Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in the new vehicle market and are well on their way to evolving into the new mainstream drivetrain option. The only issue is that they struggle with an incredibly high starting price and

rapid depreciation rate
, resulting in them being very poor new vehicle purchase options. Even with depreciation factored in, these carbon-free models remain expensive options on the used market.

If you are on a very extreme budget of $10,000, there’s really not many EVs that you can consider, but there is a short list of reasonable options that shouldn’t cost more than that. Most of the models on this list are suited for urban and extra-urban use, but there are some that benefit from impressive practicality levels.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA and Consumer Reports. The Models below have been ranked based on their price range, from cheapest to most expensive.

10

2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Price Range: $3,950-$8,599

The 2014 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is the cheapest EV that you can find in the used vehicle market today, with a very competitive $3,950 to $8,599 price range. The downside is it doesn’t really impress in terms of range or performance. A single rear-mounted permanent-magnet motor generates 66 horsepower and 145 pound-feet, meaning you’ll only cover a 0-60 MPH sprint in 15.9 seconds before hitting the 80 MPH top speed.

Performance Specifications

The EPA indicates that this model will cover just 62 miles on a single charge from its 16 kWh battery pack and return a preferable 30 kWh per 100 miles combined energy consumption estimate. Despite its small size, the battery takes seven hours to fully recharge.

Pros

• Efficient and cheap
• Extra-urban-friendly
• Decent interior space and headroom for its size

Cons

• Basically no range
• Slow charging
• Unenjoyable ride

9

2019 Smart EQ ForTwo

Price Range: $5,425 – $6,500

The 2019 Smart EQ ForTwo, available as a hardtop and convertible, only sells for $5,425 to $6,500. Again, this is an EV aimed at extra-urban commuters, with its rear-mounted motor that generates 80 horsepower and 118 pound-feet. This gets it from 0-60 MPH in 11.6 seconds before you reach an 81 MPH top speed.

Performance Specifications

As per the EPA, this will cover 58 miles on a single charge from its 17.6 kWh battery and return 31 kWh per 100 miles. Thanks to a generous 7.2 kW onboard charger, you can replenish the pack in as little as three hours.

Pros

• Compact and efficient
• Competitive value
• Quirky aesthetic

Cons

• Basically no interior space
• Minimal performance
• Impractical range

8

2019 Hyundai Kona Electric

Price Range: $7,900 – $9,800

The 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric is one of the best deals you can consider in the used EV market, with a $7,900 to $9,800 average pricing range. This features a single front-mounted motor

generating 201 horsepower
and 290 pound-feet, resulting in a 6.4-second 0-60 MPH time and 104 MPH top speed.

Performance Specifications

The EPA suggests that this model’s 64 kWh battery will cover 258 miles on a single charge, while the system returns a combined 28 kWh per 100 miles energy consumption estimate. A full charge takes 9.35 hours at 7.2 kWh. Despite its attractive price, Consumer Reports hands it a 1/5 owner satisfaction rating.

Pros

• Good acceleration
• Sharp handling
• Impressive range

Cons

• Fussy gear selector
• Relatively long charging time
• Poor rear bench space

7

2018 BMW i3

Price Range: $8,275 – $12,500

The BMW i3 is yet another urban-centric EV on this list, but with a relatively higher $8,275 to $12,500 price range for the 2018 model. This option features a rear-mounted motor generating 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet, which gets it from 0-60 MPH in 7.2 seconds before hitting a limited 93 MPH top speed.

Performance Specifications

The EPA estimates that this model will cover 153 miles on a single charge from the 33 kWh battery pack, which takes 4.5 hours to recharge via the 7.4 kW onboard charger. This model also returns a 30 kWh per 100 miles combined energy consumption average. If you want better range and increased performance, you can consider the i3 S, but this will likely cost more than $10,000.

Pros

• Perfect dimensions for extra-urban driving
• Enjoyable driving experience
• Chic and timeless interior design

Cons

• Relatively pricey compared to rivals
• Poor range returns
• Awkward rear doors

6

2014 Mercedes-Benz B250e

Price Range: $8,299 – $10,900

The Mercedes-Benz B250e is one of the most forgotten EVs currently available in the used market, but with an $8,299 to $10,900 pricing range, it’s one of the most compelling and intriguing options you can consider. It features a front-mounted electric motor generating 177 horsepower and 251 pound-feet, which gets you from 0-60 MPH in 7.9 seconds with a limited 100-MPH top speed.

Performance Specifications

According to the EPA, the B250e covers a mere 87 miles on a single charge from the 28 kWh battery pack, meaning it is one of the least practical options on this list. You do get to benefit from a class-leading 40 kWh per 100 miles combined energy consumption estimate and 3.5-hour charging time via a 10 kW onboard charger.

Pros

• Quick off the line
• Silent and high-quality interior
• Abundance of optional extras

Cons

• Poor range
• Extremely stiff ride
• Battery pack compromises interior space

5

2018 Volkswagen e-Golf

Price Range: $9,375 – $12,350

The 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf is an impressive used EV consideration, costing just $9,375 to $12,350. This adopts a front-mounted electric motor

generating 134 horsepower
and 214 pound-feet, which gets you from 0-60 MPH in 9.6 seconds, together with a 93 MPH top speed.

Performance Specifications

The e-Golf’s EPA testing reveals that the 35.8 kWh battery will cover it for 125 miles and return 28 kWh per 100 miles on the combined cycle. The 7.2 kW onboard charger recovers the full state of charge in 5.3 hours.

Pros

• Versatile hatchback design
• Enjoyable driving characteristics
• Refined ride and interior

Cons

• Questionable reliability
• A relatively more expensive option
• Poor range returns

4

2019 Honda Clarity Electric

Price Range: $9,465 – $10,715

The 2019 Honda Clarity Electric is the rarest EV on this list, because the Japanese brand only sold a handful of units for just over a year. If you can find one, expect to pay anywhere between $9,465 to $10,715. This EV fastback sedan features a front-mounted permanent-magnet motor generating 161 horsepower and 221 pound-feet, resulting in an 8.9-second acceleration time and 100 MPH top speed.

Performance Specifications

The EPA’s testing reveals this model’s 25.5 kWh battery is only good enough to carry it for 89 miles, but you do get to benefit from an attractive 30 kWh per 100 miles combined energy consumption estimate. The 6.6 kW onboard charger recovers the battery pack in 3.5 hours.

Pros

• Practical trunk space
• Conventional car looks by modern standards
• Impressive features list

Cons

• Lacks handling prowess
• Uncomfortable seats
• Controls are a bit confusing

3

2017 Chevrolet Bolt

Price Range: $9,600 – $10,475

The 2019 Chevrolet Bolt is a surprisingly comprehensive used EV option, which will cost you anywhere

between $9,600 and $10,475
. This model adopts a single permanent-magnet motor on the front axle, resulting in a 200-horsepower and 266-pound-feet torque output, which gets it from 0 to 60 MPH in an impressive 6.5 seconds. Chevrolet limits the top speed to 100 MPH.

Performance Specifications

According to the EPA, you can expect this model to cover 238 miles, thanks to a generous 60 kWh battery pack. It will also return 28 kWh per 100 miles on the combined cycle and take 9.5 hours to fully recharge via the 7.7 kW onboard charger.

Pros

• Impressive EV range
• Rapid off the line
• Silent cabin

Cons

• Takes long to recharge
• Stiff ride
• Uncomfortable seats

2

2019 Kia Niro EV

Price Range: $9,700 – $16,350

The 2019 Kia Niro EV is one of the best-electrified crossovers you can consider in the used market, for anywhere between $9,700 and $16,350. Like the aforementioned Kona, it features a single front-mounted permanent-magnet motor generating 201 horsepower and 291 pound-feet. This gets it from 0-60 MPH in 7.5 seconds with a limited 104 MPH top speed.

Performance Specifications

The

Niro EV
boasts a 239-mile EPA-estimated range and 30 kWh per 100 miles combined energy consumption. The 64-kWh battery takes 9.5 hours to charge at 7.2 kW.

Pros

• Impressive range and efficiency returns
• Quick off the line
• Practical interior dimensions

Cons

• Takes forever to recharge
• Not many units around
• Awkward exterior design

1

2020 Nissan Leaf S

Price Range: $9,750 – $14,575

The 2020 Nissan Leaf S is the youngest EV on this list, but you can pick a lightly used example for as little as $9,750 to $14,575. The base model features a front-mounted motor, producing 147 horsepower and 236 pound-feet, resulting in a claimed 7.5-second 0-60 MPH time and 104 MPH top speed.

Performance Specifications

Being the base model, it only features a 40 kWh battery pack, which the EPA estimates will cover you for 149 miles. It will also return a 30 kWh per 100 miles combined energy consumption estimate and take 9.5 hours to recharge at 7.2 kW.

The Leaf SV
benefits from better range and performance, but these are a challenge to find for less than $10,000.

Pros

• Impressively efficient
• Silent ride
• Impressive standard features

Cons

• Slow charging times
• Minimal range abilities
• Awkward driving position.