$25,000 buys plenty of used EVs: Here are some options
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It'll put a good dent in charging, but if you mean literally offsetting the power used by charging, $10k (installed) is not going to cut it unless you dial back how fast you charge. $10k even if you do install yourself is going to get you what, 4-5kW? That's pretty slow for L2 charging. Good enough for recharging from a daily commute, sure. But then if you have a daily commute, you car probably isn't there to charge during solar hours anyway.
If you mean grid tied, net metering, and just offsetting the energy used, then maybe. Depends how much you drive.
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I was all excited about the Honda Prologue (cheap Ultium EV with better styling and conveniences than the Chevy version? Great!) but there was a recent thread on the r/justrolledintotheshop subreddit about how they're sort of bastard children from a maintenance standpoint, and they sometimes end up in a game of hot potato between Honda's dealership service departments (it's a GM under the skin, take down the street to the Chevy dealer!) and GM's (says Honda on the badge, not our problem!). Unless and until a robust tool and parts ecosystem pops up for independent service shops, they might be a risky buy. Service departments already don't like to do EVs for some reason, and a badge-engineered model like this one carries extra risk since it requires the dealer to have specialty tools from a whole other manufacturer to deal with it.
At the moment, I'm thinking about the Ioniq 5 / EV6, but waiting for the newer models with NACS charging ports and upgraded batteries to start showing up in the used market. Plus, that gives some time to see if the fix implemented in the ICCU recall fully resolves that problem.
At the moment, I'm thinking about the Ioniq 5 / EV6, but waiting for the newer models with NACS charging ports and upgraded batteries to start showing up in the used market. Plus, that gives some time to see if the fix implemented in the ICCU recall fully resolves that problem.
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They are rather mediocre in terms of charging performance and range, but I do like that the Bz4x and Solterra include Subaru’s X-Mode system and have a decent amount of ground clearance so they are actually quite capable for mild off-road use (getting to a trail head via a fire road, for example) or in deep snow.
They are tempting to me because they seem like good electric alternatives to something like a Crosstrek, while most of the other EVs listed don’t quite have the ground clearance needed for light off-road use (5-6 inches vs. 8.1 inches for the Toyabru Twins).
They are tempting to me because they seem like good electric alternatives to something like a Crosstrek, while most of the other EVs listed don’t quite have the ground clearance needed for light off-road use (5-6 inches vs. 8.1 inches for the Toyabru Twins).
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It may be more of a local dealer issue. Badge engineering like this has been happening for a long time, so they should have things figured out by now. Chevy dealers had to deal with Geo Prisms back in the day even though it was a Corolla under the hood.
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You don't even have to go back that far. The Pontiac Vibe and the Toyota Matrix are the same car.
GM and Toyota dealers should be plenty used to this.
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I think it would be more expensive than 10K to be able to power an entire house
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I got my 2020 Bolt certified pre-owned with 8k miles for $24k in 2023. I LOVE it.
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I'm only interested in the used EV Barbell.
Used Leafs with replaced batteries (~$11,000 = 3,000+8,000) and used Porsches (~$35,000).
Used Leafs with replaced batteries (~$11,000 = 3,000+8,000) and used Porsches (~$35,000).
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euskalzabe
Wise, Aged Ars Veteran
I'm looking to sell my Toyota Prius and get one of these used EVs this or next year... I wonder how easy or hard it is to find out which of them have NCM batteries and which have LFPs. For peace of mind, I'd rather get the latter - if I'm ever hit by another car, I would rather not die in the fires of hell from an NCM battery. I wonder if other prospective buyers are in my same wavelength - wanting to get one of these cheap used EVs in good condition, but unwilling to roll the dice on an NCM battery.
Then again, I could take the—granted, small—risk of an NCM for a couple years, and then sell it to replace with either a much safer LFP based car, or, hopefully, just buy a brand new solid-state car around 2030. What's clear to me is I want to get rid of my gas mobile as soon as possible. I've spent to much money in the past few years on car fixes that have 100% been fuel-related issues.
Decisions, decisions...
Then again, I could take the—granted, small—risk of an NCM for a couple years, and then sell it to replace with either a much safer LFP based car, or, hopefully, just buy a brand new solid-state car around 2030. What's clear to me is I want to get rid of my gas mobile as soon as possible. I've spent to much money in the past few years on car fixes that have 100% been fuel-related issues.
Decisions, decisions...
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From what the techs in r/JRITS were saying, it's to do with it being a double whammy of being the only full EV in Honda's current lineup and being a badge-engineered GM. Unless you're taking it to huge dealer, they may only have one guy trained to service it, and parts aren't usually on hand and have to be ordered, with many on backorder for months. A GM shop could do the work since it's all Blazer parts under the hood, but then who's taking responsibility for the warranty? It's a big old mess.
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It's kinda weird to worry about an NMC battery when you're currently sitting on a tank of gasoline...
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Doesn't sound all that different from any other dealer experience. Has a dealer ever fucking had the part you were scheduled to receive? Or have they ever gotten to your car the day they said they would?
My only good experience has been with software updates that they can come to you to do. Every time I've left my car for warranty work, they call me at 4:30 and ask if they can keep it another day because they didn't get around to it or they didn't have the part. Motherfucker, I made an appointment for 7:30 this morning. You knew I was coming.
It's worse than the doctor's office.
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tbh one would take whatever is posted on reddit with a very heavy dose of skepticism. especially a single post by some rando which amounts to "trust me, bro".
as others pointed out, badge engineering is nothing new.
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The future. The future is where our hope lies when it comes to finding used EVs we can afford, EVs that function as well as a car I can buy for say €2500, or even €1000.
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It's a thing moneyd people do. They replace their cars not out of necessity but out of conveniece.
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Leased cars after the lease expires. Arguably the best way to get a used car, since they're usually treated well and cared for prior to sale.
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A friend at GM told me they recently bought back some of the highest milage (100k+ miles) Ultium vehicles they could find (OnStar knows even if you don't buy the subscription). They averaged 95% capacity left.
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If I see a $30-35k Taycan that hasn't been abused and the battery is still in okay shape, I'ma do some dumb shit
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Today's EVs are incredibly safe in terms of chemistry, packing and management.
Look around you. Do you see all the Nissan Leaves on fire? No? Neither am I.
That fear is statistically false. I'm much more worried to have
However, if you insist. For North America:
There was a small amount of time where the standard range Tesla 3 and Y were manufactured in China, and got LFP packs (2021~2023 ?). They still do have them in Canada.
Mach-E standard range from 2024+ are LFP.
Nissan Leaf form 2024+ have LFP
The new 2027 Bolt is LFP.
And I'm certainly missing many.
...
The trend is here; they are cheaper per kWh.
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Lease is up, so time to upgrade. What do you think happens to cars when the 3 year lease is over?
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If you ignore 2011-2023 Nissan Leaves with terrible heat management, all the EV battery should outlast the car.
Of course, they degrade, but not "from good to dead overnight". From "I've went from 400km to 300km of range over 10 years of use".
And mind you, a lightly used pack from my local salvage yard is about 2500$. Changing a pack is a 3h job that is doable with basic tools in one's driveway [I know, I did it. I didn't say it's easy! Look it up]
Now, imagine buying a used ICE car and discovering the engine or transmission suddenly died.... that's way scarier to me than a clean monolithic battery with a couple of easily accessible connectors.
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They are just getting better ones
Rich people like new things
Risk-adverse people dislike having old things.
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A friend of mine drove up from Chihuahua to visit me in Colorado and had some BYD EV, and it really was a pretty nice car. I think the price he told me came out to about 28k USD. I think that US and American companies are going to have to learn how to make something better for cheaper than what they're doing now, because most of the world isn't going to be happy paying more money for a worse used vehicle, even if we are forced to do so in the United States.
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I'm watching these articles closely and reading all the comments because in ~2 years when my Lightning lease is up I'll be shopping for my next EV to replace it (buying this time, not leasing). Although, if I have to, I'll buy out my Lightning lease because the truck has been phenomenal for the past one year+ but we'll see what there is when the time comes. Just wanted to say - keep these articles coming! Some of us are using the information provided to inform our next purchase. Thanks Dr. Gitlin!
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Definitely don't sleep on used Nissan Ariya's. The drive train is solid, their charging curve is very flat despite lower peak charging (so it sits at cap instead of throttling), and the interior leans more in the direction of "car" than "gadget on wheels". All trims are well equipped (even base) and the top end trim starts punching into Infiniti/Lexus/etc territory.
Main things to note is to go for models with a "+" in their name for the higher battery capacity (unless all you need is a town car) and that the 12v batteries are well-known to be prone to failure which causes all sorts of issues — if it hasn't already happened for your unit, go replace the stock lead-acid battery with a quality AGM and you'll be set.
Main things to note is to go for models with a "+" in their name for the higher battery capacity (unless all you need is a town car) and that the 12v batteries are well-known to be prone to failure which causes all sorts of issues — if it hasn't already happened for your unit, go replace the stock lead-acid battery with a quality AGM and you'll be set.
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poke 532810
Ars Praetorian
A quick search on the Interwebs shows some without branded titles and less than 70k miles in the $37k range. As much I’d love to pick one up, I’ll probably look around the $20k range when the time comes. Probably get a Kona EV or something like that. Of all the EVs I’ve driven (well all three - Model Y, Solterra, and Kona EV), the Kona was the most fun.
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Recently grabbed a used 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric SEL (260 mile range) with only 9K miles for $19K on Carvana. A couple used EV rebate programs in CA saved me another $2K, bringing cost to $17K for a practically new car. Couldn't be happier.
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If you just need a grocery store errand car, who cares about the battery life. Roll around in style for $37k...
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Lots of 3-year leases ending is making lots of lots of fairly young EVs available now. I took advantage, and I'm very pleased after two months with my new-to-me, Certified Pre-Owned (so added 2 years/20,000 miles Roadside Assistance and 2-year/20K extension on original warranty which has another year to run) 2023 ID.4 Pro S for $24,115 before taxes and fees. Just 8,400 miles! Depreciation below this price point looks minimal. And so far, all my fuel has been no cost thanks to my solar panels and batteries (which obviously were not no cost, but figuring the actual $/kWh is pretty complicated). I feel like I got an amazing deal.
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How is 8-10 inches longer (Ioniq 6) "smaller and more nimble"? I would love to get my wife into an I6 - there's so much room, but she wants a SHORT car (currently drives a mk7 GTI, 168 inches) and going to 190+ inches (I6) almost as long as our minivan at 202 inches, is NOT the ticket. The I5 is ~181-182 inches, much more palatable.
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