Electric vehicles (EVs) are a fairly recent phenomenon on the car market. While the ability to make electric cars has been around for over 100 years, it is only recently that buyers can own them from mainstream brands and a lot of this stems from a heightened awareness of climate change. However, because of their advanced technology, and since they are so new, EVs are quite expensive, even with government grants.

Related: The 10 Best Luxury Electric Cars In 2021

While most EVs can be quite pricey when new, many of them are available at lower costs when put on the used market. There are varying reasons for this, but many of the cars available are of brilliant quality and are worth snapping up, even if they remain that little bit more expensive than an ICE car. However, there are some cheap EVs on the market that don't bring much quality, and they aren't worth the hassle of owning one. In this list, we bring you five of the best cheap EVs to buy in 2021 and compare them with five affordable EVs to stay away from if you're looking for a worthwhile investment.

10 Buy: Volkswagen e-Golf

2015 Volkswagen E-Golf
Via EV Database.uk

The Volkswagen e-Golf was launched in 2014 and it was designed to compete with the Nissan Leaf and the BMW i3. The e-Golf came with a range of around 124 miles and then it was facelifted in 2017 to go 186 miles, providing it with almost 20 more miles than the Nissan Leaf. Power was also improved in the e-Golf with the original models coming with a 24.2kWh battery capacity but updated models had a 35.8kWh capacity. Either way, power, and range were good in pre-and post-facelift models.

VW e-Golf
Via VW Newsroom

Not only was the performance of the e-Golf great, but its styling and it comes with the quality that the VW Golf is renowned for. Prices can vary for an e-Golf with the facelifted models reaching higher prices, but pre-facelift models are available at around $17,590.

9 Steer Clear: Coda Sedan

Coda Electric
Via: Wikipedia

Produced by the now-defunct Coda Automotive company, the Coda Sedan was launched in 2012. There were only 117 models delivered and it was sold only in California. Coming with a range of 88 miles, the car was hardly impressive, but it was released during a time when many EV battery tech was in its infancy. The car could also be charged full within six hours, which by today's standards is slow.

Silver Coda Sedan - Front Right
Via My Coda Sedan

The car wasn't the worst vehicle to buy, but because the brand went defunct and with so few models available on the market, it hasn't been developed or updated. Also, the car is quite bland-looking and it doesn't have the same quality feel as many electric sedans available used now. Models have been seen for sale as low as $4,500.

8 Buy: Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf Feature
via Nissan

Launched in 2010, the Nissan Leaf has quite a history as an EV now. Since its first launch, the range of the Leaf has increased from 73 miles to 226 miles. This leap is impressive and it has kept buyers interested especially as it is a more entry-level option in the EV market. In December 2019 the Leaf was the world's all-time top-selling plug-in EV but was beaten by the Tesla Model 3 in 2020.

Nissan Leaf
Via Nissan News

The car is best driven around cities and has a surprising number of tech features, including cruise control and lane assist. Its simplistic styling may not be for everyone, but it is a great hatchback and it is very affordable for an EV. Early models can start at under $10,000 when for sale, but even newer models from 2019 can be bought for under $20,000.

7 Steer Clear: Ford Focus Electric

Ford Focus Electric
Via Wikipedia

Launched in 2011, the Ford Focus Electric was Ford's second-ever all-electric production car. Using the same body as the third generation Ford Focus, the car looked like a normal Focus but was crammed with battery tech. However, the range is poor, only able to go 76 miles before needing a full recharge. And while the range was increased in 2017 to 115 miles and 140 miles later on, this still isn't that impressive when cars like the Leaf and e-Golf can do much more.

Related: This Is The Best Feature Of The Ford Mustang Mach E

Ford Focus Electric
Via Automotive News

The car is very well made, but the handling and trunk space are negatively affected by all the batteries needed. Also, the car originally had a very high selling price but has now depreciated highly, showing that it isn't a worthwhile investment.

6 Buy: BMW i3

BMW i3 2014
Via Cars Guide

Launched in 2013, the BMW i3 has a special place in the EV world. It was BMW's first-ever mass-produced zero-emissions vehicle and it has been very well-received among enthusiasts. In terms of styling, the i3 still looks fresh and it brings a high strength, ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer aluminum to its construction. These lightweight features are fantastic as the car is already heavier due to the battery fitting. The i3's range in 2014 was 72 miles and 150 miles with the range extender.

BMW i3 Review Thumbnail
via Michael Van Runkle / HotCars

While its range is not as high as many would like, the i3 is perfect for city driving as it is only a small hatchback. Since 2014, cars with the range extender can reach 200 miles. For a 2015 range extender model, buyers can expect to pay around $17,499 for an example in good condition. We think that's definitely worth it as the car offers a brilliant driving experience.

5 Steer Clear: Chevrolet Volt (First Generation)

Via: GM

While the second generation of the Chevrolet Volt has been taken to by many enthusiasts, the first generation was not. The range of the car is a maximum of 50 miles on EV power alone, which isn't something that owners want to be looking for nowadays with many electric cars being able to travel for over 200 miles. Nonetheless, the car is very interesting, even if this isn't enough to make it worthwhile purchasing second-hand, however.

Related: 8 Reasons Why We Like The Chevy Volt (2 Reasons Why We'll Never Buy One)

2011 Chevy Volt
Via : YouTube

The first-gen Volt is nowhere near as impressive as the full EVs on this list. The cabin is quite small and the car isn't as engaging as it could be, especially nowadays. The car was overpriced when launched and even now, owners can expect buyers to pay high prices for one when the cars really aren't worth it.

4 Buy: Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai Kona
Via Hyundai

The Kona Electric is the second fully electric car to come out of Hyundai since the Ioniq. The 64kWh battery option comes with a range of 258 miles and this level has been impressive all around the world as it was even one of the highest real-world ranges among EVs in the UK. The Kona Electric also comes with outstanding comfortability and it feels very refined too, all the things that a buyer wants in an SUV.

2020 Hyundai KONA Electric
via Green Car Reports

The Hyundai Kona Electric is one of the more expensive EVs on this list, but it remains cheap as a used car. Models can be found as low as $29,072 which is impressive considering its starting price now is over $35,000 and even the oldest models come from 2019.

3 Steer Clear: Honda Clarity

honda clarity
via edmunds

The Clarity Electric was released in 2017. The Clarity lineup had featured fuel-cell cars only, but this car brought a new generation to the Clarity name and the adoption of EV tech. Coming with a 25.5kWh battery, the Clarity could go 89 miles. It was only sold in California and Oregon, and this meant that the whole of the US couldn't experience one easily. On a standard 120 V US wall outlet, it takes the car 19 hours to charge or 3.5 hours on a 240 V AC charger.

Related: Here's How The 2024 Honda EV SUV Compares With Its Rivals

via Beaverton Honda

The car isn't worth it as it isn't as impressive as the fuel-cell models. It isn't that the Clarity is a bad car to drive, but more to the fact that buyers can get a better-used EV nowadays, and one that didn't go out of production two years into its launch. The hybrid models are much better to buy used and are reasonably priced.

2 Buy: Fiat 500 Electric

Fiat 500e
via Fiat

The first generation of the Fiat 500e was launched in 2007. It has been loved by many enthusiasts and the second generation launched in 2020 has already been very successful. The Fiat 500e is an acceptable city car with an 87-mile range, it is suitable for doing small journeys and an ideal car for the city. The retro styling is lovable and makes it a very trendy car to drive.

via Inside EVs

Being practical for a small city car, the Fiat 500e is a great used EV to buy for those who don't drive far. For a price of around $15,599, the Fiat 500e is a fantastic EV to buy and it is still a great option even when the new generation has been released recently.

1 Steer Clear: Reva GWiz

Reva-GWiz
via wikipedia

The GWiz has been considered as the worst car ever. Technically branded as a quadricycle in the UK market, the GWiz is ridiculous. Its styling is very ugly, with its bug-eyed front and shrunken dimensions. The interior of the car is also tremendously poor and while Reva claims that two adults and two children can fit in it, it wouldn't be the most comfortable fit, and the lack of power further restricts extra occupants.

Reva-GWiz
via printertalent.wordpress

The car had a range of 50 miles and its top speed was just 50 mph. Not only this, but the GWiz is very unsafe. It isn't even worth looking to buy, and enthusiasts should steer well clear.