Used EVs – Over The Hill, Or An Absolute Steal?

According to recent data from the Society of Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), more than 12,000 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered nationwide in July. To date this year, 127,492 UK drivers have embraced electrification – an increase of 49.9% compared to the same period in 2021.

While data points to continued sector growth, wider market pressures are seemingly slowing the transition. A worldwide deficit of lithium, a global shortage of semiconductors and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine are all heavily impacting production efficiencies, with some OEM lead times reportedly reaching upwards of twelve months.

And that’s not all, while the purchase price of EVs has continued to tumble, comparable finance rates are still far higher than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. With government incentives also beginning to wane, affordability remains a major concern for many motorists.

So, with supply slim and prices high, is going electric necessarily the right choice for every motorist? What’s more, even if you want to make the switch, how can you do it without simply being added to an ever-growing order list? The answer to both is pretty simple – look to the used market.

A quick search on Auto Trader brings up more than 8,500 results for used BEVs and nearly 7,000 results for used plug-in hybrids, spanning 33 manufacturers and hundreds of models – from hatchbacks and hybrids to coupes and convertibles. The choice is truly vast and availability is immediate.

While you can’t miss the mix of top-end, nearly new models pushing upwards of £100k, there’s also a huge choice of cars for far less than £17,409, the average UK spend on a second-hand vehicle. You might have to compromise a little when it comes to colour, features or mileage, but the listings are packed with brilliant buys.

There is such an expansive selection of listings, from both approved dealers and private sellers, that it’s difficult to know what the best buy for the average UK motorist is, what you get for your money and what sort of real-world range you should expect.

To give you a helping hand, here are five choices of used models for sub £17k. They are reliable, reputable and, most importantly, environmentally friendly.

• BMW i3 (33 kWh) – One of the first and one of the best, the BMW i3 has a real-world range of around 125 miles. Its compact size makes it perfect for city driving, while its futuristic styling help you stand out from the crowd.
• Nissan LEAF (40 kWh) – For a bargain price, you can pick up one of the most iconic EVs. With a real-world range of 140 miles, it’ll eat up the daily commute.
• Renault ZOE Z.E.40 i (40 kWh) – Cheap to run, cheap to buy, the Renault Zoe is the perfect all-rounder. You can easily grab a battery-owned model with a real-world range of around 155 miles for a bargain price.
• smart EQ fortwo (17 kWh) – Iconic styling and 60 miles electric range can be yours for as little as £13,500. What’s more, no parking space will ever be too small.
• Volkswagen e-Golf (24kWh) – Impressive build quality and a real-world range of over 80 miles is more than enough for the average UK motorist’s daily needs.

Pushing your budget a little further, you can easily stray into the realms of a Kia Niro, Mazda MX-30, MG ZS, Hyundai Kona or DS 3 Crossback. All in all, a great selection of low mileage used models for a fraction of the price.

Many motorists are still put off the used market by misinformation, even though the choice is there. From battery systems failing and range figures plummeting, to planned obsolescence after your three-year finance deal is up, we’ve all heard the rumours.

There are many questions around how long you can keep an EV, when you will need a new battery, whether the range drops quickly after purchase and if the risks outweigh the benefits now the energy crisis is seeing electricity prices rocket.

Experts suggest that the average EV battery pack can last almost 20 years, or 200,000 miles – a significantly longer lifespan than the typical internal combustion engine and far longer than today’s average length of vehicle ownership. What’s more, while battery efficiency will eventually start to drop, the average EV will lose just 2% of accessible range per year – an arguably minor decline.

It might sound obvious, but the latest models have been designed to far outperform their petrol and diesel predecessors. Significant investment has been made by manufacturers into designing ever-more capable vehicles to suit the needs of tomorrow’s drivers and it really shows. The EVs of today, which include those on our list, have excellent ranges, impressive durability and are cheap to maintain thanks to fewer moving parts.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “EVs are cheaper to run, have no car tax, offer cheaper servicing and are exempt from Congestion Charges and some parking charges. What’s more, as the range of EVs and number of chargers have increased, the AA has seen the number of breakdowns for out of charge half. Currently less than 4% of EV breakdowns are linked to running out of charge.”

So, while scaremongering about EVs is commonplace, switching to electric really is the sensible option for motorists – regardless of budget. Need a nippy run-around for your trips into town? There’s countless hatchbacks that’ll suit you down to the ground. Need something a little bigger for motorway journeys? You can pick up an SUV, saloon or estate that’ll keep on going for another decade.

Rising electricity bills.

Will your used EV quickly become a drain on your finances? Will the price cap rise far above petrol prices and massively impact my finances? All important questions but, again, motorists shouldn’t be concerned. Charging an EV will not put your energy bills off the charts.

While the environmental benefits of EVs are widely publicised, the financial benefits are equally as impressive. At current prices, a small hatchback like the Renault Zoe would cost less than £650 per annum for the average driver to run if they charge at home. Even though these prices will increase in October when the energy price cap jumps, EVs are still the most cost-efficient option – especially with fuel prices now pushing £1.90 per litre (for diesel) and an average tank (55 litres) costing upwards of £100.

The real cheat is if you have a solar array and an eco-smart EV charger, like the myenergi zappi. In this instance, you can effectively charge at home for free by self-consuming your self-generated renewable energy – zero fossil fuels, zero reliance on the grid, zero emissions travel. Of course, it requires an up-front investment, but the ability to take total control of your home energy use is an attractive one.

So, what’s the right car to buy right now? Well, with so many to choose from, it’s completely up to you! Make sure it’s electric though… it’ll pay you back in spades.