Cheapest Used Electric Cars: 5 EV Bargains Worth Buying In 2026
Electric vehicles have really disrupted the auto industry over the past decade. They promise low running costs, impressive performance and often come with futuristic looks to tempt buyers away from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. Federal and State tax incentives have helped get the ball rolling, but if you want to get serious about saving money, then good old depreciation is still your best friend.
Thanks to the rapid pace of technological change and continually shifting regulatory goalposts, many EVs tend to have a pretty steep depreciation curve. That's not great for new car buyers, but if you are in the market for a five-year-old EV, then there are some serious bargains to be found. Five years is the sweet spot when it comes to depreciation, as values traditionally drop more slowly from here on out, and in the case of EVs, you still benefit from the manufacturers battery warranty which typically lasts 8-years/100,000 miles.
We picked five of the cheapest and most popular models to start with, so you can more easily narrow down your search. To ensure that we got representative figures we used historical AutoTempest data for actual sales figures rather than asking prices, which can often be much higher than the real value of a vehicle.
Compact Hatchbacks: Nissan Leaf
- Average 2021 MY Price Range: $12,500 – $15,500
The 2021 Nissan Leaf may not be a flashy EV, but it offers a simple, fuss-free driving experience and is just about perfect for city driving duties. From 2020 on the Leaf got the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning.
The base model got a 40-kWh lithium-ion battery and produced 147-hp, while the Leaf Plus was fitted with a 62-kWh battery pack and was quicker thanks to a higher 214-hp output. The larger battery allowed for a claimed 215 miles of range, which isn't much, but it's perfect for shorter trips, and decent ones can be found for an absolute bargain.
Subcompact SUV: Hyundai Kona Electric
- Average 2021 MY Price Range: $15,000 – $18,500
The Kona Electric was a good deal when new and is now even better value as a used buy. It delivers 201-hp to the front wheels, and has a 64-kWh battery pack that promises up to 258 miles per charge. It wasn't the fastest or best handling in its class five years ago, but it is a great all-rounder, and aside from a facelift in 2022, is still on sale today.
The difference is that the newest model is now only available with a 133-hp motor and a smaller battery pack yet will cost you twice as much as the more powerful five-year old version.
Compact SUV: Volkswagen ID.4
- Average 2021 MY Price Range: $18,000 – $22,500
The Volkswagen ID.4 was introduced in 2021 and could be had in several trims ranging from affordable to slightly less so. Power outputs ranged from 201 to 295-hp, all fitted with a 77 kWh battery that promised up to 260 miles of range.
The basic platform is still on sale today, and it has proven to be a solid choice in the midsize SUV class, with most owner issues stemming from faulty 12-volt batteries. Now one can be yours for under $20,000, which is less than the price of the cheapest new gas-powered car you can buy.
Compact Sedan: Tesla Model 3
- Average 2021 MY Price Range: $21,000 – $25,500
Tesla's aspiration to be a volume EV seller came to fruition when the Model 3 arrived in 2017, and even though the basic layout seems much the same, a lot has been upgraded and enhanced over the years.
Five-year old variants benefited from upgrades like a more efficient heat pump, improved battery technology and wireless smartphone charging. You may not find the highest spec models at the $21,000 price point, but even a base Model 3 is a great family EV, and the design both inside and out still looks as fresh as ever.
Midsize SUV: Ford Mustang Mach-E
- Average 2021 MY Price Range: $21,500 – $26,000
The controversial Mach-E was launched in 2021, and while it was a quick, comfortable and affordable vehicle, it stole the headlines for one reason: It was called a Mustang. While that was clearly not the case, it was a great midsize electric SUV. And naming quirks aside, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E was could be as quick as a V8 Mustang, too.
Offered with either a 75.7 or 98.8 kWh battery pack and delivering between 266 and 480-hp based on trim level, the Mach-E was capable of a 3.5-second 0-60mph time. Both RWD and AWD drivetrains were available and while the current generation is still in production, a visually similar used example can cost less than half the new sticker price.
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published June 30, 2026 at 3:45 PM.