For the first time, consumers will have a vast pool of used EVs available for purchase. Will hesitant drivers buy them?
Twenty-thousand Teslas are about to flood the US used-car market, as rental-car giant Hertz seeks to shed a third of its electric vehicle fleet.
For drivers, it’s a chance to snag a Tesla for well below market rate. The Hertz Car Sales website shows more than 200 used Teslas selling for less than $25,000 (£19,800), as of this writing. In comparison, a new Tesla Model 3 – the company’s least-expensive offering – starts at $35,990 (£28,500). These prices are even lower than the US’s cheapest new EV, a Nissan Leaf, which sells for around $29,000 (£22,965).
As Hertz sheds its stock, experts also expect more used electric vehicles will hit the market from dealerships, other rental fleets and private owners, particularly as three-year leases expire. For consumers who have been EV-curious, the new global secondary market presents a prime opportunity to purchase one at a steep discount – especially at a time when automakers continue to struggle with bringing down prices on new models.
“From next year onwards, there will be very significant volumes [of used EVs], and we can expect prices to go down significantly,” says Thibaud Simphal, Global Head of Sustainability for Uber.
Can confirm, just bought a top of the line 2022 Leaf with 33k miles on it. All the bells and whistles of a new $40k car, even warranty, and thanks to the used EV credit, got it under $15k.
It just makes so much more sense. Even if it’s not the ideal car due to the aging CHADEMO standard and lack of battery cooling, the low cost of ownership and many nice features make it a great stepping stone until the market sorts itself out.
No battery cooling? Shit that doesn’t sound like a good idea in warm climates
AFAIK it’s air cooled, but lacking your usual liquid cooling loop. The temps will drop as you drive, but not enough to overcome the heat added by fast charging and bring the pack down to allow another rapid charge session at full speed.
It’s fine generally - what I’ve heard is the only issue caused by the air cooling is heavily throttling fast charge rate eventually on a long enough trip, but it does basically grind road trips to a near halt.
Damn. I live in Arizona, during the summer my phone shuts down sometimes just during normal use because of overheating, I imagine that not working well… Maybe the air cooing is sufficient