The EVs You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Last edit: June 22 2025 • 425 view
Every day, more electric vehicles hit the road, and in 15–20 years, gas-powered cars may become rare. Today, everyone knows names like Tesla or the Chevrolet Bolt EV, but many electric vehicles flew under the radar. Let’s explore some rare EVs you may have never heard of – and guess what? You can still find many of them at online EV auctions on CARS4.BID.
Tesla Roadster
You could say the EV revolution started with the Tesla Roadster. Yes, electric cars existed before, but this was the first mass-produced EV with over 200 miles of range.
It was built on the Lotus Elise frame, and only about 2,450 units were made. Some are still listed at auction – some sell for over $100K! If you’re into collectible electric vehicles, add this one to your watchlist. It’s a real piece of electric vehicle history.
Toyota RAV4 EV
Most people don’t even know this EV existed. Even more surprising – it was developed by Toyota in partnership with Tesla Motors. Tesla provided the battery and motor, very similar to early Teslas.
Only about 2,600 vehicles were made, and they were sold only in California. Today, you might find one at a salvage EV auction as a repair project. If you love rare models, don’t miss this one – some are listed for Buy Now at CARS4.BID.
Smart Fortwo Electric Drive
One of the smallest electric cars ever made – perfect for city driving. The second generation used a Tesla battery and motor. Since 2018, Smart became an EV-only brand in the US.
The Fortwo Electric Drive was also one of the cheapest EVs on the market. And the best part? You can still buy used Smart EVs at great prices through online auto auctions.
Chevrolet Spark EV
One of the first electric cars from GM, and also very rare – only around 7,400 were made. It was a compliance car created to meet California’s zero-emission rules.
Despite its size, it had incredible torque (542 Nm), making it one of the fastest small EVs off the line. Sold mostly in California, Oregon, and Maryland, it still gets great reviews for performance. If you’re looking for a cheap used EV, this is a smart choice.
CODA EV
One of the rarest electric vehicles ever sold in the US only about 700 to 1,000 cars were made by CODA Automotive, a California-based startup.
It used a body from the Chinese Hafei Saibao and lacked modern features. CODA went bankrupt in 2013, but today, the CODA EV is a true collector’s item. If you’re into rare salvage EVs, keep an eye out – they show up from time to time at used EV auctions.
Honda Fit EV & Honda Clarity Electric
Honda also stepped into the EV market with two rare models: the Fit EV and the Clarity Electric. Both were lease-only EVs, built in small numbers.
- Fit EV: only 1,100 made
- Clarity Electric: about 2,500 made
They were available in California and Oregon. Today, both are very rare at auctions, but can sometimes be found on CARS4.BID. These are great choices for rebuild projects or budget-friendly EV ownership.
Dodge Charger EV
The Charger Daytona EV is a muscle car that many thought should never exist – after all, everyone knows the real American 1968 Charger. But now, the legendary Dodge Charger has gone electric.
It’s a full-electric muscle car with Fratzonic Chambered Exhaust (a fake but loud EV sound), eRupt transmission (feels like manual), and classic retro style.
Some have already sold at auction – one 2024 Dodge Charger sold for $30,750. More are coming soon. If you’re ready to accept that the Charger is now electric, keep watching auctions. This is a bold chapter in EV muscle car history.
Final Thoughts
From the early Tesla Roadster to the rare CODA EV, there are many electric vehicles for sale that most people have never heard of. These cars may be rare, but they still pop up at Copart and IAAI auctions – and you can find and bid on them at CARS4.BID.
So if you’re looking to buy a cheap electric vehicle, a used EV, or a unique EV project car, check out our inventory and start bidding today.
