5 Most Affordable Electric Cars in Canada

More and more Canadians are looking for ways to do their part for the environment, especially when it comes to travel. Some everyday things people do include carpooling, taking public transit and walking (instead of driving) to local shopping centres.

However, one of the often overlooked things that you can do for the environment is driving an electric car. Electric cars leave a significantly smaller environmental footprint when compared to gas-powered vehicles (in some cases, up to 80%).

Unfortunately, electric vehicles tend to be expensive, which makes it difficult for the average Canadian to purchase one. That being said, many electric vehicle manufacturers have started to produce an array of cost-effective electric models. 

In today’s article, we’ll help you find the cheapest electric car Canada has to offer.

5 of the best affordable electric cars Canada has to offer

If you’re looking for a cost-effective electric vehicle, you may want to consider purchasing one of the following models:

• Chevrolet Bolt EV
• Nissan LEAF
• Mini Cooper SE
• Hyundai Kona Electric
• Tesla Model 3

#1 — Chevrolet Bolt EV: Starting at $38,198

Chevrolet is one of the most recognizable names in the Canadian automotive industry, and for a good reason! Chevrolet manufactures a wide range of reliable gas-powered and electric vehicles.

One of the most popular (and affordable) electric models that they offer is the Chevrolet Bolt EV. The Chevrolet Bolt EV is possibly the cheapest electric car Canada has in store. This model has a starting price of only $38,198, making it a fantastic choice for drivers that want to take advantage of the benefits of electric cars without breaking the bank.

#2 — Nissan LEAF: Starting at $39,798

The Nissan LEAF is a competitively priced electric vehicle that is generally considered to be one of the best electric cars in Canada.

Drivers can get their hands on a brand-new Nissan LEAF for as little as $39,798. With a little bit of searching, you may be able to find a previously-owned Nissan LEAF for $36,000. Whether you buy new or used, there’s no denying that the Nissan LEAF gives you great bang for your buck.

#3 — Mini Cooper SE: Starting at $45,590

If you’re looking for the most affordable electric car Canada has to offer, the Mini Cooper SE is a top contender.

This unique electric hatchback is full of spark (no pun intended) and personality, which gives it a stylish edge over many electric models. Aside from being easy on the eyes, the Mini Cooper SE is also a relatively affordable electric vehicle.

Drivers that are thinking about purchasing an electric hatchback can get their hands on a Mini Cooper SE for as low as $45,590. 

Bonus — Take a look at our list of the best cars in Canada.

#4 — Hyundai Kona Electric: Starting at $46,449

Although the Hyundai Kona Electric may not be the absolute cheapest electric car in Canada, it’s still a competitively-priced model that deserves a spot on our list. 

The Hyundai Kona Electric is a rugged yet stylish electric SUV, which sets it apart from the other vehicles on the list. Finding a sleek (let alone affordable) electric SUV can be a challenge, so the Hyundai Kona Electric is worth taking a look at if you want an attractive vehicle with lots of additional storage space.

Drivers that want to get their hands on an electric SUV will be happy to hear that the Hyundai Kona Electric starts at only $46,449.70.

#5 — Tesla Model 3 — Starting at $54,990

When most people hear the phrase “electric car”, Tesla is usually the first company that comes to mind. Tesla is a pioneer in the electric car industry and offers an enormous selection of high-quality electric models.

Although most Tesla models tend to be in the luxury-price range, they do manufacture a handful of competitively-priced electric cars, like the Tesla Model 3.

The Tesla Model 3 has a starting price of $54,990, making it the most expensive vehicle on our list. That being said, the Model 3 is considerably less expensive than Tesla’s high-end models, like the Model X Plaid, which starts at over $140,000.

What’s the average cost of car insurance for electric cars in Canada?

Unfortunately, electric cars tend to cost more to insure than gas-powered vehicles. Here’s a breakdown:

The average cost of auto insurance for a gas-powered vehicle in Ontario (for a motorist who has been licenced for ten or more years, lives in a suburban area, and with a clean driving record) is roughly $1,900 a year. On the other hand, the cost of car insurance for an electric car (for the same type of motorist) ranges from $2,280 to over $4,800! 

The price of electric car insurance is influenced by a number of factors, including the repair and replacement cost. Generally, the repair and replacement cost of electric vehicles tends to be higher than traditional gas-powered vehicles, which can make them more expensive to insure. This is something you should keep in mind while searching for the cheapest electric car Canada has to offer.

Thankfully, there’s an easy way to save on car insurance in Canada — teaming up with a Surex insurance advisor!

Save up to 25% when you bundle multiple policies with your Surex insurance advisor

Whether you drive the cheapest EV in Canada or an old gas-powered truck, you need to make sure that you have adequate auto insurance. Auto insurance is legally required in Canada, regardless of the type of car that you drive. Not to mention, auto insurance is your best bet if you want to financially protect yourself from unexpected risks that occur on (and, in some cases, off of) the road. 

If you want to get access to the best car insurance quotes in Canada, you should contact your Surex insurance advisor. Our team of advisors can help you find and compare the cheapest auto insurance quotes in ten minutes or less. 

Contact us today to get started and to learn how we can help you reduce your insurance premium by up to 25%.