How Much EV Owners Have Lost Thanks To Depreciation
A persistent problem with electric cars in the U.S. is the steep financial risk caused by rapid depreciation. The issue hits luxury EV buyers the hardest, as these high-end electric models often lose over half of their original value in just three years. This aggressive value loss stems from the rapid pace of battery and software development, which makes older models obsolete much faster than traditional luxury vehicles.
Additionally, frequent manufacturer price cuts on new models and an influx of off-lease vehicles create a supply surplus that drives down secondhand values. Because buyers worry about long-term battery degradation and out-of-warranty replacement costs, resale demand remains low. You risk falling into negative equity quickly when you finance these vehicles, as the loan balance easily outpaces the collapsing market value of the car.
2022 Polestar 2
Depreciation Over Five Years: 60.9 Percent
Used 2022 Polestar 2 values typically range from $20,300 to $23,400. According to iSeeCars data, you lose $30,396 in depreciation over five years when you purchase a Polestar 2. When new, the model cost $47,200 for the Long Range Single Motor version to $51,200 for the Long Range Dual Motor version. It’s no longer available in the U.S. for the 2026 model year.
This drop represents a 60.9 percent depreciation rate and leaves you with a $19,504 resale value. The niche model receives a value retention score of 6.6 out of 10 from iSeeCars. Pricing for the fastback starts at $64,800. J.D. Power gives the vehicle a resale rating of 75 out of 100.
2022 Porsche Taycan
Depreciation Over Five Years: 61.2 Percent
The current market value for a used 2022 Porsche Taycan ranges roughly from $52,700 to $89,800, depending heavily on the trim level, mileage, and optional equipment. Starting base MSRPs ranged from $84,050 for the base sedan to $188,950 for the Cross Turismo Turbo S. According to iSeeCars data, you lose $60,838 in depreciation over five years when you purchase a Porsche Taycan.
This drop represents a 61.2 percent loss and leaves you with a $38,562 resale value after five years of regular usage. The entire Taycan range receives a value retention score of 6.9 out of 10 from iSeeCars. A new base model currently starts at $99,400. The Edmunds True Cost to Own calculator indicates that the model loses $77,349 over the course of five years.
2022 Lucid Air
Depreciation Over Five Years: 62.7 Percent
2022 Lucid Air models typically sell for $36,700 for base Pure trims, while Dream Edition models sell for $62,500. These models cost $87,400 and $169,000 when new, respectively. According to iSeeCars data, you lose $44,468 in depreciation over five years when you purchase a Lucid Air. This drop represents a 62.7 percent loss, leaving you with a $26,432 resale value.
The model receives a value retention score of 6.7 out of 10 from iSeeCars. A new base Lucid Air Pure starts at $70,900 for the 2026 model year. CarEdge data reveals a similar pattern for the model. The Lucid Air suffers a 62.7 percent depreciation rate after five years, resulting in a $26,432 used price. After 10 years, your vehicle retains only 20.2 percent of its original value. This retention rate translates to a resale value of $14,336.
2022 Genesis G80 Electrified
Depreciation Over Five Years: 64.5 Percent
Edmunds reveals that the 2022 Genesis G80 Electrified now sells for $27,995. When new, it would have cost you $79,825. According to iSeeCars data, you lose 64.5 percent of the purchase price to depreciation over five years when you buy a new Genesis Electrified G80. This drop represents a significant value reduction and leaves you with a 35.5 percent residual value.
The model receives a value retention score of 6.6 out of 10 from iSeeCars. A new base 2025 Genesis Electrified G80 cost $74,375 just before the South Korean brand decided to pull it from the American catalog. CarEdge data indicates that the same model retains slightly more value over the five-year mark. The Electrified G80 suffers a 62.8 percent depreciation rate after five years. This rate leaves you with a $28,371 resale value. After 10 years of ownership, the vehicle retains 25.2 percent of its original value. This retention rate results in a used price of $19,224.
2022 BMW i4
Depreciation Over Five Years: 68.1 Percent
A used 2022 BMW i4 generally ranges in value from $26,500 to $36,300 depending on the trim and condition. When new in the USA, the 2022 BMW i4 was offered in two main configurations. The base i4 eDrive40 started at an MSRP of $55,400, while the performance-focused i4 M50 started at $65,900. According to iSeeCars data, you lose 68.1 percent of the purchase price to depreciation over five years when you buy a BMW i4.
This drop represents a 31.9 percent residual value retention. A new base 2026 BMW i4 Gran Coupe starts at $57,900. CarEdge data reveals that the i4 Series suffers a 50.5 percent depreciation rate after five years. This rate leaves you with a $25,051 resale value. After 10 years of ownership, which results in an average used price of $13,778.
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQE Sedan
Depreciation Over Five Years: 70.2 Percent
J.D. Power indicates that the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQE sedan range now sells for anywhere between $31,388 and $54,947, depending on the condition, specification, and mileage. When new, its price range sat between $74,900 and $106,900.
According to iSeeCars data, you lose $45,614 in depreciation over five years when you purchase a new Mercedes-Benz EQE Sedan. This drop represents a 70.2 percent loss, leaving you with a $19,336 resale value. The model receives a value retention score of 6.4 out of 10 from iSeeCars. A new base EQE 320+ Sedan starts at $64,950 for the 2026 model year.
CarEdge data reveals a much higher rate of value retention for the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 Sedan. That version only suffers a 47 percent depreciation rate after five years, resulting in a $42,015 resale value based on a new selling price of $79,050. After 10 years, the vehicle retains 23.2 percent of its value, which translates to a used price of $18,379.
2022 Audi e-tron GT
Depreciation Over Five Years: 71.4 Percent
Edmunds reveals that 2022 Audi e-tron GT model years in outstanding condition typically sell for $37,118, which is a long way off from its $99,900 MSRP when new. A new base model costs $127,700 for the 2026 model year. According to iSeeCars data, you are set to lose an average of $105,048 in depreciation over five years when you buy a brand-new model, which also includes the flagship RS, priced at $170,500. This drop represents a 71.4 percent loss.
Audi receives a value retention score of 6.3 out of 10 from iSeeCars for e-tron GT. CarEdge data indicates that the same model retains more value with a 54 percent depreciation rate after five years. This rate leaves you with a $67,756 resale value. After 10 years, your vehicle retains only 31.9 percent of its original value. This retention rate results in a used price of $46,919.
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan
Depreciation Over Five Years: 72.5 Percent
According to iSeeCars data, you lose $75,667 in depreciation over five years if you purchased a 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan. This drop represents a massive value reduction and leaves you with a $28,733 resale value. The assessment places the flagship German sedan as the second-worst luxury electric vehicle for value retention. The model receives a value retention score of 6.2 out of 10 from iSeeCars. A new base EQS 450+ Sedan starts at $104,400.
CarEdge data indicates that the same model retains half of its original purchase price over the five-year mark. The EQS Sedan suffers a 72.5 percent depreciation rate after five years, resulting in a $51,703 resale value. After 10 years of ownership, the vehicle is only worth $29,932, which represents a total depreciation loss of $74,468.
2024 BMW i5
Depreciation Over Five Years: 73.1 Percent
Used values for the 2024 BMW i5 range from $39,000 to $65,000. When the BMW i5 first launched in the USA, base prices started at $66,800 MSRP for the rear-wheel-drive eDrive40 and $84,100 MSRP for theM60. According to iSeeCars data, you lose $49,028 to depreciation over five years when you purchase a BMW i5. This drop represents a 73.1 percent depreciation loss, which leaves you with an $18,072 resale value.
The electric sedan receives a value retention score of 6.2 out of 10 from iSeeCars. Pricing for the base model starts at $70,100. CarEdge data indicates that the same model retains slightly more than half of its value over the five-year mark. The BMW i5 suffers a 54 percent depreciation rate after five years, resulting in a $36,285 resale value. After 10 years of ownership, your vehicle retains 31.3 percent of its original value. This retention rate translates to a used price of $24,574.
2023 BMW i7
Depreciation Over Five Years: 76.2 Percent
As of mid-2026, the average used market value for a 2023 BMW i7 in the USA typically ranges from $49,000 to $85,000. The 2023 BMW i7 xDrive60 launched in the USA with a base MSRP of $119,300. According to iSeeCars data, you lose 76.2 percent of the purchase price to depreciation over five years when you buy a BMW i7. This drop represents the worst depreciation rate in the assessment, leaving you with a $25,130 resale value on the used market.
The flagship sedan loses an average of $80,570 since new and receives a value retention score of 6.0 out of 10 from iSeeCars. A base BMW i7 starts at $105,700. CarEdge data reveals that the same model retains more value under standard ownership conditions. A vehicle in good condition covering 12,000 miles a year suffers a 47 percent depreciation rate after five years. This rate reflects a $49,975 loss and leaves you with a $55,725 resale value.
Sources: OEMs, J.D. Power, iSeeCars, CarEdge, and Edmunds.
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