This is how 10 ordinary electric cars hold their value

SEK 415,100 – that is the depreciation of a new Audi e-Tron Quattro after just three years. After that, you can expect a loss of another SEK 55,000 a year. Together with our sister company Bilpriser, we have examined the depreciation of ten common electric cars – both as new and as used three-year-olds.

All cars depreciate in value – mostly in the first three years. The decrease in value can be 30-40 percent, in some cases even more. But not all cars lose the same amount in value. Our review of ten electric car models from 2021 shows that while one car retains 82 percent of its value after three years, only 56 percent remains for another.

– When buying a car, it is always wise to make a financial calculation, and when you do so, you soon realize that there are significantly more expenses than just fuel and insurance. Depreciation is often the biggest cost, especially for new cars, and is worth spending extra time on because there can be big differences between different brands and models, says Daniel Odsberg, Sales Manager Kvdbil.

Audi loses the most value

Of the electric cars analyzed, the Audi e-Tron Quattro SUV has by far the largest loss in value. When the car rolled out of the showroom new, its price was SEK 970,000. Today, three years later, it is valued at only SEK 554,900. This corresponds to a decrease in value of SEK 415,100, or 43 percent.

For the small family car Nissan Leaf E+ it is a similar story, the car has lost approximately 44 percent of its original value. Thanks to a lower purchase price, however, it is not at all about the same amount in kronor.

Volkswagen and Tesla lose the least

At the other end of the scale, we find the Volkswagen ID.4 Pro Performance and Tesla Model 3 Long Range, which have only lost just over a fifth of their value since they were new. But measured in terms of money, it is the Seat Mii Electric Plus that performs best. The decrease in value, from new to three years old, is only SEK 65,000.

When it comes to the next three years, that is, from three-year-olds to cars that are six years old, there are of course no sure forecasts. However, based on auction prices, inventory data from the car trade and price statistics, we have made an estimate of how the value could develop for our ten cars.

For those who hoped that the decline in value was over for the Audi e-Tron Quattro, the outcome will be disappointing. The results show that the car is expected to continue to experience the largest decrease in value, with SEK 55,000 per year. This can be compared with the Seat Mii Electric Plus, which is again predicted to hold its value the best, with a decrease in value of SEK 23,133. Other cars that stand out positively are the Renault Zoe (SEK 25,033/year) and the MG ZS EV Luxury Panorama (SEK 25,867/year).

– The value of cars decreases throughout their lifespan, and although the differences tend to decrease over the years, it is premium cars that continue to experience the greatest decrease in value. At least in terms of kronor. It is also important to keep in mind that price reductions on new cars can affect resale value, which we have already seen, especially from Tesla, says Daniel Odsberg, sales manager at Kvdbil .

Analysis of residual value/decrease in value for 10 electric cars

Kia e-Niro Advance 64 kWh
Model year: 2021
List price: SEK 487,900
Price today (mileage 1500-4500 km): 329,900 SEK
Percentage retention: 68%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 237,400
Percentage retention: 72%
Depreciation SEK/year: SEK 30,833

BMW i3s Comfort Advanced
Model year: 2021
List price: 439,000 SEK
Price today (mileage 1500-4500 km): 309,000 SEK
Percentage retention: 70%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 222,200
Percentage retention: 72%
Depreciation SEK/year: SEK 28,933

Volvo XC40 P8 AWD Recharge
Model year: 2021
List price: 699,000 SEK
Price today (mileage 1500-4500 km): 509,500 SEK
Percentage retention: 73%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: 365,000 SEK
Percentage retention: 72%
Depreciation SEK/year: SEK 48,167

Audi e-Tron quattro 55 Proline
Model year: 2021
List price: 970,000 SEK
Price today (mileage 1500-4500 miles): 554,900 SEK
Percentage retention: 57%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: 389,900 SEK
Percentage retention: 70%
Depreciation SEK/year: SEK 55,000

Tesla Model 3 Long Range facelift (Autopilot)
Model year: 2021
List price: SEK 629,170
Price today (mileage 1500-4500 km): 499,900 SEK
Percentage retention: 79%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: 345,200 SEK
Percentage retention: 69%
Depreciation SEK/year: SEK 51,567

Volkswagen ID.4 Pro Performance 77 kWh
Model year: 2021
List price: SEK 524,900
Price today (mileage 1500-4500 km): 429,000 SEK
Percentage retention: 82%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 289,900
Percentage retention: 68%
Depreciation SEK/year: SEK 46,367

MG ZS EV Luxury Panorama 45 kWh
Model year: 2021
List price: 359,000 SEK
Price today (mileage 1500-4500 km): SEK 224,900
Percentage retention: 63%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 147,300
Percentage retention: 65%
Depreciation SEK/year: SEK 25,867

Seat Mii Electric Plus 36.8 kWh
Model year: 2021
List price: SEK 264,900
Price today (mileage 1500-4500 km): SEK 199,900
Percentage retention: 75%
+36 months +4500 km from today: SEK 130,500
Percentage retention: 65%
Depreciation SEK/year: SEK 23,133

Renault Zoe 52 kWh
Model year: 2021
List price: SEK 366,990
Price today (mileage 1500-4500 km): SEK 214,900
Percentage retention: 59%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 139,800
Percentage retention: 65%
Depreciation SEK/year: SEK 25,033

Nissan Leaf E+ 62 kWh
Model year: 2021
List price: SEK 461,500
Price today (mileage 1500-4500 miles): SEK 257,900
Percentage retention: 56%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 163,500
Percentage retention: 63%
Depreciation SEK/year: SEK 31,467