10 Most Popular Electric Vehicles: 2024 Report

With climate change concerns and rising prices at the gas pump, more Americans are expressing interest in electric vehicles than ever before.

After a slow start, companies sold more than 600,000 electric cars in 2021. 2022 has already seen a 60% increase in electric vehicle sales, and experts believe the trend will continue.

Although electric cars are more expensive in some aspects — car insurance usually costs more — they can also save you money in other aspects. More importantly, they can help lower your carbon footprint.

Explore the top 10 best-selling brands of electric cars in America below, then compare car insurance rates to find the best price for you.

What are the most popular electric cars in America?

As electric vehicles become more affordable, Americans are increasingly buying electric cars. While they had a slow start, more Americans are turning to electric vehicles, and experts believe they will eventually outpace traditional cars.

While there are many choices for shoppers looking for electric vehicles, the top 10 choices in America for 2021 are below.

Number 10: Hyundai Kona Electric

2021 Units Sold: 8,936

Base Price: $38,575

Taking the number 10 spot on this list is the Hyundai Kona Electric. With a range of 258 miles, the Kona’s popularity continues to grow in the American market.

Customers frequently compare the Kona to Hyundai’s other popular electric vehicle, the Ioniq. While the Ioniq has a smaller range, it offers more cargo space. Despite more space, the Kona outsells the Ioniq by five times.

Number 9: Tesla Model S

2021 Units Sold: 9,100

Base Price: $81,190

The first Tesla on this list — and certainly not the last — is the first of Tesla’s mainstream offerings. While the Model S was a popular choice when it was first released, interest has since cooled as Tesla released other models.

With a maximum range of 402 miles and a hefty price tag, the Model S still sells well, but its popularity drops each year. For example, Tesla sold more than 14,000 models in 2020.

Number 8: Porsche Taycan

2021 Units Sold: 9,419

Base Price: $81,250

Porsche is always a popular choice for people looking for a luxury car, proving true even with electric vehicles.

With a maximum range of 227 miles, the Taycan doesn’t do as well as some of its competitors. However, with an engine that gets to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds and the beauty Porsche enthusiasts love, the Taycan is an excellent choice.

Although the Taycan starts at $81,250, shoppers should be wary. Anything beyond the standard model quickly gets expensive, with upper trims reaching nearly $200,000.

Number 7: Audi E-Tron

2021 Units Sold: 10,921

Base Price: $66,995

The e-tron comes in a classic sedan and a sporty hatchback, which get about 220 miles per charge. With a more affordable price than the Porsche Taycan, the well-engineered e-tron doesn’t skimp on style. The interior features genuine leather and wood, and the exterior boasts Audi’s classic look.

Although it doesn’t sell as well as some Tesla models, the Audi e-tron certainly has a devoted fanbase.

Number 6: Nissan Leaf

2021 Units Sold: 14,239

Base Price: $32,620

The Nissan Leaf standard model can only go 149 miles on a charge, but it sells well regardless. Although the interior has a reportedly strange design, some drivers love it.

Part of the Leaf’s popularity is that it was one of the first electric models on the market. Since then, the Leaf has undergone technological upgrades, but its competitors have made more progress.

Still, the Leaf continues to sell well, with Nissan selling nearly 5,000 more models in 2021 compared to 2020.

Number 5: Volkswagen ID.4

2021 Units Sold: 16,742

Base Price: $41,190

While the ID.4 isn’t Volkswagen’s first electric offering to the U.S. market, it’s been the most successful. With 260 miles per charge and an affordable price tag, it’s no wonder that the relatively new ID.4 is selling well.

While the current ID.4 only has rear-wheel drive, Volkswagen plans to release the ID.4 with all-wheel drive and more horsepower in the future.

Number 4: Chevrolet Bolt EV

2021 Units Sold: 24,803

Base Price: $32,495

The Chevrolet Bolt promises 259 miles per charge, which might explain why it outsells the Nissan Leaf. The Bolt also has a fast-charging option, which gives it 100 miles of range after every 30-minute interval of charging.

Chevrolet cut the price of the 2023 model significantly, making the Bolt EV the cheapest electric option on the market.

Number 3: Ford Mustang Mach-E

2021 Units Sold: 27,140

Base Price: $43,995

Although the Mach-E isn’t Ford’s first electric vehicle on the market, it does have the biggest fanbase. With several configurations and the potential for 305 miles per charge, the Mach-E looks like a popular choice for drivers.

To make matters more exciting, Ford recently announced that the Mach-E GT model is coming soon, with more horsepower and an overall sportier ride.

Number 2: Tesla Model 3

2021 Units Sold: 128,600

Base Price: $38,690

With up to 353 miles in range, the Model 3 consistently proves Tesla’s solid engineering capability.

Today, Tesla motor sets the standard for electric vehicles, and the Model 3 has played a crucial role in that reputation. With a minimalist design and enormous touch screen, customers expect to see hints of Tesla design in many electric vehicles.

Although the Model 3 has only been out for a few years, one of its brothers is already overshadowing it.

Number 1: Tesla Model Y

2021 Units Sold: 172,700

Base Price: $41,190

When the Model Y debuted in 2020, it quickly became the best-selling electric vehicle in America. The Model Y’s sales are so good that it was America’s 17th best-selling overall vehicle in 2021.

The standard Model Y has a range of about 244 miles, while the Long Range option boasts 326 miles. It also has the option of a third row but choosing more passenger space sacrifices cargo room.

Although some drivers are unimpressed with the Model Y, the overall sales numbers prove this SUV is a popular choice for Americans.

Will electric vehicles get cheaper in the future?

It’s not clear how quickly prices will drop, but one thing is certain — the price will eventually drop. Like all new technologies, as production methods and materials become cheaper, so do the end products.

The primary question for electric vehicles is whether they’ll ever be the same price as their gasoline counterparts. Although many people think electric cars are out of their price range, the price for most has already dropped. In fact, many gasoline-powered vehicle prices are rising, so they won’t be cheaper for much longer.

Electric vehicles are taking up a larger share of car sales each year. In the last three years, electric car sales have gone from about 245,000 in 2019 to 608,000 in 2021. 

Although electric cars are getting cheaper, that’s not the only reason Americans buy them. People are buying electric vehicles for various reasons, from a desire to lower their carbon footprint to saving at the gas pump.

How much is insurance for an electric vehicle?

The amount you’ll pay for your zero-emission car insurance depends on several factors, but one of the most significant is the type of car you drive. Although electric vehicles can save money in other areas, most drivers pay more for insurance.

To get an idea of what you’ll pay for insurance, consider the average price for the 10 most popular electric vehicles of 2021.

Part of the reason insurance for electric cars is more expensive than others is because they generally cost more. For example, the two most expensive cars on this list — the Taycan and the Model S — also have the highest average insurance rates.

If your vehicle costs more, it likely costs more to repair, and higher repair costs mean your insurance company will have to pay more if you file a claim.

Other factors like age, driving history, location, and credit score also affect your insurance rates.

Find the Best Insurance for Any Electric Car Today

While an electric car can save you money at the gas pump, you’ll probably pay more for insurance than you would if you had a standard car. However, there are plenty of ways to save on insurance, and you can find affordable rates no matter what you drive.

To find the best rates for insurance, you should compare as many companies as possible. You may find companies that offer special discounts for electric vehicles by shopping around.