EVChargeLab Blog

Which Electric Vehicles Hold Their Value Best? EV Resale Value & Depreciation

Which EVs hold their value best? Compare current resale values, five-year depreciation, real owner experiences and the factors that can make one electric vehicle a much better financial choice than another.

Last updated: August 2026. Resale values change constantly with incentives, new-model pricing, used-car demand and local market conditions. The figures below are based primarily on current U.S. market data and should not be assumed to apply identically in every country.

Which Electric Vehicles Hold Their Value Best?

If you're thinking about buying an electric vehicle, it's easy to focus on range, charging speed and the purchase price.

There's another number that can quietly cost you much more money over the years: depreciation.

An EV that costs ,000 but is worth ,000 after several years can ultimately cost you more than a ,000 EV that still has a strong resale value.

And this is where EV shopping gets interesting.

Not all electric vehicles depreciate at the same rate.

Some have lost value very quickly, while others have proven surprisingly resilient. Current 2026 data from iSeeCars shows an average five-year resale value of about 39.2% for electric vehicles, but several models are well above that level.

The Porsche Taycan wagon currently retains about 53.1% of its value after five years, while the electric Dodge Charger retains about 52.1%. The Fiat 500e is also above 50%. Among electric SUVs, the Toyota bZ4X currently leads the iSeeCars list at 57.6% five-year value retention.

You can see the current iSeeCars electric vehicle resale-value rankings for the latest data.

But there's an important catch.

A high resale percentage doesn't automatically mean a car was a good financial purchase.

To understand why, we need to look at how EV depreciation actually works.

What Does EV Depreciation Mean?

Depreciation is simply the amount of value a vehicle loses as it gets older.

For example, imagine you buy an EV for ,000 and sell it five years later for ,000.

You lost:

,000 − ,000 = ,000

That ,000 is the vehicle's depreciation over that period.

The car has retained 60% of its original value and lost 40%.

However, there's a detail that becomes extremely important with EVs: what did you actually pay for the car?

MSRP Isn't Always the Real Purchase Price

This is one of the biggest mistakes I see when people compare EV depreciation.

Suppose an EV has an MSRP of ,000.

But the manufacturer offers ,500 in incentives, the dealer gives another ,000 discount, and you actually pay ,500 before taxes and fees.

Three years later, someone sees that the car is worth ,000 and says:

"It lost ,000 in value."

Technically, it lost ,000 from its original MSRP.

But that's not necessarily the owner's real loss.

If you paid ,500, the difference is only ,500 before considering taxes, financing and other costs.

Recent EV owners have pointed out exactly this issue in discussions about depreciation. Incentives and manufacturer discounts can make a vehicle's original MSRP a poor measure of what buyers actually paid. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

So when comparing EV resale value, I always recommend asking two questions:

• What was the original MSRP?
• What was the actual transaction price?

The second number is often much more useful.

Which EVs Currently Hold Their Value Best?

According to iSeeCars' current 2026 analysis, the electric vehicles with the strongest five-year resale values include some surprising names.

These numbers come from iSeeCars' current resale-value analysis, which compares new-car MSRP with the price of equivalent five-year-old used vehicles. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Notice something interesting?

The Tesla Model 3 is not number one overall, but its approximately 45.5% five-year value retention puts it considerably above the current EV average of 39.2%. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

1. Toyota bZ4X — A Surprising Resale Leader

The Toyota bZ4X is probably one of the most interesting names on the current resale-value list.

According to iSeeCars, the bZ4X retains approximately 57.6% of its value after five years, making it the current leader among electric SUVs in its analysis. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Why is that interesting?

Because the bZ4X hasn't always been the EV journalists would immediately name when discussing the best electric vehicle.

That tells us something important about resale value:

The best resale value doesn't necessarily belong to the most exciting EV.

Brand reputation, pricing, supply, buyer confidence and the availability of used examples can all influence what someone is willing to pay later.

Toyota's reputation for long-term ownership may also help buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a used example.

2. Porsche Taycan — Strong for a Luxury EV

The Porsche Taycan is another standout.

iSeeCars currently estimates that the Taycan wagon retains approximately 53.1% of its value after five years, putting it at the top of its overall electric-car resale ranking. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

That doesn't mean buying a Taycan is a cheap way to own an EV.

Far from it.

A luxury vehicle can lose a large amount of money in absolute dollars even when it retains a relatively high percentage of its value.

For example, losing 47% of a 0,000 vehicle is very different from losing 47% of a ,000 vehicle.

This is why percentage depreciation and dollar depreciation should always be considered together.

3. Dodge Charger EV — Strong Early Resale Performance

The electric Dodge Charger currently ranks second in iSeeCars' overall electric-car resale-value analysis, with approximately 52.1% of its value retained after five years. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

The Charger is an interesting case because buyers aren't necessarily shopping for it because it is the most practical EV.

Its appeal is more emotional.

It looks and feels like a performance-oriented American muscle car while moving into an electric future.

That kind of differentiation can help a vehicle stand out in the used market.

It also illustrates another depreciation principle:

Cars that have a strong identity can sometimes attract used buyers even when newer EV technology arrives.

4. Fiat 500e — Small but Surprisingly Resilient

The Fiat 500e currently retains approximately 51.7% of its value after five years in iSeeCars' analysis. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

It's not the EV you would choose for long-distance family road trips.

But that's not the point.

The 500e appeals to a very specific buyer: someone who wants a small urban EV with distinctive styling and easy city driving.

That niche can actually help resale value.

When a used-car buyer knows exactly why they want a particular vehicle, demand doesn't necessarily disappear just because the car is smaller than the alternatives.

5. Tesla Model 3 — One of the Stronger Mainstream Choices

The Tesla Model 3 deserves special attention because it combines relatively strong resale performance with much higher sales volume than niche models such as the Taycan or 500e.

iSeeCars currently estimates approximately 45.5% five-year value retention for the Model 3. That's well above its reported average for electric cars. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

The Model 3 also benefits from a large installed base, strong name recognition and a mature used market.

That matters.

A used car with a large pool of potential buyers can be easier to sell than an obscure model that only appeals to a small audience.

Why Do Some EVs Depreciate So Quickly?

This is where the story gets more complicated.

It isn't simply because "EV batteries are bad."

Several factors can push an EV's resale value down.

• Large manufacturer discounts on new vehicles
• Rapid improvements in range and charging technology
• New model-year features
• High supply of used vehicles
• Lower used-EV demand
• Concerns about battery health
• Uncertainty about long-term repair costs
• Changes in government incentives
• Price cuts on new EVs
• High lease incentives

And these factors can reinforce each other.

New EV Price Cuts Can Hurt Used EV Values

Imagine a manufacturer sells an EV for ,000.

Two years later, the manufacturer cuts the price of a new version to ,000.

A used buyer isn't going to ignore that.

If they can buy a brand-new version for ,000, the two-year-old model needs to be significantly cheaper to make sense.

This is one reason EV depreciation can accelerate when manufacturers aggressively reduce new-car prices.

The used market effectively says:

"Why would I pay nearly new-car money for an older car?"

Technology Changes Can Also Increase Depreciation

EV technology is developing quickly.

A newer model might have:

• More range
• Faster charging
• A heat pump
• A newer charging connector
• Better software
• Improved driver assistance
• More efficient battery chemistry

Suddenly, a three-year-old EV can look much older than a three-year-old gasoline car.

Recent IONIQ 5 owners discussing depreciation have specifically pointed to rapid model-year improvements, including charging-port changes and newer features, as factors that can make older versions less attractive to used buyers. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

Battery Health Matters — But Don't Panic

Battery degradation is another factor buyers think about when shopping for a used EV.

A buyer might look at a five-year-old EV and wonder:

"How much range has the battery lost?"

That's a legitimate question.

But battery degradation should not automatically be treated as a sign that an older EV is a bad purchase.

Geotab's 2026 analysis of more than 22,700 EVs found average annual battery degradation of about 2.3%, although degradation varied substantially depending on vehicle usage, charging behaviour and climate.

That means a used EV buyer should ideally investigate battery health rather than simply assuming the battery is near the end of its life.

Our guide EV Battery Degradation: How Much Range Do EVs Lose Each Year? explains the subject in more detail.

Fast Charging Can Influence Long-Term Battery Health

Geotab's latest data also found higher average degradation among vehicles that relied heavily on high-power DC fast charging.

Again, this doesn't mean fast charging destroys batteries.

It means charging behaviour is one of several factors that can influence long-term battery health.

For a used-EV buyer, this creates an interesting question:

How was the vehicle actually used?

A five-year-old EV that spent most of its life charging at home may tell a different battery-health story from a high-mileage fleet vehicle that spent years using high-power DC charging.

Read Does Fast Charging Damage an EV Battery? for a deeper explanation.

Real Owner Experience: Depreciation Can Look Worse Than It Really Is

Recent EV owner discussions show how confusing depreciation can be.

One 2026 Tesla Model 3 owner reported buying a used 2023 Model 3 for ,636 and, after putting another 18,000 miles on it, receiving trade-in and private-party estimates around or above what they had originally paid. The owner was surprised to see the car's value holding up so well. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}

That's an unusual example rather than a guarantee.

Used-car prices can move quickly because of fuel prices, supply and demand, incentives and local market conditions.

But it demonstrates an important point:

Depreciation isn't always a straight downward line.

Market conditions can temporarily push used prices higher or lower.

Real Owner Experience: IONIQ 5 Shows the Other Side

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 provides a useful contrast.

Owner discussions have included significant frustration about depreciation, with some owners reporting that their vehicles lost value much faster than expected.

One recent discussion involved a 2024 IONIQ 5 Limited AWD originally carrying a sticker price around ,000 being offered at roughly ,000 with about 20,000 miles. Other owners pointed out that substantial original incentives and discounts complicate the apparent depreciation calculation. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

This is exactly why I wouldn't use a single used-car listing as proof that an entire EV model is "bad at resale."

New-car incentives, dealer discounts and market conditions all matter.

A Better Way to Measure Depreciation

Suppose two EVs cost:

• EV A: ,000 MSRP, purchased for ,000
• EV B: ,000 MSRP, purchased for ,000

Five years later:

• EV A is worth ,000
• EV B is worth ,000

Looking only at resale value, EV B appears better.

But compare the owner's actual purchase price:

EV A lost:

,000 − ,000 = ,000

EV B lost:

,000 − ,000 = ,000

EV A actually lost less money even though its resale value is lower.

This is why the price you pay can matter more than the resale percentage.

What About the Tesla Model 3?

The Model 3 is an interesting example because it has historically benefited from strong demand and a large used-car market, but it has also experienced significant price changes over its life.

Current KBB data for the 2026 Model 3 estimates approximately ,751 in depreciation over five years in its cost-to-own calculation. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

That illustrates something important: even an EV that performs relatively well in resale-value rankings can still lose tens of thousands of dollars in absolute value.

So when you're shopping, don't ask only:

"Which EV has the highest resale percentage?"

Also ask:

"How many dollars am I likely to lose?"

Does a Higher Resale Value Mean a Better EV?

Not necessarily.

A car can hold its value well while being expensive to buy, inefficient, uncomfortable or poorly suited to your lifestyle.

Resale value is only one part of the ownership equation.

I'd look at at least five things:

1. Purchase price
2. Expected depreciation
3. Energy cost
4. Maintenance and repair costs
5. How long you plan to keep the vehicle

An EV that depreciates slightly faster but costs much less to buy and operate could still be the better financial choice.

How Long Should You Keep an EV?

If you're worried about depreciation, keeping the vehicle longer can actually make the issue less important.

Consider a car that loses ,000 during its first five years.

If you sell after two years, you may experience a very large annualized depreciation cost.

If you keep it for ten years, that same initial loss is spread over a much longer ownership period.

Recent EV owners discussing depreciation frequently make the same point: depreciation hurts most when you sell early. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

That's one reason I wouldn't buy an EV with a five-year plan if you already know you'll want to replace it after two years.

Should You Buy a New or Used EV?

If resale value is your biggest concern, I'd seriously consider buying used.

This might sound counterintuitive.

But the first owner absorbs the biggest depreciation hit on many vehicles.

By buying a two- or three-year-old EV, you may be purchasing after a substantial portion of the depreciation has already happened.

Recent EV shoppers have reported finding vehicles with surprisingly large discounts from their original sticker prices. One August 2026 discussion included a 2025 IONIQ 5 originally stickered around ,000 being purchased for approximately ,500 with very low mileage. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}

That doesn't mean every used EV is a bargain.

It means depreciation can create an opportunity for second-hand buyers.

What Should You Check Before Buying a Used EV?

If you're considering a used EV specifically because of its depreciation, don't stop at the price.

Check:

• Battery health
• Remaining battery warranty
• Recall history
• Charging-port condition
• Charging performance
• Accident history
• Tyre condition
• Service records
• Software updates
• Remaining vehicle warranty

Also check whether the car has the charging connector you actually need.

A used EV can be cheap for a reason if its charging hardware or range is significantly behind newer alternatives.

Why Some EVs Hold Value Better Than Others

After looking at the current data, I think there are several recurring characteristics behind strong EV resale values.

Strong brand reputation

Buyers are more comfortable paying for a used vehicle when they trust the manufacturer.

Useful real-world range

A used EV with enough range for normal driving remains relevant even as newer models arrive.

Fast and convenient charging

Charging technology matters because buyers don't want to purchase an EV that feels outdated.

Reasonable new-car pricing

Heavy new-car discounts can destroy used values by making new vehicles too competitive.

Large used-car buyer pool

Popular models tend to have more potential buyers when they eventually enter the used market.

Distinctive design

Some vehicles have an identity that makes buyers want them even after newer models arrive.

Good battery reputation

Confidence in battery durability can make buyers more comfortable purchasing a used EV.

The Problem With EV Depreciation Rankings

Don't treat any depreciation ranking as a crystal ball.

iSeeCars' methodology is useful because it uses large amounts of market data, but its five-year resale calculation compares used prices with original MSRP. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

That means the number can be affected by the original pricing strategy, incentives and discounts.

And the EV market is changing faster than the traditional car market.

A model that looks like a depreciation winner today could face a completely different situation if its manufacturer suddenly cuts new-car prices or launches a much better replacement.

Resale Value vs Total Cost of Ownership

This is the part I think buyers should pay the most attention to.

Imagine EV A loses ,000 over five years.

EV B loses ,000.

At first glance, EV A wins.

But suppose EV A costs ,000 more to purchase and ,500 more in energy and maintenance over those five years.

The total difference becomes much smaller.

That is why resale value should be considered alongside your charging costs.

You can calculate your own charging expenses using the EVChargeLab EV Charging Cost Calculator.

If you're comparing an EV against a gasoline vehicle, our article EV vs Petrol: Which Is Cheaper to Drive in 2026? covers the running-cost side of the equation.

Does Charging Cost Affect Resale Value?

Indirectly, yes.

Imagine two otherwise identical EVs.

One can be charged quickly, cheaply and conveniently at home.

The other is difficult to charge and relies heavily on expensive public infrastructure.

The first car is likely to be more attractive to a used buyer.

This is why charging capability is becoming part of what I would consider an EV's long-term value proposition.

It's not just about battery size.

It's about how easy the car is to live with.

Does Battery Degradation Destroy Resale Value?

Not necessarily.

A used EV buyer should care about battery health, but a moderate amount of degradation is normal.

Modern EV battery-management systems are designed to protect the pack, and real-world studies show that many batteries retain substantial usable capacity after years of operation.

The more important question is whether the remaining range meets the buyer's needs.

A five-year-old EV that has lost some range can still be an excellent used vehicle if it originally had enough range for the owner's lifestyle.

The Best Strategy If You Hate Depreciation

If resale value keeps you awake at night, here's what I would do.

1. Don't pay full MSRP if the market doesn't require it.
2. Look for manufacturer and dealer discounts.
3. Consider a lightly used EV.
4. Choose a model with a strong used-car market.
5. Buy enough range, but don't pay excessively for range you won't use.
6. Keep the vehicle for several years.
7. Maintain the vehicle and preserve its battery health.
8. Keep charging equipment and accessories with the vehicle.

The biggest mistake is often buying an expensive new EV at full price and selling it shortly afterward.

What I Would Buy for Strong Resale Value

If resale value were one of my top priorities in 2026, I wouldn't simply pick the vehicle with the highest percentage in a ranking.

I'd look for a combination of:

• Strong brand reputation
• High used-market demand
• Reasonable purchase price
• Good real-world range
• Modern charging hardware
• Strong warranty
• Proven battery durability
• Limited risk of major new-car price cuts

From the current data, the Toyota bZ4X, Tesla Model 3 and Porsche Taycan stand out for different reasons. The bZ4X currently has an unusually strong five-year retention figure among electric SUVs, the Model 3 combines relatively strong retention with a large mainstream used market, and the Taycan demonstrates that a premium EV can also retain more than half of its original value in the current iSeeCars analysis. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}

But I would not buy any of them solely because of a resale ranking.

A Simple Example: Two EVs With Different Depreciation

Let's compare two hypothetical EVs.

EV A

• Purchase price: ,000
• Five-year resale: ,000
• Depreciation: ,000

EV B

• Purchase price: ,000
• Five-year resale: ,000
• Depreciation: ,000

EV B has the better resale percentage.

But both owners lost the same ,000 in value.

Now imagine EV A costs ,000 less per year to charge and maintain.

Over five years, EV A could actually be considerably cheaper to own.

This is why I wouldn't obsess over resale percentage alone.

The EV You Buy Cheap May Be the One That Loses You the Least

This is perhaps the most useful lesson from current EV depreciation data.

You don't necessarily need an EV with an amazing resale percentage.

You need an EV that you can buy at a sensible price.

A heavily discounted EV that loses 45% of its value can sometimes be a better financial purchase than a premium EV that loses 35%.

The dollar amount you lose matters.

Final Verdict: Which EVs Hold Their Value Best?

The answer changes as the market changes, but the current 2026 data gives us some clear examples.

According to iSeeCars, the Toyota bZ4X currently leads electric SUVs with about 57.6% five-year value retention. The Porsche Taycan wagon retains about 53.1%, the Dodge Charger EV about 52.1%, and the Fiat 500e about 51.7%. The Tesla Model 3 retains about 45.5%, putting it above the overall EV average in the current analysis. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}

But the most important takeaway isn't a particular ranking.

EV depreciation is heavily influenced by what you pay when you buy the vehicle.

A large discount today can protect you from a large percentage loss tomorrow. On the other hand, buying a heavily marked-up or expensive EV and selling it after only two years can be painful even if the vehicle eventually proves popular.

Technology, incentives, battery health, charging capability, supply and demand all play a role.

And that's why I'd approach EV resale value differently from a simple "best cars" list.

Before You Buy, Calculate the Whole Cost

Don't look at resale value in isolation.

Estimate:

• What you'll actually pay for the vehicle
• How much you expect it to be worth when you sell
• How much electricity you'll use
• How much charging will cost
• Maintenance and repair costs
• Insurance
• Financing
• How long you'll keep the car

For charging costs, use the EVChargeLab EV Charging Cost Calculator rather than relying on a generic average.

And if you're trying to decide whether an EV makes financial sense compared with a gas car, read How Much Cheaper Is an EV Than a Gas Car Over Time?.

The Bottom Line

The EV market has a reputation for terrible depreciation, but the reality is more complicated.

Some EVs do depreciate extremely quickly.

Others hold their value surprisingly well.

And sometimes a vehicle that appears to have suffered huge depreciation was simply sold with large incentives in the first place, making the original MSRP a misleading starting point.

If resale value matters to you, look for an EV with strong demand, a trusted brand, useful range, modern charging technology and a sensible purchase price.

Most importantly, don't buy an EV at a price that assumes its resale value will stay high forever.

Buy it because the vehicle makes sense for you today, and treat strong resale value as a bonus rather than a guarantee.

That approach gives you a much better chance of ending up with an EV that is enjoyable to own and financially sensible over the long term.