Used EVs are the Bargain of the Decade



Updated March, 2026

Looking for an amazing deal on a used car? Get an electric car. 

See the full NBC 7 San Diego story - Reporter Sergio Flores does an excellent job of explaining it concisely.

The prices are incredible. Here are just a few examples:

CarGurus - in New Jersey, a 2023 Nissan Leaf with 21,000 miles for $10,000

Capital One Auto Navigator - in Atlanta, a 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 4Matic Sedan with 46,000 miles - $33,000. This was an $80,000 car when new!! 

Cars.com - in Dallas, a 2024 Kia Niro EV with 11,000 miles - $20,000. 

All of these cars, and others just like them, will still be under warranty. Mercedes-Benz has a 10-year, 155,000-mile warranty on some EVs. Most electric cars have an 8-year / 100,000-mile warranty on the battery and drive components.

Why are Used EVs So Cheap?

The reason is simple: EVs depreciate very rapidly - many people see an electric car as a tech purchase, so they upgrade frequently. Also, there's still uncertainty surrounding electric cars. There's nothing really uncertain about electric cars, but in many shoppers' minds, an EV is a big question mark. Besides, how many people do you know who have a 10-year-old phone? Not many; most people upgrade tech every few years.  


For an even better deal (although at a higher price), look for a used luxury EV. Luxury things already depreciate quickly. Now add the electric vehicle formula to that, and you get incredible deals. 50 or even 60 percent off the new car price is common. Plus, many electric cars have low miles, as they are often used for driving around town or for short commutes. The average EV buyer is not using their electric car for road trips. 

Worried about having to replace an expensive battery pack in a used electric car? That might not be as big a concern as most people think.

If you can make the charging work for you (80 percent of EV owners charge at home), then a used electric car is an incredible bargain. 

Update: With the conflict in the Middle East and the summer travel season, gas prices are high. Will this be enough to get some uncertain EV shoppers into a used electric car? Yes. Price and the feeling of "using no gas" will be appealing to many. While used EV prices are attractive, they may increase in some areas. 

In California, electric cars are 30 to 35 percent of sales, depending on the county. In those areas, the used EV prices will probably go up. Anyone considering a used EV should act soon, 

-Brian Moody 

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