Mitsubishi i-MiEV ES
- Price: $29,125
- Gas mileage: 26 city mpge*/99 mpge highway
- Five-year cost to maintain: $30,729
- Cost per mile: 41 cents
The only all-electric car on our cheapest cars to own list uses a "miles per gallon equivalent" because it doesn't use gas. The iMiEV is helped along in the TCO department with an average annual fuel-cost rating that's about $4,000 less than the next lowest car on this list, which is the Honda Insight.
It is also eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit. Its 49-kilowatt electric motor spins out 66 horsepower. It takes up to seven hours to charge, using a 240-volt hookup like your clothes dryer uses. Its peak range is just more than 62 miles.
Among its standard features are full power accessories, air conditioning, a split-folding and reclining rear seat, and a four-speaker audio system with CD player.
*This car's mileage is written as "miles per gallon equivalent," or "mpge."