Electric cars are becoming more popular. Whereas before they were a novelty, an oddity even, EVs are finding themselves more mainstream. Car shoppers are realizing the benefits of owning an electric car, including savings on gas and environmental reasons. If you’re looking for the best used electric cars, you have some options.

What should I look for in a good used electric car?

Charging times have decreased in recent years, so you may want to consider a slightly newer electric vehicle. Even if you (or your budget) would prefer something a little bit older, charge time should definitely be a consideration. 

You should also pay attention to the electric car’s range. How far can it go on a single charge? You don’t want to buy something that has to be charged all the time, or you may regret buying one in the first place. Also, pay attention to where charging stations are located for the car you’re considering. Teslas use Superchargers, which are rapidly expanding throughout the nation (and world). Other EVs use third-party chargers, so you’ll want to know where you can take your car. 

And, as with any used vehicle, you’ll want to know what kind of safety features the car has, as well as its crash test ratings. It’s always a good idea to find out what, if any, accidents your particular vehicle has been in before, so you’re aware of any underlying damage that may be lurking. 

Without further ado, here are the three best used electric cars:

2019 Nissan Leaf

The 2019 Nissan Leaf is recommended by Consumer Reports. There aren’t many crash test ratings from the IIHS, but the ones that Consumer Reports shares are good. The 2019 Leaf gets 215 miles of range from its battery. 

It takes a long time to charge the Nissan Leaf. Even the optional bigger battery only cuts down this charging time to 10.5 hours. On a regular 120-volt outlet, it takes a painfully long 30 hours to fully charge. 

The Leaf is roomy and comes with advanced safety features like forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. There are additional, optional safety features to consider, like blind-spot warning and ProPilot Assist.

2017 Chevy Bolt

The 2017 Chevy Bolt is another Consumer Reports recommended EV with a range of over 200 miles, at 238. It takes 10 hours to charge on a 240-volt outlet, but Consumer Reports notes that with its range, you won’t often have need to fully charge it. 

The 2017 Bolt can go from 0 to 60 in 6.8 seconds, which isn’t bad for a used electric car. It has a 60 kWh battery and Consumer Reports called it “fun to drive.”

2019 Hyundai Kona

Consumer Reports recommended the 2019 Hyundai Kona, calling it “playful and inexpensive.” The 2019 Hyundai Kona has a range of 258 miles and takes 9 hours to charge on a 240-volt outlet. Although there is a gas-fueled Hyundai Kona, the electric Hyundai Kona is front-wheel drive only. It was also only available in some states, so availability now may be somewhat limited where you are.

If you’re looking for a solid electric car, you can’t go wrong with any of these three options. Just pay attention to the particular model that you’re looking for. Has it been in any accidents? Does it have good range? What safety features does it come with? Don’t forget to check the car out on safety organization websites like Consumer Reports, the IIHS, and NHTSA before you buy.