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EVs lose two thirds?

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Time 12:40 pm, April 11, 2011

ionELECTRIC cars now on sale could lose two-thirds of their value when they reach the second-hand market.

At five years old EVs could fetch just ten per cent of their new price, says ACF Finance.

The cost of replacing the electric batteries around the car’s eighth birthday – which could cost the owner up to £8000 – is the reason for the depreciation believes the firm.


The company, which specialises in mid-range family cars, says that many customers are likely to steer clear of buying electric models more than a couple of years old.

Leyton Cooper, ACF’s group buying manager, believes that the widespread usage of electric cars will depend on a flourishing second-hand market.

But this will only be seen, he says, when manufacturers solve the issue of battery costs and their lifespan, currently around eight years.


The company’s depreciation estimates are based on its own study of pre-owned electric car prices and the findings of industry guides to used car trade values.

‘We sell thousands of cars each year, and I’m sure that the percentage of electric models will start to rise dramatically as the second-hand market comes on-line,’ said Leyton.

‘But anyone trading in an electric car which is more than three years old will have to take a big hit on depreciation as things stand at present.

‘This is potentially great news for the buyers of used electric cars, but we will be warning them of the useful life that is likely to be remaining for the battery,’ he added.

ACF Car Finance’s national network of car showrooms specialises in supplying vehicles to the growing number of people with impaired credit records.

The used car market, says Leyton, is increasingly dependent on this sector as more drivers find that even minor blemishes on their credit records are affecting their ability to borrow.

‘We estimate that by around 2013 there will be a major rise in the number of second-hand electric cars coming into our showrooms,’ said Leyton.

‘If the market isn’t going to stall at that point, manufacturers will have to start addressing the battery problem now.’

James Batchelor's avatar

James – or Batch as he’s known – started at Car Dealer in 2010, first as the work experience boy, eventually becoming editor in 2013. He worked for Auto Express as editor-at-large and was the face of Carbuyer’s YouTube reviews. In 2020, he went freelance and now writes for a number of national titles and contributes regularly to Car Dealer. In October 2021 he became Car Dealer's associate editor.



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