Contents
Gas prices have jumped by about 40 percent in the past year. Commuters can find refuge from the pump by going electric with an affordable, small used EV. Read on for the lowest-priced electric models available on eBay Motors.
The best deals are for EVs with a relatively short range of 60 to 80 miles. But most Americans drive less than 40 miles a day. A small, used EV can get the job done—at the equivalent of about one dollar per gallon. If you’re willing to spend a bit more, we also have a few suggestions for newer, longer-range EVs.
Shop now for affordable electric cars
Nissan Leaf (First-Generation)
First-generation Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf, one of the first EVs on the market, has 107 horsepower and 187 pound-feet of torque on tap. The S was the base version, and it has 73 miles of estimated range. The Leaf debuted in the US in late 2010, and promptly won the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, 2011 European Car of the Year, and 2011 World Car of the Year. While the first-gen model is commonly available for less than $10,000, you might want to look at 2013 and later Leaf versions. The official EPA range increases to 75 miles by 2013 and 84 miles by 2015.
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
If you only drive locally, the affordable Mitsubishi i-MiEV, introduced to the US in 2012, is worth considering. The i-MiEV’s 16-kilowatt-hour battery and rear-mounted electric motor deliver an official EPA range of 62 miles. In the wintertime with the heat blasting, that could drop below 50 miles on a single charge. Around 1,800 i-MiEVs were sold in the US, so they’re not common.
Chevrolet Spark EV
Chevrolet Spark
The Chevy Spark was initially introduced as the Daewoo Matiz in 1998. The third-generation model—offered as the Chevrolet Spark in the US—was produced between 2013 and 2016. The Spark EV has 140 horsepower and provides 82 miles of range on a single charge. It can be recharged in seven hours with a 240-volt home charger. The Spark EV also has fast-charge capability for longer highway trips.
Smart fortwo EV
Smart fortwo EV
These tiny Smart EV two-seaters are cute as a button. The electric versions are in many ways better than the gas iterations. As introduced in 2009 as a second-generation car, the Smart EV had 41 horsepower on tap with 68 miles of range. The top speed is 75 mph. Despite the limited space, Smart EV owners see them as the perfect electric car for around town. They are extremely easy to park.
Longer Range Used EVs (for More Money)
Chevrolet Bolt
Getting the price below $10,000 means accepting range below 100 miles. However, newer generations of electric cars commonly have more than 200 miles of range.
So, if you’re willing to spend around $25,000 for a used EV, consider the Chevrolet Bolt. The comfortable five-seater, which first hit the streets at the end of 2016, provides 238 miles of range on a single charge. The Bolt was the Motor Trend Car of the Year and the North American Car of the Year in 2017.
Tesla Model S
Still not enough room and range? Then consider the first generation of the Tesla Model S, which sells used for around $35,000. The 75 is one of the more affordable iterations of the Model S and has 249 miles of range from its 75-kilowatt-hour battery. Like any Tesla, it’s fast: zero to 60 in 4.3 seconds with a top speed of 143 mph. In 2017, Tesla introduced the Model 3 Long Range. They can be hard to find used and will likely cost around $45,000.
