With about 150,000 electric vehicles (EVs) now on Australian roads, a healthy second-hand market is developing.
There are now thousands of used cars from dozens of brands available to buyers who can’t afford a new electric car – or don’t want to bear the initial depreciation hit.
While new EVs start from about $40,000, used EVs are available for close to $10,000, although the bulk of the action is between $30,000 and $70,000.
Here’s what you need to know before purchasing a second-hand EV.
Battery health is key
The high-voltage battery (EVs also have a 12V battery, just like regular cars) is the most expensive part of an EV and can cost tens of thousands of dollars to replace. While they’re designed to last the life of the vehicle, as with a phone or laptop, all batteries will lose their ability to hold a charge over time.
The challenge is working out how much charge is still available.
The best way to check is by getting a mechanic – or dealership – to plug into the onboard diagnostics port. Don’t be worried if it can only hold 90-95% of the original capacity. It’s a bigger worry if it’s below 75%.
Warranty is important, service history less so
Most EVs have a separate warranty for the battery which will usually cover the first seven or eight years, up to about 160,000km.
A car that’s travelled a long way has cycled its battery pack more, so will probably have lost more capacity. Similarly, older batteries will probably have more degradation.
It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s something you should use in your negotiations.
One thing that’s less critical in an EV is service history.
EVs need to be serviced, but not to touch their electric motors. It’s more for cabin filters, brakes and tyres.
As such, many EVs have two-year service intervals and Tesla merely recommends a check every two years.
Whereas a petrol or diesel engine could experience significant drivetrain damage from a delayed service, an EV is unlikely to suffer the same fate.
Plan ahead to how you’ll charge
If you don’t have off-street parking then check the PlugShare app for options near you.
If you’re planning to charge at home, make sure the car comes with a portable charger (some don’t and some owners may also not pass it on when selling the car).
Alternatively if you want to fit a wallbox charger – which charges at least 3.5 times faster than a home powerpoint – then do it before you buy the car. Prices start at about $700 plus installation, typically around a few hundred dollars – but can be more, especially in older houses.
Which model is for you?
Perhaps unsurprisingly about half the EVs on sale are less than 18 months old.
That’s purely down to the recent growth of the market. Of the 150,000 EVs on Australian roads, about 100,000 of them have been sold in 2022 and 2023.
Of 26 brands currently listed for sale used online, about one-third are Teslas.
The Tesla Model 3 ($40,000-$110,000) currently offers the best value because it’s been around since 2019. The Model Y only arrived in 2022, so is not yet as readily available in used car land. Keep in mind earlier Model 3s (from 2019 to 2021) came out of the US and were known for average build quality, whereas newer Chinese-made ones are generally better put together.
Otherwise look at a Hyundai Kona or Kia Niro EV, both of which mount a convincing EV case. Prices are about $38,000-$65,000.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 ($65,000-$85,000) and Kia EV6 ($70,000-$105,000) are also great buying, but not cheap.
Left-fielders with short driving ranges but otherwise good credentials include the Mini Electric ($40,000-$60,000) and Mazda MX-30 EV ($40,000-$60,000).
An EV for less than $20,000?
Yes, there are EVs on sale for less than $20,000, but be careful what you’re buying.
Most of them are the original Nissan Leaf ($10,000-$30,000), which didn’t have a liquid cooling system for its battery, something that’s common with other EVs. Without that accurate temperature control Leaf batteries are prone to higher-than-usual degradation, so their driving range will be shortened.
If you can stretch the budget an MG ZS or Hyundai Ioniq, both starting from about $25,000, are better bets.
Don’t expect any EV to travel as far as it suggests
The range of an EV – how far it can travel between charges – is one of its most important stats. Your driving habits will dictate how important a factor that should be in your decision.
But don’t expect an EV to travel as far as the manufacturer states, at least in real world driving.
Blame it on a test procedure that isn’t representative of most people’s driving trips.
As a general rule knock at least 10% off the claim according to the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure standard (some manufacturers also quote a New European Driving Cycle figure, which is even less accurate).
For 100kmh-plus driving, we’d knock 20% off that claim.
And, obviously, for older cars it could be slightly less again.
Toby Hagon is the editor of EV Central
Change by Degrees is our new Saturday column offering life hacks and sustainable living tips to help reduce your household’s carbon footprint
