Used EV options

[AddyT.]

Hi there,

My parents are looking at chopping in their Up and getting a used EV. They don't do a lot of miles and have told me they can utilize their solar power so would be relatively cheap to run.

They need something that's easy to get in and out of as my dad has Parkinsons, easy to drive and park as in their 70's and has four doors. Budget is £11k.

Don't know loads about EV's as an ICE guy but my first thought was it had to be an i3? I can see 2021 examples with 40k on the clock trade sales for £11k which seemed pretty good. I think the main downside I can see from reviews is a bit of a firm ride?

Are there any other options I should be recommending? I would normally have also suggested something like the electric Mini but being easy to get in and out of is absolutely key which is why I thought of the i3. Was a passenger in one a few years ago, and despite not being a BMW guy, was really impressed with it.

Any advice greatly welcomed!

[MOBB]

What about the e-up and Seat/Skoda versions

Great little cars

[g40steve]

Do a search on Autotrader for Electric 11k max budget?

[Skodillac]

Got to be a Leaf 40kwh or 62kwh.

I think one of those will be less of a technical challenge for older folks than an i3, which is a bit more "clever tech" IYSWIM. A Leaf is more analogue feeling. It has a higher ride height than you might think and is easy to get into/out of. i3 has those weird backdoors, remember.

Depends on how tech adaptive these folks are of course.

Also you'll get a newer, lower mileage car for the same money with a Leaf over an i3.

They are reliable, robust and a known quantity.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603230...

[davek_964]

Skodillac said:

Also you'll get a newer, lower mileage car for the same money with a Leaf over an i3.

I'm not sure your advert supports that statement - that looks very similar age / mileage to I3s I've seen for about the same price.

Considering the size of the car they currently have - I'd agree with the OP that I3 would be top of the list. If I wanted a cheap-ish EV for local journeys, I think it's what I'd be looking at.

[Frankychops]

ux300e? under the Lexus 10 year warranty ?

[Skodillac]

davek_964 said:

Skodillac said:

Also you'll get a newer, lower mileage car for the same money with a Leaf over an i3.

I'm not sure your advert supports that statement - that looks very similar age / mileage to I3s I've seen for about the same price.

Considering the size of the car they currently have - I'd agree with the OP that I3 would be top of the list. If I wanted a cheap-ish EV for local journeys, I think it's what I'd be looking at.

OK. That was a 62kwh, which out-ranges any i3, so that's probably not necessary.

How's about this one. Find me an i3 for under £9k, 72 reg and 30k miles.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604121...

This is about the best I can do on a cursory search, it's a 2019 with more miles:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603060...

Either way would likely be a fine choice IMHO.

[p4cks]

ID.3?

[ZX10R NIN]

DS3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604091...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604021...

Corsa:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603230...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602250...

500e:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602200...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604111...

Zoe:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603230...

[Eddie Twadds]

Hyundai Kona.

My wife has one. It's more car-like than some other EVs, great elevated driving position, easy access, loads of kit including parking camera and a later one will come with a bit of manufacturer's warranty. Plus real world range of 250 miles.

This one is a smidge over budget: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604091...

[POIDH]

AddyT. said:

Hi there,
They don't do a lot of miles and have told me they can utilize their solar power so would be relatively cheap to run.

I'm assuming they've done a check of charging car rates (overnight/cheap) Vs flat 24hr rate Vs solar export. It's worth doing the maths on low mileage Vs solar 'free' Vs solar export.

[normalbloke]

i3 is the correct answer.

[Uncle boshy]

An egolf fits in the budget. Not massive range, but comparable to the i3.

[Russet Grange]

Ignore the solar thing, just get them on Octopus Go for cheap overnight electricity. Granny charge whatever you buy, no need to spend money on a charger.

Leaf would be my choice, because that's all I know, but you can pick one up from a main dealer well within your budget. Spend the full £11k and you'll get a car no more than four years old with under 30k miles.

They're not the latest and greatest by any means, but they have proven to be very reliable.