The trap of cheap used electric cars?

The used electric car market is progressing rapidly, but it is still under construction.

The used electric car market is no longer just a niche segment for eco-conscious motorists. The hunt for good deals and expert-level plans has become commonplace just like for gasoline and diesel enthusiasts, and inevitably, current low prices can seem attractive. Volumes are increasing, listings are multiplying, and professionals are structuring their offers with refurbished, guaranteed, and financed models. In France and elsewhere in Europe, the trend is real. However, despite this growth, the market has not yet reached maturity.

And for good reason: electric technology is still young. Compared to a combustion engine that has evolved for over a century, the mass-market electric car has only existed for about fifteen years. As a result, the technological gaps between two generations are considerable. Where a 2020 diesel compact remains very close to a 2025 model with just a few aesthetic details, an electric vehicle launched five years ago may already seem completely outdated.

The electric vehicle: a teenager growing up fast

Significantly increased ranges, constantly improving charging speeds, optimized thermal management, and enhanced efficiency… Each new generation marks a significant leap forward. This rapid evolution naturally impacts the value of the early electric vehicles that entered the used market.

Another phenomenon will amplify this transformation: the massive arrival of vehicles from the end of long-term rentals and lease agreements. Trust us, it’s a genuine financial crisis that manufacturers and financing agencies are anticipating: Electric leasing: is a serious crisis on the horizon?

With the rise in electric registrations in recent years, the influx of recent refurbished models will mechanically increase. More choices, better-equipped cars, with more comfortable ranges and faster charging. Tomorrow will be better, that’s a certainty.

Too good, too soon?

Today, used electric cars may seem attractive with rock-bottom prices sometimes lower than those of combustion vehicles with superior equipment and performance. But behind the facade, the ranges and charging speeds may rapidly disillusion you if you are not well informed…

In three years – or even in a few months for some models like the Tesla Model 3 or Tesla Model Y Standard, or the latest generations from BYD – prices will be slightly higher, but they will pertain to vehicles that are significantly more efficient than today’s offerings. For example, charging speed has doubled between the first-generation BYD Atto 3 launched three years ago and the Atto 3 Evo 2026. What does that mean? A drop from 45 to just 25 minutes to charge to 80%! And all without a price increase. In a few months, Megawatt charging and the 800V architecture will become a reality, and charging your car will take no longer than filling up your tank… minus the odors on your hands.

In other words, the used electric car market is evolving quickly. Very quickly. Extremely quickly! And perhaps that’s the whole question: should you take the plunge now, or give technology a bit more time to mature? In our view, extending the life of your trusty old combustion vehicle may not be a bad calculation. In a world that is progressing by leaps and bounds, sometimes waiting can be the best strategy.

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