Over the previous yr and a half, used automobile costs have taken a nosedive. The times of paying over sticker value for generic new automobiles and receiving eye-watering Carvana estimates are gone us. Because the market shifts, the barrier to buying an electrical automobile has lowered considerably. Plus, with the implementation of the Inflation Discount Act (IRA) used EV tax credit score, now is a superb time to get behind the wheel of a second-hand electrical automobile.
Higher but, if the higher restrict of 1’s finances is $15,000, there are many flippantly used EVs that simply slide into that value vary— even with out contemplating the tax credit score. And no, we’re not speaking about previous, high-mileage ones. There’s the potential for securing 2022 model-year EVs with fewer than 20,000 miles for underneath $15,000. If that automobile was registered in 2022, it might nonetheless have a remaining battery guarantee for the subsequent six years or 80,000 miles.
Now not is shopping for an EV one thing that solely the one p.c can afford. In lots of conditions, choosing an EV will likely be extra financially advantageous than selecting an inner combustion engine automobile. Low fueling and upkeep prices imply driving electrical is extra reasonably priced and handy. Even for these with no storage, many workplaces and universities provide public charging. For a lot of automobile consumers, used electrical automobiles make excellent sense— particularly at these value factors.
2019 to 2022 Chevy Bolt
The Chevy Bolt is the proper starter EV— it presents stable vary, first rate efficiency, and spectacular reliability. It gives a considerable EPA-rated vary of 259 miles, and in our 70-mph vary take a look at, we noticed 226 miles. Each of those numbers are extremely respectable. The 66-kilowatt-hour battery pack can settle for a quite paltry 50 kilowatts of DC energy for recharging. This implies it may possibly add 100 miles of vary in half-hour. It is not nice— nevertheless it’s in keeping with many different sub-$15,000 EVs.
The Bolt additionally comes with a sprightly 200-horsepower front-mounted electrical motor, delivering a zero-to-sixty time of round six and a half seconds. It is fast, although the eco tires are likely to lose traction when pushed. The software program permits for true one-pedal driving, and the throttle calibration is fairly refined.
GM’s electrical hatchback incorporates a spacious cabin and seating for 5. The inside may go away extra to need, although, with a number of scratchy plastic and unsupportive, inflexible seats. Then once more, at its value level, it is exhausting to concentrate on the negatives when it presents extra real-world vary than some far dearer EVs.
Discover used Chevrolet Bolt EVs close to you.
Battery capability: 66 kilowatt-hours (~60 usable) EPA-rated vary: 259 miles AC charging: 7.2 kilowatts DC charging: 50 kilowatts Energy: 200 horsepower Torque: 266 pound-feet Seats: 5 passengers
2020 to 2022 Nissan Leaf
In 2018, the Nissan Leaf obtained a big redesign, which in flip made the hatchback look extra like a typical automobile, as a substitute of 1 that screams “EV.” Together with the brand new design got here a brand new battery pack. All 2019 and newer Leafs include both two batteries: a 40 or 62-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion one. Neither are liquid-cooled, although degradation shouldn’t be a big fear with these autos as they arrive with considerably extra superior batteries that tolerate warmth higher.
The 62-kilowatt-hour Plus model has between 215 to 226 miles of vary and might settle for as much as 100 kilowatts of DC energy— twice as a lot energy as every other EV on this listing. The Plus additionally ups the horsepower to 214, not like the usual battery’s 147. Nonetheless, discovering one for underneath $15,000 is a little bit of a stretch. Contemplate your self fortunate if you happen to can find a 2019 with underneath 50,000 miles in that vary.
As for the Leaf’s non-powertrain attributes, there may be nothing too particular. The Leaf has an inside characterised by darkish grey hard-touch plastics and fabric seats. The SL model has leather-based seats and a Bose audio system, although Nissan discontinued the usual battery SL model in 2019. Furthermore, by the 2023 mannequin yr, the Japanese automaker eradicated all trims in addition to the S and SV Plus.
The Leaf will not be a really attention-grabbing automobile, however contemplating some low-mileage 2022s are underneath $15,000, it’s a large deal.
Discover used Nissan Leafs close to you.
Battery capability: 40 kilowatt-hours (39 usable) EPA-rated vary: 149 miles AC charging: 6.6 kilowatts DC charging: 50 kilowatts (CHAdeMO, non-compulsory) Energy: 147 horsepower Torque: 236 pound-feet Seats: 5 passengers
2020 Hyundai Ioniq EV
The Ioniq EV was Hyundai’s first mass-produced electrical automobile. For the 2020 mannequin yr, Hyundai up to date the design and added a bigger, liquid-cooled 38.3kWh battery pack, yielding an elevated vary of 170 miles. Energy was additionally improved, although take that with a grain of salt. The unique Ioniq EV made 118 horsepower, and the 2020 improved that to 134, which will not elevate any eyebrows. That stated, nothing concerning the Ioniq EV is notable. It is merely a compact commuter automobile that occurs to be electrical.
In its entirety, the Ioniq EV is a smart-looking, environment friendly electrical hatchback, nevertheless it does not do a lot to face out from the group. For one to justify buying one, it must be considerably cheaper than the Chevrolet Bolt, as that gives higher vary and efficiency.
Discover used Ioniq EVs close to you.
Battery capability: 40.4 kilowatt-hours (38.3 usable) EPA-rated vary: 170 miles AC charging: 7.2 kilowatts DC charging: 50 kilowatts Energy: 134 horsepower Torque: 218 pound-feet Seats: 5 passengers
2018 to 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf (exhausting to seek out)
Volkswagen’s first EV bought in america was the e-Golf. It was solely accessible in choose states and had mediocre specs. Offered as a compliance automobile, the electrical Golf rides on its ICE-powered counterpart’s platform using an air-cooled battery pack from Panasonic. Regardless of not having liquid-cooled batteries, VW claims that Panasonic’s battery chemistry gives distinctive warmth resistance and that liquid-cooling would add an excessive amount of weight.
For the 2017 mannequin yr, VW carried out a bigger 35.8kWh battery, delivering 125 miles of vary. Horsepower is available in at 134, which is satisfactory at greatest. Frankly, the automobile leaves extra to need, however consumers wanting the appeal of a Golf with an electrified powertrain may discover worth within the e-Golf.
Discover used Volkswagen e-Golfs close to you.
Battery capability: 35.8 kilowatt-hours (32 usable) EPA-rated vary: 125 miles AC charging: 7.2 kilowatts DC charging: 50 kilowatts Energy: 134 horsepower Torque: 214 pound-feet Seats: 5 passengers
2017 BMW i3 (exhausting to seek out)
The BMW i3 is the one possibility on this listing that gives a rear-mounted electrical motor, carbon fiber monocoque, and coach-style doorways. Eleven years after the i3 hit the streets, it nonetheless feels trendy and premium, due to frameless home windows, futuristic traces, and a floating central show display screen.
One perk of shopping for a 2017 i3 is its bigger liquid-cooled battery pack— an improve over the earlier mannequin yr. It has a complete battery capability of 33.2kWh, however its usable quantity is 27.2kWh. Regardless of the 2017 mannequin yr weighing in at simply 2,866 kilos, its real-world vary is not that nice— 114 miles, or lower than half of a Bolt’s EPA vary score.
However vary is not the i3’s sturdy swimsuit. Propelling the i3 is a 170hp rear-mounted motor. Combine BMW’s engineering experience and a RWD setup, and the i3 is gratifying to drive. It does not characteristic any of the annoying torque steers that FWD EVs have, and there’s no tire slippage when accelerating. It is merely a well-driving automobile.
However because the i3 ages, it is honest to count on extra reliability-related points with it (charging port door malfunction, to call one) in comparison with different choices on this information.
Discover used BMW i3s close to you.
Battery capability: 33 kilowatt-hours (27.2 usable) EPA-rated vary: 114 miles AC charging: 7.2 kilowatts DC charging: 50 kilowatts Energy: 170 horsepower Torque: 184 pound-feet Seats: 4 passengers
Earlier than buying one in all these autos, it is vital to know a number of issues concerning the $4,000 EV tax credit score. For a used EV to qualify, it have to be a minimum of two mannequin years previous, promote for underneath $25,000, and never have been transferred to a professional purchaser after August 16, 2022. The latter half basically implies that a dealership mustn’t have bought it after August 16, 2022. For newer automobiles on the listing, it is best to filter out autos with multiple proprietor.
Furthermore, there are revenue caps too. These revenue caps are $150,000 for joint filers (married {couples}), $112,500 for heads of households, and $75,000 for single filers. If a purchaser secured the $4,000 level of sale credit score and makes $150,001, then she or he must repay the IRS the tax credit score quantity.
As the costs of used EVs fall, some stable offers are showing. Particularly with the point-of-sale EV incentive, a few of these choices might be as little as $10,000. Electrical may be the transfer if you happen to’re out there for a used automobile on a finances.