Welcome Spring By Going Green: A Round Up Of Electric Cars Around $30,000

Spring is in the air. The grass is starting to poke through the last touches of snow, the sap is running, and buds are beginning to form on the trees. Nature will soon be out in full bloom, and what a better way to celebrate the beauty of the world than by driving an eco-friendly car when we go sightseeing this season. Let’s take a look at some of the more affordable all-electric models we can enjoy this season.

Chevrolet Bolt EV

Chevy’s battery-electric entry to the marketplace is a solid choice for those looking to cut their carbon footprint. The all-electric sibling of the Volt can reach 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds from its 60-kWh battery pack and 200-hp electric motor. The Chev-e gets a solid 236 milesof range with a combined EPA rating equivalent of 119 mpg. While the electric crossover looks closer to a hatchback than others in its class, the interior is spacious since the batteries are stored on the floor, which avoids taking up cargo space and lowers the car’s center of gravity for a stable drive. With the optional quick charge system, the Bolt can recoup ninety miles of range for every half hour it’s plugged in, giving you more time amongst the trees. The Bolt’s $37,000 price tag makes it one of the more affordable electric vehicles on the market, especially when government rebates are also considered, but it is far from the cheapest.

Our next brand sheds its guilty past to deliver a solid driving experience.

Volkswagen e-Golf

After the infamous ‘Dieselgate’ scandal of just a few years ago, Volkswagen has made a strong rhetorical push towards electric vehicles to atone for their eco sins. Their only electric entry in North America, the e-Golf is a strong contender in the EV market, bringing to the table the sporty handling and roominess of its gas-powered counterpart, without the smog. Pushed along by a 134 horsepower electric motor and 35.8-kWh battery pack, the e-Golf manages an EPA combined rating of 119 mpg, with a range of 125 miles. The mid-ranged EV also manages to charge in under six hours through the 240V home charger, or to 80% in under an hour through a DC fast charge system.

Our next e-car should feel right at home out amongst the trees.