Chevrolet Bolt EV LT Entry Level Electric Hatchback with Value

Top 5 Cheapest EVs in Canada: 2023

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been getting a ton of interest lately because of high gas prices, but also because there are so many more options now than there were even a year ago. While EVs are not known for being extremely affordable, there are a few good options for drivers on a budget and in a variety of body styles.

All the prices below include freight/PDI charges, taxes, and federal EV rebates, and if you live in a province or territory with its own rebates, youll be saving even more money. Here are the five cheapest EVs you can buy in Canada, starting from highest to lowest price.

The Mazda MX-30 has a funky design, cool suicide doors, and upscale aspirations, but as the most expensive vehicle on this list, it must be noted that it has the least amount of range at 161 km. Thats brutally low and add in the fact that you can only buy this tiny SUV in B.C. and Quebec, I almost considered not even including it in this list, but facts are facts, and this Mazda is the fifth most affordable EV in Canada.

While experts havent been impressed with the range offered, many have praised the MX-30 for being refined, stylish, and fun to drive.

Battery Capacity: 35.5 kWh

Horsepower: 144 hp

Torque: 200 lb-ft

Range: 161 km

Cargo Room: 431 / 1,053 L

All-In Price: $41,490$45,917 (depending on province or territory and tax rate)

The Chevrolet Bolt EUV offers outstandingly good value for the money with an estimated 397 km of range, a roomy cabin, and straightforward operation. The Bolt EUV (which stands for Electric Utility Vehicle) is the crossover version of the Bolt EV hatchback that shares the same platform. The most obvious differences between the two are that EUV comes with roof rails, which will come in handy if you need to carry cargo or equipment, and theres more legroom in the EUVs second row.

All the safety technology Chevrolet includes as standard is also impressive and includes tire fill alert, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking, features that many other automakers charge extra for.

Battery Capacity: 65 kWh

Horsepower: 200 hp

Torque: 266 lb-ft

Range: 397 km

Cargo Room: 462 / 1,611 L

All-In Price: $40,304$45,917 (depending on province or territory and tax rate)

The Kia Soul EV is the third most affordable EV in Canada and its actually one of my favourite ones on this list because of its iconic and funky style. The most affordable Kia Soul EV doesnt have a ton of range with 248 km, but its boxy shape makes it roomy and practical. The controls inside also make it very easy to live with, even if youre new to EVs, and Kia includes a long list of safety features as standard. I also like that the charging port is located in the front bumper, which makes parking at a charging station that much easier.

Battery Capacity: 39.2 kWh

Horsepower: 134 hp

Torque: 291 lb-ft

Range: 248 km

Cargo Room: 630 / 1,735 L

All-In Price: $40,250$44,559 (depending on province or territory and tax rate)

Like the Bolt EUV mentioned earlier, this hatchback version also has excellent value for the money and is even more affordable than its crossover sibling. Its rated for about 417 km of range, but when I drove it, I was regularly seeing about 460 km. Like its crossover sibling, the Bolt EV is roomy and easy to live with, especially because it has a lot of useful information that helps with trip planning.

Battery Capacity: 65 kWh

Horsepower: 200 hp

Torque: 266 lb-ft

Range: 417 km

Cargo Room: 470 / 1,614 L

All-In Price: $38,204$42,319 (depending on province or territory and tax rate)

The Nissan Leaf currently holds the crown as the most affordable EV in Canada and it was actually one of the first mainstream fully electric vehicles available in the country. The Leaf has matured a lot since its early days, and has also grown to be more sophisticated and stylish while remaining very affordable.

With 240 km of range, it also comes with a very generous list of standard safety features and one of the industrys smoothest driver assistance systems.

Battery Capacity: 40 kWh

Horsepower: 147 hp

Torque: 236 lb-ft

Range: 240 km

Cargo Room: 668 / 850 L

All-In Price: $37,260$41,285 (depending on province or territory and tax rate)

Final Thoughts

Most of these EVs are also available with bigger battery packs and more range, but also bigger price tags to match. If it was my money, the Chevrolet Bolt EV is the one Id buy from this list simply because it offers the most range without having to upgrade to the bigger battery. Of course, if you have a charger at home and limited range isnt really going to be a dealbreaker, these are all solid picks.

As competition in the EV space ramps up and as battery technology advances while the cost to produce EVs drops, the number of more affordable options is bound to increase in the near future.

Jodi is an award-winning automotive journalist who has been covering the industry for more than 15 years. She has a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson), is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and a jury member for the North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY). Jodi is the Editor-in-Chief of AutoTrader and the recipient of the prestigious 2022 AJAC Journalist of the Year Award.

2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV

History/Overview

Chevrolet introduced the Bolt EV in 2017 as a fully electric follow-up to the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Volt. With the Volt being discontinued after 2019, the Bolt remains as Chevy's sole plug-in model.

What's New / Key Changes from Last Year

A 2020 model year update gives the Bolt a 34-km bump in driving range, to 417 km. As well, Chevrolet has upgraded the standard backup camera and surround-view cameras to HD ones for a better view of what's behind and/or around the car.

Available Trims

Chevrolet offers the Bolt in LT and Premier trims. Both use an electric motor and a single-speed transmission for propulsion.

Standard Features

Outside, Bolt LT comes fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic on/off headlights, heated/power-adjustable side mirrors, HID headlights, and LED daytime running lights and taillights.

Among Bolt's standard interior features are six-way manual front seats, automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, a six-speaker stereo, drive modes, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, passive keyless entry, leather-trimmed shift lever and steering wheel, LED interior ambient lighting, and power door locks and windows.

Bolt's standard safety package brings tire pressure monitoring, tire fill alert, OnStar, and Chevrolet's teen driver feature.

Premier trim's additions are chrome exterior trim, roof rails, a seven-speaker stereo, USB charge ports, heated rear seats, blind sport monitoring with lane change and rear cross traffic alerts, rear park assist, a camera-based rearview mirror, a surround-vision camera system, and wireless smartphone charging

Key Options

LT trim offers a driver confidence package that bundles rear park assist and blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert.

LT and Premier can be optioned with a driver confidence II package that adds forward collision alert with pedestrian detection and low-speed braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, following distance indicator, and automatic high beams.

Fuel Economy

Chevrolet's energy consumption ratings for the Bolt EV are 1.9/2.2 Le/100 km (city/highway).

Competition

The Chevrolet Bolt's most direct competitors are Kia's Soul EV and Niro EV, the Hyundai Kona Electric, and Nissan's Leaf. The BMW i3 comes at a similar price, but with less driving range.

Lower-priced models with less driving range include the Hyundai Ioniq Electric, an entry-level version of the Nissan Leaf, and a Volkswagen e-Golf that was discontinued after 2019 but may still be available on dealer lots through 2020.

The Tesla Model 3 goes farther and faster, but also costs a lot more.

2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV

History/Overview

The Chevrolet Bolt is a compact hatchback with an all-electric powertrain. Introduced in 2017, it was a follow-up to the Volt plug-in hybrid that introduced the brands drivers to EV driving. Chevrolet added more driving range for 2020; there are no notable changes for 2021.

Available Trims

Chevrolet offers the Bolt in LT and Premier trim levels. Both use the same electric drive motor and a single-speed front-wheel drive transmission.

Standard Features

LT trims exterior wears 17-inch alloy wheels, auto on/off HID headlights, heated/power-adjustable side mirrors, body-colour door handles, LED taillights and daytime running lights, and remote engine start.

Inside, theres a six-speaker stereo, automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel, a 10.2-inch infotainment display, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, cruise control, power windows and locks, keyless entry, cloth upholstery, and heated front seats.

Safety-wise, LT buyers get tire pressure monitoring.

Premier adds a seven-speaker Bose stereo, USB charging ports, surround-view cameras, heated rear seats, blind spot monitoring, lane change alert, ambient lighting, a rear camera mirror, rear cross traffic alert, rear park assist, leather seating, and wireless smartphone charging.

Key Options

A driver confidence 2 package adds forward collision alert with automatic braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator.

A lesser driver confidence pack for LT trim brings rear park assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and lane change alert.

Fuel Economy

Chevrolets energy consumption ratings for the Bolt are 1.9/2.2 Le/100 km (city/highway). Maximum driving range on a full charge of the battery is an estimated 417 km.

Competition

Chevrolets competition for the Bolt EV includes Kias Soul and Niro EV models, the Nissan Leaf, and the BMW i3. Theres the Tesla Model 3, as well, but its significantly more expensive.