You can buy these second-hand electric cars for €20,000

The flow of used EVs is now increasing, especially if you have 20,000 euros to spend. Will it be a virgin Dacia Spring, an early Tesla Model S with two tons on the digital counter or, for example, the electric variant of Hyundai’s Kona? We chose three from the fortunately increasing selection.

JAC iEV7S – 2021 – 3,621 kilometers – €19,950

One Chinese EV brand after another is appearing here only to – in many cases – disappear from the market just as quickly. One of these is the little-known JAC, which played a role in the margins with the iEV7S. Only a few copies found a buyer, with this JAC iEV7S already looking for a new owner after less than 4,000 kilometers. It is at a Peugeot dealer; traded in on an e-2008 perhaps? Because that is how we should estimate this used car in terms of dimensions: a crossover in the B-segment, just like the Opel Ampera-e. The MG ZS is a size larger. With 116 hp and 270 Nm, the N-267-GD carries the red lantern, which is reflected in the most modest performance. The gross capacity of the battery (from Samsung) is also the lowest at 42.8 kWh, as is the maximum AC charging capacity of 6.6 kW. From 20 to 80 percent takes four hours and fifteen minutes, at the fast charger (60 kW) this takes 41 minutes. The WLTP range is 240 kilometers. Not very impressive, and that also applies to the safety equipment: only four airbags is outdated. Traction control and hill assist are present, but in terms of electronic angels that is it.

On the other hand, this real Chinese (JAC is a state brand) knows how to spoil his passengers. For example, items such as heated seats, cruise control, climate control, a reversing camera, an alarm, a light sensor and DAB+ audio have been installed. However, the materials used (hard plastics, artificial leather and fake carbon) and build quality can hardly withstand the test of criticism. It’s all just not right, and that also applies to the more comfortable than sporty driving characteristics. In short: an almost new, yet dated EV that takes you from A to B dry, that is this iEV7S. The price includes an extensive delivery package, including a one-year Bovag warranty.

Signaling
Brand JAC
Type iEV7S
Construction year October 2021
Mileage 3,621
Asking price €19,950
Where to buy? Peugeot dealer Versteeg Buurman, Voorthuizen

Technical data
Engine synchronous motor, permanent magnet
Max. assets 85 kW/116 hp
Max. couple 270 Nm
Luggage compartment 250 l
Max. trailer braked 0 kilos
Avg. consumption 16.3 kWh per 100 km
0-100 km/h 12.0 s
Top speed 132 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Opel Ampera-e 60kWh Business Executive – 2019 – 24,379 kilometers – €19,900

For about the same amount you can drive a slightly more experienced Opel Ampera-e, which makes mincemeat of the JAC in the EV field. Read and compare: 204 hp and 360 Nm, the latter of which is quickly too much for the driven front wheels on wet roads. The gross battery capacity is the most generous of our trio at 60 kWh, which means that charging from 20 to 80 percent takes the longest: almost 5.5 hours. At the fast charger (50 kW) this takes one hour and ten minutes. Some more figures: the maximum AC charging power is 7.4 kW, the WLTP range is a usable 380 kilometers thanks to the larger battery capacity.

The performance is the highest, the power consumption is the lowest. In short, a solid EV, typical Opel. Blemish: sister model Chevrolet Bolt suffered from a fire hazard, reason to also provide the Ampera-e with a new battery pack through a recall. There is no recall (anymore) open for the G-611-RT, reason to assume that this used car already has a fresh battery pack on board.

Comparable dimensions ensure comparable interior dimensions: the Ampera-e is not more spacious than the Chinese above (and here too, the roof of your head hits the roof relatively quickly because you are sitting on the battery pack), but the luggage space is. However, the interior makes a neater impression, without pushing the boundaries. You don’t have to bite the bullet in the German either (we find a navigation system, Bose audio, electrically folding exterior mirrors, automatic parking and xenon lighting), while the safety features are of a significantly higher order. Then the driving? This is slightly less comfortable than in the JAC. The chassis cannot always disguise the more than 1,600 kilos, resulting in a somewhat jerky driving behavior. Cornering stability is excellent, partly thanks to a good feedback steering wheel. Conclusion: the Ampera-e beats the iEV7S on almost all fronts, except for age, mileage and exclusivity.

Signaling
Brand Opel
Type Ampera-e
Construction year November 2019
Mileage 24,379
Asking price €19,900
Where to buy? Car company Johan Meure, Purmerend

Technical data
Engine synchronous motor, permanent magnet
Max. assets 150 kW/204 hp
Max. couple 360 Nm
Luggage compartment 381 l/1,274 l
Max. trailer braked 0 kilos
Avg. consumption 15.3 kWh per 100 km
0-100 km/h 7.3 sec
Top speed 150 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

MG ZS EV Comfort – 2021 – 30,684 kilometers – €19,725

If you used to think of ‘MG’ as British roadsters, this later became a potent (six-cylinder) sedan by adding the letters ZS. If you put ‘EV’ after that again, then we are suddenly talking about an electric crossover from the Chinese SAIC! It can change. The EV is not doing particularly well here, which means that – just like the Ampera-e – a nice range of used cars has now emerged. What to think of this red MG ZS: the most kilometers (but still not much), almost the youngest and for a comparable price. What is not comparable is its size, because the ZS is a bit larger than the other two.

That means plenty of space in the front and back plus a decent trunk behind it. It makes it a pleasant family EV. But what about its specifications? Its 143 hp and 353 Nm provide adequate performance. The gross battery capacity of 44.5 kWh places the L-173-PB among its opponents in this story. This also applies to the maximum AC charging power of 7 kW. From 20 to 80 percent takes just over four hours, the fast charger (50 kW) takes 52 minutes. The WLTP range is 263 kilometers, which we think is on the poor side for a family EV. Too bad, because in terms of build quality, comfort, driving characteristics, safety equipment and luxury features, this used car is not bad at all. The ZS clearly distances itself from the iEV7S, without downgrading the Ampera-e. The devil is in the details. For example, the charging cable is on the short side and the driving safety aids are very active, to the point of being irritating. Those kind of things. A bit of finesse is missing, but for that you get the largest car of this trio. Viewed in this way, there is a clear difference between these price-comparable EVs: the ZS is the largest, the Ampera-e the most sophisticated, while the iEV7S is for those who prefer to drive a new car for the price of a used one.

Signaling
Brand MG
Type ZS EV Comfort
Construction year June 2021
Mileage 30,684
Asking price €19,725
Where to buy? Wittebrug Autobedrijven Occasion Centrum, Moordrecht

Technical data
Engine synchronous motor, permanent magnet
Max. assets 105 kW/143 hp
Max. couple 353 Nm
Luggage compartment 448 l/1,100 l
Max. trailer braked 0 kilos
Avg. consumption 18.6 kWh per 100 km
0-100 km/h 8.2 sec
Top speed 140 km/h

All data according to factory specifications

Which 20 grand EV appeals to you most?

With the MG ZS you get the largest EV of this trio. Nice, but the range is disappointing. That of the smaller Opel Ampera-e does not. In any case, the German is the most thorough of the three EVs portrayed. Finally, the iEV7S from JAC: you buy it because you prefer to drive new, but don’t have enough budget for that. This exotic is a real exclusivity. If you read the above piece, you will know why. Beyond these three, the 20-mill range extends from a virtually new Dacia Spring to an experienced Tesla Model S. Which EV would you choose?