Used electric cars for sale or on finance

There’s never been more interest in electric cars. Manufacturers are producing more electric models than ever before, which means more choice across a wide range of budgets. If you’re looking for a used electric car there are ever-increasing options that can reduce your carbon footprint and, potentially, how much it costs to run your car.

An electric car is one that’s powered by a battery and electric motor, rather than by a petrol or diesel engine. You don’t need to refuel an electric car – you recharge the battery by plugging it into a charger, either at home or at a public charging station.

Prices to recharge vary, but electricity is generally more affordable than fuel, so an electric car can cost far less to run than its equivalent petrol or diesel model. It doesn’t produce polluting exhaust emissions either, which is better for the environment and brings financial benefits including lower (or no zero) tax and exemptions from congestion charges and low-emission zone fees.

An electric car can be a great fit for many people, but it’s worth considering how one might suit your lifestyle and your driving habits.

If you don’t have off-street parking, charging an electric car battery can be a challenge, depending on the public charging infrastructure where you live. And while electric cars tend to be more affordable to run, the initial cost is usually higher than an equivalent petrol or diesel model.

Should I buy an electric car?

How to charge an electric car

How much does it cost to charge your electric car?

While there are a few differences in the way you drive and look after an electric car, they’re relatively small and it shouldn’t take you long to get used to them.

You’ll find that electric cars feel quick, giving you immediate acceleration when you press the accelerator pedal, because – unlike a petrol or diesel engine – an electric motor doesn’t need to build revs to deliver power. You may also find that an electric car feels different because each one uses ‘regenerative braking’ – when you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal the electric motor reverses the direction it spins to simultaneously recover energy and slow the car down without you having to press the brake pedal.

The short and easy answer to this question is yes, all electric cars are automatic – just select Drive using a lever or button and away you go.

Technically though, most electric cars don’t have a multi-speed gearbox because – unlike petrol or diesel engines – electric motors generally don’t require one. That said, a few of the more-powerful electric models do have two-speed gearboxes but they shift automatically.

The distance an electric car can travel on a full battery charge is known as its range, and this varies between models. Many more-affordable electric cars, and older models, have ranges of around 100 miles, but the newest models can manage more than 400 miles before you’ll need to recharge. Most new models can do at least 200 miles, according to official figures.

There’s a lot of debate about how good electric cars are for the environment. What’s established is this: when it comes to local air quality, electric cars are better because they create no polluting exhaust.

When it comes to overall environmental impact, things are more complicated  because manufacturing an electric car generally uses more resources than it takes to make a traditional petrol or diesel model. Whether the electricity used to charge an electric car’s battery comes from a renewable source also makes a difference.

Broadly, though, once electric cars have been used for a certain amount of time, the overall environmental impact is expected to be less than with a petrol or diesel car.

The short answer is not for a long time. In the UK, all cars sold new from 2030 will have to be electrified, but that will include hybrid cars with petrol or diesel engines as well as those powered purely by electric motors. By 2035, all new models must be fully electric, according to current government plans. However, used petrol and diesel cars can continue to be sold and driven for years after that.

Electric cars tend to be a bit more expensive to insure than petrol or diesel cars because the technology that powers them is newer and more complicated. However, the gap has been narrowing in recent years as electric cars have become more commonplace.

There are lots of types of electric cars and some will be better in wintry conditions than others. Broadly though, electric cars have characteristics that can make them very effective in snow. They tend to be heavier than petrol or diesel cars, which helps with grip on slippery surfaces; some electric cars have four-wheel drive, which can help the car grip the road; and it’s especially easy to accelerate smoothly in an electric car, which can also reduce the risk of the tyres slipping.

Disadvantages? Well, batteries can be affected by cold weather, giving you a shorter range from a full charge.

1. Renault Zoe – a stylish, cost-effective hatchback with excellent battery range and a lot of interior space for such a small car.

2.  BMW i3 – a trendsetting premium hatchback that looks like nothing else around, it’s fun to drive and has a high-quality feel inside. 

3. Nissan Leaf – one of the most popular electric cars, it offers space for the family and is great value for money. 

4. Model 3 – Fast, practical and with a battery range of up to 374 miles, this Tesla also gives you access to the company’s excellent charging network.

5. MG ZS EV – a compact SUV that costs less than just about any rival, it has an official battery range of up to 273 miles.