Four-door fastback Tesla Model 3 is both futuristic, and a future classicare selling incredibly well, with SMMT figures revealing roughly 20% growth year on year and a greater market share of new sales even during 2020-2022’s pandemic response 2023 marks a gradual return to an active used car market: that means there’s a reassuring amount of stock – and lower residuals – for those looking for the best used electric cars.
Keep it in the city, though, and the EQ ForFour is great. It has wide-opening rear doors for easy child-seat access, it is easy to park, and it can be fully charged overnight using a conventional three-pin plug. It’s efficient, too, making the most of its small battery with tricks like activating the heated seats and wheel for short trips rather than firing up its more energy-intensive space heater.‘If more people liked cars like this, cities would be transformed.
The MG ZS EV represents excellent value for money. You can buy a brand-new one for the same price as a battered Tesla Model SBest for those seeking a straightforward, no-frills electric SUV By being unrelated to any other Nissan sold in the UK. However, the original Leaf gets to be clever. Opera seating for the rear passengers helps the feeling of spaciousness and allows Leaf occupants to have a little bit of SUV high-riding freedom without the associated bulk. It also had a class-leading range in its day, while its 108bhp motor allows brisk performance, though maximum speed is limited to 93mph.
One aspect of buying a Zoe is the ongoing cost of battery leasing, which some lower-cost examples may be liable for. It’s generally more affordable than putting fuel in an economical car, and warranty coverage of leased packs means failure is Renault’s problem, not yours – but be prepared for monthly costs of up to £99/month if you cover up to 10,500 miles a year. This does include breakdown assistance, at least.
Unlike the Model S, the Model 3’s secondhand values react strongly to price cuts on new models, and for cash buyers, the smaller Tesla can offer great value for money. Even on younger examples, it’s still possible to trade ‘age’ for ‘spec’, with a 1000-mile top-spec long-range AWD performance model, complete with supercar-baiting performance, for less than the standard entry-level model new. If you plan to keep the car a long time, that’s the best option.
Owning an electric car is the new premium. Even opting for an EV from a mainstream brand signals affluence, environmental responsibility and awareness. The reality is that the best electric cars provide a perfectly sensible means of transport for most drivers and their families once new habits are learned. They also remain highly appealing for company car users, used or new.