What's the best used electric car for me?

The "best" used electric car isn't necessarily the one with the most power or the biggest built-in screen. It's the car that fits how you'll charge it, how much you drive, and your household situation. A used car with a range of 500 kilometers for someone who drives a maximum of 30 kilometers a day? A waste of your money! In this blog, we go through five questions to help you make a well-considered decision.

How much range do I really need?

Honestly: probably less than you think. A Dutch passenger car drives around 12,300 kilometers a year (CBS), or 34 kilometers a day. The average Dutch driver can go a full work week on a single charge with a range of 200 kilometers. So always start with your driving habits: how many kilometers do you actually cover each week?

Something important to watch for: in practice, you rarely achieve the range listed in the brochure. ANWB states that most electric cars achieve about two-thirds of their advertised range. In winter you'll get even less distance: the battery performs worse in the cold and the heating draws extra power. So the question is: are you often on the road for long stretches, or do you only make a long trip a few times a year? The answer gives you an idea of which EV suits you.

Where do I charge my used EV?

This might be the most decisive question of all, since it directly affects your wallet. Charging at home is by far the cheapest: you pay your own contract's electricity rate, around 24 cents per kWh. Compared to roughly 49 cents at a public charging point and 70 cents at a fast charger, home charging offers a big advantage (Milieu Centraal). If you have solar panels or a dynamic energy contract, you can charge even more cheaply at favorable times. You do pay a one-time cost for a home charging point: including installation, around 1,300 to 2,200 euros. But that investment pays for itself quickly. Need advice? Through our partner ChargeCars you can get a charging point installed at your home quickly and hassle-free.

The second consideration is charging speed. If you can typically charge at home or at work, charging speed matters less — the car sits parked long enough to charge up easily. But if you can't do that and depend on public charging points and fast chargers, charging speed becomes more important. Choose a newer model that charges quickly, so you're back on the road faster.

Which used electric car fits my household situation?

When choosing a segment, look carefully at how much space you actually need. A big SUV sounds nice, but if you only use it for groceries and once a year for a holiday trip, you're paying for space you don't really use. So think about cargo space, how many seats you want, and whether you need to tow a trailer.

The best-selling cars at Eccasion are:

Tesla Model 3
Kia Niro
Skoda Enyaq
Volkswagen ID.4
Polestar 2

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What's my budget, and what does a used electric car really cost?

Often the asking price of the car is just the starting point. To see what fits within your budget, you need to factor in the total cost of ownership: energy use, insurance, road tax, depreciation, and maintenance. On three of these points, a used EV usually comes out well.

The first is depreciation: an electric car loses most of its value in the first few years, and with an ex-lease used car, the first owner has already absorbed that hit. Running costs also tend to come out lower. Driving 12,000 kilometers electrically costs around 650 euros if you only charge at home, or about 900 euros with a mix of home, public, and fast charging. Even if you only charge publicly, you're looking at around 1,400 euros — still less than the roughly 1,900 euros you'd spend on petrol. Finally, you also come out ahead on maintenance: an electric drivetrain simply has far fewer moving parts that can wear out (Milieu Centraal).

At the same time, insurance for an EV can be higher. Road tax is also set to rise in the coming years: the discount for electric cars will be phased out step by step until the full rate applies in 2030 — though for now you're still better off than with a petrol car. And if you need to replace a battery outside the warranty period, that quickly adds up. That's exactly why the next and final question is so important.

How healthy is the battery of a used EV?

The condition of the battery is called the State of Health (SOH): how much capacity does the battery still have compared to when new? In an earlier blog we explained what SOH is and how to keep a battery healthy. Good news: batteries degrade more slowly than most people expect. The capacity drops fastest at first, then the degradation levels off and the battery lasts for years. An EV battery loses on average around 2% capacity per year during those first years, and research on the Tesla Model S showed that after 250,000 kilometers, on average more than 90% of capacity remains (ANWB).

The problem: you can't see the SOH just by looking under the hood. So always have the battery checked before buying a car. At Eccasion, this happens as standard with an independent Aviloo battery check.

Buying a used electric car

In summary: the "best" used electric car has a healthy battery and fits your daily mileage, your charging situation, the size of your household, and your budget.

Can't quite work it out on your own? Then Eccasion will help you search. Based on your preferences, we'll find the used electric car that suits you. Fill in the form below and schedule a free intake.

Tags:

battery range, SoH, Battery, Buy EV

Richard Burger