Used Car Hunter: comfortable electric cars for £30,000
Our Car Hunter has £30,000 for a comfortable electric car which is perfect for commuting
Dear Auto Express, I want a comfortable EV that is suitable for commuting and I have a £30k budget – what do you recommend? Mark Armstrong, via E-mail
There’s no shortage of reasons why choosing an electric car for commuting is a great idea these days, and there are plenty of tempting zero-emission cars in which to do it. Plenty of brand-new electric cars start from under £30,000, but venture onto the used electric car market and you can find even more bang for your budget.
Having said that, a £30,000 budget is hardly chicken feed, and for that sort of cash you’re entitled to expect a little luxury and presence on the road. You’ll certainly get that from all three of our contenders here, each of which offers its own unique characteristics. We managed to find everything ranging from a swooping saloon to a spacious SUV.
So whether you’re drawn to the suave exterior and bespoke-feeling interior of the Jag, the more conservative-looking but still very swanky Audi, or Tesla’s almost-iconic premium saloon, one of this trio ought to do the trick.
Here's our expert pick of the three best used electric commuter cars for a budget of £30,000, together with links to buy one through our Buy a Car service…
Tesla Model S - the self driving choice
- For: Roomy, fast and practical, loaded with digital tech
- Against: Relatively low-rent interior, uninvolving drive
From its HQ in Silicon Valley, Tesla was truly disruptive when the Model S hit the scene around a decade ago. It certainly put the cat amongst the auto-industry establishment pigeons, and they scrambled to play catch-up.
We found the 415bhp AWD Auto Long Range variant to be the most commonly available car at this price, and you should be able to get a 2020 car with fewer than 50,000 miles on the clock for £25,000-£30,000.
When the Model S arrived, it wowed drivers with its performance and technical prowess. The minimalist cabin is roomy, and the lack of switchgear notable, with almost everything controlled via a huge central touchscreen. Build quality doesn’t feel as great as with the Jaguar or Audi, but you do get access to the excellent Supercharger network of charging points. Models in 2014 included the 60, P85 and P85 Performance Plus, while the P85D twin-motor version arrived in 2015. The maximum claimed range for the 60D is 253 miles between charges, with the 75D offering 304 miles.
Latest used Tesla Model S deals
Jaguar I-Pace - the driver’s choice
- For: Swoopy looks, plush cabin, great to drive
- Against: Poor infotainment, pricier than newer rivals
Jaguar fans are still waiting to see what the firm has up its sleeve for EVs, but the excellent Jaguar I-Pace electric SUV proves it knows how to build a winning EV; the Jag won both the European and UK Car of the Year Awards in 2018.
There are plenty of Jag I-Pace deals available for well below £20,000 but you’ll be looking at older and higher mileage cars. However, for a budget of £30,000 you can get a 2022 car in HSE Black trim with just over 30,000 miles on the clock.
The Jaguar I-Pace is one of the better-handling electric vehicles on the market, with agility that belies the British model’s two-tonne-plus weight. It has swoopy looks and a roomy SUV body with a generous boot that makes it a great all-rounder for family owners. There’s a single EV400 powertrain available with 395bhp and a 90kWh battery. Jaguar claims a maximum range of 292 miles. The entry-level version in S trim features LED headlights, 18- inch alloy wheels, eight-way electric leather seats and 360-degree cameras, while the SE specification has a powered tailgate and surround-sound audio.
Latest used Jaguar I-Pace deals
Audi e-tron - the technophile choice
- For: Excellent refinement and tech, 150kW charging
- Against: Weighty handling, conservative style
Relatively conservative lines mean fellow drivers could easily miss the fact you’re driving an electric Audi, so if you want to shout about your green credentials, the Tesla is a better bet. But if you’re looking for comfort, practicality and superb technology, the Audi e-tron delivers.
It offers a 254-mile range, while 150kW fast-charging capability is still competitive within the UK’s public top-up infrastructure. A £30,000 budget will bag a 2022 e-tron 50 quattro Black Edition with 15,000 miles on the clock.
The e-tron SUV comes with three power options; the 50 quattro produces 308bhp from a 71kWh battery, while the 55 quattro’s numbers are 95kWh and 402bhp. Both versions are considerably slower than a Model S or the I-Pace, but just how much acceleration do you need on the average commute? The Audi comes in a range of five trim levels, which include Technik, Sport, S line and Vorsprung.
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