This is how 10 ordinary electric cars hold their value

SEK 415,100 - that's the reduction in value of a new Audi e-Tron Quattro after just three years. After that, you can expect a further loss of SEK 55,000 a year. Together with our sister company Bilpriser, we have investigated the depreciation of ten ordinary electric cars - both new and used three-year-olds.

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

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

Audi loses the most in value

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

For the small family car Nissan Leaf E+ it's a similar story, the car has lost around 44 percent of its original value. Thanks to a lower purchase price, it is not at all about as much in kronor.

Volkswagen and Tesla lose the least

At the other end we find the Volkswagen ID.4 Pro Performance and the Tesla Model 3 Long Range, which have only lost a little 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 reduction in value, from new to three years old, is only SEK 65,000.

When it comes to the next three years, i.e. from three-year-olds to cars that are six years old, there are of course no certain forecasts. Based on auction prices, stock data from the car trade and price statistics, we have, however, 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 experience the greatest reduction in value going forward, with SEK 55,000 a year. This can be compared with the Seat Mii Electric Plus, which is again predicted to hold its value the best, with a value reduction 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).

- Cars decline in value throughout their lifetime, and although the differences tend to diminish over the years, it is premium cars that continue to experience the greatest decline in value. At least counted in kroner. It is also important to keep in mind that price reductions on new cars can affect the resale value, which we have already seen, especially from Tesla, says Daniel Odsberg, sales manager at Kvdbil.

Analysis of residual value/depreciation for 10 electric cars

Kia e-Niro Advance 64 kWh
Model year: 2021
List price: SEK 487,900
Price today (mileage 1,500-4,500 miles): SEK 329,900
Percentage retention: 68%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 237,400
Percentage retention: 72%
Decrease in value SEK/year: SEK 30,833

BMW i3's Comfort Advanced
Model year: 2021
List price: SEK 439,000
Price today (mileage 1500-4500 miles): SEK 309,000
Percentage retention: 70%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 222,200
Percentage retention: 72%
Decrease in value SEK/year: SEK 28,933

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

Audi e-Tron quattro 55 Proline
Model year: 2021
List price: SEK 970,000
Price today (mileage 1,500-4,500 miles): SEK 554,900
Percentage retention: 57%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 389,900
Percentage retention: 70%
Decrease in value 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 miles): SEK 499,900
Percentage retention: 79%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 345,200
Percentage retention: 69%
Decrease in value SEK/year: SEK 51,567

Volkswagen ID.4 Pro Performance 77 kWh
Model year: 2021
List price: SEK 524,900
Price today (mileage 1,500-4,500 miles): SEK 429,000
Percentage retention: 82%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 289,900
Percentage retention: 68%
Decrease in value SEK/year: SEK 46,367

MG ZS EV Luxury Panorama 45 kWh
Model year: 2021
List price: SEK 359,000
Price today (mileage 1,500-4,500 miles): SEK 224,900
Percentage retention: 63%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 147,300
Percentage retention: 65%
Decrease in value 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 miles): SEK 199,900
Percentage retention: 75%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 130,500
Percentage retention: 65%
Decrease in value SEK/year: SEK 23,133

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

Nissan Leaf E+ 62 kWh
Model year: 2021
List price: SEK 461,500
Price today (mileage 1,500-4,500 miles): SEK 257,900
Percentage retention: 56%
+36 months +4500 miles from today: SEK 163,500
Percentage retention: 63%
Decrease in value SEK/year: SEK 31,467