Survey points to a sharp drop in the resale value of electric vehicles and warns the automotive sector

Owners of battery-powered cars in Brasil face a challenging scenario in terms of preserving their invested assets. A detailed analysis of market behavior revealed that the depreciation of these durable goods reached alarming levels in the last annual cycle, far exceeding the average depreciation observed in traditional combustion vehicles. The study, which crossed pricing and liquidity data, indicates that the loss of value can exceed a third of the vehicle’s original price in just twelve months of use, generating concern for both end consumers and corporate fleet managers.

The data, based on variations in Tabela Fipe between mid-2024 and the first half of 2025, monitored around 180 vehicle versions distributed across 20 different categories. Enquanto a média geral de depreciação do mercado nacional gira em torno de 15%, determinados modelos elétricos registraram quedas superiores a 37%. Este movimento de correção de preços no mercado de seminovos reflete não apenas a dinâmica natural de oferta e demanda, mas também fatores estruturais como a guerra de preços promovida por montadoras asiáticas na venda de modelos zero quilômetro, o que pressiona instantaneamente o valor dos usados ​​para baixo.

Experts point out that insecurity regarding charging infrastructure and uncertainty about after-sales support for brands newly arrived in the country are catalysts for this phenomenon. The Brazilian consumer, historically conservative when it comes to resale, tends to financially penalize models that do not have a widespread dealership network or that undergo frequent price changes in the new list. The observed volatility creates an environment of caution, where enthusiasm for clean technology collides with the financial reality of immediate resale.

Another crucial point raised by the survey concerns the direct comparison between purely electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid models. Enquanto pure electric vehicles suffer from distrust regarding the autonomy and useful life of batteries in the second-hand market, hybrids, especially from traditional Japanese brands, demonstrate a much higher value resilience. Isso suggests that the energy transition in Brasil, from the owner’s financial perspective, still favors technologies that do not depend exclusively on external charging infrastructure.

Factors determining the sharp drop

Market analysis identifies that the technical assistance network is the Aquiles heel for many emerging manufacturers. Marcas that operate with a reduced number of physical service points suffer greater rejection at the time of change. The fear of a lack of spare parts, added to the technological complexity of the vehicles, drives buyers away from the used market, forcing the seller to drastically lower the price to complete the negotiation.

Supply infrastructure remains a significant logistical bottleneck. Dados of Associação Brasileira of The existence of just over 4,200 charging points in the national territory generates the so-called “range anxiety”, limiting interest in these cars to specific urban niches and reducing their liquidity in regions further away from large centers.

Additionally, the aggressive pricing strategy of new entrants such as BYD and GWM caused a ripple effect. By reducing the prices of brand new models to gain market share, these companies inadvertently devalued their own brand’s and competitors’ pre-owned stocks. Quem bought a car for a higher price months earlier and saw its asset depreciate instantly when the new version arrived in stores with a lower price.

The models with the highest depreciation rate

At the top of the depreciation list is the JAC E-JS4, an electric SUV that presented the largest percentage loss among all the vehicles analyzed. Over a twelve-month period, the model saw its list price drop 37.5%. The vehicle, which has a 150 horsepower engine and a range of 256 km, suffered from the perception of obsolescence in the face of more modern competitors with greater range that arrived on the market with competitive prices.

Following the negative trend, the JAC E-JS7 sedan recorded a drop of 32.6% in the same period. With a high initial price, the reduction represented a nominal financial loss of more than R$84 thousand for the owner. Embora the car offers robust performance, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, it competes in a segment where national preference still falls heavily on SUVs, making their resale difficult.

Among the best-known brands among the Brazilian public, Renault Kwid E-Tech also did not escape the severe market correction. The electric subcompact depreciated 25.9%, being quoted at significantly lower prices than at its launch. Apesar despite being one of the most affordable options in the segment, its range limited to 161 km and the simplicity of the interior finish weighed against maintaining its residual value compared to more equipped Chinese options.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E, representing the premium and sports segment, showed a decline of 22.2%. Mesmo carrying an iconic name and delivering high performance, the model was impacted by competitive price movements and the natural sharp depreciation that affects luxury vehicles in the first year of use. The devaluation in this niche, although expected, was amplified by the context of uncertainty about total electrification.

Comparison with the hybrid market

In contrast to the pure electric scenario, hybrid vehicles have proven to be a safe haven for automotive investment. The Honda CR-V Advanced Hybrid, for example, registered a depreciation of just 5% in the same period, an index considered excellent and far below even the average for combustion cars. Trust in the brand, combined with technology that eliminates the need for mandatory external recharging, keeps the demand for these used cars high.

Other hybrid models, such as the Toyota Corolla Cross and the GWM Haval H6, also presented more controlled depreciation rates. Isso demonstra que o consumidor brasileiro valoriza a flexibilidade de poder abastecer com combustível líquido em viagens longas, sem abrir mão da economia de combustível proporcionada pelo motor elétrico auxiliar no trânsito urbano. Essa versatility directly translates into greater liquidity and less financial loss at the time of resale.

Financial impact for the owner

The loss of capital for those who bet on low liquidity models is substantial. In the case of the JAC E-JS4, the difference between the purchase price and the residual value after one year exceeds R$95 thousand. Esse amount would be enough to purchase a second new popular vehicle, highlighting the hidden cost of being an “early adopter” of technologies or brands that have not yet consolidated their position in the national market.

For Renault Kwid E-Tech, the nominal loss is around R$36 thousand. Embora the absolute value is lower than that of luxury models, proportionally it affects a range of consumers more sensitive to price variations. The savings generated by not using fuel and less maintenance of the electric motor are unlikely to compensate, in the short term, for a devaluation of this magnitude in the value of the main asset.

Given this situation, experts recommend that the purchase of an electric vehicle be preceded by rigorous financial planning, considering the length of time you will own the car. Para For those who change vehicles every one or two years, leasing or subscribing to electric vehicles can be a more financially intelligent alternative than purchasing, transferring the risk of devaluation to the rental company.

Perspectives for the consumer and the market

The current scenario serves as a warning for the automotive industry and importers. The strategy of just bringing products without ensuring a solid after-sales base and without protecting the brand’s value in the long term is taking its toll. Consumidores are becoming more demanding and informed, consulting depreciation tables before closing a deal, which should force automakers to review their pricing and customer support policies.

The tendency is for the market to go through a natural purification. Modelos that do not deliver a balanced equation between price, autonomy, infrastructure and resale value tend to disappear or become restricted to very specific niches. On the other hand, the arrival of new battery technologies and the expansion, albeit slow, of the charging network, may stabilize prices in the future, but the current moment requires caution and in-depth research on the part of buyers.

Final keywords: Carros electric, Desvalorização, Tabela Fipe, Mercado automotive, Veículos hybrid.

Sources researched:
https://autoesporte.globo.com/mercado/noticia/2024/06/carros-eletricos-desvalorizacao.ghtml
https://www.abve.org.br/estatisticas-de-vendas/
https://www.uol.com.br/carros/noticias/redacao/2024/05/20/mercado-de-usados-eletricos.htm