10 of the Most Expensive Electric Cars

2017 BMW 740e xDrive exterior on road ・ Photo by BMW

One notable American manufacturer tops our list of the most expensive electric cars. That is, of course, Tesla. The bulk of entries are all European imports and are plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) rather than pure electric vehicles (EV). Although Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler all offer EVs or PHEVs, none of those domestic entries are expensive enough to make this list. Japanese and Korean manufacturers have made a huge investment in hydrogen fuel cell technology. There are three leading fuel cell vehicles on the market (or soon to be): the Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Tuscon, and Honda Clarity. The Toyota Mirai carries a starting MSRP of $57,500. Hyundai Tuscon Fuel Cell is offered in select locations, but only as a $499 per month lease. The Honda Clarity will be available with electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel cell drivetrains (with a price to be determined). That said, this list focuses on electric vehicles that utilize large lithium-ion battery packs, rather than hydrogen fuel cells.

2017 BMW i8

The BMW i8 PHEV tops our list of the most expensive electric cars, with a starting MSRP of $140,700. The i8’s futuristic styling, butterfly doors, and high level of performance set it apart from everything else on the road today. The drivetrain combines a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline 3-cylinder engine with a hybrid synchronous electric motor. The EPA rates the 2017 i8 at 76 MPGe and 28 MPG while running on gasoline, with an EV mode range estimated at 15 miles. The 0-60 MPH sprint is covered in 4.4 seconds. The i8 plays a cameo role in “Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol” with Tom Cruise piloting the car through the hectic streets of Mumbai in a pivotal scene.

Photo by BMW

2017 Mercedes-Benz S550e Plug-in Hybrid

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz S550e Plug-in Hybrid is the most luxurious sedan on our list of the most expensive electric cars, edging out the BMW 740e xDrive. The interior is exquisite and the technology is top shelf. While the S550e Plug-in Hybrid carries a starting MSRP of $96,600, the rear seat option packages are extensive. You can spend an additional $10,000 and change to fully equip the car for executive transport. The S550e’s hybrid drivetrain consists of a 3.0-liter biturbo V6 engine and a single electric motor which produce 436 horsepower in tandem. The factory-estimated 0-60 MPH time is 5.2 seconds. The EPA rates the S550e at 56 MPGe and 21 MPG while running on gasoline.

2017 BMW 740e xDrive

The 2017 BMW 740e xDrive iPerformance rivals the Mercedes-Benz S550e as the most luxurious entry on our list of the most expensive electric cars, while undercutting the S550e on price, with a starting MSRP of $89,100. The interior material list includes a splendid array of fine leather upholstery and wood trim choices for a high degree of customization, while the luxury rear seating option package provides second-row seat heating, ventilation, and massage. The 740e xDrive’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain utilizes a 2.0-liter Twin Power Turbo inline 4-cylinder engine and produces a total of 322 horsepower. BMW estimates the 0-60 MPH time at 6.5 seconds. The EPA rates the 740e xDrive at 64 MPGe and 27 MPG while running on gasoline.

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2017 Porsche Cayenne S e-Hybrid

While it's far from the fastest, the all-wheel drive 2017 Porsche Cayenne S e-Hybrid is the most sporting plug-in hybrid crossover on our list of expensive electric cars and carries a starting MSRP of $78,700. The Cayenne S e-Hybrid’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain combines a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor to produce a total of 416 horsepower. This provides a top track speed of 151 miles per hour and a factory estimated 0-60 MPH time of 5.4 seconds. The EPA rates the Cayenne S e-Hybrid at 46 MPGe and 22 MPG while running on gasoline. You'll find 20.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the rear seats and 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

Photo by Porsche

2017 Tesla Model X

The all-wheel drive 2017 Tesla Model X is the only pure electric SUV and second-fastest entry on our list of the most expensive electric cars. The base Model X 75D ($85,000) provides a 237-mile driving range with a factory-estimated 6.0 second 0-60 MPH time, while the range-topping P100D ($135,500) is factory-rated at a blistering 2.9 seconds in the 0-60 MPH sprint, with a 289-mile driving range. The Model X is covered by Tesla’s generous 8-year/infinite-mile battery and drivetrain warranty. A 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty covers the remainder of the vehicle. Although initial deliveries of the Model X were marred by quality issues, the company has made great strides to remedy the situation.

Photo by Tesla

2017 Volvo XC90 Excellence

The all-wheel drive 2017 Volvo XC90 Excellence PHEV is the most luxurious and expensive SUV offered in 2017 with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. The starting MSRP of $104,900 buys into an exclusive club, with lush seating for four that includes heating, ventilation, and massage. The perforated leather upholstery is exquisite and the ergonomics are exceptional. The rear seating area features a refrigerator and touch screen controls. The XC90 Excellence’s plug-in hybrid drivetrain utilizes a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that is both supercharged and turbocharged. It produces 400 horsepower, with a factory-estimated 0-100 km/h time of 5.6 seconds. The EPA rates the XC90 PHEV at 54 MPGe and 25 MPG while running on gasoline.

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2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE55e 4MATIC Plug-in Hybrid

The luxurious all-wheel drive 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE55e 4MATIC Plug-in Hybrid SUV offers the most cargo capacity in our list of expensive electric vehicles and has a starting MSRP of $66,300. The GLE550e’s hybrid drivetrain pairs a 3.0-liter biturbo V6 engine with an electric motor to produce 436 horsepower. Mercedes-Benz estimates the 0-60 MPH time as 5.3 seconds, while the EPA rates the GLE55e Plug-in Hybrid at 43 MPGe and 21 MPG when running on gasoline. There are 38.2 cubic feet of cargo area behind the second row, with a total of 80.3 cubic feet. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2016 GLE a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with the optional front crash prevention technology.

2017 BMW X5 xDrive40e

If you’re looking for a luxurious electric vehicle that provides a generous amount of cargo capacity along with the ability to tackle tough weather and road conditions, the all-wheel drive 2017 BMW X5 xDrive40e iPerformance fits the bill. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain produces a total of 308 horsepower and incorporates a 2.0-liter Twin Power Turbo inline 4-cylinder engine that delivers a factory-rated 6.5-second 0-60 MPH time. There’s 34.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seat and 72.5 cubic feet of capacity with the second row folded down. The EPA rates the X5 xDrive40e at 56 MPGe and 24 MPG while running on gasoline. It has a starting MSRP of $62,100.

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2017 Tesla Model S

The 2017 Tesla Model S EV is the fastest vehicle on our list of the most expensive electric cars and has a starting MSRP of $68,000 for the base rear-wheel drive Model S 60. The Model S is available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and there are four trim levels. The Model S 60 has a 210-mile driving range and a factory-estimated 5.5-second 0-60 MPH time, while the top-of-the-line $134,500 P100D is factory rated at a mind-boggling 2.5 seconds in the 0-60 MPH sprint, with a 315-mile driving range. Every Model S is covered by an 8-year/infinite mile battery and drivetrain warranty, along with a 4-year/50,000-mile limited warranty on other components.

Photo by Tesla

2017 BMW 330e

The 2017 BMW 330e iPerformance is the most affordable entry on our list of expensive electric cars, with a starting MSRP of $44,100. BMW’s engineers have done a masterful job of integration, with the 330e maintaining the 3 Series’ best qualities. The plug-in hybrid drivetrain includes a 2.0-liter Twin Power Turbo inline 4-cylinder engine and provides approximately 15 miles of electric driving range on a fully charged battery. The EPA rates the 330e at 71 MPGe and 30 MPG while running on gasoline. Rest assured, the 330e’s no slouch off the line, covering the 0-60 MPH sprint in 5.9 seconds. The fully-electric BMW i3 is a tad less expensive than the 330e, with a starting MSRP of $42,400.

Photo by BMW