Here Are the Most Popular Electric Cars
We selected 10 of the best electric cars, trucks and SUVs available today
September 22nd, 2023
written by Reese Counts
Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
There are more and more electric vehicles on sale every year, with almost every automaker offering or planning to offer at least one fully electric product in its portfolio. We at Edmunds do extensive vehicle reviewing, testing and research to see just what the most popular electric cars are today. Based on our data and review process, the most popular electric vehicle is the Tesla Model 3, though our list includes a solid selection of EVs, including sedans, SUVs and even an electric truck.
Here are 10 of the most popular EVs available today. But while sales data is important, so are things like range, charging availability and more. We wanted our list to reflect a variety of options in different categories and price points. As such, we've also included information from Edmunds' testing, reviews and hands-on experience. You'll also find both EPA-estimated range as well as Edmunds' real-world range tests, which is where our car experts drive each model to see how far it goes on a single charge and how that figure compares to its EPA estimates.
Table of contents
Am I Ready for an EV?
EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.
If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.
Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,000 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.
1. Tesla Model 3: EPA-estimated 358 miles of maximum range
The Tesla Model 3 tops our list for a number of reasons, namely competitive pricing, good real-world range and access to Tesla's extensive Supercharger network. It's one of the most popular EVs on the road today, eclipsing many gas-powered cars in its sales numbers. Given the lackluster charging infrastructure outside of those Superchargers, the Tesla is a great option if you do any traveling outside of major metro areas. It's not the most premium EV in its class, and we're still not enamored with the build quality or driver aids, but pricing and the charging network can't be overlooked.
The best range we've seen was 345 miles in a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, 8 miles short of that car's 353-mile EPA estimate. (The EPA rating has increased slightly since then). Close, but no cigar. It should be noted that Teslas regularly fail to meet their EPA estimates in our tests while most other EVs exceed their ratings.
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2. Chevrolet Bolt EV: EPA-estimated 259 miles of maximum range
The Chevrolet Bolt EV has been around for a while now, but its combination of range, features and price keep it competitive in the face of newer rivals. It remains one of the most popular EVs on the road. It doesn't offer the most electric range of any EV out there, and others offer better tech or more cargo space, but the Bolt is a compelling offering when you factor in how much you get for the price. There's plenty of passenger space and some really excellent in-car tech and driver aids. There's a lot to like with the Bolt EV beyond the relatively low base price.
In Edmunds' testing, a 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV managed 278 miles on a single charge, beating its EPA estimate but falling short of the class leaders.
There was a big hubbub when Ford decided to put the Mustang badge on the side of an electric SUV, but Mach-E delivers on its promise. It looks great and handles well, traits key to every Mustang. The interior feels decidedly premium, too, and offers great space in both rows as well as a sizable hatch. Great in-car tech and driver aids round out the package.
In Edmunds' testing, we managed to drive 344 miles on a single charge in a 2021 Mustang Mach-E California Route 1, sailing past its 305-mile EPA estimate by nearly 40 miles.
4. Hyundai Ioniq 5: EPA-estimated 303 miles of maximum range
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 features one of the most striking designs you'll find on any new car these days, with agile handling, solid tech and a comfortable interior to back up those looks. Hyundai in-car tech and driver aids impress, as do things like cargo and passenger space. Build quality is excellent, and the design itself is both stylish and functional. The South Korean automaker's impressive warranty factors in here too.
A dual-motor 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited traveled 270 miles on a single charge during Edmunds' testing. That's better than the 256-mile EPA rating but not quite as good as some rivals perform.
5. Genesis G80 Electrified: EPA-estimated 282 miles of maximum range
The all-electric Genesis G80, like the Ford F-150 Lightning, simply feels like an electric version of an otherwise gas-powered car. That's a good thing in the G80's case. It's spacious, comfortable and very well appointed, with an interior that's better than you'll find in most EVs out there. On the road, we found the Electrified G80 to be quick and poised. It's not the sportiest EV out there, but it is one of the most comfortable. Our biggest complaint is storage is limited in the trunk as the car's battery encroaches slightly.
The 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 managed 309 miles on Edmunds' real-world EV range test. As with most others on this list, that's slightly better than its EPA estimate.
6. BMW iX: EPA-estimated 324 miles of maximum range
The BMW iX delivers on just about every count. It's comfortable and spacious, and it offers excellent real-world range, but it's quick and surprisingly sporty for its size. The stylish interior is a welcome departure from BMW's usual fare. It's priced competitively for a luxury EV given its size, range and premium feel and offers lots of available in-car tech and driver aids. The exterior design might be a bit polarizing, but there's so much else to like that it's easy to overlook.
We managed to drive a 2022 iX xDrive50 with 22-inch wheels 377 miles on a single charge, far eclipsing its 315-mile EPA-estimated range. Impressive stuff.
7. Ford F-150 Lightning: EPA-estimated 320 miles of maximum range
The Ford F-150 Lightning is the all-electric version of Ford's best-selling model. It's one of the first electric trucks to hit the market and immediately impressed with solid range, excellent utility and tech. It simply feels like an F-150 with an electric motor and a few trick features, and we mean that as a compliment. Ford is hoping one of the most popular trucks on the road can become one of the most popular EVs out there, too. There are features like available hands-free highway driving and Ford's Pro Power Onboard system, which allows the Lightning to act as a rolling battery for devices, tools or more.
In Edmunds' range testing, we managed to drive 345 miles in a 2022 F-150 Lightning Lariat, better than its 320-mile EPA estimate.
8. Kia Niro EV: EPA-estimated 253 miles of maximum range
The second-generation Kia Niro EV is one of the most affordable EVs on sale today, packing a lot of range, features and space into an affordable package. It's not a big vehicle, so it's easy to park or maneuver around tight streets. The hatch means there's plenty of cargo space, and the rear seat is spacious enough to keep adult passengers happy. Kia offers a decent list of in-car tech and driver aids, too, and the above-average warranty provides great peace of mind.
Like most of the vehicles on this list, we found the 2023 Niro EV outperformed its EPA estimates in our testing. We managed 280 miles on a single charge, beating the estimate by 27 miles.
9. Polestar 2: EPA-estimated 270 miles of maximum range
The Polestar 2 is an all-electric sedan that boasts solid electric range, easy-to-use Google-backed in-car tech, and a comfortable ride and interior. Polestar has been rolling out constant updates for the 2, with small improvements coming out every year. The interior has a nice layout with decent in-cabin storage, though the rear seat is a bit cozier than some rivals. We like the way it drives, too, especially with the available Performance Pack.
We were impressed when the 2022 Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor beat its EPA estimate in our testing with 289 miles of range.
10. Porsche Taycan: EPA-estimated 323 miles of maximum range
The Porsche Taycan is one of the more expensive electric cars on sale today, but it doesn't take a long time behind the wheel to see where the money has gone. The interior looks and feels premium, even if it's on the smaller side for the class. It drives well, too, with the sort of sporty performance we expect from a Porsche without compromising its day-to-day comfort or ride quality. It's not the cheapest EV, and it doesn't offer the longest range out there, but the Taycan offers a well-rounded package that's endlessly entertaining to drive.
When we first tested a 2020 Taycan 4S, we managed to go 323 miles on a single charge. That particular car's EPA estimate was just 203 miles, showing how big of a disparity there can be between real-world results and EPA estimates.
Wrapping up most popular electric cars
The number of electric cars on sale is seemingly growing by the day, and culling the options down to a list of 10 is an undertaking. There are some excellent models we left off this list like the off-road-oriented Rivian R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV, the searingly quick Tesla Model S, and models that eked out more than 400 miles of range like the Lucid Air and Mercedes-Benz EQS. The truth is that there's no one best electric car, so check out Edmunds' ratings, reviews and tests to learn more about all of the vehicles on this list and more.