Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why when you look at the advantages they offer. Even the cheapest electric cars are quiet, inexpensive to run, simple to service and easy to drive. Plus, of course, none of them produce any tailpipe emissions.
What's more, ever-increasing sales on the brand new car market means a wider choice on the used electric car market. Consequently, even if you’re not looking to spend a great deal on your next used car, there may well be an all-electric option that fits the bill.
Of course, the definition of precisely what sort of pricetag constitutes ‘cheap’ will vary from person to person, but for the purposes of this article, you can forget desirable high-end electric models such as the Audi e-tron, Jaguar i-Pace and Tesla Model 3. You can also forget comparatively new electric car offerings such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Skoda Enyaq and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Here, we’re very much concentrating on the cheaper end of the spectrum of second-hand electric cars. If you have a bit more to spend on your pre-owned EV, then maybe check out out list of the Best Used Electric Cars.
To get you started on your zero-emissions journey, here are 10 of the cheapest electric vehicles on the used car market, ranging from compact electric hatchbacks to larger family cars. Just remember, as with any electric car purchase, to check out the charging capabilities, requirements and battery warranty to ensure that they marry up with your expectations and intended usage.
The Best Cheap Used Electric Cars 2024
- Renault Twizy (2013-2021)
- Mitsubishi i-MiEV (2011-2015)
- Smart Forfour EQ (2017-2022)
- Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric (2015-2017)
- Hyundai Ioniq Electric (2017-2022)
- BMW i3 (2013-2022)
- Nissan Leaf Mk1 (2011-2016)
- Kia Soul EV (2015-2019)
- Renault Zoe (2013-2019)
Renault Twizy (2013-2021)
The Twizy is a compact urban runabout that has just two seats, a heated windscreen, an on-board computer, three-point seat belts and a front airbag. Renault claims an urban range of up to 60 miles, which should be more than enough for inner-city commuters. Charging will take around three-and-a-half hours if you do it from a standard, domestic three-pin plug.
It’s not so pedestrian as to feel like a mobile bollard, though, because the dainty 450kg Twizy has an electric motor that produces 23bhp and 42lb ft of torque. This is enough to give it some pep around town, and it’ll reach a top speed of 50mph if you’re bold enough. It’s good fun to drive, very manoeuvrable, and easy to park, although the ride is stiff and unforgiving.
This is admittedly a niche choice but it’s also an inexpensive one, because low-mileage Twizys can often be bought for around £6,000. However, the Twizy didn’t originally include its battery, which had to be leased for around £45 a month. That’s still the case with many used examples, so remember to check and factor it into your costs if necessary.
Renault Twizy Review
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Mitsubishi i-MiEV (2011-2015)
If you want a compact electric car but need something more usable than a Twizy, have a look at the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. This small electric car, which arrived in the UK in 2011, is a four-seater, and also offers space for some luggage, a reputed 93-mile range and a top speed of 81mph.
Despite its entry-level pricing, the i-MiEV is also well equipped, with standard features including electric windows, air-conditioning and multiple airbags. It’s pretty capable on the road, too, with a comfortable ride and precise steering. There’s no battery leasing to worry about, and 50kW DC fast-charging support allows the battery to be charged from 0-80 per cent in 30 minutes.
Mitsubishi i-MiEVs were expensive when new, but you can now buy one for around £6,000. However, the i-MiEV’s oddball looks and high list price meant it wasn’t popular, so they can be hard to find. Fortunately, both Peugeot and Citroen sold rebadged versions, called the Peugeot iOn and the Citroen C-Zero, which were on the market for longer. These can often be had for similar money, widening your options, but there are some differences in specifications.
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Smart Forfour EQ (2017-2022)
There have been several all-electric Smart cars over the years, but the Forfour EQ is one of the more recent, usable and common of them. The compact five-door, four-seat city car is among the more expensive small cars on this list.
For your money, you get a neatly built and eminently manoeuvrable rear-wheel drive urban runabout, with a claimed range of some 100 miles. It’ll do 80mph flat out, can accelerate from 0-62mph in a reasonable 12.7 seconds, and 20-100% charging will take six hours from a household socket, or just 2.5 hours from a 7kW wallbox.
A 22kW on-board fast charger option was also introduced in 2018, which cut the charging time to as little as 45 minutes at a compatible charging point, and made the compact Forfour a more viable choice for many. You could also look at the two-door Smart EQ Fortwo Coupe if you want something even smaller and more agile, which is also available in Cabrio form, with a folding roof for a bit of summer fun. Just watch out for earlier Electric Drive models, as they have less power, a shorter range and a lower top speed.
Smart ForFour Review
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Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric (2015-2017)
Most folk have forgotten about the Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric, which isn’t surprising, given that it was never a particularly popular or prominent electric car, but it’s one of the more affordable premium options. Spend around £18,000, and you’ll get a five-year-old example with around 20,000 miles on the clock.
There’s more to the B-Class than just a desirable badge, though; it offers impressive practicality, with space for five adults and a roomy 501-litre boot. It also comes with lots of equipment, including climate and cruise control, and serves up decent performance – its 178bhp electric motor renders it good for 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds.
The powertrain, which is derived from Tesla, comprises a 31kWh battery pack, with a claimed maximum range of 124 miles, but rapid charging isn’t available, which makes it less suitable for those regularly undertaking long trips or for buyers without charging facilities at home. It does offer a smooth and upmarket experience, though, so if the charging limitations are not a problem, then it could be a good option.
Mercedes-Benz B-Class Review
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Hyundai Ioniq Electric (2017-2022)
Buyers with a larger budget seeking something newer should cast their eye over the all-electric version of the Hyundai Ioniq. For upwards of £17,000, you’ll get a 2017 to 2018 car likely with around 50,000 miles on the clock.
You’ll also benefit further from what’s left of the eight-year, 125,000-mile battery warranty, so there won’t be much to worry about, especially because Hyundai has a good reputation for customer satisfaction and reliability.
The Ioniq is accomplished and refined on the road, and comes with lots of kit; standard features include adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera, single-zone climate control, wireless phone charging and LED headlights. In fact, we reckon it’s one of the best electric cars available at this price.
Crucially, the Ioniq also has a 28kWh battery, which creates reasonably long range of 174 miles from a full charge, while its 118bhp electric motor provides enough punch for a 0-62mph time of 9.9 seconds. An updated version with a 38.3kWh battery arrived in 2019, which upped the range to 193 miles, but those cars are still quite expensive. If you don’t fancy the Ioniq’s looks, why not try the more conventional Volkswagen e-Golf?
Hyundai Ioniq Review
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BMW i3 (2013-2022)
If you’re looking for a small, premium electric car that’s not overly expensive, then the BMW i3 is well worth a look. It’s beautifully engineered and finished, and better to drive than many rivals.
The i3 is no slouch, either, as its 168bhp electric motor can propel it from 0-62mph in just 7.2 seconds and it also has a sensible range. Early cars with a 22kWh battery have a claimed range of 118 miles and a mooted real-world range of 80-100 miles. A 33kWh battery version arrived in July 2016, which upped the claimed range to a more notable and practical 195 miles.
Standard equipment is impressive and the smart interior makes the i3 even more desirable. There are some snags, such as rear doors that can only be opened if the front door on that side is opened first, the ride can be a bit bumpy and the boot is a little small, but the i3 is otherwise compact and capable. Prices start from around £13,000 and many i3s will still have plenty of their eight-year, 100,000-mile battery warranty remaining.
BMW i3 Review
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Nissan Leaf Mk1 (2011-2016)
The Nissan Leaf was the first modern electric car that was an affordable and a viable replacement for conventional petrol or diesel cars. The first-generation model, which debuted in 2010, was a practical and accommodating zero-emissions hatchback that could travel around 100 miles if its 24kWh battery was fully charged.
It wasn’t overly expensive when it was new, as the original starting price was £23,990 including the government’s low-emissions vehicle grant of the time. It wasn’t frustratingly slow, either, with its 107bhp, 187lb ft electric motor rendering it good for 0-62mph 11.9 seconds. Nissan would continue to improve the car’s specs, too, with upgrades such as a 30kWh battery in 2015, which upped the range to a claimed 155 miles.
Unsurprisingly, the Leaf’s capabilities and comparatively accessible pricing made it a popular choice, which means there are lots of used examples to chose from. You’ll find plenty of early 24kWh cars for around £6,000 and, if you want a 30kWh model, expect to pay upwards of £9,000 for higher-mileage examples. The Leaf might not be the most visually interesting option, but its practical and easygoing nature, coupled with low running costs, make it a very pleasant car to live with.
Nissan Leaf Mk1 Review
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Kia Soul EV (2015-2019)
The first-generation Soul EV is often overlooked, which is a shame because it’s quite a capable car. The earlest models could cover 132 miles on a charge and it also has a punchy electric motor, a decent 281-litre boot and a smart and spacious cabin.
The Soul EV is loaded with equipment, including an 8.0-inch touchscreen media system, a reversing camera, climate control, heated seats, alloy wheels and cruise control all as standard. Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty applies, too, so it’s easy to find one that’s still covered. Performance is good, too, as the electric motor produces 109bhp and 210lb ft of torque, which can propel it to 60mph in 10.8 seconds.
Used examples start at around £13,000. That’s not as cheap as some cars on our list, but, considering the capabilities, quality and reliability of the Soul EV, you may deem the premium worth paying. If your budget stretches, you might consider one of the later versions with a 30kWh battery, which, along with a few revisions, boosted the official range to 155 miles. That’s bettered by more modern crossovers, such as the Hyundai Kona Electric, but the Soul EV is also considerably cheaper than a lot of other used electric SUVs.
Kia Soul EV Review
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Renault Zoe (2013-2019)
A Renault Zoe is a great choice if you’re after a practical, peppy and affordable electric car that’s good to drive. Go for an early 22kWh model, which will set you back around £8,000, and you’ll get a comfortable and stylish supermini (it’s about the same size as a Vauxhall Corsa) with a claimed 130-mile range.
In the real world, that can drop to 60 miles in cold weather and 90 miles in normal conditions, but Renault updated the Zoe several times to improve on that. A more efficient motor was introduced in July 2015, which upped the real-world range to a peak of 106 miles, and a 41kWh battery option followed in November 2016 for a 249-mile range according to official figures, which realistically meant 186 miles in good conditions on a single charge.
One of the 41kWh models will set you back upwards of £13,000, but their improved range and performance makes them far more usable. The Zoe is also safe, and has a five-star Euro NCAP rating, and comes with lots of kit: even the entry-level Expression models feature a seven-inch touchscreen media system, cruise control and climate control. As with other used battery-powered Renaults, though, you’ll need to watch out for battery leasing obligations and costs, which could land you with additional monthly payments.
Renault Zoe Review
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