute Fiat 500? Now is the perfect time to get behind the wheel of one, especially as it’s also one of the cheapest EVs on the market today. Its range is anywhere between 100 and 200 kilometers on a single charge, similar to most competitors.

The base 500e fitted with a small 24kWh battery pack starts at around $26 000 (€23 500). Buyers can also choose to upgrade to a larger 42kWh powertrain, starting at roughly $30 500 (€27 500).

3. Renault Twingo Electric- $25 000

An electric Renault Twingo is the third cheapest electric vehicle available in Europe.
Renault Media Website

An electric Twingo is another fun compact that doubles as one of the cheapest electric cars on the market today. Its small size makes it the perfect pick for commuting around the city, as opposed to cross-country road trips. Pricing starts at around $25 000 (€22 500) in France and fluctuates slightly throughout European markets. The model is not available in the US.

The range can vary anywhere from 100 to 200 kilometers on a single charge, depending on the weather conditions and the driving style. The 2022 Twingo comes powered by a 21.3kWh battery pack.

2. Smart EQ ForFour- $21 200

Smart EQ ForFour is a small electric city car that's one of the cheapest EVs on the market.
Courtesy of Smart

As the name suggests, the ForFour is a more spacious alternative to the similarly-priced Smart ForTwo. Smart’s electric four-seater gets up to 150km on a single charge. Though it may not be enough for a road trip, such a range is ideal for the daily commute within the city. Especially when making the most of top-up charging.

Sadly, the model is no longer sold in the United States. Back in 2019, a brand new ForTwo Electric Drive started at around $24 000 in the US. Buyers in Europe can currently pick a brand new one up for around $21 000, or €19 000.

1. Dacia Spring- $21 000 (Cheapest Electric Car In Europe)

Dacia Spring EV is the cheapest new electric car available for sale in Europe.
Dacia Media Website

This is it- the cheapest new electric car money can buy. You can drive off the lot in a brand new Dacia Spring EV for as little as $21 000 (€19 000) depending on where you buy it. It’s no surprise that the Romanian automaker reached 40 000 orders within 8 months of launching this affordable model.

Dacia is a Romanian automaker that’s a part of the Renault Group. The Spring has a range of over 250km on a single charge, though it can fluctuate quite a bit based on the weather conditions. The Dacia Spring is not available in the United States.

Bonus- Rent An Electric Car!

Renting an electric car can be a great way to stay eco-friendly when traveling, or simply find out first-hand why so many drivers switch to EVs.

Rentalmoose offers both electric and hybrids across some of the 15 000+ locations worldwide. Simply tick the GoGreen filters to freely browse through EVs and hybrids.

8 Of The Most Expensive Electric Cars Money Can Buy

Written by Rentalmoose on . Posted in Electric Mobility, Pro tips for renting a car. Leave a Comment

Electric cars are well on their way to becoming the future of mobility. While many automakers attempt to lower the pricing of their models to make EVs more accessible, others focus on producing high-end cars offered at jaw-dropping price tags. Some are limited to just a few units worldwide, hence the most expensive electric car may not be what you expect!

Note that we have only added cars with fully electric drivetrains. PHEVs and other types of hybrids are not added to this list.

We’ve also broken down this blog post into the following sections, leading up to reveal the world’s most expensive electric car. Click one of the links below to quickly jump to each section and find out how much each car costs.

The 8 Most Expensive Electric Cars Of All Time

Without further ado, let’s jump right in!

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Electric Drive- $544 000

The Mercedes Benz SLS AMG electric drive is one of the most expensive electric cars in the world. Only a few units were made.
© Daimler AG

Mercedes-Benz unveiled this fully electric variant of the SLS AMG supercar back in 2013. We can safely say that it was way ahead of its time. The SLS AMG Electric Drive came powered by a quad-motor powertrain, rated at 740 horsepower in total. As a result, this car can accelerate to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds!

The single-charge range of this electric supercar is 250 kilometers (160 miles) thanks to its 60kWh battery pack. That is more than double what most competitors offered at the time.

The German automaker built less than 100 units in total, valued at roughly half a million dollars (€450 000) each. This rare gem is worth even more money today.

Genovation GXE- $750 000

Genovation GXE is an expensive electric supercar based on the Chevrolet Corvette C7.
Courtesy of Genovation Cars

If you’re looking for ultimate performance, it doesn’t really get any better than this. The Genovation GXE is essentially a seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette transformed into a fully electric record-breaking supercar. The GXE also doubles as one of the most expensive electric cars of all time.

This 800-horsepower monster has gone down in history as the first electric car to surpass 200 miles per hour (320 km/h). In fact, its top speed is over 211mph (337km/h)!

The production of the GXE is strictly limited to just 75 units worldwide, each one worth over $750 000 (€680 000).

Rimac Automobili Concept One- $1 000 000+

Rimac Concept One is one of the most expensive electric supercars on the planet, worth over one million dollars.
Rimac Media Gallery

This Croatian automaker may have only been around for a little over a decade, but Rimac has quickly risen to fame. The Concept One was the brand’s first EV developed from the ground up. It’s extremely impressive, to say the least. Four electric motors power the Concept One. As a result, this electric supercar can reach 60 miles per hour in an astounding 2.8 seconds.

Only 8 examples were built, one of which was totaled by TV star Richard Hammond while filming an episode of the Grand Tour. That’s right, this show host is responsible for crashing what was probably the most expensive electric car at the time. Every one of the remaining 7 units is worth at least a million dollars (€910 000).

NIO EP9- $1 200 000

NIO EP9 is a fully electric supercar built by Chinese automaker Nio.
Courtesy of NIO

There’s a pretty good chance that anyone interested in high-performance cars has heard about this beauty. The Nio EP9 made headlines back in 2017, as this fully electric supercar broke the world record at the infamous Nurburgring racetrack in Germany. As a matter of fact, this car lapped the Nordschleife loop in a jaw-dropping 6 minutes and 45 seconds!

Each one of the car’s four motors makes a little over 335 horsepower, raising the total power output to nearly 1350 horses. The production run is limited to just 16 units worldwide. Oh, and this beauty isn’t even street legal. Owners can only drive their EP9s at the local race track.

Rimac Nevera- $2 500 000

Rimac is a croatian automaker known for the nevara- an EV supercar that doubles as one of the most expensive electric cars in the world.
Rimac Media Gallery

After releasing the previously mentioned Concept One, the journey of Croatian automaker Rimac was far from over. Back in 2021, Rimac unveiled the Nevera supercar- the fastest and most expensive electric car crafted by the company.

A 1914-horsepower quad-motor electric drivetrain powers the Nevera. The car entered production back in 2021, with a short production run limited to just 150 units worldwide. The price tag of the Nevera is equally astonishing as its performance- a brand new unit will cost roughly $2 500 000 (€2.27mln).

Lotus Evija- $2 600 000

Lotus Evija is a recently-unveiled electric supercar, one of the world's most expensive electric cars.
Courtesy of Lotus Media Site

Lotus has always had a reputation for being one of the most innovative automakers in the world. After all, the brand arguably rose to fame after releasing the Elise. The Lotus Elise remains one of the best performance-oriented picks within its price range. The recently-unveiled Evija is in a whole different league, though.

At the time of its debut, the Evija was the world’s most powerful production car rated at 2000 horsepower. Its price tag is equally impressive. This electric supercar will set you back around $2.6 million (€2.37mln). The production run is limited to just 130 units in total, and all slots are reportedly sold out.

Pininfarina Battista Anniversario- $2 900 000

Pininfarina Battista Anniversario is an electric supercar limited to just 5 units worldwide.
Courtesy of Pininfarina

Pininfarina is a legendary Italian coachbuilder and car design company. Designers from Pininfarina are responsible for designing some of the world’s most famous autos, including Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, or Lancias. Now, the company is making its very own electric supercar. It comes powered by a monstrous 1900 horsepower drivetrain. As a result, the Battista Anniversario is capable of a sprint to 100km/h in under 2 seconds.

Make no mistake, the regular Pininfarina Battista is already quite a special vehicle. Out of the 150 Battistas produced in total, only 5 will be made in the Anniversario trim level. Each one valued at $2 900 000 (€2.64mln).

Aspark Owl- $3 500 000

Aspark Owl is the most expensive electric car of all time- valued at over 3.5 million USD.
Aspark Press Material

Most of us wanted to own a spaceship back when we were kids, or at least a car that resembled one. Now, thanks to a small Japanese automaker, that dream is closer to reality than ever before.

The Aspark Owl is easily one of the craziest looking cars of all time. The exterior of was designed with peak performance and aerodynamics in mind, and it shows. The car’s drivetrain rated at over 1900 horses is worth mentioning, too. The Owl’s gigantic $3 500 000 (€3.2mln)price tag is easily its most impressive feature, though. This is the world’s most expensive electric car of all time, excluding crazy one-offs and concepts that were never available for buyers to begin with.

Aspark has reportedly already sold out all available slots. If you’re in the market for an Owl, you’ll have to wait for a couple of years. If a used one ever pops up on the market in the first place, that is.

Hybrid vs Electric Cars- How Are They Different?

Written by Rentalmoose on . Posted in Electric Mobility, Pro tips for renting a car.

Audi plug-in hybrid car lineup. Hybrid vs electric cars is an ongoing debate among those in favor of green mobility.
Audi MediaCenter

Want to get behind the wheel of a hybrid, PHEV, or EV, but don’t know where to start? We’re here to help! Find out the difference between a hybrid vs electric cars, as well as PHEVs, and decide which one is best for you.

There are many reasons why you should start driving an EV, PHEV, or a regular hybrid. These vehicles are not only better for the environment, but can also quickly prove to be more fuel efficient and convenient. Not to mention their outstanding performance!

Let’s get back to basics, however, and distinguish the key differences between a PHEV, EV, and a hybrid.

We’ve broken this guide down into the following sections to make navigation easier. Click one of the links below to quickly jump to each section.

Plug-in Hybrid, Hybrid, and Electric Cars- The Basics

Generally speaking, hybrids and electric cars can be broken down into three types: PHEV or plug-in hybrids, hybrids, and EVs or fully electric cars. The key difference between all three being the drivetrain itself.

Plug-in Hybrids or PHEVs

PHEVs, also known as plug-in hybrids, have gained lots of popularity in the last years. One could even argue that they provide the perfect balance between gas and electric drivetrains. A PHEV features a regular gas-powered motor combined with an electric battery pack. Most can be driven in electric mode, though the fully-electric range is typically under 100 kilometers (60 miles).

As the name suggests, you can plug an PHEV to charge it. The ability to charge at home is extremely convenient and cost-efficient, especially for short trips. Longer trips may require the use of the car’s gas powerplant.

Hybrids

The drivetrain that powers a hybrid is virtually the same as the one found in a PHEV. Hybrid cars rely on the car’s gas engine as well as an electric drivetrain. Regular hybrids, however, typically have an electric motor that’s much smaller than the ones found in plug-ins.

As a result, regular hybrids aren’t able to drive anywhere near as far using electricity. In fact, some hybrids cannot be driven in fully electric mode at all!

Another difference between regular hybrids and PHEVs is the charging. Ever wondered how a regular hybrid charges the electric powertrain, since it cannot be plugged into external charges? In reality, hybrids are charged through regenerative braking, as well as help from the internal combustion engine.

Electric Cars or EVs

Electric cars are powered purely by electricity. Unlike PHEVs and hybrids, EVs do not have an internal combustion engine at all.

One of the key perks of driving an electric car is the fact that you can charge it for free at home. Since an EV is only powered by its electric drivetrain, the batteries are larger than the ones found in PHEVs.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look into the key differences between these car types!

Impact On The Environment

Naturally, electric cars take the cake here. This is all because, unlike PHEVs and hybrids, electric cars do not have an internal combustion engine at all. As a result, they do not burn any fossil fuels. While both PHEVs and hybrids generate some pollution, the figures are a lot lower than regular gas-powered cars.

Let’s not forget that the transportation industry is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the US (source). Swapping your gas-powered vehicle for an electric car can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint and positively impact the envrionment.

Did you know you can dramatically reduce your carbon footprint while traveling? Use the GoGreen filters when browsing rental cars at Rentalmoose. That way, you will be able to filter only EVs and plug-ins. In addition, we plant a tree for every booking made with our platform!

Cost Efficiency

Curious about hybrid vs electric cars when it comes to cost efficiency? It should come as no surprise that electric cars remain the most cost efficient to drive. After all, EV owners can charge their vehicles at home, or make the most of extensive charging networks worldwide. Many chargers are free to use, too.

Since plug-in hybrids can be charged at home just like EVs, they can be equally cost efficient. It all boils down to how much of the driving is done in the car’s fully electric mode. If the car remains in electric mode only, it can be just as inexpensive to drive as an EV. This is not possible with regular hybrids that require support from the gas motor at all times.

It’s also crucial to note that even if a plug-in hybrid is only driven in electric mode, it’s highly recommended to have some gas in the tank. Driving a PHEV with no fuel in the gas tank can cause irreversible damage to the vehicle!

Range

Automakers have continuously been increasing the range of their electric vehicles for the past years. This is a much needed step to convince more buyers to go either fully electric or switch to a hybrid or a PHEV.

According to a report by InsideEVs, the median electric car range has surpassed 250 miles (400km) in 2020. In comparison, that same figure was at under 100 miles (160km) just 5 years earlier. It can safely be assumed that this number will only continue going up in the next years.

If you’re planning to go on a long road trip, a plug-in hybrid may be the best pick. Strictly when it comes to range, that is. That brings us to the next point.

Charging Time

This is unarguably one of the most controversial points about driving EVs and plug-in hybrids. The truth is that, even with the introduction of fast superchargers, it still takes at least half an hour to charge an EV. That’s why plug-ins are simply the most convenient, at least in terms of the charging time. After all, you can simply fill up the gas tank and be on your way in just a few minutes.

The reality is that having to stop for at least half an hour for every few hours of driving isn’t too convenient. Especially considering that a gas-powered car can be filled up in just a couple minutes. Charging your electric car using a regular wall socket can take well over half a day.

Audi Q5 charging. Hybrid vs electric cars- which is best and what are the differences? The charging time is one of the key benefits of a PHEV over an EV.
Audi MediaCenter

For this very reason, most owners of EVs and plug-in hybrids prefer top-up charging. Instead of waiting for the battery to run out completely, EV owners prefer to tup the car up at work or overnight. The same way you’d charge your phone- most of us plug it in at night no matter if the battery is completely empty or not. That way, you can make sure that your vehicle is always charged when you need it.

Plug-in hybrids tend to have a much shorter range than EVs. A 2021 Audi Q5 plug-in, for example, has a range of just 20 miles in fully electric mode. While this can be enough for the daily commute, it won’t cut it for longer trips.

Charging time is not applicable at all when it comes to regular hybrids, however. As we already mentioned, they are charged through regenerative braking and/or the car’s gas engine. No external charging needed here!

Performance

You have probably heard that electric cars are famous for their physcis-defying acceleration. The Tesla Model S Plaid is powered by a monstrous electric drivetrain rated at over 1 000 horsepower. As a result, it can accelerate to 60 miles per hour (a little under 100km/h) in less than 2 seconds, making it the quickest EV as well as the quickest production car ever. That’s nearly a second quicker than a Lamborghini Huracan EVO, too.

The reason why modern electric cars are absurdly quick is actually quite simple. Electric powerplants are able to generate a lot of power virtually instantly. This means that the driver can access all the car’s power as soon as they put the pedal to the metal. In comparison, an internal combustion engine does require some time to reach peak power.

In terms of performance, it really is a no-brainer. Electric cars are the clear winner, followed by PHEVs and then hybrids.

Hybrid vs Electric Cars- Which One Is Best

It really depends. As you can see, there’s a variety of different factors that you need to consider before deciding whether to use an EV, PHEV, or hybrid. While a PHEV may be tempting for the daily commute, the 250mile+ median range of an EV can be the better pick for a long trip.

The choice between hybrid vs electric cars boils down to personal preference, as well as how much you value of the factors mentioned above.

Don’t forget to book your next EV/PHEV/Hybrid via Rentalmoose. Check out our platform to browse rental cars at over 15 000 locations worldwide. You can also tick the GoGreen checkbox to filter only electric and plug-in hybrids. Reduce your carbon footprint when traveling by car with Rentalmoose.

We plant a tree for every booking made with our platform!

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