EV Depreciation 2023

a VW Golf style petrol manual in 212 was €32k. 2.5years later, even the cheapest high milers are listing at €26k, low mileage for €28/29k ish.

they don’t make manual petrol golf’s anymore of course, so that will help a lot.

youd have to be doing massive mileage for €11-12k depreciation over 18months on the EV to make sense, on a 5-door family car.

Agreed - I’m just suggesting that this is another example of the running cost savings falling foul of the depreciation.

again - absolutely no one is buying an EV for environmental reasons, it’s all about costs, tech and/or 0-60 times.

I had a perfectly good Lexus Is300h and I wanted a new car. I spent 44k on it, and it wasn't to save money obviously. I love technology, but the main reason I went Ev was for the benefit of the environment. When I say environment what I really mean is local air quality. Unless my circumstances change drastically I'll never go back to petrol. Couldn't give a shlt about depreciation, I'll worry about that when it comes to changing as the market will have changed again.

It's funny you should say this as I spent some time with my Nephews during the week, 10 and 12. I asked what they and their buddies were interested in car wise and they said it's still petrol cars. They don't lust after electric at all. My general experience is different though and young kids seem to love the Tesla.

So why are you persisting then? To spend extra time and money teaching your children a skill that they will never need?

I can only think of one reason to do so: if your children were interested in older / classic cars. I discussed that with mine and they weren't 😁 And don't get me wrong, I love driving manual cars. It was sad to see my Boxster go. And then last year I got a MINI Cooper S, but sold that too.

That's an old argument that used to be valid alright. One that I used myself years ago to encourage people to learn to drive in a manual.

But it's nearly impossible to rent a car until you are 25. So the first time today's teenagers will be able to rent a car is 6-7 years from now. By then rental cars will pretty much all be electric / automatic

Once there is self driving you won’t be allowed drive yourself I’d imagine .

The vast majority of rentals are usually the base model. That is never an EV. You're also latching on to the current market which is in flux as if it's normal. It's not. That applies to EVs and ICE cars. You tube is full of it.

True for me twice this summer. I went expecting to rent in a big city an EV or at least an automatic. None available both times.

If a young driver wants cheap, and simple and slow it will be manual. Because they won't be buying a new car. They'll be buying an old car. I doubt "many" are buying a 1st gen leaf to drive to college or their first job, they are either renting close to work or college or commuting a long way to it.

Noticeably in London how many small petrol cars (manuals) are so popular, because people are parking on the street and in ulez zones. Ireland and Dublin is only going to follow in that trend.

They should get the manual license anyway; even if they need to rent a motorhome or removal van they will be at a disadvantage.

Thanks for this tip, Managed to get this car, (Emailing and sending voicemail even though is was bank holiday helped, as I got a reply). Seems a few on this thread were interested after your tip. Very happy so far!!

Well done, sounds like you got a great deal. I presume it’s a 58kWh version ?

Same. Wasn't concerned about depreciation - yes I'm sure it will be painful, but as we've said all along it only crystallises when you're at a selling/changing point.

The primary motivation was to move to a cleaner form of urban transport. Second in line was the much more pleasurable driving experience. Third in line was the abundance of up to date technology (which contributes to #2). Last in line was cost of ownership, which I treat as a bonus (although that cost of ownership advantage is receding in small cuts here and there).