Car expert reveals what the best EVs are for every budget

Forget showroom prices, the best EVs in 2025 include affordable EVs and used electric cars that cost less than a family holiday.

More secondhand models are entering the market as leases expire and trade-ins increase.

At the same time, tools for checking battery health and resale value are improving.

This breakdown looks at what buyers can realistically expect at each price point.

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What qualifies as the best EVs for each budget range?

Recurrent, a company that tracks battery performance, has outlined used electric cars that offer strong value based on cost and condition.

In the under-$10,000 range, the 2013–2014 Chevy Volt and the 2014–2015 Ford C-Max Energi stand out.

Both are plug-in hybrids, which help lower running costs without relying entirely on public chargers.

The 2017–2020 Nissan LEAF is another common option in this bracket, depending on mileage and battery quality.

Buyers with a mid-range budget of $25,000 to $40,000 can find several of the best EVs from recent model years.

These include the 2023 Tesla Model Y, 2022 Polestar 2, and Hyundai Ioniq 5.

They offer improved range, faster charging, and updated tech compared to earlier models.

Recurrent notes that these vehicles are becoming more popular among buyers looking for long-term use.

Battery health remains a key factor in evaluating used electric cars.

Recurrent provides free battery reports to help buyers and sellers assess long-term condition.

Verified battery data can improve resale value, especially in the affordable EVs category, where cars vary widely in age and wear.

Buyers using these tools also tend to avoid unexpected costs after purchase.

Tools you can use when buying your next used EV

Growth in the electric vehicle market has led to more platforms offering battery data and resale tracking for used electric cars.

Recurrent is one example, providing battery health reports that give sellers a way to show condition and history beyond mileage or age.

These tools are also being used by dealerships and independent sellers to streamline the transaction process.

The number of affordable EVs available on the used market is increasing as early lease terms end and more owners trade in first-generation models.

Industry analysts have pointed to a noticeable uptick in listings across auction sites and dealer inventories, particularly for older EVs with simplified drivetrains and lower maintenance records.

As more tools become available to support transparency around battery life and charging performance, the market for used electric cars is becoming easier to navigate.

These developments are helping define what qualifies as the best EVs in each price segment, giving buyers and sellers a clearer understanding of vehicle condition and expected performance.

Used electric vehicles now represent a significant share of listings under $40,000, especially in regions where government incentives once drove new EV adoption.

While resale values vary by model and mileage, consistent reporting and battery tracking are helping shape pricing expectations across the industry.

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