If you’re interested in used EVs for sale and you’re not entirely sure what you need to be looking for, there are some details to consider that can help with making a smart decision for first-time buyers. How do you know a certain EV is going to last you a long time? What helps get the best battery life out of the vehicle? And what EV-specific features should you be searching for in a used model?
From chargers to heat pumps and batteries to brakes, there are a number of components to pay attention to when it comes to used EVs. Certain key aspects to look out for can determine whether you’ll be driving a used EV for several thousand miles versus several hundred thousand miles. But first and foremost, the most important thing to look at is battery health.
Battery Life in a Used EV
For traditional gasoline cars, the most important part of the vehicle is the engine and transmission. For EVs, the most important part is the high-voltage battery pack that typically is housed underneath the chassis and is the lifeblood of the vehicle. Its health will determine how long your EV will last, and the good news is you don’t have to be a certified mechanic to figure out what condition the battery is in.
Because batteries lose capacity with cycles and age, it is important to check how well the battery retains its charge. You can do this in a number of different ways, usually using the in-vehicle digital driver display to find the range estimate for the battery. When it’s fully charged, it should give you an approximate range similar to what the vehicle should achieve when brand new. If not, then it means the battery is not up to scratch. If the digital driver display does not have a good range estimate, you can often check the battery health directly using apps in the infotainment center.
You don’t want a battery that has been put through a lot of rough driving and long travel and can no longer hold its charge. A quick test drive can also determine how well the battery has held up over time and whether it can hold its charge so you can get the most range out of it. If the charge depletes faster than it should or the range estimate is considerably lower than what the original estimated range was for the EV you’re looking to buy, then it might be wise to avoid that particular vehicle and find one with a healthier battery pack.
Typically, if you have a good battery pack in an EV, then you won’t have to worry about the rest of the powertrain. Electric motors are extremely reliable and will generally last the life of the vehicle. You will easily be able to tell how well the vehicle handles and performs when you test-drive it. As long as the battery holds a charge and the electric motors are responsive, then you probably have a quality used EV on your hands.
A Heat Pump
If you’ve started shopping for used EVs, you might have heard the term “heat pump.” This important component is something you need to seriously take into consideration, depending on where you live and where you plan to drive your EV. A heat pump is a clever piece of technology that uses electricity to heat or cool the cabin and the battery pack. It can extract heat from the outside air in temperatures well below freezing, keeping you and your vehicle warm while using very little energy.
The one thing to keep in mind is that not every EV has a heat pump—in fact, the majority of older models do not have one. But if you plan on getting an EV and want to get the maximum range out of it all year long—especially during winter—you will need a good heat pump to regulate the vehicle’s temperature without draining the battery. If you’re thinking about getting an EV, but the one you have in mind does not come with a heat pump, it might be wise to do some research on how much real-life range it gets in extreme weather. It’s a vital piece of technology that can greatly extend the range of your EV when temperatures drop.
Charging Cables
When buying a used EV, it is important to be aware that many used models may not come with a charging cord. This means you will be unable to charge your car at home until you purchase a separate charger. Most used EVs can be paired with Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 charging. Level 3 charging, however, is not available at home, but Level 1 and Level 2 charging are available for any EV that has a compatible charging cable. If the used EV you’re looking to buy does not come with a charging cable, you can purchase a compatible charging cable from a dealer or any outlet that sells the equipment.
An important thing to note is that there are a few different types of charging cables. Some used EVs only come with a Level 1 charging cable, which can be used with a standard three-prong 120-volt outlet. This enables you to charge it from home, but it will take a long time to get a full charge. The better option would be to find a used EV that comes with a Level 2 capable charging cable that can plug into a 240-volt outlet. This can save you a lot of money since you won’t need to install a separate charging station.
Transferable Warranty Coverage
When you buy a used gasoline vehicle, there typically isn’t much factory warranty coverage left since the average powertrain coverage only lasts for 60,000 miles. The good news when looking at used electric vehicles is that the typical EV warranty—specifically for the battery pack—usually provides up to eight years and 100,000 miles worth of coverage. This is what brands like Tesla, Chevy, Ford, and Toyota offer with their electric vehicles. Some brands even offer more, like Kia’s 10-year battery warranty or Tesla’s 150,000 miles of coverage for its premium models.
If you’re shopping for used EVs for sale, it is important to make sure any coverage is transferable to the second owner. Typically, if you buy the used vehicle within the span of an existing warranty, the warranty will transfer over to you. This is important because if there are any problems with your used EV, you can have components like the battery pack or the electric motors swapped out and have it paid for by the warranty. However, you want to make sure that you have that option for a transferable warranty before you commit to a purchase, assuming that’s important to you.
The Changing Landscape for EV Shopping
The growing popularity of electric vehicles is certainly changing the landscape when it comes to how people shop for used cars. How well will the market adapt to these changes? Only time will tell. But what you shop for and how you shop for it will need to evolve with the changing times and the industry’s pivot toward more electrified vehicle options. Warranty coverage, battery health, and EV-specific features like heat pumps and charging cables will have to be considered when purchasing a used vehicle, and it will definitely make for interesting times ahead as the market becomes more saturated with EVs.
