Unlocking electric dreams: How to snag a used EV for under $3,000

Unlocking electric dreams: How to snag a used EV for under $3,000

Used electric vehicles are becoming an increasingly viable option for budget-conscious buyers, offering significant savings compared to new models.

Michael J. Coren reports for The Washington Post.


In short:

  • The average price of electric vehicles (EVs) has dropped significantly, with used models now accessible below $3,000, supported by federal incentives and a growing used market.
  • Automotive analysts note that the used EV market is thriving, with increased availability and lower prices due to technological advancements and aggressive pricing strategies by manufacturers like Tesla.
  • Research indicates that EV batteries are lasting longer than expected, reducing long-term ownership costs and environmental impact.

Key quote:

"It is the best time ever to buy a used EV."

— Ivan Drury, automotive market analyst at Edmunds

Why this matters:

With prices dropping and technology improving, more consumers can consider electric options, aligning personal budget constraints with environmental benefits.

Traditional gasoline-powered vehicles emit pollutants linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and other health issues. By making EVs more accessible, we're not only working towards a greener planet but also cleaner air and potentially fewer health-related expenses for millions of people.

The flag of the Department of Homeland Security featuring a flying eagle grasping a branch and arrows in its claws.

Texas floods reignite fight over FEMA and weather cuts amid Trump’s second term

Catastrophic floods in central Texas have deepened partisan divides in Congress, with Democrats accusing President Trump’s administration of weakening the country’s ability to prevent and respond to natural disasters.

Andres Picon reports for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
A burned classic truck sitting in a burned forest.

California faces growing disaster costs as Trump moves to scale back FEMA aid

As California rebuilds from its deadliest wildfire season in years, state officials warn that President Trump’s proposed cuts to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid could leave communities without the support they need to recover.

Jeremy Lindenfeld reports for Capital & Main.

Keep reading...Show less
person with umbrella walking on road between green grass field during daytime.

Climate change is disrupting South Asia’s monsoon and raising flood risks

Erratic monsoon rains driven by climate change are fueling deadly floods, landslides, and glacial lake overflows across South Asia.

Sibi Arasu reports for The Associated Press.

Keep reading...Show less
A closeup of a pile of oysters.

Oyster farms face growing threat from ocean acidification in the Pacific Northwest

As ocean acidification accelerates off the West Coast, scientists and shellfish farmers warn that the future of the $270 million oyster industry in Washington State may hang in the balance.

Jim Robbins reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
A row of wind turbines alongside a canal.

Texas grid thrives on renewables as Trump targets clean energy subsidies

President Trump is rolling back federal support for wind and solar power, but data from Texas — home to the nation’s most renewable-heavy grid — shows lower prices and fewer outages than fossil-fuel-heavy regions.

Tim McLaughlin reports for Reuters.

Keep reading...Show less
Electricity grid towers stretching across fields into the distance.

Europe’s power grid upgrades fall €250 billion short as demand surges

Europe’s top electricity grid operators face a massive funding gap as they race to expand and modernize infrastructure needed to meet rising demand, a new report warns.

Nina Chestney reports for Reuters.

Keep reading...Show less
An aerial view of a marina on Dauphin Island in Alabama.

Rebuilt coastal marshes may offer flood insurance savings to Alabama homeowners

A pilot project on Alabama’s Dauphin Island is testing whether natural shoreline restoration can reduce home flood insurance costs as climate change drives up storm damage and premiums.

Sydney Cromwell reports for Southern Science.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.