Whether you’re considering an electric vehicle because of gas prices or climate change, there’s probably never been a better time to buy a used electric vehicle, even though the Trump administration abolished the clean used vehicle tax credit last year. When we started this ongoing series on used EV options, the initial idea was to see what was available at bargain prices. But today we’re looking at the $20,000 to $25,000 range and we’re firmly out of the basement, with thousands of EVs across the country to choose from.
if you are spend only $5,000 on an electric vehicleYou’re looking at much older models with smaller batteries that never had as much range, even when new. But at four or five times that sum, the net stretches much, much further. Buyers may start to get a little picky here, particularly as ex-lease cars begin to fill dealer lots this year.
For those in the market, it helps that electric vehicles face less waste than equivalent hydrocarbon-powered cars. All of those incentives given to the original buyer are passed on to future owners, but according to a Deloitte report, EV waste is even underperforming. While you might expect most Ars Technica readers to see the potential, “many U.S. consumers remain cautious about range, charging time, price, battery replacement cost, and public access to charging,” Deloitte says. Changing that will require automakers and auto marketers to do a much better job of explaining battery longevity and range, according to the consulting firm.
The above is not good if you are trying to sell an electric vehicle, but it is good news if you are looking to buy one. You’ll get more car for the same outlay – a better spec, a newer model year or fewer miles on the odometer rather than spending the same money on something that needs gas.
A new $25,000 price limit also means you can afford to start being picky about what badge the car wears: Do you want something conventional, perhaps with lower mileage, or perhaps something more luxurious or premium?
