Best Used Electric Cars To Buy In 2024 Under $30,000
Widespread adoption of electric vehicles remains limited due to their relatively high price tags. Having a good range and an accessible charging network doesn’t mean much if the car in question is simply too expensive. So we thought we’d assembled some of the best used electric cars you can buy for less than $30,000, a pertinent price point in light of the fact that no new EV can be purchased for so little without the possible benefit of a tax credit. This list consists of used EVs with the best BuzzScores, while we’ve trawled through various used car listings to find ones that fall below the $30k price cap.
Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here.
2022 Kia EV6
We’ve been fans of the Kia EV6 ever since it arrived on the scene a few years ago. Between its distinctive styling, modern interior, and decent range, it’s one of the best used electric vehicles you can buy. For a used car, it’s also nice to know that Kia has one of the best warranties on the market.
These are some of the 2022 Kia EV6 listings we found online:
- EV6 Wind: $29,998 with 43,000 miles
- EV6 Wind: $27,194 with 34,500 miles
- EV6 Wind: $26,157 with 45,000 miles
Considering that a new 2024 EV6 starts at $42,600, these used examples are much more affordable. Depending on the variant, you can get up to 310 miles of range for a 2022 EV6.
Expert Opinion
“If I were in the market for a new EV, I’d be visiting my local Kia dealership. Once again, Kia has designed a car that’s really fun to drive.”
| 2022 Kia EV6 | |
|---|---|
| Fair Purchase Price | ~$24,700 – $29,860 |
| BuzzScore | 9.5/10 |
| Powertrain | Single or dual electric motors |
2018 Tesla Model S
A 2024 study shows that used EVs depreciate 10 times faster than gas-powered cars, which is why a used EV can be a great buy. This much is obvious when it comes to the Tesla Model S; it’s possible to buy a six-year-old example for roughly the same price as a nearly new Chevy Bolt. Remember, this is a large and much more luxurious car than the Bolt hatchback.
Even though the 2018 model is the pre-facelift Model S, it’s still a handsome and shatteringly quick sedan, which is why we gave it a BuzzScore of 9.1 out of 10. Both the 75D and 100D trims are capable of a 0-60 mph time of under 4.5 seconds, and you can go up to 335 miles on a full charge. We found some of the following listings for a 2018 Model S via Edmunds:
- Model S 75D: $24,999 with 77,100 miles
- Model S 75D: $24,999 with 81,500 miles
- Model S 75D: $24,900 with 92,100 miles
As you can see, 2018 Model S sedans under our price cap are all 75D models. Consider that Tesla’s battery warranty on the Model S runs for eight years or 150,000 miles, and that many of these batteries have only minimal degradation up to 200,000 miles, so the examples above should have plenty of life left in them.
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According to Kelley Blue Book, the fair purchase price for a 2018 Tesla Model S – based on the national average – starts from just over $32k. But you can find examples at just below $25k. Of all the second-hand electric cars on this list, the Model S is the most comfortable and the best performer.
| 2018 Tesla Model S | |
|---|---|
| Fair Purchase Price | ~$32,500 – $39,000 |
| BuzzScore | 9.1/10 |
| Powertrain | Dual electric motors with all-wheel drive |
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2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E
With a BuzzScore of 9.1 out of 10, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E makes for a highly rated used EV. Its warranty isn’t as generous as Kia’s, but we found several examples with low enough miles so that you won’t need to worry about the battery for a while. The Mach-E is one of the sportier electric crossovers to drive, and it’s available with many clever technologies. For the 2021 model, the range varies between 211 and 305 miles. These are examples of used 2021 Mach-Es for sale at the time of writing:
- Mustang Mach-E Select: $29,998 with 30,000 miles
- Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD: $28,997 with 7,300 miles
- Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD: $27,974 with 25,900 miles
- Mustang Mach-E Select RWD: $27,212 with 15,000 miles
- Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 RWD: $21,100 with 59,000 miles
To put these prices into perspective, a 2024 Mustang Mach-E starts from just under $40k, so you can save almost $20k by going for the used California Route 1 trim listed above.
| 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E | |
|---|---|
| Fair Purchase Price | ~$22,100 – $32,400 |
| BuzzScore | 9.1/10 |
| Powertrain | Single or dual electric motors, RWD or AWD |
2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV
Already one of the cheapest EVs on sale when it was new, a used Bolt is a great starter EV. We rated the 2022 Bolt 8.9 out of 10, praising aspects like its spacious (for its size) interior and its ability to shoot off the mark with gusto, despite having only 200 horsepower. The 2022 model also introduced a fresh design, inside and out, and improved charging. We found the following 2022 Bolt EVs for sale:
- Bolt EV 1LT: $20,893 with 16,500 miles
- Bolt EV 1LT: $18,972 with 25,600 miles
- Bolt EV 1LT: $17,699 with 24,100 miles
- Bolt EV 2LT: $17,499 with 44,500 miles
As you can see, many 2022 Bolts are priced way below the $30k cap. Being a small hatchback, it’s not a car that will suit everyone, but its small size and 259 miles of range are fine for a city environment.
| 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV | |
|---|---|
| Fair Purchase Price | ~$19,400 – $20,700 |
| BuzzScore | 8.9/10 |
| Powertrain | Single electric motor with FWD |
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Our next best used EV is the Ioniq 5, which shares many of the same qualities that make the Kia EV6 so appealing. It’s more distinctively styled than the Tesla Model Y, the interior contains many plush materials, and most trims deliver rapid acceleration. The 2022 Ioniq 5 – the first model year of this advanced EV – has a BuzzScore of 8.8, indicating how much we respect it. These are some of the listings for 2022 Ioniq 5s we found:
- Ioniq 5 SE: $29,985 with 22,800 miles
- Ioniq 5 SEL: $29,500 with 24,300 miles
- Ioniq 5 SE: $28,750 with 21,600 miles
- Ioniq 5 SE: $22,350 with 52,000 miles
- Ioniq 5 SE: $19,998 with 72,500 miles
Most sub-$30k Ioniq 5s are the lower-spec SE, but you may be lucky enough to find a top-of-the-range Limited in your area. The 2024 Ioniq 5 is not a drastically different vehicle but starts at almost $42k, making these 2022 versions quite appealing. Bear in mind that the Standard Range RWD models can only go 220 miles on a full charge.
| 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 | |
|---|---|
| Fair Purchase Price | ~$22,200 – $27,700 |
| BuzzScore | 8.8/10 |
| Powertrain | Single or dual electric motors, FWD or AWD |
2020 Tesla Model Y
In 2023, the Tesla Model Y was the best-selling car in the world. It’s incredibly popular in the USA, too, and that alone makes it a great used buy, simply because there are so many used examples to choose from. Going back to the 2020 model year, you can easily find Model Ys for under $30,000, including these listings we found:
- Model Y Long Range: $29,990 with 35,000 miles
- Model Y Long Range: $28,990 with 45,200 miles
- Model Y Performance: $28,450 with 80,500 miles
- Model Y Long Range: $26,995 with 85,600 miles
Initially, the Model Y was only offered with dual motors and AWD. If you look long enough, you can even snag a Model Y Performance for under $30k. It can hit 60 in 3.5 seconds, which represents spectacular performance for the money. If you go for the Long Range, you’ll have over 310 miles of range, assuming minimal battery degradation. Tesla has had some quality control issues, but a used Model Y has plenty going for it.
KBB’s fair purchase price range falls just below our cap, but is above several individual examples we found listed for sale.
| 2020 Tesla Model Y | |
|---|---|
| Fair Purchase Price | ~$28,000 – $30,000 |
| BuzzScore | 8.8/10 |
| Powertrain | Dual electric motors with AWD |
2023 Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is an aging design, but the 2023 model boasts a respectable BuzzScore of 8.6. It’s not as snazzy as newer rivals, but the Leaf steers clear of gimmicks and has been around for a while, something that could provide used shoppers with peace of mind. Even an all-new 2024 Leaf starts at under $30k, but how much can you save if you buy a lightly used 2023 version? We found these ones for sale:
- Leaf SV Plus: $22,993 with 235 miles
- Leaf SV Plus: $22,493 with 1,020 miles
- Leaf S: $16,600 with 12,300 miles
- Leaf S: $15,950 with 20,100 miles
- Leaf S: $15,330 with 11,000 miles
As you can see, you can get a like-new SV Plus for under $23k. A new 2024 Leaf (with zero changes over the 2023 model) starts at over $28k, so you can save $5k by buying one that’s a year old. The Leaf is one of the cheapest used electric car choices around, but bear in mind that the 2023 Leaf can only travel between 149 and 212 miles on a full charge.
| 2023 Nissan Leaf | |
|---|---|
| Fair Purchase Price | ~$19,000 – $23,000 |
| BuzzScore | 8.6/10 |
| Powertrain | Single electric motor with FWD |
Pros And Cons Of Used Electric Cars
If this is the first time you’re considering an EV, you may want to keep these points in mind.
- Generally quicker than equivalent gas models
- Silent powertrain
- Electric architecture frees up extra cabin space
- Fewer moving parts equals simpler mechanical maintenance
- Long battery warranties offer peace of mind
- Zero-emissions motoring
- Still more expensive than equivalent gas models
- Cheaper EVs don’t have the best range
- Charging access differs from region to region
- Heavy depreciation affects used electric car prices
What is the best-selling used EV?
Tesla leads the way with the Model Y crossover, which is one of the best-selling individual models in the United States and around the world.
What is the lifespan of an electric car?
Modern EV battery modules are capable of outlasting an internal combustion engine, with Elon Musk previously stating a lifespan of 300,000 to 500,000 miles. Essentially, an EV is perfectly capable of lasting as long as or longer than an ICE car. However, one must take into account battery degradation at higher mileages and the aging of the often complex electronics fitted to EVs.
