Electric cars are undeniably becoming more affordable. Even so, when you cap the budget at €20,000, brand-new models still tend to demand too many compromises: limited range, tight cabin space and, in most cases, sparse equipment. Buying a new car while already accepting those constraints is far from ideal.
The encouraging part is that the used market is finally filling up with genuinely appealing options. It’s now realistic to find EVs with strong ranges, low mileage and prices that make more sense for most Portuguese buyers.
With that in mind, we got to work, opened PiscaPisca.pt and tracked down the 10 best used electric cars you can buy for under €20,000 - all offering more than 300 km of range.
FIAT 500e - from €13,900
Compact, fun behind the wheel and packed with Italian charm, the FIAT 500e arrived in 2020. In its higher-spec trims it once pushed close to €40,000, yet today it can be found on the used market for under €20,000.
You can pick from three distinct body styles - "coupé", cabrio, or "3+1" (with a small extra side door on the passenger side) - and two battery choices: a 23.8 kWh pack paired with a 95 hp motor, or a 42 kWh pack matched to a 118 hp electric motor.
It’s the larger-battery version that makes the most sense, as it delivers a range of around 320 km - more than enough for a car designed primarily for urban driving. On PiscaPisca.pt, you’ll find examples priced from €13,900.
Hyundai IONIQ EV - from €16,900
If the 500e is the city specialist, the Hyundai IONIQ EV is more of a "king of common sense". It was engineered to be sensible - and if that was true when it was new, it’s even more accurate now that it’s available used.
As the model that kick-started Hyundai’s IONIQ line-up, it stands out for its space, comfort and generous equipment levels. That’s particularly the case if you focus on the versions with the 38 kWh battery, which manage over 310 km of range.
Looking specifically at cars with that battery, you can find examples at around €16,000. If you’re happy to accept a trade-off, earlier versions with the smaller 28 kWh pack can already be found for under €14,000.
Hyundai Kauai EV - from €15,990
Sticking with Hyundai, there’s another model that deserves a place here: the first-generation Kauai EV. Its styling may not be to everyone’s taste, but it’s one of those SUVs that has aged gracefully.
It offers good space, a solid level of comfort and a look that still feels current. In fact, some people prefer its design to that of the second-generation Kauai.
As the saying goes, tastes are personal. Numbers, on the other hand, rarely mislead us - and here they suggest the Kauai EV remains a strong choice, even used.
You can choose between two batteries: 39.2 kWh for 305 km of range, or 64 kWh for an impressive 450 km.
On PiscaPisca.pt you’ll find listings from €15,990 with the smaller battery, and prices of €17,900 for the larger-capacity version.
MG ZS EV - from €15,990
The MG ZS EV is now starting to appear in serious numbers on the used market, and it has plenty going for it. For under €20,000, you can get a 2022 SUV with a 50.3 kWh battery and more than 320 km of range.
That’s the version we think is the most logical to consider. Even though there are 2020 and 2021 cars with the 44.5 kWh battery for under €16,500, the model received a styling refresh in 2022, bringing a more modern look along with extra equipment.
Even so, its somewhat anonymous design is one of the model’s biggest drawbacks. Its strongest points are clearly its space and its price.
On PiscaPisca.pt there are over 25 examples available, many with fewer than 50,000 kilometres.
Nissan LEAF e+ - from €17,900
The Nissan LEAF can be seen as one of the founding figures of electric mobility worldwide, as it was among the first EVs to be sold in large numbers. The first generation was a bit quirky, but the second adopted more attractive styling and a far more modern cabin.
The most compelling pick is the LEAF e+ with the 62 kWh battery, which allows up to 396 km on a charge. These are already available for under €18,000.
If range isn’t high on your priority list, you can go for older LEAF versions with shorter range, which can be found for under €12,000.
Meanwhile, Nissan has introduced a new generation of the Leaf and the changes are substantial, starting with the body shape. See (or watch again):
Opel Mokka-e - from €18,750
The Opel Mokka-e uses the same electric platform as several Stellantis models, but it brings something the others don’t: sharper styling and a sportier feel on the road. That’s the German DNA coming through.
With 136 hp and a 50 kWh battery, the Opel Mokka-e delivers more than 320 km of range - enough to venture beyond city limits and still be genuinely versatile.
On PiscaPisca.pt you’ll find several low-mileage examples, with prices starting below €19,000.
Peugeot e-208 - from €14,500
We stay within Stellantis, but switch to a French supermini full of character: the Peugeot e-208. Although it shares its underpinnings with the Mokka-e, its shape and personality are completely different.
Small, nimble and styled with an aggressive edge, it’s one of the most rounded EVs you can buy for under €15,000.
Thanks to its 50 kWh battery, it matches the Mokka-e with around 320 km of range. The 136 hp motor is also more than enough to make it feel brisk for a compact car.
Renault ZOE - from €13,900
For years, the Renault ZOE was Europe’s best-selling electric car. Positioned as a sort of electric alternative to the Clio, the ZOE has always been known for its more futuristic exterior, minimalist cabin and user-friendly nature.
The most sensible approach is to focus on the second generation, unveiled in 2019 and arriving on the market in 2020. It was offered with 40 kWh and 50 kWh batteries; with the larger pack, certain versions of the ZOE delivered close to 400 km of range.
On PiscaPisca.pt you’ll find over 70 examples of the second-generation Renault ZOE, with prices starting below €13,900.
Tesla Model 3 - from €18,470
Even as a used purchase, the Tesla Model 3 remains a benchmark among electric cars. Early cars didn’t match the build quality of today’s examples (the Highland version, revealed in 2023, addressed that), but they benefited from over-the-air software updates that helped keep them current.
In rear-wheel-drive form, with 238 hp and a 60 kWh battery, it offers up to 415 km of range and can already be found for well under €20,000.
Given everything it brings to the table, it’s one of the most complete options on this list. If you’re still unsure, you can watch (or rewatch) our video review of a used example currently for sale on PiscaPisca.pt. Take a look:
Volkswagen ID.3 - from €16,990
We wrap up with the ID.3, the first model in Volkswagen’s electric family. It was meant to be as iconic as the Beetle or the Golf, but it never quite reached that level. Still, as a second-hand buy, it’s excellent - and there’s no shortage of reasons why.
It’s roomy, comfortable, enjoyable to drive and, depending on the version, offers more than 400 km of range. Best of all, there are several examples on PiscaPisca.pt below €20,000.
Around town it feels smaller than you’d expect, while on open roads it rides with real composure - exactly what you’d anticipate from Volkswagen. Its biggest drawback? The new-car price. But since we’re talking about used electric cars, that issue largely disappears.
All told, it’s easy to see how the used market is giving electric cars a second life. For under €20,000 there are capable options with strong range and enough space for everyday needs. The best part? As we’re already beginning to learn, battery longevity hasn’t turned into the headache many people feared.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Leave a Comment