[Digit-Al]

Here's a couple of questions for those out there with more knowledge of the subject than me. Firstly, how long do you think it will be before there is a thriving second hand market in EVs? Secondly, do EVs currently hold their value better than traditional vehicles?

I think you can only say EVs are a success when a used market is thriving. Many people can't afford new after all.

[mikeash]

There's a pretty decent market for used Model Ss out there. It's not huge, since Model Ss of sufficient age don't exist in great numbers, but it's not too bad.

I've been looking at cheaper used EVs for a second car. There are lots of used LEAFs out there, some Smart EDs, and a couple of Focus Electrics, which look really nice if you don't mind the short range, but aren't very popular at all. These cars seem to drop in value a lot for the used market. I saw several that were not all that old going for under $10,000.

Teslas seem to retain their value better. I'd guess it's partly because the car is more desirable, and partly because Tesla treats their batteries a lot better, so they can be expected to last longer. The LEAF in particular was known for a while for losing quite a bit of range in just a few years.

As far as how they'll retain their value in the long term, it's hard to say. EVs should lose less value due to things like drivetrain wear, since you don't have a bazillion moving parts in an engine and transmission to go wrong. But they'll lose more value to battery degradation. Much will hinge on how well the batteries age and how much they cost to replace in 10+ years.

[vkou]

One of the reasons for why there are so many used LEAFs on the market, is that a lot of EV early adopters sold their Leaf to buy a Tesla. If you wanted an EV, and could afford it, the specs on the Model S are much better.

This is not really great news for the low-end EV market, though - if the average person isn't interested in a midly used <$10,000 EV, how well will a $35,000 (With no frills - the average vehicle will probably be closer to $40,000) EV sell for?

Keep in mind that after years of making cars, Tesla is still struggling with quality control, supply chains, and repairs.

If we took a time machine, and traveled back to the early 00s, would you have dropped $40,000 on a vehicle made by Kia?

That's roughly where Tesla is today, in terms of maturity. I'm sure it will get better - but it may take a decade.

[mikeash]

> This is not really great news for the low-end EV market, though - if the average person isn't interested in a midly used <$10,000 EV, how well will a $35,000 (With no frills - the average vehicle will probably be closer to $40,000) EV sell for?

I don't understand this. The <$10,000 EV in question has a range of maybe 80 miles, probably less at this point. The $35,000+ EV will have a 200+ mile range and access to an extensive fast-charging network for trips beyond that.

Personally, I've stopped looking at the <$10,000 EVs in favor of waiting for a Model 3, because even though it's far more expensive, it's also far superior.

Tesla has no trouble selling Model Ss and Xs today even though they start at $68,000 and go up well into the 100s. They have a metaphorical line out the door for the Model 3. Tesla is struggling with quality control and such, and it could come back to bite them down the road, but it's not making it hard for them to find customers now.

[VintageCool]

Used LEAFs are super cheap because they have short range, and new LEAFs have a 50% larger range. The tech keeps getting better and making old electric cars less desirable to the market of buyers looking for an electric car.

[Robotbeat]

Well, I bought my '12 Volt used for under $10,000 with 60,000 miles. At the time I bought (last year), they were usually about $12,000 at a dealer, and trade-in about $8000 for the same car. I got mine from a friend who wanted to trade-in (to get a new Volt... the Gen 2 Volts--starting with 2016--are even better than Gen 1), so we both got a good deal. Fantastic car.

Anyway, there are plenty of used electric cars out there if you're happy with the models that have been out for a few years.