Although electric cars still only account for a fraction of one percent of Carvago’s sales, their share is growing steadily, growing by almost 50 percent in the past 12 months alone. Customers, for the most part, are driven to buy electric cars that are three to four years old, have up to 50,000 km and are priced below 22,000 euros, according to a new Carvago study.
The Carvago study also suggests that customers buying a second-hand electric car online see it more as a second household car with low running costs than as a primary mode of transport – small cars predominate here and compact.
The former best-seller BMW i3 has fallen from the rankings year after year, and this year it doesn’t even make the top ten. While it still has a lot going for it and continues to run reliably even after all these years, customers prefer younger electric cars with the reassurance of a long factory warranty on the traction battery. In this context, however, it should be noted that Carvago technicians rarely encounter defective batteries in practice. They also don’t really show up either in CarAudit pre-purchase checks or complaints.
The ranking of the best-selling second-hand electric cars in Romania
- Smart ForTwo EQ
It did not make much “noise” as a new car, but second-hand, the lively city car in the electric version does not have to worry about the interest of customers. The 60 kW engine gives the one-ton car pleasant dynamics, and a real range of about 100 km is enough for urban use.
- Nissan Leaf
The original Leaf (2010) was the first serious attempt at an affordable, mass-produced electric car. And it didn’t turn out too well. The second generation, offered in 2017, still has an air-cooled battery, but with experience it no longer degrades too quickly, and its simpler design helps the Leaf remain one of the most affordable five-door electric cars .
- Audi e-Tron
Well, from the “cars” Smart ForTwo EQ and Nissan Leaf we jump directly to the Audi e-Tron, a real surprise! With a lot of space inside, with a lot of horsepower and an autonomy of more than 350 km on a charge, the Audi e-Tron is one of the best performing models in this class.
- VW ID.4
The crossover variant of the ID.3 seems to have many followers in Romania, where SUVs are among the most popular and desired cars. With two battery variants and an improved look, the VW ID.4 holds its own in the rankings. Although critics say it doesn’t compare to rivals in the same class (one is even higher!), a second-hand ID.4 at the right price can be a gem.
- VW ID.3
The compact hatchback is gradually replacing the electric version of the previous Golf in the used car market. Severe software “birth” pains are almost forgotten after many updates. What customers appreciate about the ID.3 is its modern but understated design, the way it “feels” on the road and the functional and very useful assistance technology.
