Best Second Hand Electric Cars: Top 7 Models To Consider
Used car prices have skyrocketed, and used electric cars are becoming more and more expensive, but there are still many options. Here is a list of the best second hand electric cars for your reference and some notices when buying one in the future.
Best Second Hand Electric Cars: Top 7 Models
Mercedes B250e 2017 – Price 20,000 USD
The electric hatchback has a powertrain developed with Tesla’s technology, equipped with a 28 kWh liquid-cooled battery pack, and an electric motor with a capacity of 177 horsepower.
The operating range of this electric B-class is only 140 km, while the battery does not support fast charging. It also has single-speed gearbox, front-wheel drive with an aceleration time from 0-96 km / h in 7.9 seconds. The new model’s price in the US is about $ 40,000.
Volkswagen e-Golf 2017-2019 – Price from 18,000 USD
Before the ID.3 and ID.4, the e-Golf was Volkswagen’s only electric model. Unlike ID.4, e-Golf is only available in several US states. With the 2017 version, the German automaker is equipped with an air-cooled 35.8 kWh battery pack and a 50 kW fast charging option.
With an operating range of 200 km, the car comes with an electric motor with a capacity of 134 horsepower, which deserved a rightful place on the line-up of the best second hand electric cars for 2023.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric 2017-2019 – Price from 15,000 USD
Ioniq Electric is the first mass-produced electric vehicle of the Korean automaker that is listed on today’s best second hand electric cars to buy line-up. The standout feature of the Ioniq EV is support for 100 kW fast charging. At a public charging station, the car can charge about 23, allowing travel of 160 km.
Ioniq Electric is equipped with a 28 kWh battery pack and a standard operating range of 206 km. The car also has an electric motor with a capacity of 118 horsepower, driving a single-wheel drive.
Nissan Leaf 2018-2019 – Price from 15,000 USD
Among the best second hand electric cars, Nissan Leaf 2018 is an upgraded version but still uses a liquid-cooled battery. Nissan offers a fast charging option with a 50 kW CHAdeMO system, which is different from the CCS.
Aside from the battery and charger, the Leaf 2018 is fun to drive, with a 147-horsepower engine. Vehicles using 40 kWh battery pack, operating range 243 km.
Fiat 500e 2017 – Price from 12,000 USD
The used car market in the United States has grown in value, sending the price of a used Fiat 500e from $7,000-8,000 to $12,000 in just a few months.
Unlike the Volkswagen e-Golf, and Nissan Leaf, Fiat 500e is equipped with a 24 kWh liquid-cooled battery that does not support fast charging, with an operating range of 135 km.
The 500e has a 111-hp electric motor on the front axle. This is named among the best second hand electric cars uk for its powerful engine and solid growth in value through the years.
BMW i3 94Ah BEV 2017 – Price from 18,000 USD
i3 is the only old model on the list equipped with rear-wheel drive and has a carbon fiber monocoque shell. i3 is equipped with a 33.2 kWh battery pack, liquid cooling, and supports 50 kW fast charging.
The German automaker installed an electric motor on the rear axle, producing 170 horsepower. And the operating range of the i3 is 183 km.
Chevrolet Bolt 2017-2019 – Price from 17,000 USD
Bolt is one of the older electric cars with a long range, up to 383 km, and an engine capacity of 200 horsepower, allowing the car to accelerate from 0-96 km / h in 6.5 seconds.
The downside of the Bolt lies in the quality of the interior and the driving position. Vehicles equipped with a 60 kWh battery pack, optionally support 50 kW fast charging.
Tesla Model X 2017-2020 – Price from $30,000
For the exotic drivers looking for an SUV, the models using internal combustion engines can be quite boring. To find something new, pure electric SUVs are becoming a trend, the most prominent of which is the name, Tesla Model X.
Being one of the best electric second-hand cars, Tesla Model X has a unique and strange appearance with a vertical beveled tail design and an unmatched bird-wing opening.
Different from traditional SUV models, the cabin of the Model X electric car is designed to be as minimalistic as possible. There are not many buttons or cumbersome details that confuse the eyes, so drivers who experience it for the first time will feel strange.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying Used Electric Cars
Buying a used car is one of the most suitable choices when your finances are not very large. So what are the advantages and disadvantages of buying used electric cars and what to pay attention to when choosing one for everyday driving?
Advantages of Purchasing Second Hand Electric Cars
Cheaper than buying a new one
Buying a used electric car will cost much less than a new car on the market. The average resale value of a used electric vehicle will be about 30% to 70% less than the price of a new car.
The cost of rolling the wheel of an old electric car is lower than that of a new car. If buying a new electric car, drivers may have to pay a fee of 10 to 12% for the registration fee before the car can be rolled.
Lower physical insurance premium
Material insurance is an insurance package that helps car owners reduce their financial burden if they encounter unfortunate events such as theft, collision, or unexpected accident. Therefore, most car buyers decide to choose to buy this insurance package for their car.
However, buying this insurance package for a new car is very expensive, while insurance premiums for used cars are now much lower than for new ones.
Disadvantages of Buying Second Hand Electric Cars
Other than the advantages listed above, buying an old electric car may put you to deal with some drawbacks, no matter
Battery performance is reduced
Any battery-powered device will gradually decrease in performance over time, electric car batteries are no exception. You can see the vehicle’s battery status and range on the vehicle’s central display.
Due to the degraded battery condition, the distance the vehicle can travel on a single charge may shorten over time.
Battery charging station needed
If the home wiring is old, you should consider changing it before buying a used electric car. The cost to install a home charging station is quite high while public charging stations are not free.
Moreover, charging time is also a big issue. Some older electric vehicles require overnight charging or need up to 20 hours of charging to function.
Value decreases over the years
Depreciation rates for electric vehicles are slightly different from those of conventional vehicles. Because the depreciation curve of the car will gradually decrease after only a few years. So if the car owner intends to resell the used electric car for the second time, it may not make much profit, it can even be said to be a capital loss.
Technology quickly becomes outdated
Just like any other electronic device, old electric cars will also become obsolete after a few years of use. The software is also rapidly changing as new electric vehicle models are released.
Moreover, outdated cars will not have any suitable repair and maintenance services, so you should consider them before buying.
Service offers are not generally-supported
Most of the incentive programs are for new electric car models. So if you buy a second-hand electric car, they won’t be able to get any discounts or tax credits. Even after-sales services are rare.
If you want to experience a smooth driving experience without spending too much on maintenance, you can buy and own an old electric car, even spend money on any best electric cars second-hand to secure your choice. However, you need to carefully consider this note when buying a used car to make the best choice.
Things To Note When Buying An Used Electric Car
Buying a used electric car can bring a lot of value if the buyer knows how to choose wisely. Here are some used electric car buying guides that you need to consider for a smoother purchasing procedure.
Check the actual battery capacity
For electric cars, the most important thing that you need to keep in mind is the battery. No one wants to buy a car with a non-rechargeable battery. Therefore, buyers need to check the battery as well as the actual battery capacity before deciding to buy a used electric car.
However, just like a mobile phone, the battery of an old electric car will also degrade after a period of use, so it is not possible to claim 100% battery capacity on an old electric car.
If you are not able to check the battery condition on their own, it is best to hire an auto mechanic with electric vehicle skills or a vehicle specialist to check it. Or ask your auto dealer’s service department to provide a detailed report on battery health.
Ideally, check the vehicle after fully charging. As information about the battery status will then be displayed on the central display.
Has the battery been replaced?
Electric cars use increasingly new battery technology so battery failure can be rare. But it can still happen, especially for EVs that have traveled long distances, most likely the battery is already dead or replaced.
Therefore, when buying a used electric car, it is vital to make sure that the battery has been replaced or not to avoid unexpected problems when the transaction is completed.
You can ask their car dealer’s service department to provide them with detailed reports on the vehicle’s service history, as the battery has most likely been replaced by the previous owner. Even if the dealer or seller doesn’t know if the battery has been replaced, look up their car VIN (vehicle identification number) to see vehicle history reports.
Warranty period
Warranty for customers who buy used electric cars will still be available. Most battery warranties will be for 8 years or 100,000 miles after the first purchase. This type of warranty may also vary from the year of manufacture of one vehicle (model) to the year of manufacture of another vehicle model.
However, not all warranties are transferable to subsequent owners. Therefore, when buying a used electric car, car owners should note that even if they deliver the warranty paper and say that they are under warranty, everything has to be checked again.
You can check by looking up or contacting the car company’s customer service department to provide a vehicle identification number. They will then provide information about when the warranty period ends, and whether the car is allowed to be transferred to a new owner.
Maintenance history
One of the experiences when buying a used electric car worth noting is that you should ask the car dealer or previous owner about the maintenance and service history, especially any repair reports.
Because electric cars require relatively little maintenance, aside from frequent tire changes and windshield wipers, few parts need to be serviced again.
The ability to charge the battery
Checking the charging time is one of the very important notes when choosing a used electric car. Because not all cars have the same charging time, especially used cars. Some conventional electric cars only need a few hours to fully charge the battery, but some older electric cars need 20 hours to do so.
You can also check the battery charge capacity via the vehicle’s central touchscreen or ask the dealer for information regarding the battery configuration.
Actual operating range
Another thing to keep in mind is the actual range of the vehicle. Like new cars, used electric ones are classified into 2 groups: long-range and close-range.
A new short-range car can travel about 160,000 km after full charges. Long-range electric vehicles can travel more than 450,000 km. But for used electric cars, they can usually only meet 3/4 of the original operating range.
Therefore, depending on the purpose of using, consider making an appropriate decision.
Test drive
Unlike a standard petrol or diesel car, an electric car has fewer moving parts so there is less chance of going wrong. However, buyers still have to carefully check, especially whether all lights and electronics in the car are in good working order or not.
The final note is that you should test drive the car to experience the features. Listen for any strange noises or unusual vibrations. Check if the car’s air conditioning system is in good working order. If you find any abnormal damage, ask the dealer to find another vehicle.
Conclusion
Hope our list of the best second hand electric cars and the pros and cons of buying a used one will help you make the best choices for yourself when considering.
For more Car Reviews, follow Car From Japan today.
