Question 1

What should I check before buying a used EV?

Accepted Answer

Start with the battery, because it is the most expensive part of the car. Ask for a battery health report or a photo of the range shown at a full charge, and compare it with the range the car had when new. Then check the remaining battery and powertrain warranty, open recalls (search the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls), the title status (clean, rebuilt or salvage, and whether there is a loan on it), service records, the tires (EVs are heavy and can wear tires faster), the charge port, and which charging cable and adapters come with the car. On the test drive, make sure the car charges, and that the heating and air conditioning work.

Question 2

What is battery health, and how much do batteries degrade?

Accepted Answer

Battery health (sometimes called state of health) is how much energy the battery can hold today compared with when it was new. All EV batteries lose some capacity with age and use. How much depends on the model, the climate, how often the car was fast-charged, and how it was stored. There is no single number that applies to every car, so ask the seller for evidence for the car in front of you rather than relying on averages.

Question 3

How can I verify the battery health of a car I am looking at?

Accepted Answer

There is no single standard report yet. Good evidence includes a battery health check from the manufacturer or a service center, the battery health screen that some cars show in their own menus, or a photo of the dashboard range at a known charge level alongside the odometer reading. For a bigger purchase, consider paying for a pre-purchase inspection from a shop that works on EVs.

Question 4

How much range do I really need?

Accepted Answer

Think about your longest regular day, not your longest trip of the year. Add a margin for cold weather, highway speeds and battery aging, and remember that most owners charge to less than 100% day to day. If you can charge at home, a car with a modest range can cover most daily driving. If you rely on public charging, look closely at which fast-charging networks are near you and which connector the car uses.

Question 5

How much range will I lose in cold weather?

Accepted Answer

Expect less range in winter. Cold batteries hold and deliver less energy, and heating the cabin uses power too. The drop varies widely by model, temperature and trip length — short trips in freezing weather are the worst case. A car with a heat pump usually loses less. Preheating the car while it is still plugged in helps. Ask the seller what range they see in winter, not just in summer.

Question 6

What warranty does a used EV have?

Accepted Answer

Many EVs sold in the United States carry a battery warranty of at least 8 years or 100,000 miles, and some manufacturers and states go further. Terms differ: some warranties cover only outright failure, others also cover capacity falling below a stated level, and not every warranty transfers in full to a second owner. Check the manufacturer's terms for the exact model year, and ask the seller for the car's original in-service date, because that is when the clock started.

Question 7

Are there incentives for buying a used EV?

Accepted Answer

It depends on where you live. Some states, cities and electric utilities offer rebates or bill credits for buying a used EV or for installing a home charger, and the programs change often. Check your state energy office and your electric utility for what is available today. The federal tax credit for used clean vehicles is not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. Frunkery does not give tax advice — ask a tax professional about your own situation.

Question 8

Does Frunkery list hybrids or plug-in hybrids?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Frunkery is built around fully electric cars, and plug-in hybrids, hybrids and hydrogen cars are welcome too; every listing says plainly what powers it. Gas- or diesel-only cars can't be listed.

Question 9

Can I charge at home? What are Level 1 and Level 2?

Accepted Answer

Level 1 charging uses a standard 120-volt household outlet. It is slow — typically a few miles of range per hour — but it can be enough if you drive short distances and plug in every night. Level 2 uses a 240-volt circuit, like an electric dryer, and typically adds a few dozen miles of range per hour, which refills most cars overnight. A Level 2 charger should be installed by a licensed electrician, and your home's electrical panel needs enough spare capacity. If you rent or live in a condo, ask your landlord or HOA before you buy the car.

Question 10

What is DC fast charging?

Accepted Answer

DC fast charging is what you use on road trips. It can take many cars from a low charge to around 80% in well under an hour, but the speed depends on the car, the charger, the battery temperature and how full the battery already is. Every car has a maximum fast-charging rate, and some older or lower-cost EVs charge much more slowly than newer ones. Check the figure for the exact model you are considering.

Question 11

What are NACS, CCS, CHAdeMO and J1772?

Accepted Answer

They are charging connectors. J1772 is the long-standing North American plug for Level 1 and Level 2 charging. CCS (CCS1) adds two large pins below a J1772 port for DC fast charging. NACS, also known as SAE J3400, is the connector Tesla developed; it handles both home and fast charging, and most automakers are moving to it for new models. CHAdeMO is an older fast-charging plug found mainly on the Nissan Leaf and a few other models, and new CHAdeMO stations are becoming harder to find.

Question 12

Do I need an adapter?

Accepted Answer

Possibly. Adapters let a car with one port use a charger with a different plug — for example, a J1772-to-NACS adapter for home and public Level 2 charging, or a NACS-to-CCS adapter for fast charging. Whether a car can use a particular fast-charging network, including Tesla Superchargers, depends on the automaker and the model, not only on the adapter. Use adapters approved by the car's manufacturer, and ask the seller which adapters are included in the sale.

Question 13

What charging equipment should come with a used EV?

Accepted Answer

Ask. Many EVs were sold with a portable charging cable, and some with adapters, but not all, and previous owners do not always pass them on. A wall-mounted home charger normally stays with the house unless the seller says otherwise. A good listing states exactly what is included.

Question 14

Is it free to browse listings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Browsing, searching and viewing listings is free, and you do not need an account to browse.

Question 15

How do I contact a seller? How do inquiries work?

Accepted Answer

Every listing has an inquiry form. Enter your name, email and message, and we pass it to the seller. Every inquiry is checked for scam and spam patterns first, to protect sellers. The seller replies to you directly, and from there the conversation is between the two of you.

Question 16

Can I save listings to view later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Create a free account and select the heart icon on any listing to save it. Your saved listings are in your dashboard.

Question 17

Can I get an alert when a matching EV is listed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Go to the Want to Buy page and describe what you are looking for. We will email you when a matching listing is published.

Question 18

How do I stay safe when meeting a seller?

Accepted Answer

Meet in daylight in a public place — many police departments offer a marked safe-exchange area — and bring someone with you. See the car, the title and the seller's ID in person before any money changes hands, and check that the name on the title matches the ID. Never pay a deposit to "hold" a car you have not seen, and be wary of a price that is far below similar cars, a seller who cannot meet, or a request to pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency or a wire to a third party.

Question 19

Does Frunkery handle payment or the title?

Accepted Answer

No. Frunkery introduces buyers and sellers. It does not hold, process or guarantee funds, and it does not handle the title or registration. Title transfer follows your state's DMV (or motor vehicle agency) process, and the rules differ by state. This is general information, not legal advice.

Question 20

Does Frunkery inspect or guarantee the vehicles?

Accepted Answer

No. Listings are written by their sellers. We review listings and filter scam inquiries, but we do not inspect vehicles or verify every statement in a listing. Check the car and its paperwork yourself, and consider an independent pre-purchase inspection.

Question 21

How much does it cost to list my EV?

Accepted Answer

Nothing. Listing on Frunkery is free for private sellers, and there is no commission when you sell.

Question 22

How do I list my EV?

Accepted Answer

Select Sell in the navigation, create an account or sign in, and follow the step-by-step listing form. Have your photos, the odometer reading and your battery and charging details ready.

Question 23

Who can list?

Accepted Answer

Private sellers in the United States can list any electrified car: fully electric, plug-in hybrid or hybrid. Gas-only cars can't be listed. Dealers and other EV businesses can get in touch through the For Business page.

Question 24

Is my listing reviewed before it goes live?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Listings from private sellers are reviewed before they are published. This keeps the marketplace clean for everyone, and it is one of the reasons listing can be free.

Question 25

What photos should I include?

Accepted Answer

Clear daylight photos of the front, rear and both sides, the interior, the dashboard showing the odometer and the range at a known charge level, the wheels and tires, the charge port, and any charging equipment included in the sale. Show any damage honestly — it saves everyone time.

Question 26

Can I edit my listing, or mark it as sold?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sign in to your dashboard at any time to update the price, description or photos, to mark the vehicle as sold, or to take the listing down.

Question 27

I am a dealer. Can I list on Frunkery?

Accepted Answer

We are talking to early dealer partners now. Tell us about your business on the For Business page and we will be in touch.

Question 28

How do I create an account or sign in?

Accepted Answer

Select "Sign In" in the navigation. To create an account, enter your details and we email you a 6-digit code to confirm your address. After that you can sign in with your password, or ask for a 6-digit code by email instead.

Question 29

How is my personal information handled?

Accepted Answer

Our Privacy Policy explains what we collect, why, and the choices you have.

Question 30

How do I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

Email us at hello@frunkery.com from the address on your account and we will process your request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Buying a used EV

Charging

Using Frunkery as a buyer

Selling on Frunkery

Account and privacy