Can’t Afford The New Chevy Bolt? Here Are Seven Cheaper Alternatives

After a series of teasers, the 2022 Chevrolet Bolt just made its official debut alongside the new Bolt EUV variant that’s meant to look more like an SUV. Both models carry over the existing Bolt EV drivetrain, which features a 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery mated to a permanent magnetic drive electric motor. Total output is 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, all going to the front wheels only.

This may not be enough power to frighten Tesla, but Chevy has managed to decrease the Bolt’s price by more than $5,000. With a starting price of $31,995, the 2022 Bolt is one of the least-expensive new electric vehicles on the market, second only to the 2021 Mini Cooper SE. But what if someone wants an even cheaper EV experience? Since this technology advances so quicker, used EVs tend to be hilariously cheap. We’ve found six used EVs (and one gasoline range extender) that are far cheaper than a new Bolt.

Not everyone is ready to make the jump to an EV, which is why we’ve included the Chevrolet Volt on this list. We think General Motors pulled the plug on the Volt prematurely, considering it is the perfect middle ground for buyers that aren’t sold on EVs yet. The second-generation Volt is already very affordable, with used prices starting under $9,000. First-generation models are even cheaper, starting under $5,000.

The second-generation Volt features a 1.5-liter engine under the hood, which acts as a range extender for the 18.4-kWh battery pack. It can travel 53 miles on electric power only, relying on the gasoline engine when the battery runs out. The Volt achieves up to 42 mpg with the motor running and can travel around 420 miles total. If your commute is shorter than 53 miles, you can also charge the Volt at home and rarely use the gas engine.

The Fiat 500e was built purely as a compliance car to satisfy US CAFE regulations. Fiat lost money on each one it sold, but the company’s loss is now your gain because used examples are available for under $5,000. It’s easy to see why this car depreciated so much. It carried a pretty high $33,990 MSRP when it was new, but Fiat dealerships leased them for under $100 per month, thanks to heavy incentives.

The car can only travel up to 84 miles on a charge, which would be perfect for someone commuting short distances into a city or to a college or high school. With just 111 hp on tap, the 500e is no Tesla fighter, but it is still fun to drive like most Fiat models.

The Hyundai Ioniq EV isn’t one of the best-remembered models on this list, but it boasts a respectable 124-mile driving range and 118-hp electric motor. The range was increased substantially in the 2020 model to 170 miles, though those later examples are much pricier. We found early examples starting under $10,000, but the 2020 models start around $25,000.

We also want to mention the Hyundai Kona EV. This model hasn’t had as much time to depreciate but we found used examples for less than $25,000. The Kona EV is the most practical vehicle on this list, and it boasts the most impressive range at 258 miles. In another year or two, these will be a tremendous value to keep an eye on, as will its corporate counterpart, the Kia Niro EV.