The 10 Cheapest Electric Cars in Canada for 2023
By Arthur Dubois | Published on 19 Jun 2023
Gone are the days when you could only choose from diesel and petrol cars. Electric vehicles have revolutionized the automobile industry, allowing Canadians to reach their destinations quickly without polluting the environment. Besides emitting no harmful emissions, many models are also available with robust car insurance policies and government incentives.
The only problem is the price. On average, electric vehicles are costlier than standard rides, but guess what – there are options if you’re on a budget. You can find a number of affordable electric cars in Canada to help preserve the environment without breaking the bank.
This article will review the country’s cheapest electric cars. Canada drivers should consider the following 10 electric vehicles for a fantastic, budget-friendly solution.
What Are the Cheapest Electric Cars Canada Has to Offer?
Buying an electric car without guidance is a shot in the dark. You may buy a good vehicle, but chances are, you’ll end up overpaying for a subpar ride.
That’s exactly what we aim to prevent. Here’s an in-depth overview of the 10 cheapest electric cars for Canadians in 2023.
1. Toyota Prius Prime
Toyota Prius is a household name in the standard-fuel vehicle field. It’s chock-full of advanced features and much more affordable than high-end models.
Its electric counterpart, the Prius Prime, has retained much of the same qualities. Still, the Japanese giant has taken the classic design to a whole new level. Primarily, it boasts sturdier underpinning that can withstand more pressure, making it perfect for challenging roads.
The Prius Prime looks fabulous, but what’s under the hood? The ride is powered by a mighty 2.0-litre 220-hp engine that packs quite a punch. It sounds great and works even better, even though it’s a front-wheel drive car.
The Prime also has decent economy, featuring a lithium-ion battery with an extended range of 72 kilometres.
The interior is just as impressive as the exterior. There’s a large, user-friendly infotainment display that lets you access essential controls within seconds. The upholstery is made of synthetic leather, which is durable and feels amazing.
Finally, the vehicle is cram-full of safety features. The highlights include automated braking upon detecting a pedestrian, cruise control, and lane departure warning.
| Price Before Incentives | $37,990 |
| Price After Federal Incentive | $32,990-$35,490 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & British Columbia Incentive | $29,990-$32,490 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Quebec Incentive | $24,990-$27,490 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Newfoundland and Labrador Incentive | $30,490-$32,990 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Prince Edward Incentive | $27,990-$30,490 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & New Brunswick Incentive | $27,990-$30,490 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Nova Scotia Incentive | $29,990-$32,490 |
2. Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid
We’re staying in Asia for the second entry on our list – the Kia Niro. This plug-in hybrid is a match made in heaven for Canadians who need a high-performing and elegant crossover.
The crossover design is also one of the most attractive features of this vehicle. It blends the architecture of hatchbacks and wagons to appeal to broader audiences.
But let’s not dwell on the aesthetics too much, as this car has a lot to offer in the performance department. It features a 201-hp engine that produces nearly 200 pounds of torque.
As for the battery, Kia didn’t take a gamble with subpar solutions. They’ve integrated a 64.8-kWh model into the vehicle to help support long-distance journeys.
Drivers also appreciate the practicality of this vehicle. The crossover provides plenty of headroom and legroom, both of which make the car incredibly comfortable.
When it comes to safety, it’s hard to find fault with the Kia Niro. There’s a cutting-edge airbag unit to absorb impact coming from the front, sides, and your knees. Coupled with seat belt pretensioners, anti-lock brakes, brake assistance, and stability control, they make for an ultra-safe car.
| Price Before Incentives | $34,595 |
| Price After Federal Incentive | $29,595-$32,095 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & British Columbia Incentive | $26,595-$29,095 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Quebec Incentive | $21,595-$24,095 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Newfoundland and Labrador Incentive | $27,095-$29,595 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Prince Edward Incentive | $24,595-$27,095 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & New Brunswick Incentive | $24,595-$27,095 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Nova Scotia Incentive | $26,595-$29,095 |
3. Chevrolet Bolt EV
If you want to experience the unique flair of American muscle in an electric car, the Chevrolet Bolt EV is the right choice. A five-seat compact hatchback, it’s designed both for long-distance trips and city driving.
That’s not to say this is a small car. Far from it – the Bolt EV has ample headroom and legroom, making it ideal for Canadians of all statures.
In addition to the exceptional design, the Bolt EV also delivers top-class performance. The motor generates a solid 200 HP and nearly 270 pounds of torque. It’s a front-wheel drive model that responds well to your acceleration, enabling you to overtake and change lanes without a hitch.
Another admirable feature of this hatchback is that it offers one-pedal driving. Besides making the car incredibly easy to use, it also reduces the wear on your brakes.
Chevrolet has equipped the Bolt EV with a decent battery. It’s a 65-kWh model that allows the car to travel up to 416 kilometres on a single charge. You also get a flexible charging cable that works with 240V and 120V outlets.
The interior is quite impactful. Chevrolet has included a 10.2-inch infotainment touchscreen with all the controls you need for a smooth ride. There’s also a flat-bottom steering wheel to free up more space above your knees.
Finally, the Bolt EV is as safe as they come due to several features. It integrates automatic emergency braking, collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, cruise control, and lane-departure warning.
| Price Before Incentives | $38,198 |
| Price After Federal Incentive | $33,198-$35,698 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & British Columbia Incentive | $30,198-$32,698 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Quebec Incentive | $25,198-$27,698 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Newfoundland and Labrador Incentive | $30,698-$33,198 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Prince Edward Incentive | $28,198-$30,698 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & New Brunswick Incentive | $28,198-$30,698 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Nova Scotia Incentive | $30,198-$32,698 |
4. Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid
Continuing the crossover theme of this rundown is the Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid. The vehicle has all you need for comfortable city and highway driving without burning a hole in your pocket.
The outside has a myriad of features that make heads turn. For instance, the model comes come with a black grille, power lift gate, dual exhaust tips, and a rear spoiler. There are also 18-inch wheels and optional coast-to-coast LED headlamps.
Performance-wise, you can hardly ask for more from the Ford Escape. The 221-hp engine generates about 155 pounds of torque. Top-quality handling complements the Escape’s power, enabling you to turn easily.
The battery isn’t too impressive, standing at just 14kWh. It generally provides enough power for 60 kilometres on a full charge.
The comfort might be the biggest selling point of this crossover. The front-wheel-drive vehicle features well-designed seats that provide optimal support. Plus, the car absorbs impact nicely.
Safety features are notable too. There’s pre-collision assistance to tell you when to start braking. Still, if you fail to react promptly, the car utilizes its emergency brake system to avoid hazards. You also get blind spot detection and lane departure warning.
| Price Before Incentives | $38,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive | $33,500-$36,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & British Columbia Incentive | $30,500-$33,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Quebec Incentive | $25,500-$28,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Newfoundland and Labrador Incentive | $31,000-$33,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Prince Edward Incentive | $28,500-$31,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & New Brunswick Incentive | $28,500-$31,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Nova Scotia Incentive | $30,500-$33,000 |
5. Nissan Leaf 2023
By no means is this the first version of the Nissan Leaf. The manufacturer introduced the series a couple of years ago, but the 2023 edition is their best entry yet.
The 2023 Leaf is a five-door hatchback with ample room for five passengers. It’s bigger than its predecessors but not too large for comfortable city driving. As a result, learning the ropes of this vehicle shouldn’t take you too long, even if you’ve never driven an electric car.
In terms of performance, the electric car is head and shoulders above most of its predecessors. It packs a 214-hp engine and a whopping 236 pounds of torque. Both of which contribute to excellent acceleration – the car can reach 100 kilometres per hour in just over seven seconds.
Nissan electric vehicles are renowned for large-capacity batteries, and the 2023 Leaf is no exception. There’s a 62-kWh model to generate plenty of electricity for standard commutes. On a single charge, the vehicle can cover nearly 250 kilometres.
The interior looks like the inside of a space ship. Conveying a distinct next-gen vibe, its seven-inch display lets you groove to your favourite tracks, utilize GPS, and operate Bluetooth-enabled devices.
In regard to safety, the Leaf has all the features you’d expect from a 2023 electric vehicle. The car comes with automatic brakes, pedestrian detection, blind spot detection, adaptive cruise control, and cross-traffic alerts.
| Price Before Incentives | $39,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive | $34,500-$37,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & British Columbia Incentive | $31,500-$34,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Quebec Incentive | $26,500-$29,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Newfoundland and Labrador Incentive | $32,000-$34,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Prince Edward Incentive | $29,500-$32,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & New Brunswick Incentive | $29,500-$32,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Nova Scotia Incentive | $31,500-$34,000 |
6. Mini Cooper Electric
The Mini Cooper design has stood the test of time and adapted nicely to the growing demand for electric vehicles. One of their latest entries, the 2023 Mini Cooper Electric, is a dream-come-true for Canadians who need a budget-friendly yet stylish electric four-wheeler.
The manufacturer has gone to great lengths to deliver an eye-catching electric car. There’s a striped hood and a striking grille to add unique flair to already iconic architecture. The vehicle conquers roads using sleek 17-inch wheels, and the headlights have tasteful accents.
Admittedly, the performance could be better. The 181-hp engine has 199 pounds of torque, but the battery only has 28.9kWh. This translates to about 183 kilometres on a full charge.
Internally, the car offers a variety of creature comforts for smoother rides. There’s ambient lighting control, electric heating, steering wheel heating, and advanced climate control.
Safety is robust, too, since the Electric has parking assistance, lane departure warnings, automatic emergency brakes, and collision warnings.
| Price Before Incentives | $41,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive | $36,000-$38,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & British Columbia Incentive | $33,000-$35,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Quebec Incentive | $28,000-$30,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Newfoundland and Labrador Incentive | $33,500-$36,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Prince Edward Incentive | $31,000-$33,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & New Brunswick Incentive | $31,000-$33,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Nova Scotia Incentive | $33,000-$35,500 |
7. Mazda MX-30 EV
The MX-30 EV is another affordable yet well-built car for Canadians. It’s a front-wheel-drive crossover that resembles high-end SUVs. The vehicle has three doors and is relatively compact, which should give you an edge on city trips.
Nissan is famous for its top-shelf handling, and it’s easy to see why when you drive the MX-30 EV. It features solid handling that enables you to make safe turns at most speeds. The engine isn’t as powerful as some others on this list, generating 143hp.
The battery could benefit from an improvement too. Out of the box, the device has 30kWh and supports travel of up to 160 kilometres per charge.
In many people’s eyes, the interior more than makes up for what the MX-30 EV lacks under the hood. It boasts front seat heating, a digital display, sunroof, and dimmable rearview mirror.
Safety-wise, the car provides similar technologies to other electric vehicles. There are lane departure warnings, lane keeping assistance, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency brakes.
| Price Before Incentives | $42,150 |
| Price After Federal Incentive | $37,150-$39,650 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & British Columbia Incentive | $34,150-$36,650 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Quebec Incentive | $29,150-$31,650 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Newfoundland and Labrador Incentive | $34,650-$37,150 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Prince Edward Incentive | $32,150-$34,650 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & New Brunswick Incentive | $32,150-$34,650 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Nova Scotia Incentive | $34,150-$36,650 |
8. Kia Soul EV
When you take a look at the Kia Soul EV, here’s what you may think: “Wait, isn’t this a brand-new Range Rover?” The similarity is undeniable, but you can get the Soul EV for a fraction of the price.
This car works great in both the city and open conditions. The 201-hp engine generates up to 291 pounds of torque, which contributes to a blistering pace.
You also get an industry-standard battery. The Soul EV features a 39-kWh model that’s good for 383 kilometres at 100% power.
However, the interior brings a lot more to the table than the exterior. Some of the highlights include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 10.25-multimedia screen, Harman Kardon sound system, sun roof, and air-conditioned seats.
Safety features aren’t too shabby either. In fact, you get many safety enhancements, such as forward collision avoidance, lane keep assistance, and rear cross-traffic alerts.
| Price Before Incentives | $43,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive | $38,000-$40,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & British Columbia Incentive | $35,000-$37,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Quebec Incentive | $30,000-$32,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Newfoundland and Labrador Incentive | $35,500-$38,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Prince Edward Incentive | $33,000-$35,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & New Brunswick Incentive | $33,000-$35,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Nova Scotia Incentive | $35,000-$37,500 |
9. Hyundai TUCSON Plug-In Hybrid
The TUCSON Plug-In Hybrid is a testament to Hyundai’s industry-leading standards. This five-seat crossover is built for the ultimate comfort on Canadian roads.
The best thing about the model might be its all-wheel drive. The 261hp engine distributes power across all four wheels to streamline traction and grip. Furthermore, it produces about 258 pounds of torque for remarkable acceleration.
The interior is another strong point of this great-looking car. There’s an eight-way power driver’s seat with optimal lumbar support and large cargo capacity. Furthermore, it comes with heated seats, dual-zone climate control, and a panoramic sun roof to elevate your experience when driving on scenic routes.
The battery could be better. It’s a 13kWh unit that can power your car for approximately 50 kilometres on a full charge.
With regards to safety, the vehicle does a great job of lowering the risk of accidents. It features traffic stop-and-go technology, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot viewing.
| Price Before Incentives | $43,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive | $38,500-$41,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & British Columbia Incentive | $35,500-$38,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Quebec Incentive | $30,500-$33,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Newfoundland and Labrador Incentive | $36,000-$38,500 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Prince Edward Incentive | $33,500-$36,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & New Brunswick Incentive | $33,500-$36,000 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Nova Scotia Incentive | $35,500-$38,000 |
10. Hyundai KONA Electric
The KONA Electric is another sublime car from Hyundai. Two configurations are available, but we’ll only cover the basic version since you’re on a budget.
The KONA Electric is a five-seat crossover with 133hp and 188 pounds of torque. It’s more powerful than the previous version and features improved acceleration (from 0 to 100 in about 6 seconds). This is a front wheel-drive vehicle, and the only all-wheel drive model available is the gasoline crossover.
Hyundai offers the KONA Electric with a high-capacity battery. The 48.6kWh device supplies enough power for nearly 200 miles. It only takes about 40 minutes to recharge your battery from 10% to approximately 80%, allowing you to get back on the road in no time.
If personalization is a priority, KONA’s interior is the ideal option for you. It has customizable ambient lighting, a large 12.3-inch display, and a superior sound system. You can even use Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in this vehicle.
The chances of accidents in this car are drastically reduced, thanks to several cutting-edge technologies. You get hill-start assist control electronic stability control, six airbags, and vehicle stability management.
| Price Before Incentives | $43,700 |
| Price After Federal Incentive | $38,700-$41,200 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & British Columbia Incentive | $35,700-$38,200 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Quebec Incentive | $30,700-$33,200 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Newfoundland and Labrador Incentive | $36,200-$38,700 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Prince Edward Incentive | $33,700-$36,200 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & New Brunswick Incentive | $33,700-$36,200 |
| Price After Federal Incentive & Nova Scotia Incentive | $35,700-$38,200 |
Economical Yet Sustainable Travel Is Possible
Whatever vehicle you choose, you can’t go wrong with any of the nation’s 10 cheapest electric cars. Canada can also subsidize your purchase, making your vehicle even more affordable. So, pick the ride that suits you best and conquer Canadian roads in style.
