The electric market is exploding, but the prices of used cars can drop at high speed. According to data from La Centrale and Leboncoin published by “Le Parisien”, an electric car loses on average between 55 and 60% of its value in five years, compared to around 45% for a thermal car.
Part of the reason is the speed at which technology evolves. The new models offer more autonomy and charge more quickly, making the previous generation less competitive. Added to this are concerns about the condition of the batteries and especially the price war for new products: when a manufacturer suddenly lowers its prices, the value of the units already in circulation mechanically follows the movement.
Renault Zoe: 65% gone in five years
Over five years, the Renault Zoe is the one that suffers the most among the electric models analyzed by Leboncoin: it loses 65% of its value. At the other end, the Dacia Spring resists better, even if its discount still reaches 53%.
Over a shorter period, the differences between models are already spectacular. The Citroën ë-C4 loses 44.1% in just two years. The Peugeot e-208 is not much better off: it is only worth 60% of its initial price.
The Tesla Model 3, for its part, shows a discount of 31.8% in two years, or around 15,000 francs in soaring value. A drop which can be explained in particular by the successive changes in the price of new cars decided by Tesla.
The only exception, the Citroën Ami increases in value over two years (+3.2%). Its popularity with young drivers and its immediate availability would explain this anomaly.
However, these figures, taken from sales sites in France, must be put into perspective. The discount is generally calculated from the list price, while the initial buyer was able to benefit from an ecological bonus, a premium or a discount. The loss actually incurred may therefore be less significant. And the rating also depends on supply and demand: a sought-after and rare model can suddenly hold up better.
The Swiss market follows the trend
The observation is nevertheless similar in Switzerland. A four-year-old electric car with around 80,000 km only retains around 50% of its value, compared to 55% for a comparable thermal car. On the other hand, during their first year, electric ones resist rather better: their residual value would be around four points higher than that of thermal ones.
It is therefore especially after three or four years that the discount accelerates. As in France, technological progress plays a major role: increased autonomy, more efficient batteries and faster recharging are quickly making older generations less attractive.
