Illustration of transparent BEV car outline with powertrain components featured

Fully electric

ElectricPlug-in

Battery electric vehicles, or BEVs, are fully electric vehicles—there’s no gas required.

Woman walking towards EV with EV charger in hand

Is a fully electric car right for you?

A BEV could be right for you if you infrequently drive more than 200 miles and can easily access vehicle charging.

Pros

Awesome acceleration
Simplified maintenance

Cons

Higher average purchase prices
Time to re-charge
Public chargers scarce in remote places

Fully electric vehicles near you

Best used fully electric vehicles

Looking for the most-loved fully electric cars? We’ve got you covered. Here are the top 3 from the 10 most popular fully-electric EVs with CarMax customers.

See the top 10

Woman in driver's seat smiling at man in passenger seat while she interacts with digital console

1. Tesla Model 3

CarMax owner rating

Price range*

$20,998—$46,998

Estimated combined MPG

128 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

(data not available)

Pros

Excellent EPA-estimated range
Comfortable seating with ample space
Easy to drive and good visibility

Cons

The touchscreen controls almost everything
No support for Android Auto™ or Apple CarPlay®
The touch-based drive selector isn’t intuitive at first

Shop Model 3 models See more details

2. Nissan Leaf

CarMax owner rating

Price range*

$12,599—$22,998

Estimated combined MPG

109 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4.5 out of 5

Shop Leaf models See more details

3. Chevrolet Bolt EV

CarMax owner rating

Price range*

$16,998—$23,998

Estimated combined MPG

118 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

(data not available)

Pros

Impressive range
Spacious cabin
Swift acceleration

Cons

Interior lacks refinement
Small front seat cushions
Rough ride on bumpy roads

See more details

See the top 10

Learn more about fully-electric cars

Video

5 First-Timers Test Drive a Tesla | Here's How They React to the Model Y

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to drive an electric car for the very first time? We asked 5 people who had never been behind the wheel of an EV to take a spin in a Tesla Model Y, the most popular electric vehicle on the market. Our hosts Alison Fiori and Casey Goode also had these EV newbies navigate some of the more specific quirks that come with driving a Tesla. What did they think? There’s only one way to find out ...

Trends

How to Get the Most Miles from Your Electric Car

Driving an EV isn't that different from any other car, but if you want to maximize your electric range, read on. From accelerating smoothly to using regenerative braking, these tips will help you get the most miles from your electric car.

Trends

Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, Electric Vehicle: What's the Difference?

Defining hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell, and battery electric vehicles while presenting what differentiates them from each other as well as some pros and cons for each vehicle type.

Video

A Guide to EV Charging Plugs in 2023

A big change is coming to electric car charging. In 2025, more car manufacturers are going to use the Tesla fast charging system. Its new name is the North American Charging Standard or NACS, and it’s going to make charging your electric vehicles easier with access to the largest network of superchargers across the U.S...

Reviews And Comparisons

Ask the Expert: Everything You Want to Know About the Tesla Model Y

Luxurious, fast, and capable of delivering class-leading range, the Tesla Model Y is a very desirable electric SUV. In this article, Edmunds expert Travis Langness reviews the Model Y and goes over what makes it stand out compared to other SUVs and other EVs.

Trends

Should You Buy an Electric Car?

Wondering if you should buy an electric car? Take a look at our EV buying guide — it's full of useful tips and recommendations to help your search.

Best Affordable Electric Cars: Abstract | CarMax

Rankings

Best Affordable Electric Cars for 2022: Features, Photos, and More

Looking for an affordable EV? This list of the 10 best affordable used electric cars for 2022 shoppers, based on CarMax sales data from October 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022, can help you choose the best used electric car for your needs.

Want to view more trending articles?

Explore other EV types

* Price excludes taxes, title, registration, and fees. Applicable transfer fees are due in advance of vehicle delivery and are separate from sales transactions.

We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to indicate that a particular vehicle is currently available or recommended for you.

Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.

Editorial content contained on this page comes from Edmunds.com, Inc., a subsidiary of CarMax Enterprise Service, LLC, and information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities. By clicking on any video links, you will be taken to a third-party site maintained by YouTube, Inc.

We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before purchasing.