The new problem with electric cars: a study reveals that devaluation does not affect vehicles in the same way

Vehicles, from the moment they leave the dealership, begin an inevitable depreciation process.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
14 April 2024 Sunday 23:56
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The new problem with electric cars: a study reveals that devaluation does not affect vehicles in the same way

Vehicles, from the moment they leave the dealership, begin an inevitable depreciation process. However, this devaluation does not affect all cars in the same way, since it varies depending on various factors, such as the type of brand, model and propulsion system used.

However, according to a study published by iSeeCars, electric cars suffer a more pronounced devaluation compared to other types of vehicles. In their first year in circulation, these models experience a loss in value that exceeds that of conventional combustion vehicles by almost 50%.

In the report, Karl Brauer, the company's executive analyst, points out that buyers looking to get the best value tend to lean toward used car models rather than new.

Although used vehicles generally cost less than new ones, some models depreciate by more than 25% in just one year, allowing buyers to enjoy a practically new experience at considerable savings.

However, this trend of rapid depreciation does not apply to all models equally. Some vehicles manage to retain a notable residual value after their first year of life, such as the Land Rover Range Rover, Kia Rio and Mercedes G-Class.

However, this situation is more the exception than the norm, especially in the case of electric cars. Surprisingly, five of the top ten spots for rapid depreciation are occupied by electric vehicles, with the Mercedes EQS and Nissan Leaf leading the way with a depreciation of 47.8% and 45.7%, respectively.

The early depreciation of electric cars is striking, since in just one year, these vehicles are practically new. Although factors that can affect its value, such as battery degradation due to use and user charging habits, have not yet come into play, second-hand buyers tend to be wary of these models due to potential costs. associated with battery replacement, which could even exceed the value of the car itself. Consequently, in the medium term, electric vehicles are emerging as the most affected by depreciation compared to other types of vehicles on the current market.