What will happen to the value of non-Tesla EVs coming off lease?

Joined
Jan 25, 2009
Messages
1,471
Location
Georgia
One of the commenters asked me about the future values of non-Tesla EVs that are coming off lease, and what we should expect pricewise in the coming months.

I researched this exact question 10 years ago and published my findings. Today, the EV market has a much better base. I would even argue that in today's new car market, EV's have become mainstream.

But there will be a few small winners and a lot of big losers in the future.

The best way to look at this is to separate it into three distinct markets.

The first market are those vehicles that have an 'old school' range of under 200 miles. Most leases of the Nissan LEAF fit into this category as does the Fiat 500e.

Those with limited range will have the highest level of depreciation.

But they will also be the best values for those among us who are comfortable with their limited range. Most folks do nearly 95% of their driving locally. That has been a reality for over three decades now, and that's where the honey pot may be the sweetest.

I'm particularly interested in those two models since Nissan will likely be a bankruptcy candidate in 2026 and FIAT may become a defunct brand.

The second group are the overachievers. The Hyundai Ioniq EVs. The Chevy Bolt and Equinox, the Ford Mustang Mach-E. They have the potential to hold up their values far better than the other Tesla non-EVs because they offer better range and better reputations.

I would expect about a 20% to 30% level of depreciation. New car demand for non-Telsa EVs will be going south real fast. Higher new car prices for EVs will help these off-lease vehicles become more popular.

The final group are the question marks. The Nissan Ariya, the Toyota bZ4X, and Rivian's two models. These will have greater depreciation than the overachievers but are likely to remain available for another generation in our market.

The European branded vehicles are a lower question mark. They will have even worse depreciation if US tariffs remain in effect. Those models will fall nearly as much as the 'old school' cars.

I researched this exact question for Yahoo 10 years ago. This time? I would expect prices to fall between 20% to 45% a year from now for off-lease units compared to right now. It will be substantial, but not terrible because new car sales of non-Tesla EVs will have to rely almost exclusively on leases to remain competitive.

This time only the European brands and those EVs with under 200 miles of range will be in a free fall. Possibly the Nissan Ariya too if Nissan declares bankruptcy.

So you want something cheap in an EV? Figure out your real-world needs and go from there.

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/used-evs-hit-by-plunging-values-could-give-savvy-124255982617.html
 
Last edited:
The issue with some of the EVs is, worse battery degradation which means less than rated mileage, and 200 mile range is really 160 miles @ 80%, at best. Under 100 mile range is certainly a possibility.

EV resale stinks. The loss of the tax credit will help resale somewhat, if the price of new EVs goes up too much.

@macarose I suggest you factor in the emergence of the lower priced EVs, like the $25K - $30K Tesla Model Y. Everything changes for used EVs. Why buy used when you can get the latest battery and EV technology for just a little more?

My chrystal ball says EV ownership will continue to grow as more people, especially younger people, get to know them and charging infrastructure grows. Charge at work baby! And so easy to live with, for the right use case.
 
Last edited:
The issue with some of the EVs is, worse battery degradation which means less than rated mileage, and 200 mile range is really 160 miles @ 80%, at best. Under 100 mile range is certainly a possibility.

EV resale stinks. The loss of the tax credit will help resale somewhat, if the price of new EVs goes up too much.

@macarose I suggest you factor in the emergence of the lower priced EVs, like the $25K - $30K Tesla. Everything changes for used EVs. Why buy used when you can get the latest battery and EV technology for just a little more?

My chrystal ball says EV ownership will continue to grow as more people, especially younger people, get to know them and charging infrastructure grows. Charge at work baby! And so easy to live with, for the right use case.

The United States seems to have a very strong aversion towards offering new and affordable EVs

In fact, as you already know, our government officials effectively block the Chinese automakers from competing in our market.

That $25k to $30k that you just mentioned? It's really over $40,000 as a starting point for a new Tesla in today's market. Perhaps they'll be able to get it down to the high 30s in the next year or two. But I believe that the under $30,000 new Tesla is not going to be a reality.

Tesla will be strong as hell with their off lease inventory. But there is a wild card at play. Hyundai/Kia will be offering more affordable EVs in the near future and assembling them in the USA.
 
Three comments. First aren't you the expert on used car prices @macarose ?

Second, aren't used prices a correlation with new prices of the same model less some historical depreciation for that model / brand? So the real question - will new EV's be worth more or less in a year or so. I would suggest less due to loss of rebates and continued increase in electricity prices.

Third I wouldn't write Nissan off. Given the current geo-political situation their 2 factories in the US have just become much more valuable, and also I can't imagine the bank of Japan allowing them to fold - for the same reason we didn't let GM fold. So while I would not want to own the stock, the prospect of their death seems to be exaggerated. There actually doing pretty well, its just they dug a big hole.

However predicting the future is hard so who knows.
 
That $25k to $30k that you just mentioned? It's really over $40,000 as a starting point for a new Tesla in today's market. Perhaps they'll be able to get it down to the high 30s in the next year or two. But I believe that the under $30,000 new Tesla is not going to be a reality.
The Model Y Long Range is $45K and while margins are not what they were for numerous reasons, are still strong.
With Giga Casting and advanced manufacturing, cost to mfg continues to improve. Any new line will use everything Tesla has learned and perhaps more.

Interesting times ahead. Tesla's leverage is, they make a profilt on their EV business, unlike just about everyone else.
That's the business case from a manufacturing company as I see it.
 
I own a Tesla Model 3 SR+. The base model. It's just out of warranty, bought new. It's been a great car. We really like it. I just bought a very expensive spare tire to make long distance traveling more "comfortable".

So, what would I do next time. I might buy a high miles Model S (150,000 miles plus), even knowing it's not super reliable, and pay the cost to repair it. Probably cheaper than a Model 3 overall.

My daughter has a Nissan Leaf, my SIL has a Tesla Model 3 LR. We're becoming an EV family (but I'm still hanging onto my '07 Honda Accord 4Dr V6 6MT, the Holy Grail of Hondas)
 
A lot will end up pretty much useless and rotting away. Ford Lightning value is dropping like a rock. Lucid will freefall like most luxury cars but worse as they get older. Seems like their is little thought by most manufacturers for long term support. They are treating them as a stop gap while the buyers pay the price to look cool and hip
 
A lot will end up pretty much useless and rotting away. Ford Lightning value is dropping like a rock. Lucid will freefall like most luxury cars but worse as they get older. Seems like their is little thought by most manufacturers for long term support. They are treating them as a stop gap while the buyers pay the price to look cool and hip
Disagree. We are at the beginning of the EV product lifecycle. Product failure is an early characteristic; manufacturers will learn from their mistakes.
 
While I don't own an EV, I hear their insurance costs have grown exponentially. What are the experiences of those owning EVs on cost to insure?
 
I’m still in some Prologue Facebook groups. 2024 Prologue Touring AWD had an MSRP of $57K (although I obviously paid far less). They’re now selling for $30K used with 5K miles. Now THAT is some insane depreciation.

I don’t think our Equinox EV is doing much better in terms of depreciation. Especially given my ex drives like 20K miles/year in it. But the depreciation is OK because it’s saving him about $250/mo in gas (he gets free charging at work).

As for my leased Tesla, I’m not sure what I’ll do at the end. I don’t think I’ll buy it out but who knows what the future holds. I’d like to upgrade to a bigger vehicle… depending on budget either Y, X, or Cybertruck. Or I’ll get a good deal on a used Equinox EV that’s already in my name, who knows 😂
 
New EV's are not selling well now. Off lease ones will be even less. Especially with a battery on it's last legs.
I would agree but the lowest price EVs like the Bolt and Equinox EV jumped up about $3k right after Labor Day, considering manufacturers are shutting down and not producing we might have a mega downturn with no vehicles
 
I’m still in some Prologue Facebook groups. 2024 Prologue Touring AWD had an MSRP of $57K (although I obviously paid far less). They’re now selling for $30K used with 5K miles. Now THAT is some insane depreciation.

I don’t think our Equinox EV is doing much better in terms of depreciation. Especially given my ex drives like 20K miles/year in it. But the depreciation is OK because it’s saving him about $250/mo in gas (he gets free charging at work).

As for my leased Tesla, I’m not sure what I’ll do at the end. I don’t think I’ll buy it out but who knows what the future holds. I’d like to upgrade to a bigger vehicle… depending on budget either Y, X, or Cybertruck. Or I’ll get a good deal on a used Equinox EV that’s already in my name, who knows 😂
Keeping your options open is smart. I have no idea how to do such a thing.
 
Back
Top Bottom