EVs Facing Heavier Depreciation than Gasoline Counterparts
Smaller cars have experienced heavier depreciation over the past 12-18 months, but it’s the small mainstream electric vehicles that are experiencing even heavier valuation drops.

GOYLE
Black Book recently looked at the prices of a new Nissan LEAF vs. Nissan Versa; a Mitsubishi i-MiEV vs. Mitsubishi Lancer; Ford Focus Electric vs. Ford Focus; and a Chevrolet Volt vs. Chevrolet Cruze.
The electric car premium over a counterpart gasoline model for mainstream brands has pretty much disappeared for used vehicles from an average premium of $16,600 for new vehicles. In fact, in a few cases, a used electric model now costs less than its gasoline counterpart.

GOYLE
"On several of today's popular electric vehicles (EVs), the depreciation curve is very steep, largely driven by lack of consumer demand preferences for fuel-efficient models with current price of gas," said Anil Goyal, VP of Automotive Valuation and Analytics for Black Book. "Smaller cars have experienced heavier depreciation over the past 12-18 months, but it’s clear that the small mainstream electric vehicles are experiencing even heavier valuation drops."
Black Book Valuation Data on EVs vs. Gasoline Counterparts
(2012 New vs. Used)
Vehicle | 2012 NEW Equipped Retail | Electric Premium | Effective Retail After Federal Incentive |
|---|---|---|---|
Nissan Leaf SV 4D Hatchback | $36,380 | $20,287 | $28,880 |
Nissan Versa SL 4D Hatchback | $19,320 | $19,320 | |
Mitsubishi i-Miev ES 4D Hatchback | $29,125 | $19,887 | $21,625 |
Mitsubishi Lancer ES 4D Hatchback | $19,720 | $19,720 | |
Ford Focus Electric 4D Hatchback | $40,387 | $9,405 | $32,887 |
Ford Focus SE 4D Hatchback | $20,500 | $20,500 | |
Chevrolet Volt 4D Hatchback | $40,431 | $17,060 | $32,931 |
Chevrolet Cruze LT 4D Sedan | $20,144 | $20,144 |
* Used Value as Percent of New Effective Retail after Federal Incentive
Vehicle | 2012 Used Avg (7/15/15) | Electric Premium | Three-Year Retention* |
|---|---|---|---|
Nissan Leaf SV 4D Hatchback | $7,400 | ($900) | 26% |
Nissan Versa SL 4D Hatchback | $8,300 | 43% | |
Mitsubishi i-Miev ES 4D Hatchback | $5,350 | ($3,100) | 25% |
Mitsubishi Lancer ES 4D Hatchback | $8,450 | 43% | |
Ford Focus Electric 4D Hatchback | $10,250 | $1,150 | 31% |
Ford Focus SE 4D Hatchback | $9,100 | 44% | |
Chevrolet Volt 4D Hatchback | $10,500 | $650 | 32% |
Chevrolet Cruze LT 4D Sedan | $9,850 | 49% |
* Used Value as Percent of New Effective Retail after Federal Incentive
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