The fastest-depreciating electric cars
With their low running costs and eco-friendly credentials, electric cars are attracting more and more buyers. In fact, according to industry figures, sales are up by more than 88% so far in 2022, with more than 77,000 examples leaving showrooms.
While some electric cars can prove to be real stalwarts when it comes to holding their value (as our list of the slowest-depreciating electric cars shows), others don’t perform so well.
Here, we use our residual value data to reveal the 10 models that lose the biggest percentage of their original price during the first three years of ownership. All our figures are based on what you can expect for a trade-in that’s covered 36,000 miles.
If anything takes your fancy, simply click on the relevant link to read our full review, or see how much you could save by using the free What Car? New Car Buying service.
10. Hyundai Ioniq Electric
The Ioniq is a fairly unusual model in that it’s available as a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric car. We recommend the regular hybrid version, but if you decide to go fully electric, you’ll have a range of up to 193 miles (according to official tests). We like its high-quality interior and low running costs, but the electric version is expensive compared with rivals, and there’s limited headroom for back-seat passengers.
10. Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Model Premium SE 38kWh | List price £34,050 | 36k/3yr resale value £15,800 | Price drop £18,250 | Retained value 46.40%
Read our Hyundai Ioniq review or see our latest deals >>
9. Audi E-tron
The E-tron was Audi’s first electric SUV, and it came with some strong credentials to back up its premium image. Entry-level 50 models have a range of up to 197 miles between charges, but despite having 309bhp on offer from dual electric motors, it can feel sluggish when you put your foot down. And although the ride is comfortable and there’s plenty of room on board, rivals are more fun to drive, and have more user-friendly infotainment systems.
9. Audi E-tron
Model 50 quattro 71kWh Sport | List price £64,735 | 36k/3yr resale value £30,025 | Price drop £34,710 | Retained value 46.38%
Read our Audi E-tron review or see our latest deals >>
8. Peugeot e-208
The Peugeot e-208 is a small electric car that’s big on design, and there aren’t many models of this size that will get you noticed as much on the road. It’s got substance to back up the style, too – we like the classy interior and its impressive official range of up to 217 miles between charges, which is much further than some rivals can go. It’s easy to drive and well equipped, too.
8. Peugeot e-208
Model Active Premium 50kWh | List price £29,760 | 36k/3yr resale value £13,450 | Price drop £16,310 | Retained value 45.19%
Read our Peugeot e-208 review or see our latest deals >>
7. Renault Zoe
The Renault Zoe has been around for a long time now, but it remains a solid choice if you’re in the market for a small electric car. Our favourite R110 model has a 107bhp electric motor, and you should be able to travel for at least 150 miles between charges in real-world conditions. Rear headroom could be better, though, and while most trims comes well equipped, automatic emergency braking (AEB) is not available on entry-level Play trim.
7. Renault Zoe
Model Iconic R110 50kWh | List price £29,095 | 36k/3yr resale value £13,125 | Price drop £15,970 | Retained value 45.11%
Read our Renault Zoe review or see our latest deals >>
6. Smart EQ Forfour
This four-seat electric city car from Smart is cheap to buy, has a tight turning circle and comes relatively well equipped. That’s where the positives end, though, because in other respects the Forfour is hard to recommend. It has a poor range (official tests place it at just 78 miles between charges), a small boot, and the ride can be uncomfortable over sharper speed bumps.
6. Smart EQ Forfour
Model Premium 17kwh | List price £22,295 | 36k/3yr resale value £9875 | Price drop £12,420 | Retained value 44.29%
Read our Smart ForFour EQ review or see our latest deals >>
5. Peugeot e-Rifter
If you need to transport lots of people and luggage, but also want to go green, the Peugeot e-Rifter is part of a small pool of cars that could suit you. It doesn’t have the best electric range – even official figures suggest you’ll complete up to 172 miles between charges, and that’s likely to drop in real-world conditions – plus it has a fiddly infotainment system, but in terms of pure practicality it’s a clear winner.
5. Peugeot e-Rifter
Model GT 50kWh | List price £34,690 | 36k/3yr resale value £15,250 | Price drop £19,440 | Retained value 43.96%
Read our Peugeot e-Rifter review or see our latest deals >>
4. Honda E
There are some features of the Honda E which are almost space-age. Its virtual door mirrors, for example, which allow it to have a more aerodynamic shape than most rivals, or the fact that its infotainment set-up is one long screen to suit both driver and front passenger. Other areas aren’t so impressive, though: its range is a disappointing 125 miles between charges, and the boot is tiny.
4. Honda E
Model Advance 36kWh | List price £36,895 | 36k/3yr resale value £16,100 | Price drop £20,765 | Retained value 43.67%
Read our Honda E review or see our latest deals >>
3. Peugeot e-Traveller
Do have a large family and need to transport them and all their luggage through the congested streets of London? Well, the car you might want to do the job is the Peugeot e-Traveller. This electric people carrier has seating for up to eight people, and comes equipped with a fairly punchy 134bhp electric motor. The range is modest, with official figures suggesting you’ll get up to 148 miles between charges, and while there’s no doubting the e-Traveller’s practicality, it’s pricer than rivals and its interior is only so-so.
3. Peugeot e-Traveller
Model Active Standard [8 seat] 50kWh | List price £49,100 | 36k/3yr resale value £20,800 | Price drop £28,300 | Retained value 42.36%
Read our Peugeot e-Traveller review or see our latest deals >>
2. Vauxhall Combo-e Life
The Vauxhall Combo-e Life is based on the same underpinnings as the Peugeot e-Rifter, which also features in this top 10, and uses that car’s electric motor and batteries. It performs even worse than the e-Rifter for depreciation, though, and suffers from a low-rent interior with a fiddly infotainment system.