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Used electric cars : with prices falling, is now the time to take the plunge?
Mar 5, 2026
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Used electric cars: with prices falling, is now the time to take the plunge?
Yes, now is the right time. At the end of 2025, the average price of a used electric car in France was €22,955, nearly €20,000 less than an equivalent new model. Sales of second-hand electric vehicles jumped 30% over the year to reach a record 178,879 transactions. The range of models on offer has never been so wide, batteries are delivering on their promises, and prices continue to fall. It's no longer a risky gamble: it's a sound economic decision.
Here's everything you need to know to buy with confidence, with verified data and pitfalls to avoid.
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Prices in free fall: the figures that change everything
The used electric vehicle market is experiencing unprecedented deflation. According to the Observatoire de La Centrale (Q4 2025), the average price of a used electric vehicle is €22,955, down 4.27% year-on-year. But this average masks much more dramatic declines for certain models:
Model | Average price Q4 2025 | Year-on-year decrease |
Renault Zoé | €11,990 | - 14% |
Tesla Model 3 | €26,490 | - 11.7% |
Tesla Model Y | €33,980 | - 12.6% |
Fiat 500e | €15,890 | - 16.3% |
Citroën ë-C4 | €17,990 | - 21.7% |
Source: La Centrale Observatory, Q4 2025 (published January 2026).
The difference between the average price of a new electric car (€42,992) and a used one (€22,955) is nearly €20,000. As Guillaume-Henri Blanchet, deputy CEO of La Centrale, points out, used cars now play a central role in access to electric mobility. This is especially true given that listings for used EVs have increased by 38% in one year on the platform, with more than 40,000 vehicles available.
Why are prices for used electric vehicles falling so much?
The fall in prices is no accident. Several structural factors are combining to drive prices down.
Supply is exploding. The first electric vehicles sold in large numbers between 2020 and 2022 (Renault Zoé, Peugeot e-208, Tesla Model 3, Dacia Spring) are arriving en masse on the second-hand market, often via long-term lease returns and corporate fleet renewals. The number of used EVs available in France has risen from 7,000 to 45,000 units in three years, according to Le Journal de l'Automobile.
New cars are driving down the market. The arrival of aggressively priced new electric city cars (Renault 5 E-Tech from €24,990, Citroën ë-C3 from €23,300) is putting mechanical pressure on previous-generation used models. Why pay €18,000 for a 2021 Peugeot e-208 when a new Renault 5 is not much more expensive?
Confidence is growing, but slowly. Despite the increase in sales (+30% in 2025), it still takes an average of 120 days to find a buyer for a used electric vehicle, compared to 60 days for a diesel vehicle (La Centrale). Professional sellers are therefore adjusting their prices to speed up stock turnover. It is this mechanism that directly benefits buyers.
Used batteries: is there really cause for concern?
This is the question that comes up time and time again. And the figures are reassuring: according to a study of 40,000 electric vehicles, 94% of used batteries have a SOH (State of Health) of over 80%. In other words, the vast majority of used EVs retain more than 80% of their original capacity. For a 52 kWh battery, this means that at least 41.6 kWh of actual capacity remains, which is still 300 km of range or more, depending on the model.
Manufacturers guarantee their batteries for 8 years or 160,000 km, with replacement if the capacity falls below 70%. This warranty is transferable to the second owner. A 2020 electric vehicle with 60,000 km on the odometer is therefore still covered until at least 2028.
SOH, the key indicator to check before buying
The SOH measures the actual capacity of the battery compared to its original capacity. An SOH of 90% on a 52 kWh battery means that it still stores 46.8 kWh. There are three ways to obtain this information: a diagnostic test at a dealership (often costing between $50 and $100), an OBD box with a dedicated app (Moba, LeafSpy, CanZE depending on the brand), or a certificate provided by specialized platforms such as Spoticar, which now display it directly on their online ads.
Golden rule: never sign without knowing the SOH. It's the equivalent of a technical inspection for a combustion engine car, but for the most expensive part of the vehicle.
The best models to buy second-hand in 2026
All segments are now covered, from city cars to family SUVs. Here is our selection of the best value for money currently available on the used car market.
Model | Used price | Range | Battery | DC charging | Our opinion |
Renault Zoé 52 kWh (2020-2022) | $10,000 - $16,000 | ~300 km | 52 kWh | 50 kW | Unbeatable price. Check whether the battery is leased. |
Peugeot e-208 (2021-2023) | $16,000 - $22,000 | ~310 km | 50 kWh | 100 kW | Sleek design, decent fast charging. Excellent compromise. |
Tesla Model 3 SR+ (2021-2022) | €26,000 - €32,000 | ~400 km | 60 kWh | 170 kW | Benchmark in its segment. Significant depreciation, excellent SOH even at 100,000 km. |
VW ID.3 Pro (2021-2023) | $24,000 | ~350 km | 58 kWh | 125 kW | Spacious, good range. Improved finish on recent models. |
Hyundai Kona 64 kWh (2020-2022) | $18,000 - $26,000 | ~420 km | 64 kWh | 77 kW | Compact SUV, long range. Transferable 8-year warranty. |
MG ZS EV 70 kWh (2022-2023) | $16,000 - $22,000 | ~320 km | 70 kWh | 92 kW | Best-value family SUV. Transferable 7-year warranty. |
Sources: La Centrale, Leboncoin, manufacturers. Average prices observed in early 2026, subject to change.
The most popular used models remain the Renault Zoe, Peugeot e-208, and Tesla Model 3. But the best deals are often found on less publicized models such as the Kia e-Niro (7-year warranty, 64 kWh, starting at €19,000) or the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro Performance (77 kWh, starting at €23,000). For those on a tight budget, the Dacia Spring is available for less than €10,000 used, but its limited range (around 180 km in real terms) means it is strictly for urban use.
How much does a used electric car cost to run on a daily basis?
One of the strongest arguments in favor of used electric cars is the cost of ownership. Maintaining an electric vehicle costs on average 20 to 35% less than a combustion engine vehicle: no oil changes, no timing belt, and much less wear on the brakes thanks to regenerative braking. Expect to pay between €120 and €800 per year for maintenance, compared to €800 to €1,700 for an equivalent combustion engine vehicle.
Charging: how much does it really cost?
The cost of charging depends on where you charge. At home, with an average electricity rate of €0.20/kWh, charging a 50 kWh battery from 10% to 80% costs around €7, or less than €3 per 100 km. That's four to five times cheaper than filling up with gasoline for the equivalent mileage.
When fast charging at Electra fast charging stations, the standard rate varies between €0.29 and €0.61/kWh including tax, depending on how busy the station is. For regular journeys, two Electra+ plans significantly reduce the bill:
Electra+ Start: $2.30/month with no commitment, charging at $0.45/kWh including tax.
Electra+ Boost: $11.99/month with no commitment, charging at $0.39/kWh including tax.
With the Boost subscription, charging a 50 kWh battery from 10% to 80% costs around €10. The subscription also gives you access to a preferential rate of €0.49/kWh on the Atlante, Fastned, and Ionity partner networks. Find all the details on the Electra charging rates page.
Pitfalls to avoid before buying
The used electric vehicle market has a few surprises in store for uninformed buyers. Here are the key points to watch out for.
Check the type of fast charging plug. Most recent vehicles use the CCS (Combo) standard, which is compatible with almost all fast charging stations in Europe. However, the Nissan Leaf (until 2021) uses the CHAdeMO standard, which is much less common and is becoming obsolete. This significantly limits fast charging options on long journeys.
Be careful with leased batteries on Renault Zoés. Some used Zoés are sold without the battery, which remains the property of Renault for a monthly lease fee of around €70 to €80. Always check whether the sale price includes the battery or whether it is a lease agreement. Models with owned batteries are logically more expensive to purchase, but much more advantageous in the long term.
Ask for a recent SOH diagnosis. A diagnosis less than three months old is essential. Some sellers use the vehicle's mileage or age as indicators of battery condition, but only the SOH provides a reliable measurement. An SOH of less than 80% should raise a red flag and justify negotiating the price.
Choose secure channels. Authorized distribution networks (Spoticar, Occasion Certifiée Constructeur) offer vehicles with a battery diagnosis included, an extended warranty of 12 to 24 months, and more than 100 specific electric vehicle checkpoints. The 10 to 15% extra cost is justified by the peace of mind it provides. Specialized platforms such as Beev or Carbonfree offer a good compromise between price and safety.
Key takeaways
The used electric car market has never been more favorable to buyers. Prices have fallen by 12 to 22% depending on the model in one year, the range on offer has diversified considerably, and the batteries are holding up well (94% retain more than 80% of their capacity). Provided you check the SOH, avoid pitfalls (battery rental, CHAdeMO plug) and favor secure sales channels, a used electric car now offers the best cost-benefit ratio for accessing electric mobility. And with the daily savings on maintenance and charging, the math is easy.
Written by Nicolas, Electra mobility expert
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