The dream of an affordable, long-range electric car is no longer a “future” concept—it is the reality of the 2025 showroom. As battery costs continue to plummet and competition from global manufacturers intensifies, several major automakers are launching models that prove you don’t need a luxury budget to go green.

Here are the top budget-friendly EVs dominating the headlines this year.

1. The Tesla “Model 2” (Model Q)

Perhaps the most discussed vehicle in EV history, Tesla’s entry-level hatchback (often referred to as the Model Q or Model 2) is slated to begin production late this year. Aimed squarely at the sub-$30,000 market, this vehicle is expected to leverage Tesla’s “unboxed” manufacturing process to slash costs without sacrificing the tech-heavy experience fans expect.

• Why it matters: It brings the industry-leading Supercharger network and Autopilot features to a mass-market price point.

2. 2025 Nissan Leaf (The Redesign)

The pioneer of affordable …