3 No-Brainer EV Stocks to Buy Right Now for Less Than $1,000

As the electric vehicle (EV) market continues to grow, investors are looking for opportunities to capitalize on this trend without breaking the bank. With many EV stocks trading at elevated valuations, finding affordable options can be challenging. However, there are still several EV stocks that offer compelling investment opportunities for less than $1,000. In this article, we will explore three no-brainer EV stocks that are well-positioned to benefit from the growing demand for electric vehicles.



1. Li Auto (LI)
Li Auto is a leading manufacturer of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in China. The company's annual deliveries surged from just 32,624 vehicles in 2020 to 376,030 vehicles in 2023. Li Auto turned profitable in 2023, and analysts expect its net income to rise at a CAGR of 53% from 2024 to 2026. With an enterprise value of 75.2 billion yuan ($10.3 billion), Li Auto trades at just 0.5 times its 2024 sales, making it a deeply undervalued stock. Its low valuation, strong growth prospects, and profitability make it an attractive investment opportunity for less than $1,000.
2. Nio (NIO)
Nio is another major EV maker in China that differentiates itself from competitors with its swappable batteries, which can be quickly replaced with fully charged ones across its own battery-swapping network. Nio's deliveries grew by 31% in 2022 and 31% in 2023, driven by market share gains, robust sales of its premium ET-series sedans, and the rollout of its cheaper Onvo smart vehicles in China. Nio is expanding into Europe, with plans to ramp up deliveries of its new high-end Firefly compact EV in both China and Europe in 2024. With an enterprise value of 62.1 billion yuan ($8.5 billion), Nio trades at just 0.9 times its 2024 sales, making it a relatively undervalued stock compared to its peers. Its strong growth prospects, market differentiation, and expansion into Europe make it an attractive investment opportunity for less than $1,000.
3. QuantumScape (QS)
QuantumScape is a developer of solid-state lithium metal batteries that are less volatile, have better thermal resistance, and charge more quickly than traditional lithium-ion batteries. Volkswagen has been co-developing these batteries with the company for over a decade and formed a new group, PowerCo, to road test QuantumScape's batteries in 2022. QuantumScape started to ship the first samples of its QSE-5 batteries to some automakers in the third quarter of 2024, with plans to continue to ship low-volume test samples throughout 2025 as it transitions to its new Cobra process. With an enterprise value of $2.3 billion, QuantumScape might seem pricey for a company that doesn't generate any revenue yet. However, its potential to start shipping commercial batteries and scale up its business makes it an attractive long-term investment for less than $1,000.

In conclusion, Li Auto, Nio, and QuantumScape are three no-brainer EV stocks to consider for investors looking to capitalize on the growing demand for electric vehicles without breaking the bank. Their strong growth prospects, undervalued valuations, and compelling investment cases make them attractive investment opportunities for less than $1,000. As the EV market continues to expand, these stocks have the potential to generate significant returns for patient investors.