Over a decade ago, when the Nissan Leaf appeared as the first widely available mainstream electric car, the only drivers genuinely interested in buying one were early adopters with short commutes. Saddled with only about 100 miles of range and a new consumer phenomenon later dubbed "range anxiety," the Leaf had limited appeal. But in the ensuing years, advances in battery design and packaging unlocked many more miles per charge, broadening the acceptance of electric vehicles. Gradually, more buyers could envision using an EV around town or even on a road trip. Today`s EVs range from pokey and basic to fast and luxurious, with price tags to match. But unless the longest range available is absolutely necessary, some of today's top EVs are probably better at the price of a typical crossover SUV, or given federal and state incentives. It may be cheaper. We've put together the cheapest electric cars you can buy today, including both mainstream and luxury picks. If you're not ready for a complete EV experience, we also cover plug-in hybrids. If you hesitate to immerse your toes in electric water (apart from irresponsible metaphors), there's never been a better time to give it a try.