Tempted by the low running costs and zero on-the-road emissions of an electric car, but put off by the cost of buying new?
Benefits of an EV
Purchasing a second hand electric car could be the perfect way to gain the benefits of EV tech without breaking the bank.
If you tend to take shorter urban trips and are prepared to install a home charger, your running costs will be significantly lower than any petrol or diesel car.
Plus, you won't need to pay the London Congestion Charge, Ultra-Low Emissions Zone Charge, or similar levies around the UK.
Additionally, there's no road tax to pay for pure electric vehicles.
Maintenance and repair costs can be lower too, thanks to EVs having fewer moving parts to go wrong.
Buying a used EV in the UK
While a few years ago the used EV market was rather small, today there are many more models available.
Most of these are in better working condition than a combustion-engine car of the same age, because EVs tend to be driven less.
While it’s a challenge to find reliable used electric cars under £5,000, there are good options at the £10,000 mark.
Here we'll look at 10 of the best second hand electric cars to consider for your first EV.
Credit: Taina Sohlman - stock.adobe.com
Tesla Model S (Mk1)
The Model S appeared way back in 2012 - so it's starting to show its age in EV-land.
That said, it's still a great car, with a 75 or 100kWh battery pack, driving all four wheels and mated to a single-speed gearbox.
Speed and range
It's also far from sluggish - the P100D is able to go from 0-62mph in just 2.5 seconds.
Range is also good, although lower than the quoted distances. The 75D should permit 200 miles of range.
Cost
A used 2018 Model S 75D will cost around £40,000, which may sound costly, but considering the sheer amount of cutting edge tech onboard, it could be a solid deal.
And don't forget you won’t pay VED or congestion charges.
Despite its age, the Model S remains one of the best second hand electric cars available.
Owner reviews mention: Free charging for life, minimal servicing, large interior.
Credit: OceanProd - stock.adobe.com
Hyundai Ioniq Electric (Mk1)
While not as popular or well known as the Ioniq 5, the Hyundai Ioniq Electric (Mk1) has a great deal going for it.
Indeed, it marries an excellent range of 200 miles with attractive prices as low as £20,000.
This e-hatch is also well suited to families, with a 350-litre boot and five doors, making it one of the best used EVs on the used market.
Hyundai Ioniq Electric (Mk1) design
The exterior styling is a little conventional, and the interior looks much the same as Hyundai's petrol and diesel models, but it is solidly built and has all the tech a modern motorist needs.
Climate control, heated seats and reversing cam are all included with Premium trim models - which fortunately comprise much of the used market.
Satnav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are all accessible through the machine’s 8-inch infotainment systems.
Owner reviews mention: No-fuss driving, 200 mile range, inexpensive.
Credit: Oleksandr - stock.adobe.com
BMW i3 (Mk1)
The off-beat looks of the i3 arguably didn’t help its poor sales, but it remains a great choice for those seeking a used EV.
Easy to drive, well-built, and very cheap to run.
Speed and range
The updated 2018 version of the i3 is much the same as before, but with a few style tweaks. The 94Ah (33kWh) motor produces 170hp, can do 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, and delivers a top speed of 93mph.
While the stated 186-mile range is a little optimistic in real-world conditions, it is nevertheless sufficient for most of us.
For a bit more power you could choose the i3S - but you'll lose a bit of range.
The i3 is arguably the best small premium EV you can buy.
Among nearly-new electric cars, the i3 is near the head of the pack.
Owners mention: Stress-free driving, superb 0-30 acceleration, ideal for town traffic.
Credit: jetcityimage - stock.adobe.com
Nissan Leaf (Mk2)
Got a low budget? The Leaf represents one of the best electric cars in the low-cost category.
Early models in particular are going for a song.
Aside from super-low running costs, the Leaf offers comfort and excellent reliability.
For daily commutes, look out for the Mk2 with its improved range.
Arguably not one for those long road trips, it's ideal as an urban runabout.
Plus, since the Leaf Mk2 has been around for so long, there are many on the market.
Keep an eye out for low-mileage options - although even those with higher mileage should still offer good reliability.
Owner reviews mention: Spacious, good warranty for repairs, easy to drive.
Credit: Colin - stock.adobe.com
Volkswagen e-Golf (Mk7)
The e-Golf styling has been perfectly pitched not to alienate old-school motorists used to conventional cars.
Aside from getting used to charging instead of using the petrol pump, the e-Golf offers a driving experience similar to a regular ICE car.
Indeed, the boffins at Wolfsburg have shied away from highlighting the model's green credentials, instead focusing on delivering a very practical, well-built car - and they’ve succeeded.
Range
With early models offering a range of 118 miles - actually more like 100 - it’s definitely a household runabout, perfectly suited to regular in-town driving.
The 2017 model however offers better range - at 185 miles - with its 134bhp/35.8kWh set-up.
Owner reviews mention: Great handling, spacious, not as much fun as its petrol-driven relatives.
Credit: Mike Mareen - stock.adobe.com
Tesla Model 3 (Mk1)
This is what Musk and his Tesla team have been building towards - an affordable, mass-market EV that is a pleasure to drive, harnessing the tech and money from previous high-end models.
Used models can be found for £35,000, and they hold up to newer rivals targeting the same segment.
Tesla Model 3 range and speed
The cheapest used option is the rear-wheel-drive Standard Range Plus model. It delivers up to 278 miles of range, while the Long Range valiant gives you up to 360 miles.
And for those who think EVs lack pace, the Performance version can beat the Lamborghini Huracán up to the national speed limit!
Tesla charging network
Most owners will also be able to access the marque's Supercharger network, where you can get an 80% top-up in just over 30 minutes.
Do note that some Model 3s cannot use the network without paying a fee.
Owners mention: Low cost of ownership, fun to drive, some issues sourcing parts.
Credit: Jan Kliment - stock.adobe.com
Renault Zoe (Mk1)
With used Mk1s available for as little as £10,000, the Zoe is a great option for those on a limited budget.
The 100 mile range won't inspire everyone, but it's well-suited to short commutes and regular urban driving.
Renault Zoe benefits
Fun when driven at low speeds, and sporting some funky styling, the Zoe is a very likeable car.
Add good reliability and comfort - even in second hand models - and it's one to consider.
Renault Zoe battery pack lease
However, a little research is required due to the monthly battery pack lease that comes with some Zoes.
This helps keep costs down, but might not suit everyone.
Owners mention: Well built (contrary to some industry reviews), easy to drive, almost silent on the road.
Credit: vector_master - stock.adobe.com
Kia e-Niro (Mk1)
One of the e-Niro's biggest selling points is its seven-year warranty, which should still be active in some used models.
That said, reliability is not a key worry with the e-Niro thanks to excellent build quality.
Add a range of some 280 miles and super-low running costs - even on motorway runs - and it becomes a real contender among best second hand electric cars.
Lots of space, good levels of ride comfort and an all-singing infotainment system completes the picture.
Owners mention: Good performance, comfortable, low running costs.
Credit: OceanProd - stock.adobe.com
Porsche Taycan
This stunning electric sports car boasts a range of 280 miles (if you’re a very careful driver) and can be charged from 5 to 80 per cent in 22.5 minutes.
While the acceleration and range don’t beat the range-topping Model S P100D, the Taycan is as much like a 911 as an electric car - which makes it rather special.
How much does a second hand Porsche Taycan cost?
You can pick up a used 4S model for around £95,000, rising to £160,000 for a Turbo S Cross variant.
Look out for low-mileage options - of which there are many.
Owners mention: Fast, comfortable, doesn’t have the 'wow' factor of a V8 AMG or the programming of a Tesla.
Credit: Mike Mareen - stock.adobe.com
Honda e
Honda's first pure-electric car was the EV Plus in 1997, but the Japanese car giant only sold about 350 of those.
Skip forward 24 years and EV tech is in a very different place - as embodied by the remarkable-looking Honda e.
Honda e style
Its range is a little modest (137 miles), but it is crammed with tech, including wing-mirror and rear-view cameras, rapid 100kW DC charging in half an hour, and a suite of crash-avoidance technology.
Honda e cost
It's a little pricey given this range, but Honda will hope its retro styling and abundance of tech will set it apart from the Peugeot e-208, Mini Electric and Renault Zoe.
A used example will cost around £30,000.
Owners mention: Fun to drive, cheaper than a BMW i3, poor range especially in winter.
Breakdown Cover from 
