From ‘usual suspects’ to completely forgotten
With the expansion of the EV range, electric driving is becoming a viable option for more and more people, but the term ‘affordable’ is still not in sight for most Dutch people. However, the situation is improving, as evidenced by a solid tour of our used car corner. We are looking for an EV with a range of at least 300 kilometers, for the lowest possible price.
‘Gross EV drivers think 300 kilometers of range is sufficient’, we headlined in March. Now, 300 kilometers according to the WLTP cycle is certainly not always the same as 300 kilometers in real life, but we still stick to our official measurement standard. So we are looking for electric used cars with a WLTP range of at least 300 kilometers, but we want to spend as little money as possible. The result is a ranking of seven cars, believed to be the seven most affordable EVs with such range that you can buy right now. Did we forget one? Then be sure to let us know!
1. Renault Zoe R90/Q90/R110 (from 2016)
- WLTP range: 317 kilometers
- Prices: from around €15,000
The Renault Zoe is head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to price. You can already drive a Zoe from around 8,000 euros, but then it is guaranteed to be the early version with a 22 kWh battery and a range of less than 200 kilometers. We therefore focus specifically on the improved R90 version (later there was also an R110), which was used from 2016. It has a battery of net 41 kWh and therefore meets our requirement. Here too, however, there is still a catch, because the battery is often rented with a Renault Zoe. Another thing to watch out for: the R90 could not initially handle the fast charger, the Q90 could. However, that version was less efficient, so the chance that you can actually approach those 300 kilometers is even smaller here. Purchasing a Zoe therefore requires some research!
Want to buy a Renault Zoe yourself? Then click here! Note: you want at least the version with 41 kWh and the advertiser must make it clear whether it concerns a rented or a purchased battery.
2.Opel Ampera-e (2017-2020)
- WLTP range: 380 kilometers
- Prices: from around €20,000
The Opel Ampera-e is what the Germans so beautifully call a ‘Geheimtipp’. ‘New’ has never brought this car what Opel hoped for, but as an occasion it seems to have been completely forgotten. A shame, because with 380 WLTP kilometers, the second most affordable car on this list will go a long way. With its larger, higher body, the Opel Ampera-e is also a lot more practical than a Zoe, while it is also a nicer car to travel long distances. That hits.
Want to buy an Opel Ampera-e yourself? Then click here! There is already some choice for less than 20 grand and only one powertrain was available. All possible differences therefore come from version, age and mileage.
3. BMW i3 120Ah (from 2018)
- WLTP range: 310 kilometers
- Prices: from around €23,000
Just like with the Renault Zoe, with the BMW i3 it is important to pay close attention to which version you have in front of you. For more than 300 kilometers of electric range, only the latest 120Ah version comes into the picture, and then explicitly not as a sporty i3S. That is a good thing, because it is still too expensive for the price-conscious EV buyer. The i3 isn’t a space saver and with its half rear doors not that practical in shape, but it drives great and looks fresh and modern to this day. Moreover, as far as we are concerned, the i3 is a classic in the making, precisely because of that striking appearance and its role as the first real BMW EV.
Want to buy a BMW i3 yourself? Then click here and note: only the 120Ah offers more than 300 kilometers of range.
4. Nissan Leaf 62 kWh
- WLTP range: 385 km
- Prices: from around €25,000
The Nissan Leaf is what you call the doyen of EV land. This car was there before Tesla really helped EVs get going, although today we focus on the second-generation Leaf. In fact, we are only talking about the version with 62 kWh. It was also referred to as Leaf E + and appeared on the market in 2019. Fortunately, it is easy to pick out such an E +, because in addition to a larger battery, it also had more power. It is therefore sufficient to indicate on our occasion page that you want at least 200 hp.
Want to buy a Nissan Leaf E+ yourself? Then click here. The 200 hp plus condition is then automatically set for you.
5.Hyundai Kona Electric
- WLTP range: 305 km (39 kWh) or 484 km (64 kWh)
- Prices: from around €25,000
From now on, this list is a Korean party. The Hyundai Kona Electric, Ioniq Electric and Kia e-Niro are close together, so the order is somewhat arbitrary. The Kona was available in two flavors, but the 39 kWh version also comes (just) further than 300 kilometers. However, this entry-level version appeared later, so that the price difference with a slightly older model with 64 kWh may be advisable. The range suddenly jumps to almost 500 kilometers and that is probably not unfavorable for the residual value.
Want to buy a Hyundai Kona Electric yourself? Then click here! Note: the Kona was also available with petrol engines and as a hybrid.
6. Hyundai Ioniq Electric (from 2019)
- WLTP range: 311 km
- Prices: from around €25,000
Just like the Opel Ampera-e, the Hyundai Ioniq (without 5 or 6) is a somewhat unknown EV, but a very good one. This is one of the most efficient electric cars in the world, which explains why the Ioniq manages to cross the 300-kilometre limit with a relatively modest battery (38.3 kWh). For that you have to look for a copy from after the facelift, by the way. That facelift appeared in 2019 and such a later Ioniq Electric is recognizable, among other things, by the firmly outlined, silver-colored area between the LED headlights.
Want to buy a Hyundai Ioniq Electric yourself? Then click here! Note: not every Ioniq is electric. It was also available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid. For sufficient range, you must also have the facelift version, from 2019.
7. Kia e-Niro
- WLTP range: 455 km
- Prices: from around €27,000
The Kia Niro has long been the favorite of the public in the Netherlands. The fully electric Niro, called e-Niro before the generation change, made an important contribution. Just like the Hyundai Kona, the Niro was also available with 39 kWh, but it just doesn’t reach those 300 kilometers here. However, that is not a problem, because due to their age, early copies with the large 64 kWh battery are still the cheapest electric Niros you can get. Niros are popular and well-known, which is reflected in a slightly higher price.
Want to buy a Kia e-Niro yourself? Then click here. Note that not all Niros are electric, and like the Kona, it came in either 39kWh or 64kWh. The latter has a considerably larger range.
Would you rather have a Tesla? Then take at least about 29,000 euros with you. Despite all the price drops of new cars, the resale value of Teslas seems to remain relatively high. You can choose for that 29 mille: a Model 3 from 2019 with a high mileage, or a Model S from the first years.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl