E-mobility: These are the low-priced ones among the high-voltage vehicles

The electric car market in Germany is increasingly dividing into two camps: on the one hand, the classic electric vehicles with 400-volt architecture, and on the other, the more powerful models with 800-volt technology. The latter have technically speaking, the upper hand, but are generally more expensive. They charge significantly faster and can also provide higher drive power over a longer period of time.

Anyone who frequently drives long motorway tours will appreciate these advantages. The downside is the higher purchase costs. However, there are now several models with 800 volts that even fall significantly below the 50,000-euro mark.

BYD Atto 3 Evo

The Chinese giant BYD marks the provisional high point among the 800-volt low-priced models with the Atto 3 Evo. This may come as a surprise, as the Atto 3 had been running with modest 400 volts for years. However, in the spring, a technical upgrade followed, which set an exclamation mark among other things with the high-voltage technology: in the new edition called Evo, 800 volts are available.

This makes the Atto 3 Evo a range-strong fast charger with snappy driving performance. Up to 220 kW, the BYD can extract from a hypercharger and thus charge its 75 kWh large battery in around 25 minutes from 10 to 80 percent. The entry-level version has a 230 kW/313 hp strong rear-wheel drive, which enables the sprint to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 180 km/h.

The WLTP range is 510 kilometers. Above that is the two-motor variant Excellence with 330 kW/449 hp strong all-wheel drive, which storms to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and drives up to 200 km/h fast. The increased power, however, costs range, which drops to 470 kilometers according to WLTP. Officially, according to the price list, 45,000 and 51,000 euros are called.

However, BYD has been granting discounts of 9,000 and 11,500 euros in Germany for months. This reduces the prices of the Atto 3 Evo to 36,000 and 39,500 euros for a spacious and well-equipped electric car.

Kia EV6

Among the 800-volt pioneers in Germany is the Kia EV6 introduced in 2021. Thanks to its E-GMP platform, 800 volts are already available in the base version, which starts at around 45,000 euros. For this, there is a 125 kW/170 hp strong rear-wheel drive and a 63 kWh large battery, which enables up to 428 kilometers of range. The sprint to 100 km/h is achieved in 8.7 seconds, the top speed is 185 km/h.

Charging is done with up to 195 kW. Anyone who invests around 50,000 euros receives 160 kW/229 hp and the larger 84 kWh battery. This increases the range to up to 582 kilometers, while the maximum charging power climbs to 258 kW.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Externally, it is hardly noticeable, but technically, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a twin of the Kia EV6. Under the angular sheet metal dress, the same E-GMP platform is hidden. Correspondingly, batteries with 63 or 84 kWh as well as identical drive versions and charging powers are available. There are only minor differences in the ranges.

With the smaller battery, the Hyundai achieves up to 440 kilometers, with the large battery, up to 570 kilometers are possible. In terms of price, the Ioniq 5 is around 700 euros above the technically largely identical Kia.

Smart #5

The brand Smart, once founded by Mercedes, has consistently committed to electromobility a few years ago. The provisional high point of the zero-emission offensive is the 800-volt SUV #5 introduced in 2025. However, this does not apply to the base version, which starts at a slim 46,000 euros and is satisfied with 400-volt technology.

It becomes interesting from the Pro+ variant, which is offered from 50,900 euros. Here, 267 kW/363 hp and a 100 kWh battery ensure decent driving performance: the sprint to 100 km/h takes 6.5 seconds, the top speed is 200 km/h. The WLTP range is up to 590 kilometers. The charging power is particularly impressive: with up to 400 kW, the Smart is one of the fastest on the market.

The charging process from 10 to 80 percent takes only 18 minutes. Currently, Smart grants an action premium of 4,000 euros, which reduces the price for the #5 Pro+ to 46,900 euros.

Mercedes-Benz GLA

Despite 800 volts and the star in the radiator grille, which stands for high prices, Mercedes has even made it into the top 5. From November, the new electric GLA starts at 48,600 euros. The entry-level version is the 200 with a 165 kW/224 hp strong rear-wheel drive and a 58 kWh large LFP battery. Like the CLA introduced in 2025, the new GLA relies on the MMA architecture.

It offers consistently 800 volts, regardless of the battery size. However, in the GLA 200, the potential of this foundation is not fully exploited. The maximum charging power is 200 kW, which allows the charging process from 10 to 80 percent to be completed in around 20 minutes. The WLTP range is 457 kilometers. The driving performance can also be seen.

The almost 4.60-meter-long five-door accelerates to 100 km/h in 8 seconds and reaches up to 210 km/h. Faster, more durable, and correspondingly more expensive is the GLA 250+, which comes with an 85 kWh battery, up to 320 kW charging power, and up to 655 kilometers of WLTP range. However, prices start here at around 55,000 euros.