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Have you priced out car insurance lately? Regardless of what the gecko or the emu are selling on Hulu these days, believe me when I tell you that insurance premiums are at an all-time high. But fear not, fellow Electrekkies – for I’ve done some digging and unearthed this lest of the cheapest EVs to insure in May 2025!

As I was putting this list together, I realized there were plenty of ways for me to present this information. In the end, I decided to go “countdown style” in descending order, with the absolute cheapest new EV to insure at the end of the article.

5. Nissan LEAF

Nissan-LEAF
2024 Nissan LEAF SV; via Nissan.

With its focus on affordable efficiency and die-hard adherence to the practically dead CHAdeMO charging standard, the Nissan LEAF is hardly flying off dealer lots in 2025, but if you’re driving less than 100 miles each way in a given day (or live/work near a CHAdeMO fast charger), the LEAF is one of the least expensive new cars you can buy in 2025. It’s also one of the least expensive to insure, too, with an estimated annual insurance cost of just $2,369.

4. Volkswagen ID.4

VW-Rivian-US
2024 Volkswagen ID.4; via VW.

One of the most popular legacy EVs, the ID.4 offers Volkswagen build quality and (for 2024) a Chat-GPT enabled interface. To keep ID.4 sales rolling, VW dealers are getting aggressive with discounts, making this fast-charging, 291 mile EPA-rated range, 5-star safety rated EV a value proposition that’s tough to beat – especially when you factor in affordable car insurance, with an estimated annual insurance cost of just $2,318.

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3. Hyundai Kona Electric

2024-Hyundai-Kona-EV-price
2024 Hyundai Kona Electric; via Hyundai.

Like its corporate twin, the Kia Niro EV, the Hyundai Kona Electric is one of the most underrated little electric runabouts on the market. These cars are always more fun to drive than you think they’ll be, with zippy acceleration, solid quality, plus an approachable sort of anonymity that I think a lot of Tesla drivers would appreciate right now – and, with an estimated annual insurance cost of just $2,276, they’re pretty easy on your wallet, too.

2. Kia Niro EV

2023 Kia Niro EV
2025 Kia Niro EV.

Like its corporate twin, the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Kia Niro EV is one of the most underrated little electric runabouts on the market. These cars are always more fun to drive than you think they’ll be, with zippy acceleration, solid quality, plus an approachable sort of anonymity that I think a lot of Tesla drivers would appreciate right now – and, with an estimated annual insurance cost of just $2,239, they’re pretty easy on your wallet, too.

1. Mini Cooper Electric

Mini Cooper Electric; via BMW/Mini.

This is one of those EVs that I tend to forget exists – which is strange, because I can think of at least three fellow car buffs who drive electric Minis. Two came from Tesla Model 3s, while the third chose a 2023 Cooper SE as his first EV. By all accounts, the cars are fun, practical enough around town, and handle like TaG karts. Sure, they’ll turn the 5-ish hour drive from Chicago to Cleveland into a 10 hour one, but that’s not what this car is for, and, with an estimated annual insurance cost of just $2,099, using it for what it is for won’t break the bank.

Honorable mention: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

2024 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Pinnacle; via Stellantis.

When the plug-in hybrid Chrysler Pacifica minivan first went on sale all the way back in 2016, it seemed to imply that the old Chrysler Corporation was going to race ahead of the other “Big Three” legacy US carmakers. That didn’t happen, but the Pacifica is still the king of cupholders, while the van’s stow n’ go seating, and all the other practical, clever details that add up to remind you Chrysler invented these things. Now, the big PHEV qualifies for a full $7,500 Federal tax credit and, with an estimated annual insurance cost of just $1,897, is one of the cheapest vehicles to insure at any price.

Disclaimer: the vehicle models and financing deals above were sourced from Forbes, CarEdge, and others, and was current as of 05MAY2025. These are not quotes and do not represent an offer to provide insurance. These rates may not be available in every market, or to every customer (the standard “with approved credit” fine print should be considered implied), and their listing here is not an endorsement of any specific vehicle, plan, or policy. Ask with your insurance carrier(s) for an individualized quote when you’re ready to buy.


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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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Tesla launches cheaper Model Y RWD in the US

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Tesla launches cheaper Model Y RWD in the US

Tesla has opened orders for the Model Y Long Range RWD for $45,000 in the US. It’s the new entry-level Model Y following the design refresh earlier this year.

Since launching the updated Model Y earlier this year, Tesla has only offered the best-selling electric SUV in a single Long-Range AWD configuration.

First, it was as a fully-loaded $60,000 Launch Edition, and last month, it started deliveries of the regular Model Y AWD starting at $49,000.

As we recently noted, Tesla didn’t have much of an order backlog for the new Model Y in the US, and it has already started gathering new Model Y AWD in inventory just weeks after launching the vehicle.

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Tesla even started offering subsidized financing rates on the new SUV this weekend.

Now, the automaker is starting to take orders for the new Model Y Long Range RWD

The new trim starts at $44,990 and enables 357 miles of range – an extra 30 miles over the AWD version.

However, due to its single motor powertrain, the lower-priced version is slightly slower with a 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.4 seconds rather than 4.6 seconds.

The automaker says that deliveries of the new version will start in the US in the next 3 to 5 weeks. It launched the new Model Y RWD in Europe weeks ago.

Tesla also offers a Standard Range RWD in Europe and China for even cheaper, and deliveries have already started in China.

Electrek’s Take

Tesla appears to have waited to open orders for the Model Y RWD in the US to optimize demand for the Long Range AWD.

But now it needs a cheaper model to sustain demand at the current production rate.

In the coming weeks, it will start building a mix of RWD and AWD in Fremont and Austin to

Interestingly, Tesla currently only offers the subsidized 1.99% financing rate on the Model Y Long Range AWD. I would assume that Tesla plans to take advantage of the boost in demand that the cheaper model will create.

However, US buyers probably won’t have to wait more than a few weeks before Tesla starts to offer lower interest rates on all versions, like it already does in Europe and China.

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Big Mack, hydrogen Honda, and a ride in the Tesla Semi at ACT Expo 2025 [part 6]

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Big Mack, hydrogen Honda, and a ride in the Tesla Semi at ACT Expo 2025 [part 6]

On today’s thrilling episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got some of the highlights of the 2025 ACT Expo, including the all-electric Windrose and Mack Pioneer Class 8s trucks, a hydrogen fuel sell [sic] from Honda, a fun charging surprise, and – after an eight year wait – we finally get a ride in the all-new (in 2017) Tesla Semi!

ACT Expo is North America’s premier clean truck and transport trade show – and for 2025 it was bigger than ever, with more exhibitors and more, more capable battery electric vehicles than ever. The downsides? NACFE have scored with their “messy middle” messaging, and the return of “clean diesel” talking points. We’ve got a brief rundown and links to all the details, below.

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyTuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.

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Got news? Let us know!
Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.


If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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Thousands of Texas homes are about to form a huge virtual power plant

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Thousands of Texas homes are about to form a huge virtual power plant

Abundance Energy, sonnen, and Energywell are teaming up to bring smarter, more resilient energy to Texas homes through a huge new virtual power plant (VPP) initiative.

By combining behind-the-meter home batteries, solar power, and advanced energy software, the trio is building a network of connected homes that can work together to support the grid. Customers who install sonnenConnect home batteries through Abundance Energy will now be part of a system that automatically stores and shares power when it’s needed most. That means lower electricity bills, better reliability during extreme weather, and a cleaner energy mix overall.

The VPP will cover all of ERCOT, with the primary focus in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas. Each home will have two 4.8kW/20kWh sonnenCore+20 battery units. The current customer base that will be enrolled in the VPP equals 60 MWh, and this will continue to grow each month. The VPP is already on track to replace Tesla as the largest virtual power plant in Texas by the end of 2026.

Here’s how it works: The batteries are continuously managed using Energywell’s Proton platform and sonnen’s smart VPP technology. This system monitors solar generation, customer energy use, and real-time electricity prices, and then decides when to charge or discharge each battery. Instead of just sitting idle, these batteries turn into mini power plants that can react to grid needs in real time.

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And when thousands of batteries work together, they form a virtual power plant—a decentralized network that reduces the strain on the grid, especially during peak demand or power outages. Unlike traditional power plants, VPPs don’t burn fossil fuels. They use clean, stored electricity from homes and businesses, helping cut carbon emissions while keeping the lights on.

“Our mission is to empower homeowners with smarter, more sustainable energy solutions,” said Thomas Mandry, CEO of Abundance Energy. “This partnership delivers a new kind of VPP model that benefits customers and strengthens the Texas grid.”

Blake Richetta, CEO of sonnen, added, “With Abundance Energy and Energywell, we’re showing how everyday homeowners can become part of the solution to Texas’ energy challenges.”

As Texas continues to face grid reliability issues, especially in extreme heat or cold, this kind of flexible, customer-powered energy system will make homes more resilient and give customers more control over their power.

Read more: The US’s largest virtual power plant now runs on 75,000 home batteries


If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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