Looking for a Used Electric Truck You Can Actually Afford in 2025?
Good news: 2025 is the first year you can realistically buy a used electric pickup under $35,000 and not end up with a disaster on wheels.
A couple years ago, that price wouldn’t get you anywhere near an electric truck. But now? The first wave of Rivians, Lightnings, and other EV trucks are hitting the used market. Some are coming off lease. Others are early builds being traded in for newer trims. Either way, it means real buyers finally have real choices — if you know what you’re doing.
Because let’s be honest: not every EV truck holds up well. Range loss, software issues, towing failures, poor resale value — this is a space full of early tech and big promises. That’s why I wrote this. Not just a list of trucks, but what they’re actually like after 3–4 years of driving, towing, and cold starts.
If you’re shopping used electric pickups under $35K this year, this is the no-fluff guide you need.
What You Can Expect Under $35K in 2025
Let’s set expectations first. Here’s what you’re likely to find in this price range:
- Early builds (2022–2023) of Rivian R1T or Ford F-150 Lightning
- Fleet-spec trims with fewer options (but simpler = fewer problems)
- Mid-range battery packs, not extended ones
- Some trucks with over 50K miles
- Plenty of former commercial use trucks hitting auction sites
And that’s fine — because what matters is battery health, charging behavior, drivetrain condition, and whether or not you’re buying something that’ll still be worth driving in 3 years.
What to Look for in a Used EV Pickup
Battery degradation, powertrain quirks, and software updates matter more than mileage in this category. Here’s what actually matters:
Battery State of Health (SOH)
Aim for 85% or better. Under 80%? Walk away unless it’s priced way under.
Charging Curve
Some early trucks throttle heavily above 50% — and you won’t see that on paper.
Thermal Management
Trucks with poor heat management lose power fast when towing or driving in hot climates.
Software History
Was it updated? Does it still support over-the-air updates? Old firmware causes headaches.
Usage Type
Fleet use = higher mileage but often better maintenance. Private trucks? More wear on interior and tires but less battery abuse.
The Best Used Electric Pickups Under $35K in 2025
Let’s go truck by truck. These are the ones I’d actually consider — with notes on which trims, battery packs, and years are smart buys.
1. 2022–2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro Standard Range
Used Price: $30,000–$34,900
Original Range: 230 miles
Real-World Range (2025): 180–200 miles
Battery: 98 kWh (standard)
Charging Speed: 120–150 kW
Towing Capacity: Up to 7,700 lbs
Why It’s Worth It
The Pro trim is Ford’s fleet-spec work truck, but that’s not a bad thing. It skips the complex tech, skips the sunroof, and skips a lot of what breaks. What you get is a usable electric pickup with solid towing ability and reasonable range. No frills, just function.
What to Watch
Check charging logs — some early Lightnings had battery balancing issues that caused inconsistent fast charging. Also, the ride is stiff compared to Rivian, and the towing range drops fast (like 50% fast). Still, if you’re doing job site runs or daily commutes, it works.
What Owners Say
They love the quiet power and torque, hate the rapid range drop when towing. Most say they’d buy again — but with a bigger pack if they had the cash.
2. 2022 Rivian R1T Dual-Motor Standard Pack (High Mileage Builds)
Used Price: $34,000–$35,000 (rare)
Original Range: 260–270 miles
Real-World Range (2025): 210–230 miles
Battery: 105 kWh usable
Charging Speed: 200+ kW
Towing Capacity: 11,000 lbs
Why It’s Worth It
This is a unicorn, but you can find early builds that were used hard and priced low. Think 70K+ miles, former press fleet or fleet lease. If the battery’s healthy and the air suspension’s still solid, it’s arguably the best truck under $35K — if you don’t care about luxury trim levels.
What to Watch
Air suspension leaks. Replaced motors. Older software versions that haven’t been updated. These trucks were early tech showcases, not volume products. You want a truck that’s had regular OTA updates and passed Rivian’s post-service inspection.
What Owners Say
Drivers rave about the power and handling, especially off-road. But resale is soft, and early builds had fit/finish issues. Still, for this price? It’s a steal.
3. 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT Standard Range (High Mileage or Light Hail Damage)
Used Price: $32,000–$35,000
Original Range: 230 miles
Real-World Range (2025): 190–210 miles
Battery: 98 kWh
Charging Speed: 150 kW
Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs
Why It’s Worth It
The XLT trim adds more interior quality and some creature comforts without stepping up to Lariat pricing. If you find one with minor cosmetic issues or high miles, you can sometimes snag a deal under $35K. Same solid drivetrain as the Pro.
What to Watch
Check for software recall completion. Some early XLTs had buggy Sync screens and rear tailgate sensor failures. Mechanically, though, most have held up well.
What Owners Say
Reliable, smooth, and familiar to anyone coming from a gas F-150. Not glamorous, but gets the job done. Great daily + occasional tow rig.
4. 2022 Canoo Pickup (Fleet Liquidation or Demo Units)
Used Price: $29,000–$34,000
Original Range: 200 miles
Real-World Range (2025): 160–180 miles
Battery: 80 kWh
Charging Speed: 100 kW
Towing Capacity: 1,800 lbs
Why It’s Worth It
Let’s be clear — this isn’t a full-size workhorse. It’s a compact electric truck that’s weird, fun, and incredibly affordable on the used market thanks to fleet sell-offs. If you need a commuter or a second vehicle with some bed space, this could be the cheapest EV truck that still works.
What to Watch
The company’s stability. Canoo is still figuring things out financially, and service support varies wildly. Also, range drops off in cold weather, and cabin insulation is minimal.
What Owners Say
Surprisingly nimble, goofy design, and great for city use. Not a highway bruiser, but fun as hell for what it is.
5. 2022 Lordstown Endurance (Auction Units Only)
Used Price: $22,000–$30,000
Original Range: 200 miles
Real-World Range (2025): 150–170 miles
Battery: 95 kWh
Charging Speed: 100 kW
Towing Capacity: 6,000 lbs
Why It’s Here
This truck exists in a strange place — discontinued, but still roadworthy. If you find one at auction that hasn’t been beat up, it could be a decent temporary solution. Just know it’s a short-term play.
What to Watch
Parts availability. Support is minimal. Don’t buy unless it’s been serviced recently and includes documentation. Good winter tires are a must — stock grip is weak.
What Owners Say
It drives better than people expect, but parts are already scarce. Resale will be a problem, but range is manageable if your routes are predictable.
What You Won’t Find Under $35K (Yet)
Some trucks still haven’t hit the used market low enough:
- Chevy Silverado EV — Not yet available used under $50K
- Ram 1500 REV — No significant used inventory in 2025
- Tesla Cybertruck — Used units are way above $35K, even for base trims
- GMC Hummer EV — Still luxury-priced and out of range
These will show up in 2026–2027 as early lease returns or after-market softening, but they’re still out of budget today.
Range vs. Towing: What You’re Actually Getting
Every EV truck loses range when towing — it’s just physics. Here’s what you can expect in real numbers:
Rivian R1T
11,000 lb tow rating
Real towing range: 110–130 miles with a 5,000 lb trailer
Ford Lightning
7,700 lb tow rating (standard pack)
Real towing range: 100–120 miles at 60 mph
Canoo Pickup
1,800 lb tow rating
Real towing range: 80–100 miles with light loads
Lordstown Endurance
6,000 lb tow rating
Real towing range: ~90 miles with 3,500 lbs
Don’t believe inflated numbers. Every EV truck loses 40–50% of range when towing moderate loads at highway speeds.
Best Overall Value in 2025: Ford Lightning Pro Standard Range
Why It Wins
It’s reliable, serviceable, and priced right. Battery performance is decent, it charges well, and you can find it with verified fleet maintenance records. For under $35K, nothing offers more range, support, and utility in one package.
What We Think
Used electric trucks are finally becoming real options for real buyers in 2025 — and $35,000 is the tipping point.
You won’t get luxury. You won’t get extended packs or cutting-edge tech. But if you shop smart, get a battery report, and go in knowing what these trucks were built to do, you can drive away with something that’s useful, efficient, and surprisingly capable.
The Ford Lightning Pro and XLT trims are your best bets. A Rivian R1T under $35K? Jump on it — but make sure it’s not hiding suspension issues or powertrain quirks. And if you’re open to weird? Canoo could be a fun second truck that keeps your daily costs low.
Watch for battery health. Scan for updates. Don’t get sucked in by badges or press hype. The right truck isn’t always the most famous one — it’s the one that still pulls, still charges, and still gets you home.
