America’s Two Cheapest EVs Arrive with Volvo EX30 and Tesla Model Y Standard

If you have been waiting for a true budget gateway into EV ownership, this is your week. Two nameplates that rarely share a sentence now share a mission, bringing all electric SUVs to showrooms at prices that finally start with a three. Volvo’s EX30 Single Motor has landed in the United States, and Tesla has rolled out a new Model Y Standard that undercuts every other version in its own lineup. Together they set a new floor for mainstream EV pricing without feeling like compromises on wheels.

Volvo’s most affordable EV is the EX30 Single Motor, priced at $38,950. It carries a rear mounted motor rated at 268 horsepower, an estimated 261 miles of range, and a projected sprint to 60 mph in just over five seconds. It arrives in Plus trim, so equipment should remain generous for the money, even if Volvo has not detailed every feature tradeoff for the base configuration. For drivers who want more grip and a touch of adventure, the EX30 Cross Country joins the range with standard all wheel drive, taller ride height, and available all terrain tires, starting at $48,150.

Over at Tesla, the new Model Y Standard brings the headline number of $41,630 including destination and the order fee. This version uses a single rear motor and a slightly smaller battery pack, delivering 300 horsepower, an estimated 321 miles of range, and a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.8 seconds. To meet that price, Tesla trims a few niceties. The panoramic glass roof gives way to metal, leather is swapped for fabric, and the rear 8 inch screen is removed. You still get the familiar 15.4 inch center display, over the air updates, and the usual suite of software driven features, with 18 inch wheels standard and 19s optional.

The comparison is a fascinating flip. On paper, the Tesla travels farther on a charge and costs a touch more once you factor fees, while the Volvo is quicker to 60 and slips under the $40,000 mark. The EX30 is the smaller vehicle and will likely feel more urban friendly. The Model Y offers the roomier cabin and a longer road trip buffer. Either way, buyers now have legitimate choices below the pricing of many compact crossovers with a gas engine.

We recently reviewed the Volvo EX30 in Twin Motor Performance Ultra form, which turns the wick up considerably with all wheel drive and a healthy bump in pace, along with a price tag that climbs well past the entry figure. That review gives helpful context for how the platform behaves at the top of the lineup and underscores how appealing the EX30 can be when configured for fun.

If you are cross shopping the new entry pair, think about how you drive most days. The EX30 Single Motor brings a premium vibe and quick step with tidy dimensions that fit city life. The Model Y Standard stretches range and space while keeping Tesla’s familiar interface and charging ecosystem in play. Both are proof that the bottom of the EV market no longer means bare bones, and both make a compelling case for going electric without blowing the budget.