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If you are looking to move towards a more eco-conscious lifestyle, one of the first steps might be swapping your petrol or diesel car for an EV (electric vehicle). EVs are the best vehicles for improving your carbon footprint by reducing emissions that cause damage to the environment and the people around you.
It can be hard to move from something you have always known to a brand new type of car, but there are ways to find good quality EVs for the right price. Let’s take a detailed look at electric cars and how you can still buy one even on a budget.
The used electric car market has seen a surge lately, with a flurry of vehicles making their way onto forecourts. Brand new, an EV can be very expensive but used EVs can actually be quite reasonably priced. Now that charging points are becoming more available in city centres and smaller towns, people who perhaps once saw them as impractical are now realising that cheap running costs and environmental benefits could serve them better than a traditional petrol car.
Of course, the biggest reasons why people may opt for an electric car are the fact that you will pay zero road tax and you won’t have to spend money on fuel . It might be that the long-term savings to be had from an EV outweigh the costs and benefits of a normal car.
Buying a used electric car can be a bit tougher than buying a traditional one., There are different considerations such as; instead of looking at the engine and fuel capacity, now you will look at the range you get from a single battery charge.
In spite of this relatively new technology, used electric cars are more reliable than you might think. Battery warranties from the manufacturers often last up to eight years, so you can rest assured that any issues can be sorted in a relatively stress-free manner.
The engines in electric cars are also more reliable than their petrol/diesel counterparts due to a lack of moving parts that would need to be replaced over time.
With so many EVs coming into the used market, there is a wealth of choice for consumers. This means you won’t need to settle for just any make and model if you desire an electric car - you can choose the right one for you.
For example, the Renault Zoe is a lovely small car but lacks boot space, whereas the Hyundai KONA is a practical offering with a higher driving position. Of course, you could opt for luxury and go for the Jaguar i-Pace (although this certainly isn’t a budget choice!).
In the EV world, range is the key. This refers to the number of miles a car can go on a single charge, and it can often be a deciding factor based on your likely usage. The KONA, for example, has a range of 258 miles, dwarfing many other EV models. In terms of innovation and style, the BMW i3 is a solid choice. It has a range of between 80 and 125 per charge depending on the model, but doesn’t have any built in space to store charging cables which compromises boot space.
If you are looking for a family car, the Volkswagen e-Golf is a good choice, having been improved considerably since its 2017 release. A good range of 186 miles and improved charging speed (reaching 80% in 45 minutes) means it could be a great choice for young families looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
The cheapest second hand electric cars on the market include:
There are usually a range of finance options available when purchasing a used car including monthly finance that can help you spread the costs whilst still being able to enjoy a new electric car.
When it comes to value, the cheapest electric cars in the new market are generally the Renault Twizy Expression which has a list price of £10,900 and the Smart EQ ForTwo Coupe Passion which comes in at around £17,000.
The difference in price between a new and used electric car can be quite large. So, it is definitely worth considering whether you really need to buy a new one when the used market has some great value reliable EVs available currently. So, if you are ready to try and move from petrol/diesel to battery, see what used dealers have to offer first.
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