Best value used electric car finance deals

Hunting for a used electric car? We've rounded up the best value zero-emission electric cars you can buy today

John Evans
Mar 30, 2020

If you're in the market for a used electric car, finding one that is good value for money is a little more complicated than choosing between petrol or diesel models.

There's range and charging times to consider, which can be hard to evaluate because some models will have been tested on the old-style NEDC economy test standard and others with the current, more accurate WLTP one that generates a range figure that’s typically lower by around 20 miles. Manufacturers should quote which standard their car has been measured against, but some extra vigilance might be required.

Additionally, some electric car finance offers include the battery in the price while others may require you to lease it separately - the previous generation Renault Zoe featured here offers both options. As of early 2020, Renault decided to scrap its battery leasing option, though. 

The good news is, as many new electric cars lose value faster than petrol and diesel alternatives, used electric cars are generally much better value for money than their new equivalents - in cash and finance terms.

On top of that, an electric car is almost certainly going to be cheaper to run than a petrol or diesel car, especially if you're able to recharge at home. So keep reading for our roundup of the best used electric cars that should prove similarly to cheap to finance and to run.

Best value finance deals for electric cars

1. Renault Zoe i Dynamique Nav R110 40kWh

Monthly finance from £127
Battery lease
Battery included
Charging time Public charger 7-8hrs; Home charge/wall box 2hrs 40mins; Fast charger 1hr 40mins
Range (WLTP) 186 miles

When the Renault Zoe was launched in 2013, at first glance you'd be forgiven for missing the fact it was an all-new electric car, such was its unassuming, low-key appearance. It’s since gone on to become Europe’s best-selling electric car, recieving regular updates and increases in range and power.

Used finance deals for the Zoe start at £127, but since it's been continually improved we'd pay more for a more recent version, such as the Zoe i Dynamique Nav R110 40kWh.

You can pick up a 2019 model for £139 per month with a personal contract purchase (PCP) finance deal. The 'i' in the name indicates the battery is included in the price of the car - unlike with the model below, where you have to lease it separately.

2. Renault Zoe Dynamique Nav R110 40kWh - with leased battery

Battery lease From £59 per month
Range (WLTP) 186 miles

If you ditch the 'i' and go for a standard Dynamique, you will find yourself in need of a battery lease. The cost of this lease will be linked to your mileage, so the more miles you do, the more expensive the battery is. The figure above is based on 6,000 miles a year.

The good thing about leasing your battery is that, if you have any problems or the amount of charge it holds falls below a set level, Renault will replace it for you.

3. Nissan Leaf Tekna 40kWh

Monthly finance from £257
Battery lease battery included
Charging time Domestic socket 21hrs; 7kW wallbox 7hrs 30mins; 50kW quick charger 20-80% 1hr
Range (WLTP) 168 miles

The Nissan Leaf was the car that kickstarted the move towards mass market electric cars. We’ve chosen to highlight the second generation version launched in 2018. It’s better looking and better all-round than its predecessor.

Its range trails the Zoe’s, but it’s a roomier and more comfortable car, and 168 miles per charge is certainly not disastrous. We'd recommend one of the first second-generation cars, and you can get a 2018 example from £257 with PCP finance.

4. BMW i3 94Ah

Monthly finance from £230
Battery lease
Battery included
Charging time Rapid 50kW 0-80% 35mins; Fast 22kW 0-100% 3hrs; Fast 7kWh 0-100% 4hrs 30mins
Range (NEDC) 194 miles

The BMW i3 combines a sporty driving experience with a distinctive design embodying cutting-edge materials and apractical interior. For this reason it’s not the cheapest electric car you can finance, but it is one of the most satisfying.

It was updated in 2016 with the arrival of a more powerful electric motor and a longer range. BuyaCar has 2017 examples starting from £294 per month with PCP finance - we think the 94Ah models are the ones to go for.

When you're looking at cars like the i3, you don't have worry about mileage, too much. The advantage of an electric vehicle over a conventionally-powered car is the lower number of moving parts, which means there's less to go wrong. As a result, BMW i3s with reasonably high mileages are a common sight.


5. VW e-Golf 35kWh

Monthly finance from £268
Battery lease Battery included
Charging time Fast charge 0-80% 45mins; home charger 4hrs; domestic three-pin plug 13hrs
Range (WLTP) 144 miles

If you're after an electric car, but you also just want to blend in, the Volkwagen e-Golf is your best bet. VW has taken the standard Golf design, and replaced the combustion engine with a battery and an electric motor. And it's virtually impossible to tell the two apart. This has made the idea of owning an electric car much less daunting to those who don't want a wacky space-age design for their electric car. Beyond mere appearances, the e-Golf has also inherited the famed VW build quality and driving experience.

From a technical standpoint, however, this design has become a little aged and lacks the range of its fresher competitors.

It makes up for that in its price though. New, the e-Golf is quite expensive, but on the used market that price tag begins to falls away. BuyaCar has 2019 models from £323 with PCP finance.


6. Hyundai Ioniq Electric Premium 28kWh

Monthly finance from £240
Battery lease
Battery included
Charging time Household socket 0-100% 12hrs; home wall charger 0-100% 4hrs 25mins; public charger 4hrs 25 mins; fast 50kW charger 0-80% 30mins
Range (NEDC) 174 miles

Don't be deceived by the Ioniq’s apparently long range; it’s the NEDC figure we’re quoting rather than the more realistic WLTP one, which is more likely to be around 160 miles. Incidentally, an updated version of the Ioniq was launched in 2019 with an WLTP range figure of 180 miles. If you need the greatest range, therefore, this is the Ioniq to go for.

The model’s closest rival is the Nissan Leaf, which is a little roomier. However, both cars are similar to drive, both are comfortable, responsive and similarly well equipped.

Used Ioniq Electric models are available on BuyaCar from £240 on PCP finance.



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