For the price of an average new car in America, five new electric vehicles (EVs) can be purchased in China. This shocking revelation has been made in a recent report by Reuters, which highlights the growing price gap between the automobile markets of America and China. The average list price of new cars in the US in March 2026 was $51,456, based on data from Kelley Blue Book.
At the same time, more than 200 battery-powered models (including hybrids) are available in China for less than $25,000. According to data from the Decar platform, the five best-selling electric vehicles in China start at less than $12,000. That means, at the price of an average car in America, a Chinese customer can buy all five of these EVs together.
Why is China cheaper than America?
Due to hyper-competition in China, prices of new cars have become much lower than in developed markets like America. This price difference is clearly visible in the Beijing Auto Show. However, these small EVs are not available in US showrooms and probably never will be, as the two markets have different regulations, safety standards and consumers.
This situation is posing a challenge for the global auto industry. In China, fast production, low costs and increasing competition have brought EVs within the reach of the common man, while in the US, prices remain high due to inflation, labor costs and other factors. In the coming time, this difference may also affect trade policies and tariffs. Come, let us know about these five cars.
Geely EX2
Its starting price is around $10,060. It was the best-selling model of any type of vehicle in China in 2025. It has a front trunk, a 14.6-inch touchscreen and a range of about 255 miles (according to Chinese test standards). According to auto analyst Felipe Munoz, “When you sit inside, it does not look like a small car, both the quality and size feel better.”
Wuling Hongguang MiniEV
Its starting price is $6,560. This car with affordable and attractive design is coming with four-door. Its top speed is 62 miles per hour and range is about 127 miles.
BYD Seagull
It can be purchased for only $10,200. This model of BYD has become increasingly popular. The 2026 version has features like lidar, fast charging and a range of up to 314 miles. Apart from this, at fourth and fifth place are BYD Yuan UP ($10,945) and BYD Qin Plus DM ($11,675) respectively.
BYD's small EVs have sold more than 7 lakh units in China in the last 12 months, making the company the largest seller of small electric vehicles. At the same time, the trend of making and selling small cars is less in America. Apart from this, there are still very few cheap and good EV options in India.