What to know when buying a used electric car
Buying a used EV is a great way to get on the road with battery power, for much less than buying brand-new
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A used electric car is one of the best ways to get on the road while ditching fuel power – second-hand models are usually more affordable, but can still be in superb condition.
Although batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) will degrade over time, this doesn’t mean you should cast aside the idea of a used model completely. These batteries are built to last up to 20 years in some cases, so you can still expect a great run with an impressive mile range.
Is it worth buying a used electric car?
It’s definitely worth buying a used electric car if you want to save some money, as EVs are often more expensive to buy brand-new than their fuel-powered counterparts.
A second-hand electric car is a great way to get on the road and leave fuel behind, and as EVs are relatively new on the market, most used models will still feel fresh.
Will the battery still be good in a used electric car?
The battery in an electric vehicle will degrade slightly over time, so a used model might not have the 100% capacity it was originally sold with.
It’s hard to say just how much the battery in an EV will decline in health, as this will depend on a range of factors – how the car is used, how it’s been taken care of, and the model of car will make a difference.
For the most part, the battery degradation will be minimal, especially as most EVs on the used market are still fairly new.
Some EVs have a range of more than 300 miles, so a small decrease isn’t all that much in the grand scheme of things.
Plus, with charging infrastructure expanding across the UK, it’ll be easy to get a boost while you’re on the go or charge overnight at home to ensure you never go flat.
Modern EV batteries are built to last up to 20 years in some cases, so you shouldn’t need to worry about them failing on you anytime soon.
As the used EV market grows and there are more older models on sale, there might be a point where battery health is a more serious concern – just like the health of an older fuel-powered car is something to consider.
For the most part, the battery in a used car will be good-to-go for a fair while. Most manufacturers even offer an eight-year warranty – so they’re clearly confident that these cars are built to last.
Will the driving range be lower in a used electric car?
As battery health in electric cars declines over time, you might find there’s a small difference in the mile range that the car was originally sold with and what it’s capable of now.
You’ll still be able to cover a good chunk of miles in your used EV, but it might be slightly less than a brand-new model.
The statistics vary on the model you choose, and EVs are new enough that we’re still gathering the facts on just how much mile range you can expect to drop on average.
You might see a larger drop in mile range if you rely on rapid charging, or don’t take care of the battery health in general.
In newer EV models, the drop in range is usually a lot less noticeable than the older vehicles.
Battery tech is getting more and more impressive as time passes, with Tesla claiming that its batteries are actually designed to outlive the cars themselves.
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Does an electric car suit my lifestyle?
We’re not implying that you haven’t taken some time to consider if an EV suits you (you’re here, so you’re clearly doing the research!), but there are a few things that some people might not consider before taking the plunge.
Do you have access to off-road parking, or an alternative way to charge your car? If you live in an apartment building and can’t plug your car into your sockets, or will need to ask a landlord before fitting a charging station at your house, these are things you might need to work around before picking out your used EV.
Do you regularly make long drives? If this is the case, you might want to pick an EV with a higher mile range and plan ahead on where you can make stops to get a boost.
EVs are really well suited to everyday life, but can be great for longer trips with some forward planning.
Where can I charge my used electric car?
Charging your electric car is easy, as the charging infrastructure across the UK is constantly expanding.
You can use a mains charger at home, or have a dedicated charging point fitted if you have off-street parking.
There are also a range of grants for local councils and landlords that will help towards the cost of installing charging points, so it’s worth seeing if they’d be interested.
Out and about, you’ll find charging points at services and petrol stations, as well as at hotels and other attractions.
You might even find some free charging points on your travels in locations like supermarkets and shopping centres.
Buying a used electric car:
Battery degradation
A used EV will likely not have the 100% battery health that it did when it was first bought, as batteries do degrade over time. You don’t need to worry about this, as EV batteries are made to last and even some slight drops in battery health will still mean a reliable car.
Range
With those small reductions in battery health comes a small reduction in mile range – your car probably will not cover as many miles as it did brand-new. This might mean you need to give it an extra boost now and again, which is easy with the UK’s vast charging network.
Lifestyle
Does an EV fit into your life? Consider how many miles you’re covering regularly, and whether you need a longer-range EV or one that’s perfect for shorter trips.
Charging
Charging an EV across the UK is easy, as there’s chargers everywhere! Charging at home is an added bonus, so it’s a great idea to check if this is an option for you.