Should I buy an electric car? Everything you need to know before buying a USED electric car, from costs to brands

ARE you ready to join the electric vehicle (EV) revolution?

Battery-powered cars are considered the future for passenger transport, and with EVs now making up nearly 20% of all cars sold in the UK, we’re seeing a growing used market.

Find a used electric car with Sun Motors

From the boring and basic Prius to high-performance EVs like the Tesla Model 3, there’s an EV for pretty much everyone.

In this guide, we focus on fully electric vehicles, not plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

Some drivers love the instant torque and stress-free driving experience of an EV, while others prefer the control and often lower cost of an internal combustion engine car.

We’re going to provide some information and insights into electric vehicles, including running costs, charging costs and overall ownership expenses, which should help you in deciding whether to buy an electric vehicle. 

When you’re ready to buy, you’ll find the UK’s largest selection of high-quality used electric vehicles for sale on Sun Motors.

Electric car vs petrol car​: What are the main differences?

Most cars on the road are powered by a diesel or petrol-powered engine that provides drive, through a gearbox, to the wheels.

During combustion, the engine produces emissions, which, after passing through the exhaust system and catalytic converter, are released into the environment.

Model: Fiat

Electric vehicles use a rechargeable battery that powers an electric motor. When you push the accelerator, the battery powers the motor, which changes this energy into torque, which powers the wheels through the driveshaft.

Power delivery is almost instantaneous, and there are no gears to worry about. 

EVs are planet-friendly, with no tailpipe emissions (although there is an environmental impact, something we’ll come to in a minute).

Charging vs Refueling

The battery in an EV car runs out after a period of usage and needs to be charged. One of the most important stats for every EV is its range (how long it can be driven without needing to be recharged). 

Like the battery in your phone or laptop, EV car batteries become less efficient over time or in some situations, can break down.

The battery is the most expensive component in any EV, and replacing it can be expensive, costing over £5,000, says EV charging specialists PodPoint.

You can refuel a petrol or diesel car in a few minutes, but it can take EVs much longer to recharge. Most EV owners will need a secure space to recharge their cars overnight, something to consider if you want to make the switch.

Driving: Electric car vs petrol car

When you first get behind the wheel, driving an EV can take some getting used to. They’re more responsive, accelerate faster and produce much less noise than an internal combustion engine car. In the end, most drivers grow to enjoy driving an EV.

This is a basic description of the differences between internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and EVs. There is a huge range of EVs for sale today, and each comes with its own pluses, minuses and compromises that you should understand before making a purchase.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

It costs between £4-£20 to recharge an EV, says the RAC. That’s an awful lot less than the average price to fill a diesel or petrol car, which currently tops £70.

Why such a big difference in the cost? The total cost depends on several factors, including the size of the battery (bigger batteries take longer to charge and cost more) and your energy tariff. 

You can’t just plug your modern EV into the mains, you’ll need a dedicated charging point, which can cost anything from £800-£1200 to install.

There are some grants available to cut the cost of installing a home charger, which you can check out here.

EV charging stations at the roadside (in some garages, service stations and supermarkets) can cost up to £20, says PodPoint. 

How long does it take to charge an electric car​?

It can take anything from 30 minutes to 24 hours to completely charge an EV. 

Your electric car’s charging time is affected by the battery size, charging speed and charging location, says energy firm Octopus.

Slow chargers (7kw/h – 22 kw/h), the type you’d have installed at home or find at supermarkets and car parks, can take up to 20 hours to top up a battery. 

In contrast, fast/DC or rapid chargers (50kw/h-350kw/h) can provide up to 100 miles of power in less than 10 minutes.

Compared to filling up at the pump, charging an EV isn’t fast, which is why you’ll need to plan if you’re preparing for a long journey.

Tools like zapmap are vital resources that can help you locate your nearest EV charging point wherever you are in the UK.

Are all electric cars automatic​?

Yes, all electric vehicles are automatic.

The power provided to the motor is dictated by how hard you push the accelerator pedal. 

The power from your electric car’s motor is too fast to directly drive the wheels, so it’s transferred through a reduction gear.

Without getting too technical, the reducer reduces the speed of the electric motor and increases the torque delivered to the wheels.

The result is better performance, acceleration and efficiency. This all happens under the bonnet.

Are electric cars cheaper to run?​

This is a complex question.

If we simply compare the cost of filling up a petrol-powered car compared to an EV, there’s a clear winner.

Maintenance and servicing costs for EVs are lower, too, with much fewer moving parts to go wrong.

Bookmygarage estimates the average EV service to be £103, that’s almost half of a typical service.

VED (commonly known as road tax) on EVs is currently £0, which can save you compared to a petrol or diesel-powered car. (How long this lasts, we can’t be sure so don’t bank on this saving over the long-term.)

Are used electric cars cheaper than new ones?

EVs are going to cost you more to buy new. Moneysavingexpert has crunched the numbers and found that a petrol-powered Mini Cooper will cost around £22,000 at a dealer, with the electric model coming in at over £11,000 more expensive (approximately £33,000).

Model: Mini Electric Hatch Cooper

Insurance costs can be higher for EVs, too. 

Repairs can also be a challenging too. Vehicle experts Warranty Solutions Group found that EV repairs can be 50% more expensive than petrol– or diesel-powered cars.

Garages will need access to a whole range of tools and technologies to work on EVs, so it’s unlikely that your local garage will be able to do a same day fix. 

Problems with the battery are the costliest to fix, with replacements running to thousands. 

The good news is that the growing number of EVs on the roads means more garages and specialists available, which should hopefully translate into lower repair costs in the future.

Are electric cars cheaper to insure?

EVs are more expensive to buy, so it stands to reason that insurance prices should be higher than for other cars, but that’s not always the case.

In fact, your driving history and overall risk profile are more important when it comes to dictating your premium than the type of car you drive, says the RAC.

Electric cars for sale​: Used Electric cars for sale on Sun Motors

Check out some of these used EV bargains from the brilliant dealers at Sun Motors:

BMW

Model: BMW I3

Known for its high performance, prestige salons and estates, BMW has been improving its EV offering since 2021.

Today, you can buy all-electric salons and SUVs, but our favourite remains the original BMW i3.

This super-stylish and ultra-compact car is perfect for cities. Check out this used 2020 BMW i3 for sale at Sun Motors.

Kia

Model: Kia EV6

South Korean car brand Kia has invested big into EVs, with electric versions of popular classics like the Niro, Ceed, Soul and Sportage. It’s not cheap, but we love the Tesla-beating 2023 Kia EV6.

Audi

Model: Audi e-tron

Want a sporty all-electric EV? Of course you do (and so do we). The Audi e-tron is an all-electric SUV that makes a strong statement.

As well as this top-of-the-range motor, you can find a range of other electric models, but we can’t stop looking at this one.

Honda

Model: Honda E

The Japanese giant produces “advanced and sporty full electric and full hybrid cars”. (Their words, not ours). The latest Full Electric e:Ny1is a monster, with a full recharge taking just 45 minutes.

Is it our choice? No. We prefer the retro styling of the Honda E. It looks a little like an 80s rally car that’s simultaneously retro and futuristic. Check out this Honda E in an incredible blue finish (before we buy it).

How to buy a used electric car on Sun Motors

Buying a used electric car doesn’t need to be any more difficult than picking up any other type of car.

It pays to do your research and know about the make and model. When you come to buy, don’t drop into a dealer or buy sight unseen; use Sun Motors.

At Sun Motors, all our dealers are pre-vetted and only sell high-quality vehicles that have been checked and approved before being advertised for sale.

You can view images and specs before connecting directly with the dealer. They’ll be able to answer any questions you may have about your potential new EV purchase and provide any more details you may need. 

Finance is available with Sun Motors.

Whatever make and model of car you’re in the market for, it’s better to buy from Sun Motors.

Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you’re looking for automatic, manual or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.