After finding a used Hyundai Ioniq 5 in Germany listed at a much lower price than similar models in Portugal, one buyer flew to Munich, picked up the electric vehicle, and drove it roughly 1,243 miles (2,000 kilometers) home — turning the purchase into a cross-continental road trip.
Here's what to know
Posting in the r/Ioniq5 community on Reddit, the buyer said the vehicle was a used 2022 Ioniq 5 with the smaller 58-kWh battery. The appeal of buying abroad, they explained, was that the model was "considerably cheaper in Germany than in Portugal."
The purchase did not happen instantly. The buyer described an extended exchange with an official Hyundai dealer in Germany, followed by about a week spent waiting for paperwork before heading to Munich for the handoff. Once the car was theirs, they "exited the dealership and immediately started a 2,000 km journey home."
What followed was a two-day drive through Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal, with 12 charging stops along the way. The poster also mentioned "astonishing views," daytime heat "always above 36 °C [96.8° Fahrenheit]," and reaching some chargers with less than 10% battery left.
More background
Much of the savings came from where the car was bought. A lower purchase price makes EV ownership more attainable, and driving electric can also reduce ongoing costs compared with a gas-powered vehicle, particularly for fueling and routine maintenance.
After the local registration and insurance were sorted out, the poster wrote, "After tomorrow I will be commuting with it every day!"
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The experience was not just about the drive home. It also meant dealing with paperwork, setting up charging apps, planning the route, and adjusting to the quirks of an unfamiliar vehicle.
One commenter joked about a common criticism of the model's turning radius, writing, "Oh yes, our beauty needs some space when turning."
Another offered a simpler bit of reassurance: "You do get used to it!"
What can be done?
The post offered a practical roadmap, including comparing prices across regions, asking detailed questions before committing to a purchase, and leaving enough time for registration and insurance if the vehicle will cross borders.
Charging apps, route planning, and backup options can make the difference between a smooth trip and a stressful one, especially in extreme heat or unfamiliar places.
The poster's experience also underscored the importance of expecting an adjustment period while learning a new EV's range, charging habits, and driving feel.
The used EV market is opening more doors. Shopping secondhand, whether nearby or farther away, can lower the cost of going electric while still offering the comfort, practicality, and day-to-day savings many drivers are looking for.
Despite the long hours and logistical hurdles, the buyer's overall takeaway was clear: "There was just so much happiness in driving my new car. And I also ticked a bucket-list item off my list by doing a long road trip through Europe."
Where can I learn more?
These stories dig into how to bring down the cost of going electric and what charging looks like once the car becomes part of daily life. They also widen the lens, covering everything from public fast charging and route planning to home energy tools that give EV owners more flexibility.
• Toyota has shown how solar panels on cars can stretch range between charging stops.
• For one driver in the Netherlands, switching from a gas-powered car to a used electric vehicle quickly became an eye-opening upgrade, especially when home charging sometimes cost nothing at all.
For anyone tempted by the idea of a bargain EV road trip, these stories show how the math can keep changing after the sale. They also offer a clearer look at the role home charging, backup power, and utility policies can play over the long haul.
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