Not necessarily electric only, range extended would be fine as well
List off the top of my head:
Fiat 500E Tesla Volt Prius PHEV Fisker Spark EV (2014) Focus EV Leaf
The Spark is definitely the cheapest option for anything new. Is there anything older/more GRM (budget) friendly? A Prius + battery kit? Are there any conversion kits for cars out there that are bolt-in affairs?
Well if you're willing to play the lease game, the Fit EV just knocked up a great one, though the Fiat and the Leaf are both close. The Spark is the cheapest to buy outright. Used Fisker's are going for mad (low) money. The Volt is cool, but it's expensive compared to it's peers and just not as efficient overall. All of the Ford Energi's are neat (Focus, Fusion, C-Max) but they are really priced much too high. The C-Max also has almost no storage capacity.
Personally, and I have looked into this a lot and driven most of these cars as SWMBO really wants an electric car, I would buy a 2013+ Leaf. It's the most "normal" of a car. I'd get the absolute base model (S) and get the upgraded battery as the only option. A used Leaf might be worth going for as well, though the charger in the hatch area eats a lot of storage space (but they have more power).
The leaf that I rented felt like a really boring car wrapped around a great drivetrain. I've heard that the Focus is more entertaining and "normal". If you aren't putting a lot of miles on, the Leaf and Focus are being offered at attractive lease rates. If you have to buy...... I don't know if any EV is inexpensive.
1st gen insights are getting pretty cheap. A friend loved his, and actually had good luck autocrossing it. Lightweight+torque+Hoosiers FTW!
I've done a modest bit of looking into conversions since there's a decent chance that I'm going to be moving far enough out of town that commuting via bike like I prefer to just isn't going to be feasible. None of the conversion kits are what most people would consider 'bolt-in' affairs, though compared to some of the ridiculous things others around here do on a regular basis they may look easy. I've largely decided if I do need to go this route, I'll be doing something along the lines of building an electric-converted motorcycle-based trike (think an electric-conversion Trimagnum) since I'd only really be using it for commuting to and from work.
The Spark EV's a damn good deal no matter how you look at it. You might be able to get a used one and fix it up for less but it'll be tough.
Unless you live in California or Oregon, you can forget the Spark.
iceracer wrote: Unless you live in California or Oregon, you can forget the Spark.
If those are sold by me people will line camp for them. If I had too much money I might get one as a nice DD.
kreb wrote: The leaf that I rented felt like a really boring car wrapped around a great drivetrain. I've heard that the Focus is more entertaining and "normal". If you aren't putting a lot of miles on, the Leaf and Focus are being offered at attractive lease rates. If you have to buy...... I don't know if any EV is inexpensive. 1st gen insights are getting pretty cheap. A friend loved his, and actually had good luck autocrossing it. Lightweight+torque+Hoosiers FTW!
Are you talking about the red one "Electric Stan" used autocross in SFR SCCA? He let me co-drive it once. Sticky tires on a flyweight car was way more fun than I expected.
I was going to say, the cheapest way to buy an EV is to buy one that's already built. I bought a car with a 50hp motor and no batteries for $900. The next cheapest one is to build a beetle.
At no point did it occur to me to buy an OEM one until i read the actual post..And now i am less interested. 
Well, since the answer is always.... http://www.evmiata.com/
Not something I have a lot of interest in though
Just a note on the Leaf. Coworker and his wife has one and she drives it to work everyday at qualcomm in san diego. So no bad weather hot or cold to deal with. Her mileage has gotten so bad she can't do her 60 mile a day commute safely without charging at work. The car used to do the commute easily.
She also has all 5 star grades on her driving as Nissan downloads it so she doesnt drive fast or beat on the car
Yeah Beetle is a good way to go, as are 914s if you can find one. Both should have bolt in action, I think there are some kits for the Ranger too. The Ranger is a good option because it has a little heavier springs to deal with the extra batteries.
Conversions without kits shouldn't be that bad either there are plenty of message boards with more info than you need. The biggest expense is going to be the batteries and the donor vehicle. If you are thrifty it wouldn't be hard to on a grassroots budget.
Jaynen wrote: Just a note on the Leaf. Coworker and his wife has one and she drives it to work everyday at qualcomm in san diego. So no bad weather hot or cold to deal with. Her mileage has gotten so bad she can't do her 60 mile a day commute safely without charging at work. The car used to do the commute easily. She also has all 5 star grades on her driving as Nissan downloads it so she doesnt drive fast or beat on the car
Sounds like a service issue she should be taking it in for. It's not exactly fair to judge a vehicle by how it performs when it's broken. Now how OFTEN it's broken.. that's something else. 
She takes it in regularly and everything is fine but they won't replace the battery. It's not "broken" the battery degrades. There was a class action suit from a bunch of guys in arizona that results in nissan agreeing to replace batteries under specific circumstances
In reply to Jaynen:
Take it up with corporate, then start looking up lemon laws. Call your local news station for an "action reporter". There is definitely something wrong with her car, and they need to make it right.
Buy a used VW diesel, nearly 50 mpg without the fast run-down.
kb58 wrote: Buy a used VW diesel, nearly 50 mpg without the fast run-down.
This has exactly none of the features of an electric car I'd be looking for.
Jaynen wrote: She takes it in regularly and everything is fine but they won't replace the battery. It's not "broken" the battery degrades. There was a class action suit from a bunch of guys in arizona that results in nissan agreeing to replace batteries under specific circumstances
I'd write a letter to Obama. That's what Amanda Bynes would do.
A used Prius may be your answer as there are many a tutorial and how tos about how to rebuild the battery packs for around a $1K.
She takes it in regularly and everything is fine but they won't replace the battery. It's not "broken" the battery degrades.
Dealership: "This would not be profitable to fix.. make up something and hope she goes away."
Yeah it's sad they are not sure what to do about it. It's a lease and they have had it over a year
Recently (past week) I have been looking into this very thoroughly and I have found 4 viable routes.
1.) The cheap(est) route: Buy a (preferably used) Prius and purchase a PHEV kit from Enginer (http://enginer.us/products/conversion_kit.php). Then, recode the software so the Prius can go 70mph in EV mode (http://www.pluginconversions.com/picc_pressrelease61009.html). PICC also offers a PHEV package but their prices are very ambitious. Between the battery and the reprogramming, this would cost about $7,250 + the cost of the Prius so about $17,500 and would provide a 60mi. EV range.
Pros: Cheap
Cons: It's a Prius, very limited power (and speed) in EV mode, relatively limited EV range, questionable durability of a motor that is being used much harder than it was engineered for.
Although all traditional hybrids could be converted to a PHEV, their EV mode is fairly limited in terms of power and top speed. Of all the hybrids I researched, only the Prius could (be made to) drive over 65mph in EV mode.
2.) The OE PHEV route: Purchase a (preferably used) Chevy Volt. Today, a used Volt an be found for under $25,000 and should (theoretically) give you a 40mi. Range. If you wanted more EV range, you could always add an Enginer kit which would give you an extra 60mi. of range (for a total of 100mi.) for $5,250 (after EITC).
Pros: It's a well engineered system, excellent EV power and speed
Cons: Only seats four, relatively limited range without the extra battery
Altnatives that only do 62mph in EV mode: Honda Accord Plug-in, Toyota Prius PHV
3.) EV only route: From a numbers standpoint, I think the Leaf is the best if you're going this route. After EITC, it is around $23,000 and should go 109mi. on a charge. Apparently Nissan is installing quick chargers in a number of dealerships but I haven't seen any consistent objective information on this.
Pros: It a well engineered system, low center of gravity, cheap, relatively powerful in EV mode
Cons: once the electricity runs out, that's the end of the show; relatively pricey
4.) The practical route:Purchase a Ford C-Max Energi and a 12KWH kit from Enginer. This would give you a total range of 80mi. and a top speed of 85mph in EV mode; total cost, $31,745 after EITC, Ford Customer incentives and all the small print.
Pros: Very practical (can fit a mattress in the back), very good EV range, well equipped
Cons: It's an MPV, relatively meager acceleration in EV mode
Ultimately, you have to take a step back and ask how much range will you (regularly) use and when you need to take the occasional long trip, can you use a different car? Additionally, how much space do you need?
I looked into the Miata EV and they use lead acid batteries which can only endure about 400 full cycles or 700 half cycles. To use a more durable ion lithium battery of similair capacity would add (many) thousands to the cost.
Also, I like the idea of using the C-Max (or any other roomy EV hatchback) as an air conditioned tent (just leave the car "running").
Honda supposedly just announced a lease on the Fit for $199/mo, 36mo, $999 down, unlimited miles with a free level 2 EVSE.
I love my Volt.
If you're after cheapest, look into a Commutacar or a NEV like the Gem or Kandi Coco.
A little more will get you a previous generation OEM EV like a Ford Ranger EV, S10 EV (front wheel drive, natch) or a first gen RAV4 EV.
Leases look nice on the new cars. The $7500 in federal tax subsidies mean used cars are cheaper - $7500 cash value falls off when you title them.
The Leaf looks really nice for 2013, but I'd be sure to demand the charging package with the uprated 6kwh charger and Chademo port.
i-MiEV has had some cheap leases, but it's especially limited, and you should really know what you're getting into. I've seen a $69/mo lease on this car.
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