Find a Used EV

Used EVs can vary significantly in price depending on the model, range, condition, dealer, and other factors. Shopping around and negotiating can help you get the best deal.

There may be state, federal, and electric utility incentives to reduce the upfront cost of buying a used EV. Before you make the purchase, confirm that the vehicle is eligible for each incentive, keeping in mind that the eligibility requirements vary. For example, to get the federal used EV tax credit, you must meet certain income requirements and the sale price of the vehicle must be $25,000 or less.

Electric cars have proven reliable, 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. Some EV models have smartphone apps that 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.

EV range has grown dramatically over the years. For example, a new 2013 Nissan LEAF had 75 miles of range, while a 2019 LEAF had up to 226 miles of range. 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. You'll want to research the specific model year to understand how much range you can expect from a used EV. Dealers may offer battery health reports from Recurrent, vsNew, or automaker diagnostic systems. The vehicle’s dashboard estimate of range when fully charged isn’t always an accurate measurement of battery health.

Some EV models destined for northern winters are shipped from the manufacturer with “cold weather packages” that increase performance in colder temperatures. They might have battery heating systems or more efficient cabin heating. Check for those features when shopping, since used EVs coming from other parts of the country may not include them.

Depending on the model, DC fast charging may not be available on every used all-electric vehicle. The plug connectors can vary, too. We highly recommend checking the vehicle specifications to confirm this option unless you’re certain you won’t need it.

Many Vermont auto dealerships have used EVs, and if you're willing to look beyond Vermont, the supply increases significantly. Availability will continue to grow as more off-lease EVs enter the secondary market.