If you're looking to save a bit of money and help the planet, used electric cars might be a great option.
Electric cars have been around for quite some time now. While they haven't become mainstream, and some people don't even know what an electric vehicle is, the truth is that they are only getting better and more popular. More importantly, the next generation of cars is likely to be electric, meaning that you could be behind if you don't start to research them today!
Despite these higher prices, more people are buying electric cars than ever before. According to Business Insider, the number of electric vehicles in the United States has leaped from about 115,000 to about 657,000 in the past five years.
If you're looking to save a bit of money and help the planet, used electric cars might be a great option. Here is a list of 10 pre-owned electric vehicles now available at lower prices.
The Chevrolet Spark is a compact car that combines practicality and efficiency. The first-generation Spark was introduced in 1998, with an electric model being released in June 2013. This limited-production vehicle came equipped with a 130 HP electric motor.
The Spark EV's electric motor is powered by a 21.3 kWh battery, which gives the vehicle a range of around 82 miles. This is enough for daily commutes around the city and makes for an excellent option for environmentally conscious car buyers. While the Spark went on sale for over $25,000 in 2013, used models can be found today for around $10,000.
The Fiat 500, which has been produced since 1957, is one of the best-selling city cars in the world. The Fiat 500e is an electric version of the Fiat 500 that takes its design inspiration from previous models but adds futuristic styling.
If you’re looking for a small car that can fit in tight spaces without sacrificing range or power, the Fiat 500e may be the perfect fit for you. Since this Italian hatchback cost over $25,000 brand new, you can get your hands on one today for less than half of that price.
The Volkswagen Golf is arguably the world's most popular hatchback. Jeremy Clarkson, host of the British TV series "Top Gear," has sung its praises, calling it the standard in terms of practicality and efficient daily driving.
The E-Golf is an all-electric version of its popular Golf model. The car's innovative drivetrain allowed it to compete directly with other electric cars on the market—the e-Golf's range of 100 miles was more than enough for most uses. This also made it a great buy second-hand, so if you're looking for a good deal, then keep an eye out for this car!
BMW entered the hybrid market with the BMW i8. However, the company soon followed up with a hybrid hatchback of its own: the BMW i3. Released in 2013, the futuristic 5-door hatchback came with a 2-cylinder engine and a powerful electric motor.
The i3 wasn't fully electric, but it was a close competitor to the compact EVs of its time. The i3's electric range was about 81 miles, less than the e-Golf's at the time. Now, a used i3 costs about $15,000 — pretty cheap!
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The Renault ZOE is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a compact car to get around town. It was released in 2012 and has steadily improved over the years. The original model came with an 89 HP motor, but newer models have more power and range.
The ZOE was not the most powerful electric vehicle on the market, but it was efficient, with a range of around 130 miles. This is more than enough to get you to work and back every day. It's also less expensive than many other EVs, making a used ZOE a great buy at around $15,000.
Kia's reputation for reliability and modernity has always made the automaker a favorite among drivers. The Kia Soul is a great example of that. It was first released in 2014, with an impressive 109 HP powertrain. This was later upgraded to a 201 HP powertrain in 2020.
The electric motor of Kia's models has been upgraded over the years. The latest versions of Soul have a 243-mile range, while their predecessors could only manage 150 miles on a single charge.
When Ford was not making electric vehicles, the investments they made in EcoBoost technology allowed them to be one of the most efficient brands on the market. The Ford Focus Electric took this to a whole new level with a modern 143 HP electric powertrain.
If you're looking to purchase an EV, the Ford Focus Electric is worth a serious look. It comes with DC fast charging, allowing you to quickly top off your EV in a fraction of the time it would take other cars. The Focus Electric also has a range of around 120 miles, making it perfect for city driving. Ford also included some of their modern connectivity features, which allow the Focus Electric to look and feel even more futuristic.
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The Nissan Leaf was first released in 2010 and was one of the first electric cars on the market, alongside the Toyota Prius. The 5-door hatchback came with around 73 miles of range but has evolved over the years to now manage 226 miles of range on a single charge.
The Nissan Leaf has sold hundreds of thousands of units in Japan over the last decade. The Leaf held the record as the best-selling electric car until being overtaken by the Tesla Model 3 in 2020.
The Smart EQ is an electric hatchback that was first introduced in 2007. Initial testing took place in the city of London with 100 cars, and the second version was sold in over 18 countries around the world. Over 2,300 units of this car were sold between 2009 and 2012.
The Smart EQ Fortwo came with a 41 HP powertrain and around 68 miles of range when it first launched. However, the second generation of the hatchback improved on this with a 27 HP powertrain and a battery that could support around 84 miles of range. This makes it perfect for daily city driving.
Chevrolet's Bolt EV has been in production since 2017 and has sold over 100,000 units as of 2020. The Bolt comes equipped with a 200 HP powertrain that can produce up to 266 lb-ft of torque. The latest models can go up to 259 miles on a single charge.
The earlier Bolt EV models had an estimated range of 238 miles on a single charge, but this figure was due to some strategic development decisions by Chevrolet regarding its battery technology. Either way, even the older models have an impressive range that makes them worth every penny.
RELATED: Under $20K: 10 Best Used Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (2014-2018)
| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Volkswagen |
Germany |
| #2 |  Toyota |
Japan |
| #3 |  Stellantis |
Netherlands |
| #4 |  Mercedes-Benz Group |
Germany |
| #5 |  Ford Motor |
United States |
| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Michelin |
France |
| #2 |  Bridgestone |
Japan |
| #3 |  Continental |
Germany |
| #4 |  Goodyear |
United States |
| #5 |  Sumitomo |
Japan |
