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The 10 fastest-depreciating electric cars
Choosing an electric car can slash your running costs, but some models will still make you feel the pinch because of how much value they lose
Darren Moss
Updated: 28 April 2025
Whether it's thanks to the prospect of super-low running costs or through Government-mandated sales targets, more of us are now driving electric cars than ever before.
However, while some electric cars hold on to their value with a tighter grip than a banker with their bonus cheque, (as our list of the slowest-depreciating electric cars shows) others shed pounds and pence at a truly alarming rate.
In this story, then, we're revealing the electric cars which will suffer the worst depreciation effects after a typical ownership period of three years and 30,000 miles.
If anything takes your fancy, simply click on the relevant link to read our full review, or see how much you could save by using the free What Car? New Car Deals service. All prices are correct at the time of writing.
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Vauxhall Corsa Electric
Best buy: 51kWh Yes Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 8.2 sec
Range: 265 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 267 litres
Insurance group: 30D
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Reasonably priced
- Respectable charging speeds
- Plenty of standard kit
Weaknesses
- Disappointing Euro NCAP safety rating
- Rivals are better to drive
- Poor reliability record
Model Design 51kWh | List price £28,330 | 36k/3yr resale value £8325 | Price drop £20,005 | Retained value 29.39%
The combustion-engined Vauxhall Corsa is consistently among the best-selling new cars in the UK, but while this electric version shares many of the charms of that car – including being competitively priced and coming loaded with standard kit – it also sheds pounds and pence at an alarming rate.
To drive, the Corsa Electric is mediocre, offering a competitive range of up to 222 miles and peppy performance from its 134bhp electric motor, but its handling doesn't inspire you to push on. Plus, the ride is on the firm side, which makes the Corsa Electric fidget more over broken surfaces than, say, a Peugeot e-208 would.
Larger adults won't want to spend much time in the Corsa's rear seats – the MG4 EV would be a better bet if you regularly carry tall passengers – and there's not a lot of space in the Vauxhall's boot.
Read our full Vauxhall Corsa Electric review
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Vauxhall Corsa Electric
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £372.99 Initial payment £4,475.88
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£4,721 total upfront (£4,476 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Vauxhall Mokka Electric
Best buy: 54kWh Yes Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 9 sec
Range: 250 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 310 litres
Insurance group: 25D
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Pretty comfortable
- Decent electric range
- Plenty of standard kit
Weaknesses
- Depreciates quickly
- Cheap-feeling interior
- Regular versions aren’t as fast as some rivals
Model GS 115kWh | List price £34,280 | 36k/3yr resale value £11,100 | Price drop £23,180 | Retained value 32.38%
While some car makers shout about their SUVs being electric, the Vauxhall Mokka Electric is purposefully designed to fly under the radar – it looks, to most eyes, like just another version of the regular Vauxhall Mokka. It is indeed electric, though, with power being drawn from a 50.8kWh (usable capacity) battery and sent to the front wheels via a 154bhp electric motor.
The Mokka Electric isn't the last word in performance – even in its sport driving mode both the Kia Niro EV and Volkswagen ID 3 could show it a clean pair of heels – and nor can it travel very far on a charge. Plus, its official range of 250 miles between charges isn't the best around.
We wish the interior didn't feel so cheap in places, but at least every Mokka comes loaded with kit. There really isn't much need to look beyond the entry-level GS models, because these get adaptive cruise control, keyless start and heated front seats as standard.
Read our full Vauxhall Mokka Electric review
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RRP from: £32,505
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From £21,998
Leasing deals
From £417
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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Vauxhall Mokka Electric
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £417.04 Initial payment £5,004.48
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£5,249 total upfront (£5,004 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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DS 3 E-Tense
Best buy: E-TENSE 54kWh Pallas Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 9 sec
Range: 248 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 350 litres
Insurance group: 29A
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Plush and classy interior
- Quiet cruising manners
- Plenty of standard kit
Weaknesses
- Expensive to buy new
- Sub-par electric range
- Cramped rear seats
Model Etoile | List price £38,465 | 36k/3yr resale value £10,725 | Price drop £33,020 | Retained value 32.48%
If you're the kind of person who would eschew mainstream electric SUV choices like the Hyundai Kona Electric or Kia Niro EV in favour of something with a little more style, then we can understand why you might end up at the driver's door of the DS 3 E-Tense.
It's certainly striking to look at, and its interior design will be a constant conversation starter for your passengers, with its diamond-themed layout and tessellated pattern of touch-sensitive controls. The thing is, though, it's mostly style over substance, because the touch-sensitive buttons aren't easy to get along with and the 7.0in infotainment screen is on the small side.
The DS 3 E-Tense is lacking in performance, too, with its 154bhp motor not being able to match its Hyundai and Kia rivals in a 0-62mph sprint. It can't go as far as those cars on a charge, either, with an official range of 248 miles.
Read our full DS 3 E-Tense review
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Best price from £24,795
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RRP from: £33,385
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From £1,495
Leasing deals
From £468
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What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
DS 3 E-Tense
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £467.77 Initial payment £5,613.24
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£5,858 total upfront (£5,613 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo
Best buy: Performance Plus 105kWh 4S Cross Turismo Auto 4WD 5dr (11kW Charger)
0-62 mph: 3.8 sec
Range: 380 miles
Seats: 4
Boot: 446 litres
Insurance group: 50E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Boisterous point-to-point pace
- More spacious rear seats than in the saloon
- Wonderful interior quality
Weaknesses
- You will want to add a fair few options
- Range isn’t the best
- Some rival performance estates have bigger boots
Model Turbo S | List price £163,200| 36k/3yr resale value £53,075 | Price drop £110,125 | Retained value 32.52%
It's a little surprising to see a high-performance model like the Porsche Taycan represented here, but this range-topping Turbo S version does indeed shed value faster than most other electric cars.
Here's the thing, though –we reckon that on most journeys, you'll be having too much fun to care. That's because it can rocket to motorway speeds in just 2.4sec, and it's just as much fun in corners, where its agility truly belies its size. And with an official range of up to 393 miles between charges, you can keep driving long after other electric cars have run out of juice.
This being the Sport Turismo model, your rear passengers benefit from a little extra leg and head room over the regular Porsche Taycan. Indeed, six-footers will find they have more room to stretch out in than in the rival Audi E-tron GT.
Read our full Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo review
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Best price from £89,465
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £99,800
RRP from: £89,465
Nearly new deals
From £76,500
Leasing deals
From £1,114
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £1,113.84 Initial payment £13,366.08
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£13,611 total upfront (£13,366 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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Audi E-tron GT
Best buy: 105kWh Auto quattro 4dr
0-62 mph: 4 sec
Range: 384 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 405 litres
Insurance group: 50E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Comfortable ride and great handling
- A good range and ultra-rapid charging
- Space for four adults
Weaknesses
- Expensive to buy
- Interior doesn’t feel as special as a Taycan’s
- Rear access could be better
Model S 105kWh | List price £108,720 | 36k/3yr resale value £37,000 | Price drop £71,720 | Retained value 34.03%
The Porsche Taycan above and the Audi E-tron GT share more than a few similarities under the skin, and unfortunately that extends to the rate at which they lose value, too.
While it was the range-topping Turbo S version of the Taycan which suffers worst at the hand of depreciation, though, here it's the entry-level S model of the E-tron GT. It's only entry-level in name, though, because with four-wheel drive, and two electric motors producing a combined 583bhp, it feels plenty fast enough for most people.
Of course, you could spend a little more on the RS Performance model, which ups the power output to a fairly ridiculous 671bhp and drops the 0-62mph sprint time down to just 2.8sec, but that also compromises the range. The S model of the E-tron GT, meanwhile, can officially take you up to 375 miles between charges.
Read our full Audi E-tron GT review
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Best price from £75,699
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £75,699
RRP from: £88,605
Nearly new deals
From £66,450
Leasing deals
From £1,039
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Audi E-tron GT
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £1,038.53 Initial payment £12,462.36
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£12,707 total upfront (£12,462 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
GWM Ora 03
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Great level of safety
- Good rear seat space
- Long warranty
Weaknesses
- Tiny boot
- Poor infotainment system
- Many rivals ride and handle better
Model Pure+ | List price £24,995 | 36k/3yr resale value £8550 | Price drop £16,445 | Retained value 34.21%
We'd usually forgive some faster depreciation on a model that's cheap to buy to begin with, but the fact is that you'll still pay more for an Ora 03 – previously known as the Funky Cat – than you will for some electric car rivals.
And it's not as though the Ora is shining to drive, either. Its official 193-mile range is outclassed by most other small EVs these days, and while light steering makes it easy to drive around town, an unsettled ride and poor body control blights the experience on faster roads.
Inside, there's plenty of scope for personalisation and good visibility, but the quality of materials is only mediocre and you won't fit much luggage into the boot.
Read our full GWM Ora 03 review
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Best price from £32,995
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
RRP from: £32,995
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From £16,995
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Fiat 500e
Best buy: 42kWh Icon Auto 3dr
0-62 mph: 9 sec
Range: 200 miles
Seats: 4
Boot: 185 litres
Insurance group: 15D
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Fun and easy to drive around town
- Small battery version is reasonably priced
- Cheery interior
Weaknesses
- Tiny rear seats
- Noisy at motorway speeds
- Rivals can go further on a charge
Model 42kWh Giorgio Armani | List price £33,985 | 36k/3yr resale value £11,700 | Price drop £22,285 | Retained value 34.43%
If you want to match retro looks with modern electric car technology, then the Fiat 500 is worth considering, offering peppy performance and agile handling, which makes weaving in and out of city traffic a doddle.
The cheapest models come with a tiny 24kWh battery offering an official range of 115 miles between charges, so we'd suggest going for the larger 42kWh option. That boosts the range 199 miles depending on the trim level you choose.
No matter which version of the 500 you choose, the ride can be quite choppy, if not uncomfortably so. The rival Peugeot e-208 and Honda E feel calmer and more settled on faster roads, and are both quieter at speed.
Despite placing you low down inside the car, the 500 is easy to see out of, and even entry-level models come with all the kit you're likely to need, including air conditioning, a 10.25in infotainment touchscreen, and 16in alloy wheels.
Read our full Fiat 500 Electric review
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Best price from £19,305
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Available now from: £19,305
RRP from: £20,995
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From £23,895
Mercedes EQA
Best buy: EQA 250+ 70.5kWh Sport (Executive) Auto 5dr
0-62 mph: 8.6 sec
Range: 345 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 340 litres
Insurance group: 38E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Spacious interior
- Well equipped
- Long official range
Weaknesses
- Expensive to buy
- Poor ride
- Interior quality could be better
Model 250+ AMG Line Premium Plus | List price £58,215 | 36k/3yr resale value £20,200 | Price drop £38,015 | Retained value 34.70%
Losing more than £38,000 in value over three years of ownership is a tough pill to swallow, and you'll have plenty of time to get to grips with that prospect in this entry-level version of the Mercedes EQA.
That's because, with a 0-62mph sprint time of 8.6sec, it's not especially rapid. Indeed, the rival Genesis GV60, Kia EV6 and Smart #1 are all faster to motorway speeds.
Things get a bit better when you're on a winding country road, though, because the EQA handles with reasonable composure. Unfortunately, the ride is a bit firm, sending thuds back through the suspension when you hit a pothole or crack.
Still, at least the interior has a smart design and the touchscreen infotainment system is easy enough to get along with.
Read our full Mercedes EQA review
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Best price from £47,020
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Available now from: £47,020
RRP from: £49,760
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From £32,950
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Peugeot e-208
Best buy: 50kWh Allure Auto 5dr (7.4kW Charger)
0-62 mph: 8.1 sec
Range: 226 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 309 litres
Insurance group: 31E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Smart interior
- Good to drive
- Long warranty
Weaknesses
- Expensive
- Cramped in the back
- Driving position won’t suit everyone
Model Allure 50kWh | List price £29,960 | 36k/3yr resale value £10,575 | Price drop £19,385 | Retained value 35.30%
This version of the Peugeot e-208 small electric car has a 46.3kWh (usable capacity) battery which offers a range of up to 224 miles depending on which trim you choose – that's competitive by the standard of small electric cars, and is more than the Fiat 500 can manage, while the BYD Dolphin can go further still.
The e-208 is impressively quiet, even on faster roads, and even though its regenerative braking system can sometimes make the brakes feel spongy, the Peugeot offers a better ride than its rivals, and does a good job of soaking up the lumps and bumps of battered British roads.
Peugeot's i-cockpit layout takes some getting used to, because it has you looking over a small steering wheel at the instruments rather than through it, but the quality of materials used inside is good and there's all the kit you could want, even on entry-level models.
Read our full Peugeot e-208 review
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Best price from £18,240
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £18,240
RRP from: £25,065
Nearly new deals
From £18,990
Leasing deals
From £354
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Peugeot e-208
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £354.13 Initial payment £4,249.56
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£4,495 total upfront (£4,250 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 48 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Lexus UX 300e
Best buy: 2.0 300h Premium E-CVT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr
0-62 mph: 8.1 sec
MPG/range: 56.5 mpg
C02 emissions: 113 g/km
Seats: 5
Boot: 315 litres
Insurance group: 24E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning
Strengths
- Well-equipped
- Comfortable ride
- Reliability record
Weaknesses
- Shorter range than rivals
- Charges up more slowly than rivals
- Cramped rear seat space and boot
Model 300e | List price £40,065 | 36k/3yr resale value £15,225 | Price drop £28,240 | Retained value 38.00%
Rounding off our list of the fastest-depreciating electric cars is this fully electric version of the Lexus UX small SUV.
Its 64kWh battery seems rather bulky on paper, but in our real-world tests it managed just 170 miles on a charge – most rivals will beat that by some margin. Still, at least the UX is peppy, reaching motorway speeds faster than the Peugeot e-2008 can manage.
You'd expect a Lexus to feel plush inside, but sadly while the UX looks distinctive, the materials used in some of the places you touch regularly don't feel all that premium. It's not all that practical for your family, either, with limited rear seat room and a tiny boot.
All-in, there are much better small electric SUVs on the market – and most of them won't depreciate at the same rate as the 300e.
Read our full Lexus UX300e review
Read more: Best electric cars
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Best price from £37,645
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £37,645
RRP from: £38,145
Nearly new deals
From £33,000
Leasing deals
From £372
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
Lexus UX 300e
Expected annual mileage 5000 Term months 60 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £372.12 Initial payment £4,465.44
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- Free returns within 30 days*
Excess mileage charges and return conditions apply. Subject to availability and credit status. 18+ T&Cs apply.
In partnership with
£4,710 total upfront (£4,465 initial rental plus £245 processing fee) | 5000 miles | 60 months
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
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