Motorists could save up to 67% when buying a second-hand electric vehicle, a new study has found.
The Nissan Leaf is the EV that offers the most purchase price saving when buying used versus new, costing less second-hand (£21,799), according to the car insurance team at Comparethemarket.com.
The Renault Zoe and Kia Soul also offer high purchase savings when comparing new and used models, with average savings of 66% and 47%, respectively
However, 20% of EV models analysed are more expensive to buy used than new, with the Citroen E-C4 offering the least savings of all
Highest savings: New vs used EVs
Car
Price (£)
Price difference between new and used models
Make & model
Average price of new car
Average resale price
%
£
1
Nissan Leaf
£32,720
£10,921
-67%
-£21,799
2
Renault Zoe
£30,995
£10,452
-66%
-£20,544
3
Kia Soul
£35,945
£18,905
-47%
-£17,041
4
Jaguar I-Pace
£72,000
£42,336
-41%
-£29,664
5
BMW i3
£33,805
£20,327
-40%
-£13,478
6
DS3 CROSSBACK
£37,370
£25,311
-32%
-£12,059
7
Vauxhall Corsa-E
£32,433
£22,685
-30%
-£9,748
8
Tesla Model 3
£54,990
£38,546
-30%
-£16,444
9
Kia Niro EV
£39,995
£29,417
-26%
-£10,578
10
MG5
£32,245
£24,876
-23%
-£7,369
When purchasing a second-hand vehicle, drivers should bear in mind that if the vehicle is over three years old, the car will need an annual MOT.
It is also worth considering that although the upfront costs are cheaper, there will be additional costs associated with older vehicles, including the increased servicing needs and potential repairs needed, in comparison to a brand new model.
Gareth is a versatile journalist, copywriter and digital editor who’s worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online. After long stints at the BBC, GMTV and ITV, he now specialises in motoring.
Tesla’s Model Y and Model 3 were the most popular new pure electric vehicles sold in Europe during 2022, according to new figures released by automotive analysists JATO Dynamics.
Registrations of the Tesla Model Y SUV exceeded 137,000, while the US manufacturer registered 91,500 Model 3 saloons.
The success of the Model Y came at the expense of the Model 3 due to the increasing popularity of SUVs which accounted for 51% of total EV registrations.
However, the Volkswagen Group (which includes Volkswagen, Skoda, Cupra) still led Europe’s 100% electric market with 349,200 cars registered and a total share of 22.4%.
Tesla secured second place in the EV ranking (232,018), following by the Stellantis (230,383), which includes Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Vauxhall and Opel.
In total, registrations of 100% electric vehicles increased by 29% compared with 2021. That’s 1.56 million cars, which is a new record for the European market.
In fact, almost 14 out of every 100 new cars registered in Europe last year were powered by a pure electric powertrain.
The leading countries in terms of EV market share were Norway (79%), Sweden (33%), Netherlands (23%), and Denmark
(21%), followed by Finland, Switzerland, and Germany – each with 18%.
Finally, sales of ICE (traditional internal combustion engine cars) accounted for 51.4% of total registrations in 2022 – down from 57.9% in 2021.
The Peugeot 208 supermini has ended the Volkswagen Golf family hatchback’s 15-year reign as Europe’s most popular new car.
Against the backdrop of various challenges, including the global shortage of chips, soaring inflation and the energy crisis, overall car registrations in Europe declined by 4.1% to 11,309,310.
However, the Peugeot 208 achieved 208,816 registrations, while the VW Golf (177,203) dropped to fifth in the rankings, behind the Dacia Sandero in second (200,550 units), Volkswagen T-Roc (181,153) and Fiat 500 (179,863).
The strength of the overall Volkswagen model range ensured that it remained Europe’s best selling car brand, with 1.2 billion sales – a 6% decline on 2021.
It was followed by Toyota (down 8% at 766,227), Mercedes-Benz (down 1% at 647,880), BMW (down 5% at 646,526) and Peugeot (down 15% to 623,825)
According to the figures released by JATO Dynamics, Tesla’s market share soared from 1.43% in 2021 to 2.06% in 2022, outselling Seat, Mini, and Suzuki, and only trailing Nissan by 4,300 cars.
This growth was driven by the Model Y, Europe’s best-selling electric vehicle, with just over 138,000 registered units. The fully-electric SUV was Europe’s 13th most popular car overall in 2022, pipping the Model 3 (17th).
Electric cars are one of the biggest trends today. But while they’ve only started gaining popularity in the last ten years or so, the first electric cars hit the road over a century ago. Electric cars were all the rage between 1890 and 1910 until the much cheaper Model T Ford came along and undercut the market. After that, electric cars slowly disappeared from the road.
Modern electric cars don’t look to be disappearing any time soon, and in coming years, we’re only bound to see more of them. More drivers are switching to electric vehicles every year to save money and be more eco-friendly. Going electric makes sense with the upcoming ban on internal combustion engine vehicle sales in 2030.
Ten years ago, there were very few electric cars available, and they cost a pretty penny. But there are now hundreds of fantastic and affordable options, especially with car leasing and finance options. We’ve ranked the top five electric cars to help you decide if you’re considering an electric car.
The Top 5 Electric Cars Available
Before we jump into the top five, it’s important to clarify how we rank the best electric cars. To decide which electric vehicles make the top five, we’ve looked at several different areas to assess just how good they are, including:
Price
Maximum range
Charging time
Technology and features
Driving experience.
Using these parameters, we’ve put together the best electric cars that are affordable for most drivers.
1. Tesla Model 3
Of course, a Tesla is at the top of our list. We can’t ignore that the manufacturer is at the forefront of electric cars and is, in some ways, responsible for the electric revolution. Tesla’s Model 3 is the company’s entry-level car, and it’s an impressive one. Tesla has managed to find the perfect balance of price and performance with the Model 3. It’s not as expensive as the Model S, but it’s still a very capable car.
The Model 3 is a sleek and stylish saloon that seats five adults comfortably. It has a range of up to 360 miles on a single charge and can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 4.2 seconds. Tesla has also equipped the Model 3 with advanced driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
2. Kia EV6
Kia took a little while to join the electric market but didn’t take long to make a mark. Kia’s EV6 is an absolute game-changer. Kia has pulled out all the stops with the EV6, engineering it from the ground up as an electric vehicle. The result is a stunning SUV with long-range (328 miles), fast charging, and impressive performance.
Kia has also made the EV6 fun to drive, with sharp handling and plenty of torque and affordable. It’s the perfect car for anyone who wants to switch to electric without making any compromises. Kia has raised the bar with the EV6, and it’s going to take some serious beating in the electric SUV market.
3. Skoda Enyaq
The Skoda Enyaq is an all-electric SUV that’s almost neck and neck with the Kia EV6. It’s packed with features that make it a joy to drive, and its striking design is sure to turn heads. But what sets the Skoda Enyaq apart is its range. It can travel up to 330 miles on a single charge with a fully charged battery. And when you do need to recharge, the Skoda Enyaq can be plugged into a standard domestic socket (although you’ll want a dedicated EV charger).
Skoda has long been known for producing reliable, affordable cars, and the Enyaq is no exception. This all-electric SUV is Skoda’s first foray into the world of EVs, and it offers a compelling mix of range, comfort, and value. Whether you’re driving across town or country, the Skoda Enyaq has got you covered. Skoda Enyaq is the perfect car for anyone who wants to enjoy the freedom of electric motoring without any range anxiety.
4. BMW i4
The BMW i4 is BMW’s all-electric executive saloon. This vehicle is BMW’s first foray into the electric saloon market, and it’s a pretty impressive one at that. The i4 has a range of up to 358 miles on a single charge, and it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.7 seconds.
While the BMW i4 has a higher price mark than some of its competitors, BMW is quickly becoming a leader in the electric car market, and the i4 is just the latest example of its commitment to innovation. With its long-range and competitive price, the BMW i4 is a popular choice for those looking for a luxury electric car.
5. Volkswagen ID.3
The Volkswagen ID.3 is an all-electric hatchback from Volkswagen. It’s the first car built on VW’s MEB platform, designed specifically for electric propulsion. The ID.3 is available in three different battery sizes, with a range of up to 340 miles on the largest battery.
The ID.3 is an impressive car; it’s affordable, practical and fun to drive. And because it’s a Volkswagen, it comes with all the quality and reliability you expect from the German brand. Plus, it’s won multiple awards, including Top Gear, Carbuyer and GQ awards.
So there you have it, the best electric cars ranked. If you’re thinking about switching to an electric vehicle and you’re not quite set on any in the top 5, there are plenty more impressive electric cars to choose from. Almost every major manufacturer now produces an all-electric range, so you’re spoilt for choice.
The final figures are in and the Vauxhall Corsa was the the UK’s most popular car in 2021, deposing the Ford Fiesta after 12 consecutive years at the top of the charts.
Not only is the Corsa available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, but there’s also an affordable pure electric version (badged Corsa-e) with a range of up to 209 miles.
Latest data from the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) showed that 305,000 plug-in vehicles (electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids) were sold last year, accounting for 18.6% of overall market share.
Electric vehicles accounted for 11.6% of the market, or 190,727 cars, meaning that more EVs were registered last year than over the previous five years combined, with the Tesla Model 3 leading the charge.
The overall UK car market only improved fractionally, thanks to the global semiconductor shortage and COVID. In 2020, 1.63 million cars were sold, while in 2021 it was 1.65 million.
Gareth is a versatile journalist, copywriter and digital editor who’s worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online. After long stints at the BBC, GMTV and ITV, he now specialises in motoring.
