EVs have become a popular option as gas prices soar. More options are emerging every day capable of more than the model before. Here are 3 of the best-selling mainstream EVs from last year that you may want to consider when car shopping and making the switch to an electric vehicle.

Chevy Bolt makes a big comeback

In 2021, General Motors recalled every single Chevrolet Bolt going back to 2016, the little EV’s first model year. The recall totaled 141,000 units due to a potential fire-causing defect, reports Car and Driver. As a result, Chevrolet sold only 17 Bolt EVs and eight Bolt EUVs in the fourth quarter of 2021.

However, the final quarter of 2022 tells a different story. Chevy sold 11,242 units of the Bolt EUV and 4,866 units of the Bolt EV. At a combined 16,108 units sold, the Bolt duo made up nearly 40% of the “mainstream” market, reports GM Authority. Given the backlash from the historic recall, these impressive numbers indicate the market’s deep desire for affordable EVs. 

Mustang Mach-E takes the top spot

While sales of the Mustang Mach-E did not increase as drastically as the Bolt duo, Ford’s first EV managed to sell 11,369 units in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to the previous year’s 8,285, the 37.22% increase is a notable jump over the previous year. The Mach-E offers a ton of performance given its $50,000 starting MSRP. The Mach-E California Route 1 starts at under 60,000 with 312 miles of range and has an impressive 346 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. It’s still too expensive for the average consumer, but given its top sales spot, it’s clearly a desirable package. 

The Bolt and Ioniq 5 round out the top three

The Bolt duo may beat the Mach-E, but the Bolt EUV’s 11,242 units solid in quarter 4 of 2022 still fall ever-so-slightly behind the popular Ford. Coming in just below the regular Bolt EV, the Ioniq 5 managed 4,490 units in the final quarter of 2022. That is a massive leap from the previous year’s 153, but given the Ioniq 5’s first model year is 2022, that isn’t shocking. The Ioniq 5 doesn’t quite have the power or range the Mach-E does, but it is much cheaper, starting at just over $42,000, reports Car and Driver. 

EVs on the rise, including Tesla

For 2022, the Mach-E sold 39,458 units, the Bolt EUV 27,091 units, the Ioniq 5 22,982 units, and the Bolt EV 11,029 units. The Bolt EV is the only model on the list that didn’t see at least a 45% increase in sales from the previous year. This list excludes Tesla, whose Model 3 sold 240,266 units in 2022, reports Car Figures.

The Model 3 saw its own massive leap from the 121,610 units sold in 2021. Tesla aside, it’s impressive to see all these EVs increasing their market share by such a significant margin year over year. It’s clear the desire for more reasonably priced EVs is pushing people toward cars like the Bolt and Bolt EUV. While the Mustang and Ioniq 5 are great cars, they aren’t particularly affordable. That said, the number of great options for EV buyers is growing, and so are their sales.