Many of the fears that deter buyers from taking the plunge into an electric used car are related to battery life and maintenance. But those who take the time to look past the hysteria and do their research can find some compelling options.

When shopping for a electric used car, it’s important to test drive the vehicle and make sure that its EPA-estimated driving range works for your needs. Also, be aware that EV batteries can degrade over time due to age, climatic conditions and how much the vehicle is driven or charged. However, the good news is that most EV manufacturers cover the cost of battery degradation in their warranties — and since the batteries are one of the most expensive parts of an EV, this protection can be significant.

Quality and Efficiency: Used Electric Cars

It’s also a good idea to buy an EV that’s still under its original warranty, or at least in the early stages of its second-life extension. And while odometer readings aren’t the best indicator of how an EV’s battery is doing, Toprak says that a low odometer indicates that the vehicle has been used and charged regularly.

While prices of most used EVs have declined over the last year, a handful of models have seen their prices rise. BMW, for example, has seen a surge in the availability of its plug-in hybrids (the 5-series 550e and 3-series 330e, as well as its X5 xDrive40e) in the past six months.