Since electric vehicles made their comeback to Britain's roads in significant numbers for the first time in almost a century during the 2010s, motorists have been captivated by them.
Yet one factor that has frequently prevented people from purchasing them is cost, with numerous models carrying higher price tags than their petrol or diesel equivalents.
Even when buyers had the funds available, they might opt to spend that cash on an almost-new used petrol vehicle with superior features.
Thankfully for the shrewd car buyer, thousands of electric vehicles have now entered the second-hand market, and the RAC has compiled a list of the finest options available, including one motor five times cheaper than a competitor.
In their guide to the top used electric cars, the RAC spotlighted the Nissan Leaf, amongst the earliest mass-produced electric vehicles of the 21st Century.
It's been hailed by some as a motor that helped spark the electric revolution in Britain thanks to its comparative affordability and pioneering spirit, launching into a marketplace when few other major manufacturers dared venture.Praising the Leaf, Lawrence Allan observed: "It's hard to believe that the sort of budget that buys you a rusty, polluting old banger can get you into a smooth-driving, eco-friendly electric car. But the popularity of the original Nissan Leaf means there are plenty around at near rock-bottom prices."
The Leaf, which initially hit showrooms in the early 2010s, can now be picked up from approximately £1,700, roughly four to five times less expensive than the £7,000 MG 5 and £8,000 electric Vauxhall Corsa also featured on the list.
Nevertheless, Lawrence cautioned that this price difference came with geographical as well as practical limitations. He explained: "It's worth remembering that these early 24kWH Leafs didn't have the longest of ranges when they were new.
"After well over a decade of use, you could see anything from 100 miles from a charge in stop-start urban driving (where EVs perform best) to below 50 miles on the motorway."
Consequently, whilst it might be appealing to save all that cash and purchase a Leaf, buyers must bear in mind that it will probably not offer the same flexibility as its pricier competitors.
Meanwhile, a recent assessment by the RAC of the latest Nissan Leaf continued to commend it, awarding it 8.5 stars out of 10.
Dan Powell noted: "The Nissan Leaf is an extremely likeable electric car. Effortless to drive and extremely refined, it is a well-rounded effort that reaffirms the Leaf's place as a market leading EV. Its smooth and soft driving manners may leave some enthusiastic drivers cold, but we think the Leaf's low running costs and upmarket interior will win over the majority of family car buyers."
The RAC's suggestions come months after a motoring expert predicted that the prices of numerous used electric vehicles could nosedive, creating opportunities for purchasers nationwide. Speaking to the Express last year, ClearWatt co-founder Patrick Cresswell revealed that recent stock from just a few years back is now entering the second-hand market.
He explained: "March of 2022 broke all the records for new EV sales, with more battery-powered vehicles sold in that month alone than all of 2019 - and much of that stock is now hitting the second-hand market, as three-year lease terms expire."
He added: "We estimate 350,000 used EVs will be sold this year - and up to 40,000 could be in March alone."
