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We are all hearing about how rapid depreciation is putting the value of electric vehicles in freefall. This is great news if you are looking for a quality used car at a great price. We’ve seen some extraordinary deals, and the buying frenzy hasn’t been missed by social media. Here’s a great post by leeperpharmd on the r/electricvehicles subreddit page:
“Someone posted about seeing a $6,000 Chevy Bolt on Facebook Marketplace. I showed it to my friend who bought the car. It’s a 2018 LT with 56,000 miles. He talked the seller down to $5,000.
The car had its battery replaced in 2024, and the warranty is good until 2032.
So far, he has replaced the backup camera for $100 and a tire that had a cut in the sidewall.
The car was sold by a tow yard that had a mechanics lien due to nonpayment of fees.
Keep your eyes out for deals, they do exist!”
flarefenris added some insight about the warranty:
“Almost all vehicle warranties that cover specific things from the OEM (power train on ICE, battery/propulsion on EV) are always transferrable. The only ones that usually aren't are any additional ones that you opt into from the dealership.
There are 2 separate warranties for GM EVs. The battery warranty is only on the battery, and that is the long one, eight years. The "propulsion" warranty is basically the EV equivalent of an ICE's "powertrain" warranty. It is 3 yr/36,000 mi basic and 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain.”
Over on Twitter, the Car Dealership Guy posted about good EV deals from Hertz:
“Hertz is offering renters EV deals to offload depreciating inventory:
The idea?
Take it for a spin, fall in love, and take it home.
And they’re offering some really low cost deals on Teslas, Polestars, and Chevy Bolts from their fleet.
One renter shared online that they were offered a 2023 Tesla Model 3 with 30,000 miles for $17,913.”
On a parallel Reddit thread, MonkeyMadness21 posted about their ten year old used EV:
“We bought a used EV back in 2017. The car was less than two years old and priced at the same level as ICE cars that were at least six years old. The dealer said the biggest factor was consumer trust. Since the used life of EVs compared to ICE vehicles is still less known, there is less overall consumer trust in the reliability of used market.
When people find out my EV is 10 years old, they always seemed shocked.”
Vespizzari agreed:
“At 103,000, miles my 2021 Mach-E has a verified 98% capacity.”
Rental Fleet Sell Offs
Another great place to look for good used EV bargains is rental fleets. For example, Hertz announced a plan to sell approximately 20,000 EVs (primarily Teslas) due to high repair costs and falling resale values. The company continues to offer a wide selection of used electric vehicles through its sales channels, often at competitive, no-haggle prices. You can go to Hertz Car Sales to filter for EV bargains.
Ultra-Low Lease Pricing from Several Brands
Some of the most eye-catching deals are coming from Volkswagen, Nissan, and Hyundai. Vehicles like the Volkswagen ID.4 and Nissan Ariya are being offered on short term leases with very low monthly payments, often with little or no money down. These offers usually come with limits such as low annual mileage, but additional miles can be purchased if needed. Zero percent financing is also becoming common, though it is mainly a tool to move slow selling inventory.
Why Leasing Often Makes More Sense Than Buying New
Buying a new EV carries a real risk of negative equity once prices adjust from expired incentives. Depreciation has been steep across nearly all EV brands, making ownership risky if resale value matters. Leasing avoids most of that risk and can be a reasonable option for drivers with predictable mileage and short-term needs.
Our Used EV Picks
If you are looking to buy a used EV for about $25,000, we have some suggestions below. We start with the Kia Niro EV, as it’s a simple safe pick.
The Kia Niro EV gets recommended because it is easy to live with, efficient, spacious enough for real life, and backed by a long warranty. Older examples can be cheaper, often due to age, mileage, or a smaller battery, while newer versions feel more modern, offer more rear space, and bring better tech. The newer setup is positioned as a one battery choice around 65 kWh with a real-world friendly range target near 285 miles. Reliability chatter is generally positive, with a recurring watch item being the 12-volt battery. Service history matters because warranty coverage can depend on it.
Our next pick is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 with its fast-charging tech and heavier body.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 surprises people because it launched in 2021 and can now slide under the $25,000 ceiling. Two battery options appear most often, a larger pack around 73 kWh and a smaller pack around 58 kWh, both tied to a high voltage charging system that can be extremely quick on the right fast charger. Preconditioning is important for consistent fast charging, and some cars before 2023 may not have it, which affects cold weather charging performance. Insurance can be the snag, so getting a quote early is smart. Efficiency is not its strong suit because the vehicle is heavy and shaped for style more than aerodynamics, so real world range can sit closer to about 180 miles for smaller battery versions and about 250 miles for larger ones. The 12-volt battery can also become an issue if the main pack is left very low, which can prevent the car from starting without a jump.
Another very attractive value is a used Tesla Model 3 because there’s a huge selection, great range, and simple cabin.
The used Model 3 market is deep, which makes shopping easier and prices more competitive. The appeal is the blend of speed and efficiency, plus a charging network that can make road trips feel less stressful. Early launch versions were commonly framed as standard range around 254 miles, long range around 348 miles, and a performance version close to long range territory. A late 2020 refresh nudged ranges upward. Color can affect pricing because white was often the default choice, while other colors can add about $650 on the used market. Light interiors look great but can be a pain for stains if you have kids, pets, or frequently wear denim.
We also like the Polestar 2 because of its practical hatchback feel, and great options if you find the right trim level.
The Polestar 2 often undercuts the Model 3 in used pricing, partly because it is less familiar to casual shoppers. Its hatch style rear opening can be more practical than a traditional sedan trunk when hauling bulky items. A $25,000 budget can reach a roughly three-year-old example with either a larger battery around 78 kWh or a smaller battery around 64 kWh. The optional comfort focused trim is worth targeting because it can add a heat pump for cold weather efficiency, a panoramic roof, upgraded audio, and more premium interior touches, while being far cheaper used than it was new. Newer facelifted versions that changed the driving dynamics can be nicer but may sit outside the budget.
We added the Volkswagen ID.4 as an underrated family SUV, but with confusing trims, and early software quirks.
The ID.4 is a roomy, familiar feeling family SUV that often gets overlooked next to flashier EVs. Trim and spec can be confusing because the lineup evolved over time, plus ex fleet cars can show up with higher miles and simpler wheels. Battery options commonly include a smaller pack around 52 kWh paired to motors around 148 to 168 horsepower, often delivering a bit over 200 miles of range, and larger pack versions around 77 kWh with more power and longer range, including dual motor options. Early cars can have frustrating software and touch controls, so spending time with the interface during a test drive matters.
Our luxury used EV pick is the Audi Q8 e-tron.
Some used Audi Q8 e-tron models can dip under $25,000, which can feel almost suspicious given the original price, yet that depreciation is the whole opportunity. Build quality and fast charging are part of the draw, while efficiency is the compromise. Large battery versions still may struggle to deliver much more than about 200 miles in real use, and smaller battery versions can be closer to 150 miles. Wheel size matters a lot, smaller wheels can add around 30 miles of range and improve ride comfort, while big 22-inch wheels can look great and quietly make the car harder to live with.
Bottom Line
The best used EV deals usually come from matching the car to the job, then buying the right battery size and trim, not the prettiest wheels. A short test drive should include phone pairing, charging checks, and a few minutes with driver assistance settings. A smart used EV buy feels like getting tomorrow’s tech for yesterday’s money, while still fitting your day-to-day life.
The Chevy Bolt
The 2024 Chevy Bolt remains one of the most approachable and affordable ways to get into an electric vehicle. Originally launched in the mid-2010s as one of the first long-range, mass-market EVs from a U.S. automaker, the Bolt has built a reputation for solid real-world range, simple ownership, and good value. Pricing for the 2024 model generally starts in the high-$20,000 range, keeping it among the least expensive EVs available. It was sold in two body styles, the Bolt EV hatchback and the slightly larger Bolt EUV, which offers more rear-seat space and an available SUV-like driving position. What sets the Bolt apart from many competitors is its balance of price, usable range of roughly 250 miles, and straightforward design without unnecessary complexity. For 2024, updates are modest but meaningful, with refreshed styling details, improved interior technology, and continued refinements that make it feel more polished than earlier versions while retaining its core appeal as a practical, everyday electric car.
What Do You Think?
Do deals like this make you more likely to buy a used ev instead of leasing a new one?
Have you ever found a great car deal in an unusual place that most buyers overlook?
Chris Johnston is the author of SAE’s comprehensive book on electric vehicles, "The Arrival of The Electric Car." His coverage on Torque News focuses on electric vehicles. Chris has decades of product management experience in telematics, mobile computing, and wireless communications. Chris has a B.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA. He lives in Seattle. When not working, Chris enjoys restoring classic wooden boats, open water swimming, cycling and flying (as a private pilot). You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and follow his work on X at ChrisJohnstonEV.
Photo credit: Provided by author
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