Used Electric Cars in Vermont - 2023 Updates

November 17, 2023

As sales of new plug-in electric vehicles (EV) hit new highs, more used EVs are entering the marketplace. Used EVs were about a quarter of all the newly registered EVs in the state from April-June 2023. Used EVs are often available at a fraction of the cost of a new vehicle - especially when paired with incentives available to many purchasers. 

All-electric vehicle (AEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models are increasingly available in the Vermont used car market. Both EV varieties get about five miles of range per hour of charging when plugged into a 120V home outlet. A “Level 2 Charger ” (240V) speeds things up to 10 to 20 miles of range per hour of charging, depending on the vehicle and charging power. Most AEVs also include DC fast-charging capability, which provides an 80% charge in less than an hour at public charging locations equipped for this type of higher-powered charging.

The table below summarizes used electric car pricing and availability (sources: Cars.com and Tesla.com, October 2023). There were about 1,500 used electric vehicles advertised within 250 miles of Roxbury (the geographic center of Vermont). The table excludes a few lower availability models, and not every seller lists on these resources, so it doesn’t account for every available EV. Some used EV buyers have also looked further afield and had cars shipped from larger markets in the south and west.

Used Electric Car Pricing and Availability as of October 2023

Used EV availability table

Source: Cars.com and Tesla.com searches within 250 miles of Roxbury, VT (05669) 

Used Electric Car Incentives

As of January 2023, there are federal tax credits available for used all-electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), you can get a tax credit of 30% of the sales price, up to a maximum of $4,000. Requirements include:

  1. Used EVs must have a sale price of $25,000 or less;
  2. Purchaser must have an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less for individual filers or $150,000 for joint filers;
  3. The model year of the vehicle needs to be at least 2 years earlier than the year of your purchase; and
  4. Used EVs must be purchased through a dealership to qualify, and the dealer should provide the purchaser with an EV sales report meeting IRS requirements.

Starting January 1, 2024 participating EV dealers can pass through federal EV tax credits at the point-of-sale. This will be especially beneficial for used EV buyers who don’t have the tax liability to fully benefit from the credit. The IRS will allow dealers to pass through the full amount of the credit regardless of the purchaser’s tax liability. Details are available on the IRS website, which has information on eligibility requirements and how to claim the credit. 

Used electric cars may also be eligible for the State of Vermont's MileageSmart used high-efficiency vehicle incentive program. This offers lower-income households an incentive covering 25% of a qualifying used high-efficiency vehicle purchase, up to $5,000. You must be pre-approved for this incentive before purchasing a used EV – more information and application materials are available at MileageSmart.org.

Many Vermont utilities also offer incentives to support used EV purchases, such as up to $1,300 from Burlington Electric Department (BED) or up to $2,500 from Green Mountain Power (GMP) for used all-electric vehicles. Our Drive Electric Vermont incentives page includes additional information on other offers. Our Incentive Calculator is a great tool to see what incentives you might qualify for on a used EV purchase. 

General Used EV Purchase Considerations

  • Reliability: Electric cars have proven reliable (link: Electrek.co), but getting a car checked out by a qualified mechanic before buying can help avoid unexpected issues. Electric car batteries are expensive components to replace. Fortunately, the batteries are engineered for 8-10+ year lifespans, and the majority continue to work well. Smartphone apps and devices are available for a few models that can connect with the onboard diagnostic systems to provide a detailed report of battery health. Recurrent, a firm specializing in EV battery research, can generate a battery health report with a used EV’s VIN number.
  • Range: Many electric cars have increased their electric driving range over time thanks to battery improvements and/or vehicle efficiency. For example, a 2013 Nissan LEAF had 75 miles of official range when new, while a 2019 LEAF can get up to 226 miles of range with a larger battery pack. FuelEconomy.gov can help you understand the potential range of a used EV based on the model year and battery options, although it is important to consider some batteries may have less range after years of use. Research by Recurrent indicates EV batteries generally lose about 2% of their capacity for each year of use, but individual vehicles may perform differently.
  • Pricing: As the above pricing table indicates, there is significant variation in prices depending on the model, range, condition, dealer, and other factors. Shopping around and negotiating can help get the best deal. Pricing resources such as Kelley Blue Book and Consumer Reports can help you determine the fair market value of a potential purchase.
  • Cold weather suitability: Some EV models destined for northern winters are shipped from the manufacturers with “cold weather packages” that increase performance in colder temperatures with battery heating systems and/or more efficient cabin heating. Check the availability of these options when shopping, as used EVs coming from other parts of the country may not include these options. Our EVs in Winter post has more details on cold weather issues.
  • Fast charging availability: Depending on the model, DC fast charging may not be available on every used all-electric vehicle. We highly recommend drivers check vehicle specifications for any potential purchases to confirm this option unless you’re certain you won’t need it.

Current Availability

Many Vermont auto dealerships have used EVs, and if you are willing to look beyond Vermont, the supply increases significantly. Use the Cars.com links below to find all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles within 200 miles of the center of Vermont. Cars.com does not include every available vehicle, so checking with individual dealers or other websites can help identify more options. You can also find Tesla’s used EV offerings in the link below. Availability will continue to increase as more off-lease EVs enter the secondary market.

Additional Information

Want more information? There are many excellent online resources and forums with information on electric cars and used vehicle pricing. YouTube also has many videos reviewing and comparing different EV and charging options. Here are a few good resources for used EV shoppers: