Buying a Used Electric Car

Used electric cars: cars have numerous advantages

Electric cars hit the scene last century, and have greatly evolved since. Today, they're well on their way to becoming the vehicles of the future, thanks to their numerous advantages:

• A zero-emission vehicle: used electric cars don't emit CO2, making them an ideal alternative to combustion-powered cars. In addition to this eco-friendly plus, driving one may mean you can benefit from access to Clean Air Zones or Ultra Low Emission zones.  Some UK local authorities have implemented free parking in certain circumstances too. 
• An economical car to run: despite a higher purchase price, a used electric car will result in savings in the long term. Not only is the cost of electricity approx.. £2.50 for 60 miles less, but your maintenance costs will go down.
• Great performance: the question of autonomy with used electric cars is no longer an issue, as proved by the Renault Zoe, the Peugeot e-2008 or even the Fiat 500 Electric. Combined with a smoother driving experience and excellent performance in terms of immediate acceleration due to the instant engine torque, and the lack of vibration.

Used electric cars: the must-have models

Not surprisingly, small city cars dominate the used electric car market. Models to look out for are:

• The versatile Renault Zoe with more than 250,000 sold since it was launched in 2012. It has a superb range of 200 miles in normal driving conditions;
• The Nissan Leaf, a powerful five-seater with a range of up to 200 miles;
• The Peugeot e-208, a 100% electric version of the 208's second generation, with a range of 200 miles in the WLTP cycle;
• The Citroën C-Zéro or the Peugeot iOn both with a range of 90 miles;

And not forgetting:

• The Fiat 500 Electric;
• The BMW i3;
• The Honda e;
• The Renault Twingo ZE;
• The Mini Electric;
• The Vauxhall Corsa-e;
• The Smart Fortwo Electric Drive;
• The Dacia Spring;
• The Volkswagen e-UP.

Other categories of vehicles are due to be released in electric versions.  On the compact and saloon side, you've got:

• The Citroën ë-C4, a newcomer to the compact electric car niche with up to 200 miles range;
• The Volkswagen ID.3, which is exclusively electric, and stands out thanks to a range of up to 300 miles in the WLTP cycle for the top-of-the-range version;
• The Renault Fluence ZE ;
• The Polestar 2;
• The Tesla Model S.

Finally,  SUVs are fully embracing the electric market with an astonishing variety of models already available or to come shortly:

• The DS 3 CROSSBACK E-TENSE, the urban crossover from DS Automobiles available in an all-electric version, with a range of 200 miles after a full charge;
• The Peugeot e-2008, the electric version of the new crossover, with a 100 kW electromotor and a range of 190 miles;
• The Volkswagen ID.4, which completes the new “ID” range from the German manufacturer and includes, like the ID.3,
• The Kia e-Niro;
• The electric Hyundai Kona;
• The Ford Mustang Mach-E;

Even utility vans are turning electric, like the Peugeot e-Partner and the Citroën e-Berlingo.

Finally, some new generation electric cars come from the luxury market. For example:

• The Porsche Taycan;
• The Tesla Model Y and Model X;
• The Audi e-Tron;
• The Mercedes EQC;

How do you choose an electric car?

Several criteria must be taken into account to find the used electric car that best suits your needs.

First of all, be aware that the on-board technologies may differ from one model to another. Concerning batteries, manufacturers tend to go for:

• A lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, which is the least expensive type and has a good level of performance despite an inevitable loss of capacity over the years;
• An LMP battery, reserved for electric vehicles that are used very regularly and at least daily (if they are not charged regularly, the battery will wear out very quickly);
• A polymer battery (Li-Po), which is popular due to its compact size, lightness and excellent resistance to cold. That said, these new generation batteries are the most expensive.

The best choice will also depend on the type of recharge you're after:

• Most models can be plugged into a standard household socket. You won't have to wire up a special plug, but you will have to wait up to ten hours for a full recharge: this shouldn't be a problem if you use your car to get to and from work,  and can leave it to recharge overnight.
• Installing a fast-charging station in your home can be a wise investment if you can't wait until the end of a standard charge cycle. Some new generation charging stations offer an 80% charge in just 20 minutes, but the norm for a full charge is generally between 4 and 8 hours.

Lastly, when taking their range into account, manufacturers' advertised ranges may not correspond to your driving style or driving conditions.

How can I estimate the value of my electric car?

The resale value of a used electric vehicle can't be compared to that of a combustion-powered car. Electric vehicles have fewer mechanical parts subject to wear and tear, meaning they have a longer life - except for the specific case of the battery. This means electric cars keep their value better than their fuel counterparts.

Do you want to sell your used Peugeot e-208, a Vauxhall Corsa-e, a Renault Zoé or even a Volkswagen ID? 3? SPOTiCAR has a one-stop tool for estimating the value of electric vehicles. By entering the make and model, the registration number and various basic and easy-to-find information, you'll get an indicative value of your car on the used electric market.

Why buy a used electric car from SPOTICAR?

At SPOTICAR, we do everything we can to ensure that you buy your used electric car with complete peace of mind. Thanks to our network of 500 expert partners, we can provide you with a vehicle that has been fully checked and is guaranteed.

Our PEUGEOT, CITROËN, VAUXHALL, FIAT, JEEP ABARTH, ALFA ROMEO and DS retailers will assist you in the purchase of your used electric car. From financing to trading in your old vehicle, you'll benefit from tailor-made services.