Convertible electric cars exist, but your choices are extremely limited
As of 2024, only two convertible electric vehicles are sold new in the United States: the BMW i8 Roadster and the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet (which offers a plug-in hybrid option). The BMW i8 Roadster is the only fully electric convertible currently available. Both are luxury vehicles priced well above $100,000, which eliminates them from consideration for most buyers.
The shortage of convertible EVs exists because convertibles are a niche market—they represent roughly 2% of new car sales in the US—and adding a retractable roof to an electric vehicle creates engineering challenges. The roof mechanism adds weight, which reduces range. It also complicates the structural rigidity that electric vehicles need to protect their battery pack. Manufacturers have concluded that the small potential market does not justify the development cost.
If you want an electric convertible, you are essentially choosing between one car (the BMW i8 Roadster) or accepting a plug-in hybrid. If neither appeals to you, your alternative is to buy a used convertible with a gas or hybrid engine, or to wait for the market to shift—though no major automaker has announced plans to launch a mass-market electric convertible in the next few years.
Key Takeaways
- The BMW i8 Roadster is the only fully electric convertible currently sold new in the United States, priced around $165,000 to $180,000 before options.
- The Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet offers a plug-in hybrid powertrain as an alternative if you want a convertible with electric capability and lower cost than the BMW.
- Convertible roofs add weight and structural complexity to electric vehicles, which is why manufacturers have not prioritized this body style in their EV lineups.
- Used convertible EVs are extremely rare on the secondary market because so few have been produced; you may find older Tesla Roadsters (2008–2012) but not current-generation models.
The BMW i8 Roadster: The only fully electric convertible option
The BMW i8 Roadster is a two-seater sports car with a retractable hardtop roof and a 141 kWh battery that delivers approximately 260 miles of EPA-estimated range. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 124 mph. The base price is approximately $165,000, with fully equipped models reaching $180,000 or more depending on options and dealer markup.
The i8 Roadster uses a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle. It does not offer all-wheel drive, unlike some other BMW electric models. Charging at a Level 2 home charger (240 volts) takes approximately 7 to 8 hours for a full charge; DC fast charging can add 200 miles in roughly 35 minutes under ideal conditions. The vehicle qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit if you meet income and vehicle price caps, though the final price after incentives is still well above $150,000.
The main trade-off with the i8 Roadster is cost. You are paying a significant premium for the convertible body style and the BMW brand. If your priority is electric range and performance at a lower price, a fixed-roof electric sports car like the Porsche Taycan or Tesla Model S Plaid would deliver similar or better acceleration and range for less money.
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet with plug-in hybrid: A middle ground
The Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet is available with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, not a fully electric one. It pairs a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with an electric motor and a 14.1 kWh battery. The combined system produces 516 horsepower and can travel approximately 21 miles on electric power alone before the gas engine engages. The base price starts around $120,000, making it roughly $45,000 cheaper than the BMW i8 Roadster.
The plug-in hybrid approach means you get convertible driving with the option to run electric for short commutes or city driving, but you still depend on gasoline for longer trips. If you charge at home regularly, you can cover many daily drives without using the engine. However, if you leave the battery depleted, the vehicle reverts to a gas-powered sports car with added weight from the battery and electric motor, which reduces fuel economy compared to a non-hybrid 911.
The 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet PHEV is a practical choice if you want a convertible with electric capability but cannot accept the range limitations or price of the i8 Roadster. It also offers all-wheel drive and more interior space than the two-seat BMW. The trade-off is that you are not driving a fully electric vehicle, so you will still need to buy gasoline and maintain an internal combustion engine.
Why convertible EVs are so rare
Convertible roofs add approximately 200 to 400 pounds to a vehicle's weight compared to a fixed roof, depending on the mechanism and materials. For electric vehicles, weight directly reduces range. A convertible EV loses roughly 10% to 15% of its range compared to an identical fixed-roof model, all else equal. That penalty is significant when buyers are already concerned about range anxiety.
A retractable roof also requires structural reinforcement. Electric vehicles carry their battery pack in the floor, which is a critical structural component. Adding a convertible mechanism means engineers must design the chassis to maintain rigidity without the roof's bracing effect. This adds cost and complexity to the vehicle's design and manufacturing process.
Convertibles represent a small slice of the market—roughly 2% of new car sales annually in the US. For a manufacturer deciding where to invest in EV development, a convertible is a low-priority body style. The BMW i8 Roadster exists because BMW is a luxury brand with the resources to develop niche vehicles; most mainstream automakers have not pursued convertible EVs at all.
Used convertible EVs: What to expect
The used market for electric convertibles is nearly nonexistent. The BMW i8 Roadster has only been in production since 2018, and production numbers are small. You may find used i8 Roadsters on dealer lots or through private sales, but expect prices to remain high—typically $120,000 to $150,000 for a model with moderate mileage.
The original Tesla Roadster (2008–2012) was a convertible-style vehicle, though it had a removable targa roof rather than a retractable one. These are extremely rare on the used market and often command premium prices from collectors. They are not practical daily drivers by modern standards: range is limited to 200 miles or less, charging infrastructure has changed, and battery degradation is a concern on vehicles over a decade old.
If you are shopping used, you will likely find more inventory in plug-in hybrid convertibles (like older Porsche 911 Cabriolet PHEVs or BMW i8 models with hybrid powertrains) than in fully electric convertibles. Prices for used plug-in hybrid convertibles typically range from $60,000 to $100,000 depending on model year and condition.
Alternatives if a convertible EV does not fit your needs
If the BMW i8 Roadster is too expensive or you want more range, consider a fixed-roof electric sports car instead. The Tesla Model S Plaid is faster, has more range (up to 358 miles EPA-estimated), and costs roughly $80,000 to $100,000 depending on configuration. The Porsche Taycan offers similar performance and is available with all-wheel drive. Neither is a convertible, but both deliver the acceleration and handling you would get from a convertible sports car.
If you specifically want a convertible and are willing to accept a gas or hybrid engine, the used market offers many options: Mazda MX-5 Miata, BMW 440i xDrive Convertible, Porsche 911 Cabriolet (gas or PHEV), and Mercedes-AMG C 63 Cabriolet. These vehicles are cheaper than the i8 Roadster and offer proven reliability, though you will not have the electric-only driving experience.
Another option is to wait. No automaker has announced a mass-market convertible EV, but the technology is improving and battery costs are falling. In five to ten years, the business case for a convertible EV may shift, particularly if battery density improves enough to offset the weight penalty of a retractable roof. For now, your choices are limited to the BMW i8 Roadster or a plug-in hybrid.
Comparing the BMW i8 Roadster and Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet PHEV
| Feature | BMW i8 Roadster | Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet PHEV |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Fully electric | Plug-in hybrid (gas + electric) |
| Electric range | ~260 miles EPA | ~21 miles electric-only |
| 0–60 mph | ~4.6 seconds | ~3.6 seconds |
| Base price | ~$165,000 | ~$120,000 |
| Seating | 2 seats | 4 seats |
| All-wheel drive | No (rear-wheel drive) | Yes |
| Federal tax credit | $7,500 (if may be able to access) | $3,750 (PHEV) |
| Fuel type | Electricity only | Gasoline + electricity |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a used Tesla Roadster as an electric convertible?
The original Tesla Roadster (2008–2012) had a removable targa roof, not a retractable one, and is extremely rare on the used market. These vehicles have limited range (under 200 miles), aging battery packs, and outdated charging technology. They are collector's items rather than practical daily drivers. The new Tesla Roadster (announced for future release) has not yet been delivered to customers, so it is not available used.
Will the BMW i8 Roadster hold its value?
The i8 Roadster is a niche luxury vehicle with limited production, which typically supports used values. However, battery degradation and the rapid pace of EV technology improvement mean that older i8 Roadsters may lose value faster than traditional sports cars. Expect depreciation of 40% to 50% over five years, similar to other luxury EVs rather than gas-powered sports cars.
Is the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet PHEV worth it if I only drive short distances?
If you drive under 21 miles per day on average and charge at home, you can run almost entirely on electricity and avoid the gas engine. However, you are still paying for the gas engine, transmission, and fuel system that you will not use. A fully electric vehicle like the BMW i8 Roadster or a fixed-roof EV would be more cost-effective for short-distance driving, though the i8 Roadster costs significantly more upfront.
Are there any other convertible EVs coming to the US market soon?
No major automaker has announced a new convertible EV for the US market in the next few years. Some manufacturers (like Volkswagen and Audi) have shown concept convertible EVs, but these have not moved into production. The business case remains weak because convertibles are a small market segment and the engineering challenges are significant.
What is the difference between a convertible and a targa roof?
A convertible has a fully retractable roof that folds or retracts into the trunk. A targa roof has a removable panel that you take off by hand and store separately. The original Tesla Roadster used a targa design. Targas are lighter and simpler mechanically, but they require manual effort and storage space. Retractable roofs are more convenient but add weight and complexity.