Two years ago, they were still a wonder in the car market: the industry struggled to meet demands during the peak of the chip crisis, and electric cars were sometimes sold second-hand for more than their new price. Along with the frequent price hikes by importers, used cars suddenly turned from a value-loss commodity to an investment.
That part is behind us now. Today, electric cars lose value like any other second-hand car, less than gasoline cars but more than hybrids, which are still considered a safer bet by many. On one hand, they are electrified and economical, and on the other hand, they do not have range anxiety and the need to install a charging station at home, or at least at work.
As electric cars mature and approach the manufacturers' predetermined warranty threshold for the expensive battery, generally 8 years or 100,000 km, buyers of used cars seek further price reductions. This is despite the likelihood that importers and manufacturers will offer extended warranty plans for a fee at that time, as they do with hybrids, and experience from the world shows that batteries do not die suddenly but require cell replacement or other components, which cost much less than replacing the entire battery.
What remains true are the lower electricity costs compared to gasoline costs, as long as you mainly charge at home or slowly, the lower maintenance costs, and the knowledge that even though too much electricity in the country is produced from polluting sources like coal and natural gas, the overall pollution of electric vehicles is still lower than that of vehicles with internal combustion engines. Someone who drives about 20,000 km a year can easily save about NIS 1,000 per month.
While the government is planning to impose a travel tax on electric vehicles starting in 2026, it will not cancel out and will only reduce the savings in transitioning to electric cars. And as things look unclear in general, the way the government and the coalition are conducting themselves may not succeed in passing the necessary regulations: this week they failed to even approve in the Finance Committee the cancellation of the exemption in the licensing fee for electric vehicles, which will likely be postponed after the Passover holiday, at least.
We won't send you to the remnants of the Renault Fluence ZE from the Better Place days, or the first generation and short-range MG ZS EV. The BYD ATTO 3, the electric car sold in the country or the successful MG4 are not there yet, but in the used car market there is already a nice supply of modern electric vehicles offered for sale at NIS 100,000-NIS 120,000.
Gili Geometry C: Two important advantages
This Chinese Crossover was the first to arrive in Israel like petrol equivalents, when it came to us in 2021. It is offered in two finishing levels, with even the basic one being generous, with two battery sizes, 53 kWh (official combined range of 350 km) or 70 kWh (official 460 km). Both have a 204 hp engine, front-wheel drive and quick acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds. The cars were originally sold with the standard warranty, but at the time of purchase, it was possible to purchase an extension up to 200,000 km. Look for these cars.
And the important advantages? In the model with the large battery, the C geometry, it is one of the cheapest electric cars achieving a range of 400 km even in real life. In addition, it is one of the few electric cars that comes with a spare tire and not just with a tire repair kit, which may leave you waiting for a tow.
We liked: Acceleration, well-equipped, good road behavior, cheap and popular.We didn't like: City comfort, narrow back seat for three, relatively slow fast charging (only at a rate of up to 75 kW) and not tested in the European crash test (the parallel Chinese model received 5 out of 5 stars).Price: Today, you can find the 460 Pro for less than NIS 120,000, with about 45,000 km in the odometer.
Hyundai Kona EV: The unit that promises and delivers.
The electric version of the crossover that is marketed here, also with gasoline engines and a hybrid unit, offers an interesting deal. It is one of the most common electric units that are not Chinese, but it is mainly imported in the version with a small battery, with only 39 kWh and an official range of 305 km. Only last year, one shipment of the 64 kWh version with a range of 480 km was marketed.
But a very efficient drive unit leads to the fact that the buyer is one of the few electric models that truly meet the manufacturer's range statement, achieving an average driving range of about 300 km. It is also well-equipped and practical, with good but not excessive performance (9.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h). The maximum fast charging rate is good for a cheaper electric car, up to 143 kWh.
We liked: relatively spacious, well-equipped, 5 out of 5 stars in the European crash test, and you can rely on its range estimates.We didn't like: plastic and gray passenger compartment, and the range is still not among the longest.Price: 2021-2022 models with about 15,000 km reasonable per year are already sold for NIS 105,000-110,000.
Peugeot e2008: The electric for the driver
Another car that was sold in versions of internal combustion engine, petrol and diesel, but it is one of the few common electric crossovers in the European market.
The specifications include a 50 kWh battery, a 136 hp engine, and an official range of 320 km. The official acceleration is 9.8 seconds, but in reality, it feels faster, and mainly displays enjoyable and rare road behavior in electric vehicles, especially at this price. The maximum fast charging is not very fast, only 100 kW.
Liked: design, equipment, and road behavior.Disliked: the actual range easily drops to 250 km.Price: 2021 models are already sold for about NIS 110,000.
AIways U5: Are you willing to bet?
This car is attached with an asterisk. On one hand, it is a relatively large crossover, more than the popular BYD ATTO 3, and more than all the other options on this list. It is very spacious, especially in the rear seat and cargo area (432 liters), enjoys good road behavior and good performance (204 hp, 7.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h). With a 63 kWh battery, it reaches over 350 km in practice. The fast charging rate is not outstanding, with only 95 kW.
But there is a catch. AIways stopped manufacturing cars a year ago and is now trying to secure funding for production renewal. The importer is making an effort to maintain the high level of service it provided before the import was halted and even buys cars after accidents to ensure spare parts beyond what they will manage to get from the manufacturer. But doubts about the manufacturer's future support have sent prices of used U5 cars downward.
Liked: Spacious, well-equipped, road behaviorDisliked: Many agree that the display is not clear enough, limited storage compartments, only 3 out of 5 stars in European crash test.Price: 2021 models with single-phase charging sold for about NIS 110,000-120,000.
Fiat 500e: Retro for the masses
Many manufacturers use past designs to make us instantly fall in love with our electric cars. Fiat did this in 2022 with the tiny 500, which, despite looking like its petrol-powered sister, is a completely new car.
There is a choice between two battery sizes, a small 24-kilowatt-hour battery with 95 hp and a range of only 190 km, and a 42-kilowatt-hour battery with 118 hp and 320 km. Both are spacious enough for four people and also have two interesting options to choose from: the 3+1 version, with an additional small door on the right side for better access to the rear seat, and the Cabriolet version, with an electrically operated open roof in a "sardine tin" configuration where only the roof itself folds, and the vehicle's pillars remain in place.
Liked: design and character, agile and enjoyable in the city.Didn't like: tiny cargo space (185 liters), cramped for a mini car, relatively short range.Price: even a two-year-old used model can be found for around NIS 115,000, with about 20,000 km. Other models are cheaper by around NIS 10,000-15,000.