It wasn’t so long ago that your choices were limited if you wanted an electric car. Nowadays, though, numerous manufacturers have introduced all-electric models, and more new EVs vehicles are rapidly being added to new car line-ups.
This surge in choice and and ever-rising sales has caused the used electric vehicle market to expand significantly, so it’s now a lot easier to find something affordable that suits your needs as a used buy.
Here’s our pick of the 10 best electric cars available on the British second-hand market, ranging from inexpensive city cars to high-performance hatchbacks. If one catches your eye, just remember to triple-check its capabilities, with regards to range and charging, and make sure to note the battery and powertrain warranty. That way, there shouldn't be any unpleasant surprises.
And if you're looking for a cheaper way into electric car ownership, don't miss our guide to the best cheap used EVs to buy.
The Best Used Electric Cars 2024
- Tesla Model S (2014-)
- BMW i3 (2013-2022)
- Volkswagen e-Golf (2014-2020)
- Nissan Leaf Mk1 (2010-2016)
- Kia Soul EV (2014-2019)
- Jaguar I-Pace (2018-)
- Tesla Model 3 (2018-)
- Hyundai Ioniq Electric (2017-2022)
- Kia e-Niro (2019-2021)
- Renault Zoe (2013-2019)
Tesla Model S (2014-)
Tesla has unquestionably changed the way many perceive plug-in power. When the Model S was introduced in 2014, even the basic 60kWh version had a claimed range of 240 miles and a 0-60mph time of just 5.9 seconds. Suddenly, here was a brand new electric car that offered the range and performance many were dreaming of, and it knocked the likes of the established but staid Nissan Leaf into the shade. Later versions are even more capable, as the current entry-level Long Range Plus will hit 60mph in 3.7 seconds and has a range of up to 405 miles.
It’s that range that makes the Model S far more practical and usable than other slower, less advanced and less interesting electric cars. The company’s rapid charging Supercharger network makes it easier to live with, too.
All of that comes at a premium, and even an older Model S will cost around £30,000. Reliability, support and longevity are questionable too, so don’t buy a used Tesla unless you’ve some money set aside to cover any issues.
Tesla Model S Review
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BMW i3 (2013-2022)
The BMW i3 is great if you want something smaller and easier to handle. As a range extender (abbreviated to REx), it can be had with a small petrol engine to give it 50-70 miles of non-electric range in case your charge runs out. However, we think it’s best in pure electric form, without the additional weight and complexity of that petrol power unit. Second-hand electric examples start at around £14,000 on the used market, and the initial claimed range of 118 miles should prove adequate for the average commuter (expect more like 60-90 miles in real world driving).
What’s particularly good about the i3, compared to more conventional offerings such as the Nissan Leaf or the Kia Soul EV, is that it has lots of appealing design elements and a high standard of fit and finish. It also offers a more involving and entertaining driving experience than many other electric cars, which gives it some enthusiast appeal.
It’s quick, too, as the 168bhp electric motor will shift it from 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds. Later versions have bigger batteries for longer ranges; the 33kWh model, for example, can cover a claimed 195 miles on a single charge. A used BMW i3 isn’t the most practical choice if you regularly want to carry passengers, because the rear doors can only be opened if the front door on the same side is opened first. It's a four-seater, but the boot is small and some may find its ride a little bumpy, but if it’s a stylish and entertaining runaround you’re after, we reckon it’s one of the best small electric cars out there.
BMW i3 Review
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Volkswagen e-Golf (2014-2020)
When it was introduced in 2014, the Volkswagen e-Golf’s 26.5kWh battery offered up to 118 miles of range between charges, while its 114bhp electric motor made it good for 0-62mph in 10.4 seconds, which rendered it as quick as a conventional 1.6-litre diesel equivalent.
At its introduction in 2014, its 26.5kWh battery offered a range of up to 118 miles between charges. The e-Golf’s 114bhp electric motor also granted a 0-62mph time of 10.4 seconds, making the electric hatch as quick as a conventional 1.6-litre diesel alternative.
The Golf is as polished a product as you’d expect, with fine on-road performance, a comfortable interior and high equipment levels; it was only sold with one trim level, which included dual-zone climate control, parking sensors, an 8.0-inch media system and LED headlights.
An updated version was introduced in 2017, featuring a 35.8kWh battery pack and a more powerful 134bhp electric motor. The additional battery capacity bumped up the range to 186 miles which, according to VW, translates to around 124 miles in the real world.
These versions could be worth keeping an eye out for, but they do cost more. An early e-Golf has a starting price of around £17,000, whereas 35.8kWh variants cost upwards of £19,000, but that’s still much cheaper than a used Volkswagen ID.4. Alternatively, if you need something smaller, check out the compact e-Up electric city car.
Volkswagen Golf Review
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Nissan Leaf Mk1 (2010-2016)
The Nissan Leaf often doesn’t get the credit it deserves. When the first version arrived in 2010, it marked a dramatic step forward for electric cars, because its technology and packaging brought practical and functional zero-emissions motoring to many.
The first version could travel up to 100 miles on a full charge and accelerate from 0-62mph in a reasonable 11.9 seconds, making it a viable replacement for countless petrol and diesel runabouts. A higher-capacity model with a 30kWh battery was launched later, which brought the range up to a more useful 155 miles. You’ll pay around £6-7,000 for an earlier car and likely more than £10,000 for a later 30kWh model, so it’s one of the more affordable EVs on our list.
If you’re considering spending more, you could look at the second-generation Leaf which arrived in 2017. It features sharper, more modern styling and a host of technological improvements, including a larger battery and further increased range. In any form, though, a Leaf is an easy car to live with, comfortable, cheap to run and pleasant to drive.
Nissan Leaf Review
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Kia Soul EV (2014-2019)
The Kia Soul EV is a capable and practical small electric SUV that arrived on the market in late 2014. The first versions had a range of up to 132 miles, but later upgraded models could travel up to 155 miles on a single charge.
As you might expect from a Kia, the Soul also fares particularly well on the reliability and running costs front, as it comes with the manufacturer’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty. There’s plenty of equipment, too, as even the first-generation models get features such as climate control, heated seats and cruise control as standard. Performance is decent, with the Soul EV’s electric motor propelling it from 0-60mph in 10.8 seconds.
An early first-generation Soul EV will set you back around £14,000, but a later 30kWh model will typically start at £17,000. As with the Nissan Leaf, there is now a second-generation model that offers a greatly increased range of up to 280 miles thanks to a 64kWh battery. Used examples are now available but these will set you back more than double the cost of the first-generation model.
Kia Soul EV Review
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Jaguar I-Pace (2018-)
If you want a premium electric car that’s great to drive, then a Jaguar I-Pace should be at the top of your list. It’s certainly not among the cheapest electric cars, because the most affordable examples start at around £35,000, but you get quite the machine for your money.
Jaguar claims a range of up to 292 miles but, in the real world, expect in the region of the low 200s. Even so, that’s often more than enough to make it a viable solution for many. Using 100kW fast charging, up to 100 miles of charge can be added in 30 minutes, which makes longer trips pretty feasible.
It’s quick as well, thanks to twin motors, all-wheel drive and a combined 396bhp, and can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.8 seconds. The I-Pace might not be as savage as some of the more powerful Teslas, but it’s more engaging to drive and more comfortable, as long as you stay away from the 21-inch wheel options, which can make the ride too harsh.
As standard, the I-Pace gets a conventional three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and an eight-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty, which should add some peace of mind when buying used.
Jaguar I-Pace Review
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Tesla Model 3 (2018-)
If you like the idea of the Tesla Model S but want something smaller, more manageable and more modern, there’s always the Model 3. Like the Jaguar, it’s a lot pricier than the cheapest EVs, but if you want a compact high-performance electric saloon, then you’re probably willing to pay a premium anyway. There isn’t, after all, much else like it for the money.
Go for a Long Range Model, and you’ll get an electric car with all-wheel drive (via dual motors) that produce a combined 443bhp and a stellar claimed range of 348 miles. It’ll also sprint from 0-60mph in just 4.6 seconds and, as with all Teslas, access to the Supercharger fast charger network could make it far easier to live with than alternative electric cars. The cabin is also really hi-tech, with a cool touchscreen infotainment system.
As with the Model S, though, a used Tesla Model 3 has its drawbacks. Reliability can be patchy, although problems are typically minor, and support can be poor. The warranty is only four years and 50,000 miles, too, which is far less than that offered by some rivals. The batteries, at least, are covered for eight years and 100,000 miles.
Tesla Model 3 Review
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Hyundai Ioniq Electric (2017-2022)
The Hyundai Ioniq Electric is good to drive, practical and easy to live with. Early versions came with a 28kWh battery capable of a 174-mile range but, in 2019, a 38.3kWh model was launched with a range of up to 193 miles.
Hyundai also has a strong reputation for reliability and the Ioniq Electric comes with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and an eight-year, 125,000-mile battery warranty. Coupled with its range, that could make the Hyundai a smart choice for those seeking a capable and low-fuss used EV that isn’t overly expensive. Early cars start from around £17,000.
You get lots of kit for your money, too, as standard features including climate control, LED headlights, a rear-view camera, wireless phone charging and adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq is no slouch, either, as its 118bhp electric motor will propel it to 62mph time in 9.9 seconds.
Alternatives such as the BMW i3 and the Volkswagen e-Golf are better to drive, but the Ioniq’s combination of a stout range, a comprehensive warranty and good reliability will make it more appealing to some.
Hyundai Ioniq Review
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Kia e-Niro (2019-2021)
Buyers looking for good practicality and range in a sensible package would do well to consider the Kia e-Niro. It’s offered with a 39kWh or 64kWh battery, which respectively have a claimed range of 180 or 282 miles, although you should expect a real-world range of 150 miles or 250 miles from the larger battery.
That version is the one to get if your budget stretches, because its long range makes it a far more viable choice. It’s not cheap – many used examples go for £30,000 and upwards – but it’s far more affordable than a Tesla or a Jaguar I-Pace. There are also fewer ownership concerns, because Kia rates highly for reliability and you’ll benefit from the remainder of the e-Niro’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
Practicality is good, too – the Kia has the edge over alternatives such as the Hyundai Kona and Nissan Leaf in this respect – and it’s also good to drive. It’s quiet, comfortable, rides well and it’s quick – the 201bhp 64kWh version will sprint from 0-60mph in just 7.5 seconds. It’s widely regarded as one of the best electric cars about, because its combination of range, a roomy interior and comparatively sensible pricing makes it a great all-rounder.
Kia e-Niro Review
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Renault Zoe (2013-2019)
The Renault Zoe is one of the best options if you’re after an affordable electric car to replace straightforward petrol-powered or diesel cars. The 41kWh model that was launched in late 2016 has a official range of 249 miles and, in real-world conditions, it can cover up to 186 miles.
Even an earlier car, with a 22kWh battery, has a serviceable claimed range of around 70-90 miles in normal real-world usage. However, if you were looking for a one-car solution, a later longer-range example would be much easier to get along with.
The Zoe is also a peppy, relaxing and easy car to drive. Equipment levels are good, as even standard models including cruise and climate control, and the Renault scored the maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests. Space in the back seats is also not bad considering this is such a small car.
One thing you’ll need to watch out for with a used Renault Zoe, though, is the potential for battery leasing obligations and costs. Originally, when customers bought the car, they had the choice to either buy the battery as well, or lease it for a monthly cost, a cost that will pass to any subsequent buyer as it’s not included with the car. Consequently, you’ll need to clarify and factor in any potential costs into your budget.
Renault Zoe Review
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