The idea of electric cars goes way back to the early 1800s. The very first basic version of an electric carriage was made by Robert Anderson in 1835, and the first known electric train was built by a Scottish man named Robert Davidson in 1839.
Robert’s electric car was later destroyed by railway workers who thought it could threaten their jobs. Jump to 2023, and we’ve made huge progress since then. Today, there are many electric cars available.
To make it even better, today’s electric cars come with lots of amazing features and choices! When it comes to performance, you can find some very strong electric vehicles. For example, the Tesla Model X Plaid is the fastest SUV in the world (0 to 60mph in just 2.3 seconds).
If you look back a little, you’ll notice that some electric cars have been available for a really long time! The reason for their long presence could be because of several things like their features, performance, comfort, and other qualities that might be special to that specific electric car. Here are 10 electric cars that have stayed on sale the longest.
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Tesla Roadster (2008 – Present)
Lately, the first-generation Tesla Roadster has become a bit popular as a car people like to collect, even though it’s technically still being made. The Roadster was Tesla’s first electric car, and it was a big step forward for its time.
The first-generation Roadster was made until 2012. The second-generation Roadster is supposed to come out in mid-2023. Of course, you can expect a big step up from the first one. Some might call it the oldest electric car still around, though that’s up for debate. But hey, the name is still in use!
The 2023 Roadster can go 620 miles on a full charge, which is really impressive, while the 2008 version could only go 244 miles. When it comes to how fast it can go, Tesla seems determined to beat its own records. The 2023 Roadster can reach 60 mph in just 1.9 seconds, making it one seriously scary fast electric car.
Nissan Leaf (2010 – Present)
The Nissan Leaf came out in 2010, though it was a bit delayed before it reached customers. It was pretty much the first electric car in the U.S. that people could afford and that could go 100 miles on one charge. The Nissan Leaf is still one of the most budget-friendly electric vehicles you can buy.
The newest version, the 2023 Nissan Leaf, came out in the middle of 2022. It has a fresh design, and the Leaf S costs around $29,000, while the SV version is expected to cost about $37,000. But here’s the thing, the Nissan Leaf is a solid and budget-friendly option, but it’s not perfect.
One of the main issues is its range. It only goes 150 miles on a full charge, and the SV version can do 215 miles per charge. These numbers are okay, but when you look at other electric cars in the same price range, they often offer better range. The Leaf is powered by a 40.0 kWh battery and has front-wheel drive.
It can produce up to 147 horsepower, while the SV version, which has a bigger battery, can go up to 215 horsepower. Even with these issues, the Nissan Leaf has a nice interior and offers a lot of room inside.
Tesla Model S (2012 – Present)
The Tesla Model S came out in 2012 and it still seems to be doing well today. When it was released, the 2012 Tesla Model S could go 211 miles on a full charge.
For some people, that was a huge step up from what most electric cars could do back then, which was around 94 miles per charge, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
The 2023 Model S has many more features and a much better range—it can go about 405 miles between charges. This all-wheel drive car produces a powerful 670 horsepower, and the Plaid version of the Model S can produce 1020 horsepower.
The inside is very stylish and has more space than it looks like from the outside. Along with great safety features, the Model S is a strong electric vehicle that we believe will keep being made for a long time.
Fiat 500e (2013 – Present)
The first version of the Fiat 500e was shown to people in 2012 at the LA Auto Show, and it officially went on sale in 2013. The Fiat 500e was only available in California and Oregon as a special car made to help Fiat earn clean energy credits.
It could go 84 miles per charge and didn’t have many features. Because sales weren’t doing well, the Fiat 500e was removed from the North American market. Now, the 500e is set to return to the U.S. in early 2024, while it’s already being sold in Europe.
There isn’t a lot of info yet, but based on the European model, it should give you around 160 miles per charge. When it comes to the inside, you can expect it to look similar to the first version, but with more modern features and better safety as well.
Kia Soul EV (2014 – Present)
The first version of the Kia Soul EV arrived in the U.S. in November 2014. At first, it was sold only in a few states before becoming more widely available. This first version could go 100 miles on a full charge and could go from 0 to 60 mph in 10.6 seconds.
The price was around $35,000, which wasn’t the most affordable, and there were better choices at that cost. Three years later, the production of the first version ended, and in 2019, the second-generation Kia Soul EV was introduced with many improvements.
It can travel 280 miles on one charge and comes with a 64 kWh battery. Kia now sells two versions of this EV, called the Soul EV “Urban” and the Soul EV “Explore”. The inside of the Soul EV looks great and includes Voice Control for a better experience while driving, along with many great safety features.
Tesla Model X (2015 – Present)
The Tesla Model X was released in 2015 and is well-known for its Gullwing doors. On top of that, the Tesla Model X is one of the fastest electric SUVs out there.
Over time, the Model X has received a number of changes and new features. At first, the Model X came in different versions, including a performance model and a long-range model. But in 2022, Tesla removed most of those options and brought in a new performance version called the Model X Plaid.
This version quickly became well-liked as one of the fastest SUVs. The Plaid version can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds. The regular Model X can travel 348 miles on a full charge, while the Plaid version goes a little less at 333 miles per charge.
The Tesla Model X does come with a high price, starting at $111,630. It includes a high-quality interior, Tesla’s built-in infotainment system, and even has an extra screen for people sitting in the back. With all of these features, it seems likely that the Tesla Model X will continue being sold for a long time.
Chevrolet Bolt EV (2016 – Present)
The Chevrolet Bolt EV first came out in 2016 and quickly became one of the most popular and best-selling electric cars. What makes it so popular? Mainly because it’s affordable and still gives solid performance.
The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt came out in 2022 and was priced lower than older versions but still kept the same strong performance. In 2021, the production of the Bolt EV had to stop for a short time because of issues with the battery.
By April 2022, those problems were fixed, and the Bolt EV was back in production. It runs on a single electric motor and can produce a solid 200 horsepower, with a driving range of about 259 miles per charge. On the inside, the Bolt EV has a nice interior and plenty of space for cargo.
Tesla Model 3 (2017 – Present)
Here’s another Tesla that makes the list, and there’s a good reason for it! For a Tesla, the Model 3 has a decent price and still delivers strong performance. The Model 3 first came out in 2017 and quickly became one of the top-selling electric cars ever made.
Depending on which version of the 2017 Model 3 you had, the rear-wheel drive gave you between 220 miles to 310 miles per charge. The 2023 Model 3 offers 272 miles per charge, and the long-range version can give a solid 358 miles on a full charge.
If we had to describe the inside of the Model 3, we’d say it shows beauty through simplicity. The interior looks clean and minimal, with a digital dashboard that controls everything. On top of that, the Model 3 comes with heated front seats and a semi-autonomous driving system.
But if you’re okay with spending $15,000 more, you can get the Full-Self Driving Capability System as well. All things considered, it’s easy to see why the Model 3 is one of the best electric vehicles available today.
Audi E-Tron/E-Tron Sportback (2019 – Present)
The E-Tron Sportback was released in 2019 and was Audi’s first fully electric car. It came with a 95.0-kWh battery pack and could produce 355 horsepower.
When you switch it to sportback mode, the car can produce 414 horsepower, which is quite impressive for a first electric model. Now, people are looking forward to the 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron Sportback, which is expected to be released in mid-2023.
This new version has more features than the ones before it. The E-Tron Sportback now has a new name—the Q8 E-Tron Sportback—and it has a fresh design with a larger battery pack (106.0-kWh).
It can still give 355 horsepower and now has a range of up to 300 miles per charge. Audi is known for its luxury, and you can clearly see that when you step inside.
The interior features a high-end infotainment system and even massage front seats. To make things better, there’s plenty of space in the back for cargo.
Tesla Model Y (2020 – Present)
First shown to the public in 2019, the Tesla Model Y has been made since 2020, and it’s currently the best-selling Tesla model. In fact, it’s one of the most popular electric cars out there right now. That’s because the Model Y offers everything you’d want in a high-quality electric vehicle.
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The outside design of the Tesla Model Y is very smooth and simple. This all-wheel drive car can go anywhere from 303 miles to 330 miles on a full charge, depending on the version you pick. The rear-wheel version is no longer part of the Model Y lineup.
When it comes to speed, this EV can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds, while the Performance version can do the same in only 3.6 seconds. The inside of the car looks a lot like the Tesla Model 3. It includes a large infotainment screen and has a good amount of space inside too.
