The best second hand electric car deals

Falling new car prices and soft used values make green motoring surprisingly affordable.

Photo of the Nissan Leaf e+

Intensifying competition in the new car market has led to price reductions and sharper deals on EVs.

The price war has flowed through to used EVs, too, with some impressive bargains.

And with about 200,000 electric cars on Australian roads the choice for used buyers is better than ever.

Here are the best used EVs available today:

Photo of the 2021 Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf: 2018-2024

From about $18,000

The Leaf was one of the EV pioneers. And while the original one was underwhelming – it had a short range and could get bad battery degradation – the second-generation car that arrived in 2018 was more convincing. What it lacked in excitement it made up for with decent cabin space and respectable performance. Plenty now change hands for less than $20,000 and you’ll occasionally see them for well under that.

It’s more a city EV, though; driving range is short and its fast charging port is the Japanese CHAdeMO plug that is not always catered for at public chargers.

Photo of the MG4 electric hatch. Picture: Thomas Wielecki.

MG4: 2023-2024

From about $27,000

The first MG created from the ground up as an electric car marked a step change for the brand. In entry-level guise it drives the rear wheels, something that sets the basis for a great-driving hatchback.

Clever cabin packaging also means even back seat occupants are well catered for. And while the entry-level 51 model (the numbers denote the battery capacity in kilowatt-hours) is light-on for equipment, the sub-$30,000 price tag for what is essentially a new car makes the MG4 a tempting proposition.

Grab one bought after August 2024 and it’ll be backed by a 10-year warranty.

The BYD Atto 3 is an impressive first effort. Supplied

BYD Atto 3: 2022-2024

From about $35,000

The first car from the hard-charging Chinese brand is also an impressive EV.

The front-drive five-door SUV accelerates smartly and is comfortable and practical. It’s also loaded with gear, including an infotainment screen that rotates 90 degrees to allow portrait or landscape layouts.

The standard Atlas Batman tyres were underwhelming but something many used examples have already addressed with replacement rubber (late 2024 models get Continental tyres).

The Atto also has vehicle-to-load to keep household appliances powered when the car is parked. And with prices in the mid-$30,000 bracket it’s impressive value.

The Polestar 2 is a sharp-looking option.

Polestar 2: 2021-2024

From about $40,000

Still-fresh EV newcomer Polestar provided some Swedish-infused competition to Tesla in the form of the 2.

Beneath the skin is plenty of Volvo (the two brands are part of Chinese giant Geely), including its converted petrol architecture. That means compromises inside – the back seats are tight – but classy finishes and materials give it a premium flavour.

A sporty suspension tune sets the scene for an athletic driving experience, albeit at the expense of comfort. Dual-motor versions are impressively quick and even the single motor models are decent; later rear-drive versions of the original front-drive single motor model are a big step up if you can stretch the budget beyond circa-$40,000 earlier examples.

2022 Tesla Model Y RWD. Photo: Thomas Wielecki.

Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive: 2022-2024

From about $44,000

It’s impossible to ignore Telsa when shopping for a used EV and the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive stands tall. There’s loads of space inside, an abundance of tech and decent performance, even from the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive. The stark interior is an acquired taste but a healthy list of equipment – including heated seats all around and a panoramic sunroof – make up points. Stiff suspension was the biggest criticism, although later models were upgraded for more compliance. With access to Tesla’s industry-leading charging network it makes sub-$45,000 Model Ys a tempting alternative to hybrid-powered mid-sized SUVs.