Electric Car Price Guide: Every 2012-2013 Plug-In Car, With Specs

By Antony Ingram

Antony Ingram

Contributing Writer BIO

Antony is an automotive obsessive: Whether it drives, sits there looking pretty or intrigues from afar, he'll talk and write about it. Automotive... More

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2013 Smart ForTwo Electric Drive

It's a hot topic whenever anyone mentions electric cars: pricing.

Many electric cars are more expensive than their regular counterparts, though naturally they cost less to run too.

But what do today's electric and plug-in cars actually cost? We've gathered together each plug-in car on sale today in one place. Every vehicle here shows the manufacturer's suggested retail price, plus any mandatory destination and handling fees.

The prices do not include any local or federal tax incentives or rebates--so many cars here may be available cheaper, for those eligible for specific credits or rebates.

All MPGe figures below refer solely to the cars' electric efficiency.

2013 smart fortwo electric drive - $25,750
17.6 kWh battery, 87 miles (European), 107 MPGe, 55 kW motor

Smart's latest electric drive model is the cheapest new electric car on the market. You only get two seats, but you also get rid of the gasoline car's jerky transmission. There's enough power to make good progress now, and if you're able to benefit from incentives, the price starts to look quite tempting.

2013 Mitsubishi i - $30,825
16 kWh battery, 62 miles (EPA), 112 MPGe, 66 kW motor

It may no longer be the cheapest EV on the market, but 112 MPGe still means the Mitsubishi i is one of the more efficient electric cars. If you can live with the looks and limited range, it's worth a look.

2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid - $32,795
5.2 kWh battery, 11 miles (EPA blended), 6 miles (EPA all-EV), 95 MPGe, 60 kW motor (134-hp combined)

The Prius Plug-In is the second-best selling car with a plug, after the Chevy Volt. It's a little off the pace technologically these days, but should at least suit drivers trading up from a regular Prius. The short all-electric range is disappointing to some, though.

2013 Ford C-MAX Energi - $33,745
7.6 kWh battery, 21 miles (EPA), 100 MPGe, 88 kW motor (195-hp combined)

Ford's first plug-in hybrid challenger mixes good performance with impressive efficiency in electric mode. Like the Toyota Prius V, it's a practical vehicle too, ready to handle everything family life can throw at it.

2013 Chevrolet Spark EV - $35,200 (est.)
20 kWh battery, 81 miles (estimated), 110 kW motor

Chevrolet has put the same effort into its diminutive Spark as it did the Volt, and has managed to improve the aerodynamics and interior to match the Spark's electric aspirations. With huge torque on offer, performance should also be strong. No official EPA range estimate has been released yet.

2013 Honda Fit EV - $389/month, 3 years
20 kWh battery, 82 miles (EPA), 118 MPGe, 92 kW motor

Sadly, Honda's electric fit is merely a 'compliance car', designed to meet California's zero-emission vehicle requirements. That's a shame, as the Fit EV is one of the most efficient plug-ins on the market. It's further harmed by being available only for lease--and not a cheap one, either.

2012 Nissan Leaf - $36,050
24 kWh battery, 73 miles (EPA), 99 MPGe, 80 kW motor

The Leaf is one of the better-known electric cars. While sales haven't matched Nissan's expectations and there have been issues with battery degredation in hot weather, the Leaf is still one of the most usable electric cars on the market. With 2013 pricing to be announced in January--and a more basic model hitting the range, it could soon get cheaper, too. Perhaps even more so when Nissan's Tennessee plant starts producing the car.