The concept of electric cars dates back all the way to the early 1800s with the very first crude version of an electric carriage being made by Robert Anderson in 1835 and the very first known electric locomotive being built by the Scot, Robert Davidson in 1839. Robert’s electric car was later demolished by workers in the railway who saw the electric car as an employment security threat. Fast-forward to 2023, we’ve come a long way since then and currently, we have no dearth of electric cars. To further add to it, electric cars today come with a ton of spectacular features and options! Performance-wise too, you get to see some impressive EVs out there, for instance, the Tesla Model X Plaid, is the fastest SUV in the world (0 to 60mph in just 2.3 seconds).
When you turn back the clock by a little bit, you might notice that there are a few electric cars that have been on sale for a really long time! Their longevity could be accredited to a ton of factors like features, performance, comfort, and other factors that could be unique and specific to the particular EV! Here are 10 electric cars that have been on sale for the longest time.
10 Tesla Roadster (2008 - Present)
In recent news, the first-generation Tesla Roadster has gained some popularity as a collectible car already, although, it is technically still in production. The very first electric car by Tesla, The Roadster was quite an upgrade for its time. The production of the first-generation Roadsters lasted till 2012. The second-generation Roadster is expected to hit the market in mid-2023. Of course, you should expect quite the upgrade from the first generation. A controversial way to say it is the oldest EV that's still alive, but hey, the name is not retired! The 2023 Roadster offers a mind-boggling 620 miles on a full charge, pretty impressive while the 2008 version offered only 244 miles. As far as acceleration goes, it seems Tesla is hell-bent on outdoing itself, the 2023 Roadster can reach 60 mph in just 1.9 seconds rendering the Roadster one terrifying EV.
9 Nissan Leaf (2010 - Present)
Released in 2010 after facing a slight delay in production, the Nissan Leaf was pretty much the first affordable electric vehicle on U.S. soil that could cover 100 miles on a full charge. The Nissan Leaf still is one of the most affordable EVs you can purchase. The latest version of this EV, the 2023 Nissan Leaf was released in mid-2022. With redesigned styling elements, the Leaf S will cost you around $29,000 and the SV version will cost an estimated $37,000. But here’s the deal, the Nissan Leaf is a good and affordable car, but it does have its downsides. For starters, the driving range isn’t as good as you’d expect it to be, 150 miles on a full charge, and the SV version can offer 215 miles per charge. These numbers are alright when you take into account other EVs that cost the same but offer a much better range. Powered by a 40.0 kWh battery pack, this front-wheel drive can produce no more than 147 horses and the SV version comes with a larger battery pack and can offer 215 ponies. Even with these shortcomings, the Nissan Leaf has good interior and is pretty spacious as well.
8 Tesla Model S (2012 - Present)
The Tesla Model S first entered the market in 2012 and from the looks of it, it’s still going pretty strong today. The 2012 Tesla Model S offered 211 miles on a full charge, in the eyes of a few that was a colossal improvement from the general driving range offered which was around 94 miles on a full charge, as per the US Environmental Protection Agency. The 2023 Model S has a lot more to offer than just an impressive driving range which is about 405 miles between charges. This all-wheel drive produces a majestic 670 ponies whereas the Plaid version of the Model S can thrash out 1020 ponies. The interiors are quite luxurious and deceivingly spacious. Topped off with top-notch safety features, the Model S is one EV that we think will be in production for a long time.
7 Fiat 500e (2013 - Present)
The first-generation Fiat 500e was first introduced to the public in 2012 at the LA Auto Show, and it hit the market in 2013. The Fiat 500e was only sold in California and Oregon as a compliance car in order for Fiat to rack up a good clean energy credit. With a driving range of 84 miles per charge and came with limited features! Furthermore, due to declining sales, the sales for Fiat 500e were stopped in North America. The 500e is preparing to make a comeback to the U.S. in early 2024 whereas sales have already begun in Europe. Although there isn’t much information available as yet, based on the European release, you can expect it to give you 160 miles of driving range on a single charge. In terms of interiors, you should expect pretty much the same as the first-generation but with more tech-laden features and improved safety as well.
6 Kia Soul EV (2014 - Present)
The first-generation Kia Soul EV landed on American soil in November 2014 and initially, they were sold only in select states before making it country-wide. The first-generation Soul EVs offered a generous driving range of 100 miles on a full charge and could propel itself to 60 mph in 10.6 seconds. Of course, this wasn’t the cheapest EV at $35,000, but it to be fair, there were better options for that price. Three years after it made its debut, the production for the Kia Soul EV stopped and the second-generation Kia Soul EV was introduced in 2019 and was definitely a step up. On a single charge, you can expect a driving range of 280 miles, and it comes with a 64 kWh battery pack. Kia has introduced two versions of the Soul EV, the Soul EV “Urban” and the Soul EV “Explore”. The interiors of the Soul EV are pretty amazing and come with Voice Control features for an enhanced in-car experience as well as a number of exemplary safety features.
5 Tesla Model X (2015 - Present)
The Tesla Model X hit the market in 2015 and is pretty famous for dawning Gullwing doors. In addition to that, the Tesla Model X is also one of the fastest EV SUVs. The Model X has seen quite a few changes and additions over the years. For starters, the early Model X came with multiple options like the performance version and a long-range version. But in 2022, Tesla scrapped most of the options and introduced a performance version named the Model X Plaid, an EV SUV that quickly gained popularity as one the fastest SUV. The Plaid version could reach 60 mph in 2.3 seconds. The Model X also has an admirable driving range of 348 miles per charge whereas the Plaid version offers slightly less, 333 miles of range per charge. Of course, the Tesla Model X isn’t cheap and currently starts at $111,630. It also comes with great interiors with Tesla’s own infotainment system with an additional screen in front of the rear passenger seat. With all of the above aspects combined, it's pretty clear that the Tesla Model X is here to stay for a long time.
4 Chevrolet Bolt EV (2016 - Present)
Making its debut in 2016, Chevrolet Bolt EV has rapidly become one of the most preferred and best-selling EVs. But why? Well, because it is affordable and offers commendable performance. The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt which hit the market in 2022 has seen a significant reduction in price from its predecessors but not in performance. The production of the Bolt EV was halted for a short period in 2021, this was due to problems caused by the battery pack. Fast-forward to 2022 April, the issues were taken care of and the production of the Bolt EV resumed. Powered by a single electric motor, the Bolt EV can dish out an admirable 200 horses and can go an estimated 259 miles between charges. Additionally, the Bole EV features great interiors and spacious cargo space.
3 Tesla Model 3 (2017 - Present)
Yet another Tesla makes the cut and for good reason! For a Tesla, the Model 3 is priced reasonably and still packs quite the punch. The Model 3 first hit the market in 2017 and took the EV-sphere by storm by becoming one of the best-selling EVs of all time. Depending on which version of the 2017 Model 3, the rear-wheel drive offered anywhere between 220 miles - 310 miles per charge. The 2023 Model 3 offers 272 miles per charge and the long-range version offers a respectable 358 miles between charges. Elegance in simplicity is how we would describe the interiors of the Model 3! The interior is pretty simple looking with a digital dashboard that controls everything. Furthermore, the Model 3 also comes with heated front seats and a semi-autonomous driving system but if you’re willing to spend $15,000 more, you can get the Full-Self Driving Capability System as well. All in all, it is not hard to see why the Model 3 is one of the best EV available in the market today.
2 Audi E-Tron/E-Tron Sportback (2019 - Present)
The E-Tron Sportback entered the market in 2019, and it was Audi’s first-ever all-electric car. Powered by a 95.0-kWh battery pack, the E-Tron Sportback could whoop out 355 ponies, and by switching to the sportback mode, you can get the EV to churn out 414 ponies, pretty impressive for a first all-electric car. As of today, you can expect the 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron Sportback to go on sale in mid-2023 and of course, it comes with a lot more features than its predecessors. For starters, the E-Tron Sportback is now relabeled as the Q8 E-Tron Sportback in addition to the revamped design as well as a much bigger battery pack (106.0-kWh) that can hammer out 355 horses and can go up to 300 miles on every charge. Audi is synonymous with luxury and that becomes pretty evident when you take a look at the interior, it comes with a splendid infotainment system as well as massage front chairs. To top it off, the cargo space offered is quite generous!
1 Tesla Model Y (2020 - Present)
Introduced to the masses in 2019, the Tesla Model Y has been in production since 2020 and this is by far the best-selling Tesla model yet, additionally, it’s also one of the most popular electric cars right now. That is because the Model Y has everything you could ask for in a top-tier electric car. The exterior of the Tesla Model Y is super slick yet simplistic. This all-wheel drive can go anywhere between 303 miles - 330 miles on a full charge depending on the trim you choose, furthermore, the rear-wheel trim is no longer in the lineup of Model Ys. In terms of acceleration power, this EV can whizz to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, the same would take 3.6 seconds for the Performance model. The interior is pretty similar to the Tesla Model 3 and comes equipped with a pretty huge infotainment system and decent interior space to go with it!