10 best used electric cars under €20,000 with more than 300 km of range

Electric cars are becoming more affordable, that much is clear. Yet new models priced below €20,000 still involve too many compromises: limited range, little space and, in most cases, sparse equipment. Buying a new car while already having to factor in its shortcomings is far from ideal.

There is good news, however. The used market is finally filling up with appealing choices, making it possible to find electric cars with respectable ranges, low mileages and prices that are more realistic for most buyers.

With that in mind, we got to work, opened PiscaPisca.pt and searched for the 10 best used electric cars available for under €20,000 - all offering more than 300 km of range.

FIAT 500e - from €13,900

Small, enjoyable to drive and packed with Italian charm, the FIAT 500e was introduced in 2020. The best-equipped versions once cost close to €40,000, but it can now be found on the used market for under €20,000.

There are three body styles to choose from: the “coupé”, cabrio and “3+1”, which adds a small rear-hinged door on the passenger side. Two battery options were offered, too: a 23.8 kWh unit paired with a 95 hp motor, and a 42 kWh battery combined with a 118 hp electric motor.

It is the latter version that is worth targeting, as it delivers a range of around 320 km. That is more than adequate for a car designed primarily for urban journeys. On PiscaPisca.pt, examples are available from €13,900.

Hyundai IONIQ EV - from €16,900

If the 500e is the city king, the Hyundai IONIQ EV could be described as the “king of common sense”. It was engineered with rationality in mind, and that was true when it was new; it makes even more sense now as a used purchase.

As the model that launched Hyundai’s IONIQ family, it stands out for its spacious cabin, comfort and generous equipment levels. This is especially the case with the 38 kWh battery versions, which can travel more than 310 km on a charge.

Focus on cars equipped with this battery and examples can be found for around €16,000. Buyers willing to make a compromise can pick up versions with the smaller 28 kWh battery for under €14,000.

Hyundai Kauai EV - from €15,990

Staying within the Hyundai range, another model that cannot be overlooked is the first-generation Kauai EV. Its styling may not win everyone over, but it is one of those SUVs that has aged well.

It offers plenty of space, a good standard of comfort and an appearance that still feels current. In fact, some people prefer its looks to those of the second-generation Kauai.

As the saying goes, tastes are not up for debate. Numbers, on the other hand, rarely lie. In this case, they show that the Kauai EV remains a strong choice on the used market.

It was available with two battery capacities: 39.2 kWh, providing 305 km of range, or 64 kWh, offering an impressive 450 km.

On PiscaPisca.pt, options with the smaller battery start at €15,990, while versions with the larger battery are priced from €17,900.

MG ZS EV - from €15,990

The MG ZS EV is beginning to appear in significant numbers on the used market, and it has plenty going for it. After all, for less than €20,000, it is possible to buy a 2022 SUV with a 50.3 kWh battery and more than 320 km of range.

In our view, that is the version that makes the most sense. There are also 2020 and 2021 examples with a 44.5 kWh battery available for under €16,500. However, the model received a styling update in 2022, bringing a more contemporary look and extra equipment.

Even so, its somewhat anonymous design is one of its main drawbacks. Space and value for money are its two strongest selling points.

PiscaPisca.pt lists more than 25 examples, many of them with fewer than 50,000 km on the clock.

Nissan LEAF e+ - from €17,900

The Nissan LEAF can be regarded as one of the pioneers of electric mobility worldwide, having been among the first electric cars to be sold on a large scale. The first generation was rather distinctive, but the second adopted more appealing styling and a substantially more modern interior.

The most appealing version is the LEAF e+, fitted with a 62 kWh battery that allows up to 396 km on a single charge. These cars are now available for under €18,000.

If range is not a priority, older LEAF versions with shorter ranges can be bought for less than €12,000.

Nissan has since launched a new generation of the Leaf, and the changes are considerable, starting with the body shape. Take a look, or watch it again:

Opel Mokka-e - from €18,750

The Opel Mokka-e shares its electric platform with several Stellantis models, but it brings something the others do not: more successful styling and a sportier edge behind the wheel. Those are the German genes at work.

With 136 hp and a 50 kWh battery, the Opel Mokka-e delivers more than 320 km of range. That figure is enough to take it beyond the city and give it a useful degree of versatility.

On PiscaPisca.pt, there are several low-mileage examples with prices starting below €19,000.

Peugeot e-208 - from €14,500

The next model also comes from Stellantis, although this time it is a French supermini with plenty of character. It is the Peugeot e-208, which uses the same platform as the Mokka-e but has an entirely different personality.

Compact, nimble and aggressively styled, it is one of the most well-rounded electric cars available for under €15,000.

Its 50 kWh battery gives it the same 320 km range as the Mokka-e. Meanwhile, the 136 hp electric motor is more than enough to make this a brisk supermini.

Renault ZOE - from €13,900

For several years, the Renault ZOE was Europe’s best-selling electric car. Presented as something of an electric Clio, the ZOE always stood out for its more futuristic appearance, minimalist cabin and ease of use.

The most sensible choice is a second-generation example, unveiled in 2019 and launched in 2020. It was offered with 40 kWh and 50 kWh batteries, and some versions with the larger battery gave the ZOE a range of almost 400 km.

PiscaPisca.pt has more than 70 second-generation Renault ZOE examples, with prices beginning below €13,900.

Tesla Model 3 - from €18,470

Even as a used car, the Tesla Model 3 remains a benchmark among electric cars. Early examples did not match the build quality of current cars - something the Highland version, revealed in 2023, addressed - but over-the-air software updates have helped them remain relevant.

In rear-wheel-drive form, with 238 hp and a 60 kWh battery, it offers up to 415 km of range and can now be found for well under €20,000.

Given everything it offers, it is one of the most complete choices on this list. If you still have doubts, you can watch, or rewatch, our video review of a used example currently for sale on PiscaPisca.pt. Have a look:

Volkswagen ID.3 - from €16,990

This list ends with the ID.3, the first member of Volkswagen’s electric-car family. It was expected to be as significant as the Beetle or the Golf, but that did not come to pass. Nevertheless, it is an excellent used buy, for plenty of good reasons.

It is spacious, comfortable and engaging to drive, while offering more than 400 km of range depending on the version. Best of all, several examples are listed on PiscaPisca.pt below €20,000.

It feels compact in town and has excellent composure on open roads. Nothing less would be expected from a Volkswagen. Its biggest issue was its new-car price, but when considering used electric cars, that is no longer a problem.

When all is said and done, it is easy to see that the used market is giving electric cars a second life. For under €20,000, there are solid options with good range and enough room for everyday use. Better still, as we are starting to see, battery durability has not become the headache many people expected.