I live in the city and can’t have a charger at my place. My current car (2013 Audi A3) is really giving me trouble. I’m thinking about switching to a used EV. I really like the BMW i3, but is the range practical? I don’t drive often, but a day trip to the beach or visiting family might drain the whole charge. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Just to share what I’m looking for:
Budget is around $25-30k
I prefer something compact with nice features
Security is important to me, as I live in Philadelphia.
What’s your usual mileage? Personally, I’m not great at estimating ranges until I check online or look at my odometer.
You could run some tests with ABRP for any EV you’re considering. It lets you choose a model, set specific parameters like extra weight, and plan a route to see your expected energy use. It’s pretty accurate, even if it might be slightly conservative; for example, it might predict using 40% of the battery for a trip when you actually only use 38%.
Going with a used vehicle seems wise, and from what I gather, most EVs don’t have the same theft risk as regular cars. They’re not as easy to part out, or maybe the parts just aren’t valued the same.
You might want to consider a Bolt, a newer i3, or an updated Leaf as your main options.
@Amar
Thanks, this is a really helpful response. Since I’m not a daily driver, my mileage is a bit unpredictable—usually around 15-20 miles a week, but sometimes I take longer trips of 120-140 miles in a day.
@Devan
An i3 might work for you, along with a Leaf, but honestly, I think a Bolt would be your best option if you can find one since they’re selling quickly. Unless you’re dealing with really cold weather or a lot of highway driving, a full charge should easily meet your needs.
Make sure you have DC fast charging capability, though if that’s what you need. Before I give a solid “yes,” I have a few more questions, but I agree with others that it’s likely the best choice right now.
Just a heads up: I have a Bolt, so I might be a bit biased.
@Devan
You shouldn’t face any issues with an EV if you can charge at home. Most EVs have that range, and even the ones with shorter ranges should handle a trip like yours just fine!
Frederick said: @Devan
You shouldn’t face any issues with an EV if you can charge at home. Most EVs have that range, and even the ones with shorter ranges should handle a trip like yours just fine!
Oh, I wish I could charge at home, but it’s impossible right now, which is causing my range anxiety. I live in a city and rent parking on someone else’s property. Thanks for your input!
Also, I should mention that my range anxiety relates to possibly needing to charge offsite before and after any weekend or day trip.
@Devan
Is there a 120V (standard US) outlet where you park? That’s what I use to charge my Hyundai Kona Electric (2021). I don’t drive much, so I plug it in when the range drops below 100 miles and charge it to 80% max. If I know I have a long trip, I’ll plug it in a day or two before, charging it from 9 PM to 9 AM, and set the max charge to 100%. This gives me about 270 miles if I drive carefully and conserve power.
If you go for a used car, you might find Chevy Bolts for around $10k since some rental companies are selling them off.
Just keep an eye out for deals because if you’re financing a used car, leasing a new EV could end up being cheaper. We just got a Subaru Solterra for $330 a month, but there are even better deals out there right now.
@Teal
It’s tough to find a Hertz Bolt for $10k, I believe they’re mostly 2023 models now. Still, there are great deals if you qualify for the used credit.
Meade said: @Teal
It’s tough to find a Hertz Bolt for $10k, I believe they’re mostly 2023 models now. Still, there are great deals if you qualify for the used credit.
Yes, we have a Bolt in the family, and he loves it!
If charging is your main concern, I’ve noticed a lot of fast chargers around (in suburban areas and upstate NY) where I can park for 40-60 minutes and do other things, like in downtown spots or near parks. Check if that’s the case in Pennsylvania.
If so, you could spend about an hour running errands while it charges every week or so. For what it’s worth: I have a 2023 Chevy Bolt, which has about a 250-mile range (and I would recommend it as well since it looks like a great car).
I own a BMW i3 with a range extender (2017 model, so 94ah). For me, it’s plenty of range. I don’t mind stopping for 30-40 minutes on road trips, and the range extender really helps. You might want to check out this forum for BMW i3 experiences and road trip tips if you choose that route. It’s a great car for the right person.
Also, consider the ID4 Pro and Pro S for features like massage seats, a 360-degree camera, and a panoramic glass roof. If you’re lucky, you might find the AWD Pro with extra power, if that’s something you’re interested in.
I only know about the 2022 ID4 AWD Pro because that’s what I have.