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
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
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
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
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
BMW i3
From £7,000. Still feels futuristic
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
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
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
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
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
Nissan Leaf
From £3,500. The original mainstream electric car
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.
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