Used electric cars: Which one should you choose?

I need a new car. It's been on my mind for a while, and now it's unavoidable. An electric car would be nice because: it feels environmentally friendly and still accelerates quickly. For someone who's driven combustion engines for decades, such a step isn't easy. Because ordering a charging card isn't enough. And because a lot of money is involved. €30,000, €40,000 for a used car isn't peanuts. Or is it?

For some, it seems so – that's a feeling you can get when you're at the dealership. You want help in a quasi-emergency situation, when your car is about to give up the ghost. You also want to feel a little important. And have someone at your side who can take your fears away; and no, it doesn't help if the dealer insists there are no problems at all with their brand.

First attempt: a VW ID3. At the agreed time, three other people were still waiting. The salesman first consults a man who arrived later but had already bought a car here. Then you can see the car, one of the many leased returns in the lot, in shades of gray once reserved for the German armed forces. Car history? Not much to tell. Test drive? Reluctantly. Apparently, buying a car is only a big deal for the customer.

Next try, a different model. The salesman hands you the key, happy to take a look for yourself first, somewhere back there. The Ioniq 5, this colossus, is so popular with him that he advertises the cars before they even arrive in the yard. Very new used cars, low miles on them. They're all sold online, he says. Sold as seen. Viewing the car at a dealership is apparently a thing of the past.

Although, not to be unfair: Dealer number three is almost overly friendly in his efforts to get a car to the woman. He drives the car out of the parking space in the rain; he doesn't even have to get in; the car can do it itself. It's just the wrong model. Small battery, even though he asked for the larger one. It doesn't matter, it's a woman driving. The team calls again later, though, when a suitable car arrives.

The powertrain revolution is both a blessing and a curse for both buyers and sellers. The used market for electric cars is still relatively small, with few older vehicles and little experience. Dealers without direct contact with manufacturers quickly find themselves with outdated models on their yards – and the resulting pressure. And sellers are likely to be inundated with ultimately non-binding "I'm interested in your car" inquiries. For potential customers, an event like the IAA can leave them reeling: too much, too fast. New products are constantly coming onto the market with even greater range, even more details that technology enthusiasts can enjoy. But these can cause sleepless nights for those who just want to get from A to B by car. Residual value? Incalculable!

I'm now a member of five EV Facebook groups. I now find out in real time when another "ICCU issue" pops up in England or the US, a 12-volt battery fails – and the driver (women rarely speak up here, but are mentioned indirectly: "I'm charging, my wife is out shopping.") gets palpitations. The most common tip in this case: have an external starter battery in the frunk! You also have to be familiar with this expression for the small trunk under the hood. You read jokes about "diesel Dieters" and equally stupid comments from non-EV drivers. You meet many people who are very happy with their decision, who post photos of their EVs from vacation and talk about how easily they mastered long distances. And then there are people who want to "jump in the deep end" and write: "Hi, I'm new here, can you help me?" And at least in the self-help forums, there is always someone to help you in the complicated new world of cars.

Dealer number four, by the way, was extremely forthcoming. It was about a used combustion engine.

The author doesn't have a new car yet. But she does have friends who lend her a car.