There are more electric cars than ever to choose from, and it’s a variety that’s going to keep expanding. But prices for new EVs are still high, so we’ve compiled a list of the best used electric cars. You’ll be able to buy these from as little as £3,500 if you’re looking to dip your toe in the EV water.
Our list of the 10 best secondhand electric cars should offer something for most budgets. Currently, even the cheapest new electric cars can seem quite expensive, so you can also look at our affordable used EV list. Also, if you’re looking to fix your budget, you could also lease a new EV for around £300 per month.
So, whether you’re in need of a second car for short local trips, or would like a longer-range electric car for greater journeys, these models offer a great electric vehicle (EV) driving experience. This is particularly so if you have off-street parking and can get an electric car charge point installed at your home.
So, which used electric cars are best? We’ve picked 10 of our favourites
The best used electric cars 2024
From £10,000. Vauxhall’s perfect entry-level EV
The Vauxhall Corsa, introduced in 2020, is turning out to be a bit of a hit with British car buyers. It has replaced the Fiesta at the top of the small car sales charts, meaning there’s ever-growing used car choice at Vauxhall’s approved used dealers. Lots of them will be the pure electric Corsa Electric (formerly known as the Corsa-e), too, thanks to the ever-rising proportion of new car sales the Corsa EV is taking.
With a 50kWh battery and 136hp motor, it’s the fastest-accelerating new Corsa (0-62mph of 8.1 seconds), and has a range of around 220 miles. It’s virtually indistinguishable from its smartly-styled petrol-powered siblings, and drives in a similarly neat and tidy way. Best news is that it’s yours from around £10k.
To find out more, read our full Vauxhall Corsa-e review
With a 50kWh battery and 136hp motor, it’s the fastest-accelerating new Corsa (0-62mph of 8.1 seconds), and has a range of around 220 miles. It’s virtually indistinguishable from its smartly-styled petrol-powered siblings, and drives in a similarly neat and tidy way. Best news is that it’s yours from around £10k.
To find out more, read our full Vauxhall Corsa-e review
Pros
- Conventional
- Proving popular with new car buyers
Cons
- Other EVs stand out more
- Not much rear seat space
From £15,000. Pioneering EV is the one to go for if you like driving
Used electric SUVs are burgeoning in numbers, and the Jaguar I-Pace leads the way in offering good value and a decent drive. It looks interesting, yet is still recognisable as a Jaguar, while that compact shape offers plenty of space for five thanks to the packaging of the car’s electric running gear.
Even better is the way that the I-Pace handles. It’s easily the best handling used electric SUV for sale but also delivers the kind of refinement and comfort that EVs are known for. If you can afford a newer car, we’d recommend it, because the later Pivi Pro infotainment is better in every regard than the older car’s Touch Pro system.
To find out more, read our full Jaguar I-Pace review
Even better is the way that the I-Pace handles. It’s easily the best handling used electric SUV for sale but also delivers the kind of refinement and comfort that EVs are known for. If you can afford a newer car, we’d recommend it, because the later Pivi Pro infotainment is better in every regard than the older car’s Touch Pro system.
To find out more, read our full Jaguar I-Pace review
Pros
- Great to drive
- Scintillating performance
Cons
- Not the roomiest SUV
- Erratic infotainment
From £7,000. Super city EV
The Volkswagen e-Up is a pure electric version of the ingenious Up city car. The original electric version arrived in 2014 with a titchy 18.7kWh battery and a range of around 100 miles. This is perfect for use in the city, particularly as the car’s light weight means it will reliably deliver this range, day in, day out. It’s a joy to drive, and you can always expand your search to the almost identical (and cheaper!) SEAT Mii Electric or Skoda Citigo-e.
A later 32kWh battery in 2020 improved the range significantly, allowing owners to capitalise on the e-Up’s super space efficiency. Both versions can use public rapid chargers, for on-the-move top-ups in less time than you may think. A pretty and more affordable alternative to a BMW i3, early e-Up these days cost from under £8k.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen e-Up review
Browse for a used SEAT Mii Electric or Skoda Citigo-e
A later 32kWh battery in 2020 improved the range significantly, allowing owners to capitalise on the e-Up’s super space efficiency. Both versions can use public rapid chargers, for on-the-move top-ups in less time than you may think. A pretty and more affordable alternative to a BMW i3, early e-Up these days cost from under £8k.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen e-Up review
Browse for a used SEAT Mii Electric or Skoda Citigo-e
Pros
- City-friendly EV
- Surprisingly roomy
Cons
- Early cars have tiny range
- Low-tech interior
From £8,500. The sensible one
While Hyundai is forging ahead with using the Ioniq name for its new range of EVs (like the Hyundai Ioniq 5), the original Hyundai Ioniq Electric is a bit of a forgettable machine. However, if you just need simple, no-nonsense transport that can tackle journeys a little beyond the norm, then it’s worth checking out.
The Ioniq is comfortable and silent, but not that exciting, while a range of 190 miles should be enough for all but the longest of journeys. Beware of earlier models, which comes with a small 28kWh battery and struggle to beat 100 miles on a top-up. Look out for a later facelift version introduced in 2020.
To find out more, read our full Hyundai Ioniq Electric review
The Ioniq is comfortable and silent, but not that exciting, while a range of 190 miles should be enough for all but the longest of journeys. Beware of earlier models, which comes with a small 28kWh battery and struggle to beat 100 miles on a top-up. Look out for a later facelift version introduced in 2020.
To find out more, read our full Hyundai Ioniq Electric review
Pros
- Comfortable
- Five-year warranty
Cons
- Dull to look at
- Dull to drive
5
BMW i3
From £7,000. Still feels futuristic
If you want to stand out from the EV crowd, then the BMW i3 is the way to do it. It’s an old stager in the EV market – having first arrived in 2013 – but its quirky one-box shape, weight-saving carbon composite construction and a cabin packed with recycled materials all deliver a unique experience.
The i3 initially came as an all-electric model or a REx range extender plug-in hybrid, while the sportier i3s arrived later with sharper handling but a similar range to the standard model. That EV driving range has improved over the years, so the later the model you buy, the better it will be. Even now the BMW i3 is futuristic and distinctive; it was the best used electric car for early-adopters and couples in the city, but a bit cramped for family duties.
To find out more, read our full BMW i3 review
The i3 initially came as an all-electric model or a REx range extender plug-in hybrid, while the sportier i3s arrived later with sharper handling but a similar range to the standard model. That EV driving range has improved over the years, so the later the model you buy, the better it will be. Even now the BMW i3 is futuristic and distinctive; it was the best used electric car for early-adopters and couples in the city, but a bit cramped for family duties.
To find out more, read our full BMW i3 review
Pros
- Timeless looks
- Futuristic cabin
Cons
- Not the most practical of EVs
- Potential for pricey repairs
From £9,000. VW’s popular hatchback, powered by electricity
If you’re still a bit of an EV sceptic, then the VW e-Golf could offer a bridge from the combustion-engined world, especially if you’re already familiar with VW’s top-selling hatchback. That’s because the e-Golf Mk7 is identical to its combustion-engined counterparts from behind the wheel – it’s just the motive power that’s different. This makes the e-Golf the best used electric car for drivers who want something familiar. But do try to stick to the 2017-on revision, earlier ones have quite a short range.
It was quite pricey new, and a short range of around 120 miles counted against it when compared with the likes of the Nissan Leaf Mk2. But as a second hand electric car, the e-Golf makes more sense, thanks to steep depreciation. Rapid charging is standard too, for speedy top-ups on the move.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen e-Golf review
It was quite pricey new, and a short range of around 120 miles counted against it when compared with the likes of the Nissan Leaf Mk2. But as a second hand electric car, the e-Golf makes more sense, thanks to steep depreciation. Rapid charging is standard too, for speedy top-ups on the move.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen e-Golf review
Pros
- Familiar
- High quality, spacious interior
Cons
- Relatively short range
- Bland looks
From £15,000. The first affordable long-range EV
The Kia e-Niro arrived in 2019 with the headline offer of a Tesla-rivalling electric range, for prices more in line with the Nissan Leaf mainstream EV. The large 64kWh battery boasted a range of more than 280 miles, which really helped overcome EV range anxiety for many people.
It combined this with a surprisingly powerful 204hp motor, for 0-62mph acceleration in around 7.5 seconds. It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing because visually, the e-Niro is more upright crossover than sleek sports car. This does mean interior space is generous though, with a big boot, and occupants will enjoy a raised seating position and good standard equipment. It hasn’t depreciated as much as other EVs, either, meaning you’ll still pay around £14,000 for a four-year-old example.
To find out more, read our full Kia e-Niro review
It combined this with a surprisingly powerful 204hp motor, for 0-62mph acceleration in around 7.5 seconds. It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing because visually, the e-Niro is more upright crossover than sleek sports car. This does mean interior space is generous though, with a big boot, and occupants will enjoy a raised seating position and good standard equipment. It hasn’t depreciated as much as other EVs, either, meaning you’ll still pay around £14,000 for a four-year-old example.
To find out more, read our full Kia e-Niro review
Pros
- More than 280-mile range
- Surprisingly powerful
Cons
- Staid styling
- Rivals can charge faster
From £12,000. Landmark executive model is deeply appealing used car option
The Model S was a landmark car for Tesla. It established the US company as a leader for EVs by delivering a long range, lots of advanced tech and stunning performance. While the earliest cars look a little dated when compared with Tesla’s latest offerings, the tech on board remains up to date, thanks to free over-the-air software updates – you can even add options post-purchase, too.
With a level of future-proofing built-in, it has an almost unique defence against feeling obsolete. For a reasonable price – comparable to high-end aftermarket systems – Tesla will upgrade your car’s infotainment to the latest hardware and software where possible. The Model S is, arguably, the best used electric car for long-term sustainability because of this approach.
To find out more, read our full Tesla Model S review
With a level of future-proofing built-in, it has an almost unique defence against feeling obsolete. For a reasonable price – comparable to high-end aftermarket systems – Tesla will upgrade your car’s infotainment to the latest hardware and software where possible. The Model S is, arguably, the best used electric car for long-term sustainability because of this approach.
To find out more, read our full Tesla Model S review
Pros
- Packed with tech
- Supercharger network
Cons
- Iffy build quality
- Controls take some getting used to
From £7,000. Long-running Zoe delivers zero emissions in a stylish package
The Zoe spearheaded Renault’s electric car line-up, and was on sale for a decade, so examples will suit a broad range of budgets. Earlier cars can’t travel as far on a charge as later versions, so are better suited to short urban trips than longer drives. Short, but spacious, the Renault Zoe is the best used electric car for families in busy cities.
It’s worth noting that Renault offered a Zoe battery rental option until the end of 2019 to help bring down new prices. If you pick up one of these, you may need to factor in monthly battery rental if it hasn’t been bought out of the contract. The price you pay depends on your annual mileage, but it does help to guarantee against battery deterioration because you’ll be able to swap an old pack for a new one; on an older Zoe the monthly payment could be considered a battery insurance policy.
To find out more, read our full Renault Zoe review
It’s worth noting that Renault offered a Zoe battery rental option until the end of 2019 to help bring down new prices. If you pick up one of these, you may need to factor in monthly battery rental if it hasn’t been bought out of the contract. The price you pay depends on your annual mileage, but it does help to guarantee against battery deterioration because you’ll be able to swap an old pack for a new one; on an older Zoe the monthly payment could be considered a battery insurance policy.
To find out more, read our full Renault Zoe review
Pros
- Stylish
- Long range
Cons
- Battery lease adds confusion
- Build quality on older models
10
Nissan Leaf
From £3,500. The original mainstream electric car
The pioneering original has been around since 2013, while a seond-generation car was introduced in 2019 to bring in a load of new tech to keep things competitive. There’s a range of at least 170 miles on offer (or 235 miles with the e+ model, although it’s pricier), while the hatchback body offers plenty of space for a family.
While it’s not the most exciting drive, the Leaf comes with tech such as ProPilot, which offers self-parking, lane assist and adaptive cruise control. There’s also E-Pedal, which permits one-pedal driving, where you modulate the accelerator and use regenerative braking to come to a halt. As such, the Nissan Leaf Mk2 is the best used electric car if you want the most ‘electrified’ driving experience.
To find out more, read our full Nissan Leaf review
While it’s not the most exciting drive, the Leaf comes with tech such as ProPilot, which offers self-parking, lane assist and adaptive cruise control. There’s also E-Pedal, which permits one-pedal driving, where you modulate the accelerator and use regenerative braking to come to a halt. As such, the Nissan Leaf Mk2 is the best used electric car if you want the most ‘electrified’ driving experience.
To find out more, read our full Nissan Leaf review
Pros
- Refined and no-nonsense
- One pedal driving
Cons
- Not exciting
- Dated interior
Keith Adams is the Editor of Parkers. During his career he has been the editor of Classic Car Weekly, Modern Classics and Honest John Classics, as well as writing for CAR magazine, Practical Classics, Octane, Autocar and The Independent among others. Keith lives in rural Lancashire and enjoys buying and selling cars as well as reading and writing about them.
