The Nissan Leaf electric vehicle is now the least expensive EV available in the United States — and the only EV that starts under $30,000. Everything else that's electrified has a base price well over $30,000.

As the Leaf did, too — last year.

This year, it costs $4,200 less to start ($27,400) than last year's Leaf ($31,600).

Unfortunately, Nissan's little EV doesn't go any farther this year — just 149 miles, like last year, unless you pay well over $30,000 for one with a stronger battery.

What It Is

The base price is $27,400, for the version that can go about 149 miles on a full charge.

If you want to go farther than 149 miles on a charge, Nissan offers a "Plus" version of the Leaf, which can get you 226 miles down the road.

That'll cost you $32,400 to start.

A top-of-the-line Leaf SL Plus stickers for $37,400. This one comes with the stronger battery and more range, plus leather trim, a home-type heat pump for the cabin that warms the car more efficiently than a resistance heater and a premium seven-speaker Bose audio system.

What's New

In addition to a lower base price, all versions of the '22 Leaf come standard with Level 3 charging capability, meaning you can plug them into commercial high-voltage (400-900 volt) "fast" chargers available outside the home, in addition to the 120 volt and 240 volt outlets available in private homes.

What's Good

It's a few thousand less to start than it used to be.

About twice as much available cargo space than the Chevy Bolt, the other EV in this price range.

Newly standard "fast" charge capability gets you going again, sooner.

What's Not So Good

Lower price doesn't come with increased range.

"Fast" charging is still slow relative to fueling up a non-EV.

Don't forget to factor in the cost of updating your house's wiring if you're not equipped for 240-volt charging.

Under The Hood

One thing about EVs versus non-EVs that will make shopping for an EV easier is there's less to consider. All EVs have battery packs and electric motors — and there's not much difference between them.

One may be larger or smaller than another. Or more or less powerful. But it's nothing like the difference between a turbocharged in-line four-cylinder engine and a V8. Also, most EVs don't have transmissions; the electric motor directly drives the wheels. So there's no need to ponder the pros and cons of a manual versus an automatic or a dual-clutch automatic versus a continuously variable (CVT) automatic.

The main thing to ponder about when it comes to EVs is how far it can go.

The base trim Leaf that costs $4,200 less this year than last year comes with a 40-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a 147-horsepower electric motor, driving the front wheels. This combo has a maximum range of about 149 miles, making this version of the Leaf the one with the shortest leash of any new EV.

That's the price you pay for not spending more than $30,000.

Plus versions of the Leaf get a stronger, 60-kilowatt-hour battery pack and a more powerful 214-horsepower electric motor, also driving the front wheels. Equipped with this combo, the Leaf can go about 226 miles.

On The Road

Combustion engines have to run — must rev — to make power. That means it takes a moment or so to make power, so even if they make a lot of power, it's not as instant as the power you get in an EV because electric motors make their maximum torque immediately.

That's why the Leaf — even the one without the Plus upgrade — feels quicker and actually is quicker than most nonelectric economy cars such as its sibling, the Versa.

It's not ludicrously speedy, but it does get to 60 in about seven seconds.

At The Curb

The Leaf is a pretty practical car on account of the 23.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind its second row and the 30 cubic feet that opens up if you fold the second-row seats down. There's also 33.5 inches of backseat legroom, which combined with the cargo room makes the Leaf viable as a primary car for a small family — provided you don't take long family trips.

On that count, electric models with more standard range such as the Bolt and the Hyundai Kona work better — but it'll cost you more to drive them.

The Rest

Another thing to keep in mind — and it applies to any EV — is that if you regularly use up all or most of the battery pack's range, you will likely have to replace the battery pack sooner. Heavy discharge/recharge cycles (especially at "fast" chargers) will inevitably reduce the battery's useful service life by reducing its capacity to take and retain a full charge.

The Bottom Line

The Leaf is now more affordable — but it's still an expensive way to not go very far.

View the Nissan Leaf this week.

Eric's latest book, "Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!" will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.

View the Nissan Leaf this week.