Buying a Used Electric Car in America: Main Rules and Top Models

Until recently, electric vehicles were a curiosity at US car auctions: mainly these were first generation Nissan Leafs. Today, dozens of brands compete with this Japanese e-car. Experts from Columbus and the famous auto publication Which? will tell you how to choose the most worthy specimens on the market.

Volkswagen recently said that their electric vehicles in Europe are effectively sold out until early next year. Kia says new orders for its flagship EV6 are unlikely to be filled any time soon. Othermanufacturersarealsoreportingdelays.

Against this background, the market for used electric vehicles is experiencing a surge. Sales of used electric cars doubled in the first quarter of 2022, according to SMMT data. This is still a small share of the used car market – of the 1.7 million used cars sold in the first quarter of 2022, only 14,582 were electric - but the numbers are steadily rising.

How much do used electric cars cost?

The price of a used electric car varies depending on factors such as the make and model of the car, its age, and general condition. In this they are no different from vehicles with internal combustion engines.

If you're looking to buy a nearly new car (only a year old or so), don't expect to save a lot of money. Chances are you'll pay just about the same as you would for a new car. You can find the best priced electric vehicles at US car auctions like Copart, Manheim, IAAI, Adesa, etc. and naturally, wearetalkingaboutusedcars.

The first models of electric cars began appearing at these sites in 2011. A study by the popular British publication Which? revealed a number of models that have stood the test of time. Below we list some of them - those that are worth including in your short list of promising purchases.

Is buying a used electric vehicle a good idea?

Used electric vehicles have many pros but there are some potential cons that you need to take note of.

The main problem is the range. In recent years, the production of more efficient solid-state batteries has been launched, allowing e-cars to travel more than 300 km without recharging. Many used models will do 200 km at best. This means that the car will have to be charged before almost every trip.

Along with the limited range, there is another factor worth mentioning: some older EVs do not support the latest fast chargingtechnology.

Nevertheless, 200 km is a number that suits many city dwellers. And most older electric cars are compatible with chargers that were considered fast just a few years ago - 7 kWh, which the bulk of chargers currently sold in stores are designed for.

Is it true that the battery on a used car is no good?

Fear of the degradation of the lithium-ion battery, supposedly drastically reducing the range of the car, is firmly planted in the minds of car enthusiasts. Butthat'snotsomethingyou need toworryabout toomuch.

The data from Which?'s annual car survey show that rumors about a decrease in battery capacity (and therefore range) are greatly exaggerated. Surveys of EV owners show very little battery degradation - around 9% over seven years. As you can see from the chart below, EV batteries purchased in 2014 retain an average of 91% of their original charge capacity.

If you're unlucky enough to experience a more significant decrease, the vehicle manufacturer's warranty may help. Kia for example undertakes to cover the cost of a faulty battery (charge below 70%) for 7 years or 100,000 miles (160,934 km).

What to check when buying a used electric car?

If you are buying an electric vehicle from a dealer or a car auction, ask the authorized person to provide you with a battery status report. This information has ceased to be a curiosity; recently it has been provided by the majority of sellers. For example, the corresponding feature in the Manheim auction is called EV Battery Health Reports. The auction has invested nearly $100 million in the infrastructure, processes, and tools andequipment to provide professional battery diagnosis. Similar work was carried out by Adesa and other auctions that value their reputation.

What's more, Kia has begun publishing reports on all used electric vehicles sold through its dealer networks. Renault also intends to offer a performance test for used car batteries;however, specific launch dates for the service have not yet been confirmed.

On the other hand, when buying a car from a private person or using an online service, you will not always be able to get a report on the condition of the car's battery. In this case, you should proceed in the same way as when buying a regular car. You can handle it yourself, but in order to prevent a costly oversight, it is better to resort to the help of professionals. For example, Columbus takes care of everything regarding the purchase of a car by offering its customers the best electric cars available at all US auctions.

First of all, the professionalism of Columbus employees guarantees protection from unscrupulous sellers. The company’s managers use methods based on 10 years of experience which allows them to quickly determine the degree and severity of damage to the car, the condition of the battery, as well as calculate the cost of repairs.

The conclusions of Columbus employees can be confirmed on the spot by mechanics of the company's partners present at the auction in the United States. At the request of the customer, they will prepare a report on the technical condition of the car and provide additional photos.

An additional guarantee of high-quality selection is the verification of cars in American databases. Columbus examines the history of vehicles in multiple online services including AutoChek and CARFAX, allowing you to find out all information about the vehicle – from accidents to scheduled maintenance dates.

The company recommends the cars for purchase as well as checks all the main paperwork necessary for customs inspection. Moreover, it will make the paperwork right if needed, and in special situations will get new one through a US Police Department.

Finally, Columbus offers turnkey delivery of the vehicle. This service is suitable for those customers and partners of the company who trust professionals, value their time and want to avoid routine procedures related to the purchase, delivery, customs clearance and car repair.

Columbus Shortlist: 5 Best Used Electric Cars

1. Kia e-Niro (2019-2022).

The popular Kia e-Niro SUV has been removed from showrooms everywhere and replaced with a new version – Kia Niro EV. The South Korean manufacturer, according to a company press release, hopes "that the new model will be able to match the e-Niro's stellar reliability record."

Meanwhile, a number of automotive publications, including Which? named the Kia e-Niro the most reliable all-fuel compact electric SUV — an astounding achievement considering that electric vehicle reliability tends to be slightly lower than that of vehicles powered by other energy sources.

And a reminder:a used e-Niro is covered by Kia’s warranty – 7 years or 100,000 miles (160,934 km).

The power produced by the battery of the e-carwill be enough to take you as far as 450 km (with a 64 kWhbattery).

US auction price: $15,000 to $35,000.

2. Mercedes-Benz B Class Electric Drive (2015-2017).

Mercedes is constantly expanding the range of luxury car models but does not forget about promotingits modest small cars like ElectricDrive.

The chassis design of the minivan suits the national CO2 control programs perfectly, and although there are differences between the e-car and its petrol cousin (the trunk is slightly smaller and the rear seats do not fold down all the way), the interior of thisGerman car remained spacious and comfortable.

The 132 kW electric motor is also on par with the ICE counterpart in terms of performance and is especially good at low speeds.

US auction price: $16,000 to $21,000.

3. Nissan Leaf (2011-2017).

The world's first mass-produced electric car was launched during the ICE-dominant era but remains a worthy (and lucrative) way to go electric.

The Leaf is a spacious five-door hatch, practical and comfortable in daily use. It's well built and with the exception of the odd shifter is intuitive to operate.

The e-car uses Nissan's Chamedo connector for fast charging, which is not as common as the CCS connector adopted by most manufacturers but it’s not an issue at most charging points.

The only catch is the limited range of the Leaf. The models tested by Which? barely reached 140 km on a full charge.

US auction price: $6,364 to $14,465.

4. Volkswagen e-Golf (2014-20).

Unlike other modern electric cars, the VW e-Golf allows the driver tomake a smooth switch to electricity. Outside and inside, it’s almost indistinguishable from the petrol model and offers the same driving pleasure.

While thise-car can't compete with the latest models in terms of range or charging capacity, the car is definitely good in terms of design.

Like the NissanLeaf, the e-Golf's strengths are spaciousness and ease of operation.

Price at US auctions: from $15,000 to $22,000.

5. BMW i3 (2013-22).

While it is still possible to order a new i3 online, BMW has decided todiscontinue the vehicle. After a nine-year production run, early models of the e-car are now available in Europe and the US for a forgiving price of $15,000.

The i3 was one of the first premium electric hatchbacks. Its futuristic style is quite different from the design of other BMW models but the quality and driving performance are excellent as usual.

And keep in mind that early versions of the i3 were available as range-extending hybrids with a small gasoline engine used to generate electricity and recharge the battery. If you plan to use the i3 for long trips, take a look at these particular options.

In addition, we recommend purely electric models released after 2016 - they are equipped with an updated BMW battery packthat offers an increased range.

US auction price: $13,000 to $37,000.