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The electric car—an also-ran in the automotive world for decades—is finally going mainstream. Nobody knows for sure, but there’s strong evidence that EVs will slowly take over the new car marketplace. Sales of EVs are being spurred by governments (such as California, China, and the European Union) that are eager to reduce carbon emissions from transportation.
That brings us to Earth Day 2021. Electric vehicles are the gold standard for reducing pollution from cars and trucks—even when you consider the production of electricity and the manufacturing of batteries. Besides, electric cars are fun to drive. And they offer tons of torque and a whisper-quiet ride.
Yes, EVs are still a small part of the global marketplace today—just 2.7 percent in 2020. But they’re poised to nearly triple sales by 2025.
If you’re thinking about jumping on the EV bandwagon, eBay has you covered. We have new and used models from all the major electric-car brands—including Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, and Tesla. There are parts for EVs as well.
Shop now for an electric vehicleHere are some standouts among the current and upcoming crop of EVs.
Coolest New EV: Mustang Mach-E
Ford Mustang Mach-E
There was a lot of debate over making Ford’s new electric vehicle a Mustang. The all-electric Mach-E utility has little to do with classic pony cars. But the performance is better than a galloping horse. The upcoming 480-horsepower GT Performance Edition will reach 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds.
There are also tons of cool tech on board, including a giant iPad-like center console screen. The base car starts at $42,895 and has a range of 210 to 300 miles, depending on the model. Mach-Es are already on eBay.
Fastest EV: Tesla Model S Plaid
Tesla Model S Plaid
There is an incredible crop of new multi-million-dollar all-electric supercars. For example, Croatia-built Rimac claims 1.85 seconds to 60 mph for the forthcoming and very exclusive C_Two. It reportedly can reach 258 mph and provide 400 miles of range.
The C_Two has a $2 million price tag, making the 2021 Tesla Model S Plaid version a bargain at about $120,000. It can reach 60 mph in just under two seconds. Tesla says the Model S Plaid will be the quickest production car ever made, when it arrives in late 2021. While we’re waiting, check out eBay’s inventory for the Tesla Model S, including many relatively affordable performance variants. The Porsche Taycan is also no slouch.
Most Affordable EV: 2012 Nissan Leaf
Nissan’s status as an early bird in the EV market—it arrived in 2011—means there are plenty of very affordable early models on the market. They’re pretty quick off the line and serve as credible daily transport, with one caveat—range.
The first-generation Leaf has a range of only 73 miles, and the SL model can go 95 miles on a charge. Since most people don’t travel more than 35 miles in a day, these early Leafs can provide capable service as your commuter car. They are loaded with useful tech, and the electric hatches produce zero emissions at the tailpipe. Best of all, they start as low as about $5,000. Zip over to eBay’s Leaf selection for Earth Day.
Longest Range EV: Big-Battery Teslas
2018 Tesla Model S P100D
The new Tesla Model S Plaid+, discussed above, is expected to arrive in late 2021 with a whopping 520 miles of range. But if a super long-range electric car is your goal, then there’s no reason to wait. eBay offers a wide selection of Model Ss with a big battery. Look for the 90D and 100D versions, which exceed 300 miles on a single charge. Some go as far as 335 miles before needing to re-charge.
Model S variants with a “75” in the name—and those emphasizing performance—won’t go quite as far per charge. But they all offer way more miles than what most drivers use on a regular basis.
Meanwhile, the long-range versions of the smaller and generally more affordable Tesla Model 3 also exceed 300 miles. Tesla cars also benefit from the company’s wide-reaching Supercharger network.
Coolest Electric Conversions
An Audi TT converted to run on electricity
Over the years, eBay Motors has offered all kinds of classic cars converted to run on electricity. The list includes everything from a classic VW Beetle to a luxury Ford Bronco.
On Earth Day 2021, there is an electric Audi TT for sale on eBay. It uses a professional conversion kit from CanEV.com. The kit includes an AC50 motor and Curtis Controller. The row of 30 180-amp-hour batteries is installed behind the rear seats. They are controlled by an Orion2 Battery Management System—one of the best available.
If the TT isn’t to your taste, eBay also has electric examples of the 1966 Corvette Stingray and the 1974 Porsche 914.
Earth Day is Thursday, April 22. Check out the range of activities that are EV-related.
