What does this new electric Opel Corsa at -47% hide?

A near halving of the price of a new car raises questions and requires careful consideration before rushing in.

Let’s start from the beginning: what is the Opel Corsa electric? It is nothing more or less than an electric Peugeot 208, a compact car that is quite nice to drive daily with its 136 horsepower (100 kW). Thanks to its 50 kW battery, the German model promises about 350 km of range on paper, but rather 300 km in reality. Regarding charging, the Corsa can accept up to 100 kW for a charge from 20 to 80% in about 30 minutes.

At the end of 2023, the Opel Corsa underwent a significant aesthetic and technical update. The power increased by 20 horsepower (now 156 hp) and the range reached 405 km (+55 km). There was also a simplification of the range with fewer trim options. However, there remains a real issue, similar to all electric cars from the Stellantis group of which Opel is a part: the price. So much so that one wonders if there is an obstacle to selling decarbonized models…

An incoherent price?

Factually, one can spin any story with a discount. And even more so with this Opel e-Corsa whose sticker price, at the time of its production, was 39,250 euros. You read that right! More expensive than a Tesla Model Y Propulsion, there’s nothing that justifies such a price positioning.

As a result, the model presented here, model year 2023, has not found a buyer for a year. Put that way, it’s really not flattering. Let’s not forget that this e-Corsa has already received the ecological bonus of 4,000 euros. To this, the dealer adds an XXL discount that brings the price down to 20,764 euros.

This vehicle is new, but its warranty is already half over.

What technical risks?

We know that a car that does not drive ages faster. And when talking about an electric car, the effect is even greater. The electronics are more complex, and prolonged deep discharge of the battery is a real concern. If the car has been stored in optimal conditions (protected from moisture and extreme temperatures), the risks are lower. However, storing it in an unsuitable environment—such as outside in the parking lot, exposed to rain, cold, sun, etc.—can exacerbate potential issues.

Some electric cars use liquid cooling systems for the battery. If the liquid hasn’t circulated in a long time, it could lead to malfunctions or require flushing and replacement. Lithium-ion batteries, like those used in electric cars, degrade over time even when not being used. A car that hasn’t been driven for a year could have a less efficient battery with reduced capacity. If the battery has remained at a low charge level for a long time, it may lead to deep discharge, which could damage the battery or make recharging difficult.

Finally, manufacturers often offer software updates to improve the performance and safety of electric cars. If the car hasn’t been updated for a year, some features or optimizations may be lacking.

For all these reasons, it might be better to pass on this one?

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