In this article, we discuss the 7 best EV stocks under $50 and the latest updates around the EV industry.

EV Sales are Growing

Since 2018, electric vehicle (EV) sales have been rapidly growing as the world tries to reach its carbon neutrality goal by 2050. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), only 2% of new vehicles registered globally were electric vehicles, and reached 18% by the end of 2023. Even though most of these sales were concentrated in China, Europe, and the US, other markets such as India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Latin America have also been adopting the EV trend at a fast pace.

In 2024, while the high costs due to interest rates stalled EV sales a little, they are still growing at a significant pace as the sales reached 3.4 million units in Q1, compared to 2.6 million in the first quarter of 2023, according to the IEA. Furthermore, the accounting and consulting firm, PwC analyzed 21 markets and found out that in the second quarter of 2024, 37% of vehicles sold in these markets were battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), or hybrids, marking an increase from 30% in the same period of 2023. At the same time, overall EV sales rose by 21% compared to Q2 2023, while sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles declined by 9% during the same period.

BloombergNEF’s Long-Term Electric Vehicle Outlook shows that as technology improves and battery prices drop, EV adoption is increasingly driven by consumer demand. Passenger EV sales are expected to surpass 30 million units in 2027 and reach 73 million units by 2040.

Global EV Market to Reach $63 Trillion by 2050

Despite such progress, strong policy support is still needed, as only 69% of the global car fleet is expected to be electrified by 2050 in the base case scenario, short of the 100% target in the Net Zero scenario.

Heavy trucks and other segments lag in reaching net zero and full combustion vehicle sales need to stop by 2038 to reach the goal. The report states that the global EV market could reach $63 trillion by 2050, with significant investment needed in battery production and charging infrastructure.

According to estimates by Fortune Business Insights, the global EV market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.8% from 2024 to 2032, and Asia is currently the dominant region with a 51.24% market share. This is the time for investors to take positions in EV stocks, as the EV market is just getting started and is poised for a lot of growth.

Our Methodology

For this article, we used the FinViz stock screener to identify over 25 electric vehicle manufacturers with a stock price of under $50, as of August 7. We narrowed down our list to 7 stocks that were most widely held by institutional investors and listed the stocks in ascending order.

Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

7 Best EV Stocks Under $50

7. Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCID)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 17

Share Price as of August 7: $2.91

Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCID) is a U.S.-based electric vehicle manufacturer and designer. The company specializes in creating high-end electric vehicles to meet the demand for luxury EVs. A significant aspect of the company’s approach is its focus on cutting-edge technology, which plays a crucial role in creating premium vehicles.

This innovative technology is evident in the design of its motors and the performance of its batteries, enabling Lucid Group (NASDAQ:LCID) to provide exceptional range and superior performance in the market. The company is one of the best EV stocks under $50.

Lucid Group (NASDAQ:LCID) is generating significant excitement with its upcoming Gravity SUV, a key product in its plans to expand its presence in the electric vehicle market. The Gravity, which is set to hit the streets by the end of 2024, recently saw its first preproduction model come off the assembly line. This SUV is more than just a new vehicle for the company, it is a crucial step toward reaching a broader customer base.

Additionally, Lucid Group (NASDAQ:LCID) secured substantial financial support from an affiliate of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). This includes a $750 million loan facility and a $750 million investment in convertible preferred stock.

This $1.5 billion in funding is crucial for the company, assisting with both capital expenditures and operational costs as it ramps up production of the Gravity SUV. The support positions the company to potentially capture a larger share of the consumer market beyond its current focus on high-end electric sedans.

Lucid Group (NASDAQ:LCID) was held by 17 hedge funds in the first quarter and the stakes amounted to $26.85 million. Coatue Management is the most significant shareholder of the company and has a position worth $8.42 million, as of March 31.

6. NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19

Share Price as of August 7: $3.67

NIO Inc. (NYSE:NIO) is a leading electric vehicle maker in China known for its advanced electric cars. The company focuses on developing, manufacturing, and selling high-performance electric vehicles with a strong emphasis on luxury, technology, and eco-friendliness.

NIO (NYSE:NIO) has gained popularity for its electric SUVs, including the ES6 and ES8 models, and its innovative battery-swapping technology. It is one of the best EV stocks under $50.

At a stake value of $79.322 million, 19 hedge funds held positions in NIO (NYSE:NIO) in the first quarter. As of Q1, Davidson Kempner is the top shareholder in the company and has a position worth $18 million.

NIO (NYSE:NIO) is showing promising signs of recovery and growth, even though the first half of the year posed challenges. The company’s vehicle deliveries have markedly improved, delivering 57,373 vehicles in the quarter ending June 30, which is a significant increase from earlier in the year. This surge in deliveries represents a 144% year-over-year rise and has exceeded management’s forecasts.

In May, NIO (NYSE:NIO) introduced a new subsidiary brand called Onvo, aimed at the mass market. The first model under this brand, the L60, is a midsize SUV currently in its pre-order phase. Despite deliveries not being expected until September 2024, pre-orders for the L60 have been exceptionally strong, surpassing expectations by two to three times.

NIO (NYSE:NIO) plans to expand its market presence further with the upcoming release of its Firefly model. This new vehicle is set to be available in China starting in the fourth quarter of 2024, with a price range of RMB 100,000 to 200,000 (1 RMB = US$0.14 as of August 7). It will enter the European market in the second quarter of 2025.

The Firefly will complement NIO’s (NYSE:NIO) recent Onvo launch, targeting the RMB 200,000 to 300,000 range, while its existing models cater to the higher end of the market, above RMB 300,000. This broad range of offerings is a testament to the company’s ability to serve various market segments, from value to premium, enhancing its overall market position.