With the Clean Car Discount offering a rebate of $3450 for used Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) being registered for the first time in New Zealand, there’s been added interest in these models.
To be eligible for the rebate, used BEVs must fall under the $80,000 price bracket (including GST and on-road costs) and have a minimum of a three-star safety rating as found on rightcar.govt.nz. Here are some worthy models that can meet the current rebate criteria. We’ve suggested a typical age, specification and mileage, but click here to see the full range of used BEVs on DRIVEN.
NISSAN LEAF 40KWH
Typical example: 2018, 57,000KM, $34,000, five star safety rating
The current generation of Nissan Leaf has been around long enough for affordable examples to be available in the used import market.
The exterior styling of the Leaf is sleek and modern thanks to its signature boomerang-shaped projector beam headlights with dual, direct-lens low and high beams. These lights work cohesively with Nissan’s signature V-motion flow style to reduce drag to just 0.28 Cd.
READ MORE
At the heart of all the enhancements on the previous Leaf is the 40kWh lithium ion battery, which houses cells that are around 67 per cent greater in density compared with the original 24kWh pack. When new, you could expect a range of 270km, but a car of this age will likely have a State of Health (SoH) around 89 per cent, giving 240km.
Although it’s relatively compact, 110kW/320Nm is impressive. The e-Pedal function allows increased energy recuperation with a one-pedal driving experience similar to the BMW i3, so when you release the accelerator it will pull the car to a complete stop.
To view all Nissan Leaf models listed on DRIVEN, click here
The Nissan Leaf is a fun, compact choice and well worth a look if you’re after a compact BEV.
VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF
Typical example: 2019, 22,000km, $48,500, five stars
The Volkswagen e-Golf shares the same good looks as a “regular” Golf, and boasts some impressive safety technology like crash avoidance with autonomous braking, cross traffic monitoring and lane change assist. These aids help it achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
It has an output of 100kW/290Nm and a 220km range from new. Many are still low mileage and offer extra creature comforts like heated front seats and a full leather interior.
To view all Volkswagen e-Golf models listed on DRIVEN, click here
The e-Golf is worth a look if you’re looking for a near-new European styled BEV with an enticing suite of modern technology and assistive features.
TESLA MODEL S P85
Typical example: 2014, 80,900km, $63,000, five stars
The Tesla Model S was once the crown jewel of the BEV scene and Tesla, as a brand, really got the conversation started for BEVs.
The Model S luxury sedan range started life back in 2014 with the 60, 85 and P85. They all used the same electric motor driving the rear wheels and their performance and range was only altered by the size of the battery packs.
When new, the Model S P85 had a range of 426km and boasted a huge 310kW driven to a single-speed transmission, giving a 0-100km/h time of just 4.2 seconds.
To view all Tesla Model S vehicles listed on DRIVEN, click here
The Model S also features adjustable air suspension, along with 19-inch alloys and a gorgeous expansive panoramic roof. The hero of the cabin, however, is the intuitive 17-inch touchscreen panel which dominates the minimalist dashboard.
HONDA E
Typical example: 2020, 5500km, $63,000, five stars
This near-new model is currently unavailable new in NZ, but there are several used examples trickling onto the market.
When the Urban EV concept car was unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, there was a lot of interest in this pint-sized BEV. Honda went on to make the model just a few years later, retaining a lot of the original features.
The e has a futuristic-retro vibe thanks to some unusual features and a unique look. The interior is what Honda calls a “lounge-style environment”, with a good dose of fake wood trim dotted around the cabin. The E is also stuffed with screens - two six-inch angled displays for the wing mirrors and one for the rear-view mirror, an 8.8-inch instrument cluster behind the two-spoke steering wheel and two side-by-side 12.3-inch screens.
The battery of the e is relatively small at just 35.5kWh, but it still has a useful range of around 215km. It proves that a BEV doesn’t need to be super powerful to still grab the attention of passers-by. With that being said, look for the more powerful 113kW motor over the regular 100kW variant.
To view all Honda e models listed on DRIVEN, click here
Honda has recently agreed to a joint venture with General Motors (GM) to produce two all-new BEVs scheduled for release in 2024, using GM’s Ultium battery technology. So, watch this space for some more unique BEVs.