Are used electric cars a risk or an opportunity?

Buying a used electric car still leaves many consumers with questions, even though interest is rising very sharply.

This is not a matter of opinion; the figures back it up. Filipe Neves, Director at Blinker (Pisca Pisca), said as much when he joined Auto Talks, the new editorial slot from Automotive Reason (Razão Automóvel), which debuted at the ECAR Show.

Searches for electric cars on Blinker, based on the numbers shared by Filipe Neves, are climbing almost exponentially. But does that surge in demand actually turn into completed deals? And is electric-car depreciation really far higher than for petrol and diesel models? This Auto Talk clears it all up.

To buy or not to buy: used electric cars in Portugal

In Portugal, the new electric-car market is in very good shape - sales already account for more than 20% of the total. In the used market, however, the story appears to be different.

Stock is still limited, although it is growing. And while prices are lower because depreciation is steep - they lose value at roughly twice the rate of an internal-combustion car - many buyers are still hesitant to go ahead with a purchase.

That reluctance highlights the uncertainty that still surrounds used EVs, particularly when it comes to the battery - more specifically, its condition. After all, this is the most expensive component in an electric vehicle.

Consumers need reassurance that the battery is in “good health” and still has many years ahead of it. How can that be done? Filipe Neves points to several tools already available, and others in development, designed to reduce buyer risk.

“What we clearly see is the need for information and confidence to take that final step of buying the car.”

Filipe Neves, Director at Blinker

As well as getting a clearer picture of the used electric-car market, this Auto Talks episode also looks at whether low prices will persist (because of depreciation) or whether we may see values rise over the medium term.

According to the Director at Blinker, the better question is what will happen to prices for older electric cars as newer EVs - with more advanced technology - begin to enter the used market.

If buying a used electric car is on your list, this is one Auto Talk you will not want to miss.

See you at the next Auto Talks

There is no shortage of reasons, then, to watch or listen to the latest Auto Talks - Automotive Reason’s new editorial format - on the usual platforms: YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.