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BMW 5 Series

the-10-fastest-depreciating-electric-cars

With their low running costs and eco-friendly credentials,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric cars</a>&nbsp;are increasingly attractive options for buyers looking to go green.

However, while some electric cars can prove to be real stalwarts when it comes to holding their value (as our list of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-10-slowest-depreciating-electric-cars/n24528">slowest-depreciating electric cars</a>&nbsp;shows),&nbsp;others don't perform so well.

Here, we&nbsp;use our residual value data to reveal the 10 models that lose the biggest percentage of their original price during the first three years of ownership. All our figures are based on what you can expect for a trade-in that's covered 36,000 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&nbsp;What Car?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals service</a>.&nbsp;All prices correct at the time of writing.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

The 10 fastest-depreciating electric cars

Hatchback

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

Temporary taxonomy to get review live.

ChrisH 01/10/2019

e208

Model&nbsp;Active 50kWh&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£28,200 |&nbsp;36k/3yr resale value&nbsp;£9125 |&nbsp;Price drop&nbsp;£19,075 |&nbsp;Retained value&nbsp;32.36%

You'll have already read a lot about the Peugeot e-208 in this article, and it's the electric car which, on this list, will cost you the least in depreciation – even if it's not quite as good as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/the-10-slowest-depreciating-electric-cars/n24528">slowest-depreciating electric cars</a>.

This version of the Peugeot e-208 has a 50kWh battery which offers a range of up to 225 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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/byd/dolphin/hatchback/review/n25891">BYD Dolphin</a>&nbsp;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.

10: Peugeot e-208

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Smart interior</li>
	<li>Decent to drive</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Expensive</li>
	<li>Cramped in the back</li>
	<li>Driving position won’t suit everyone</li>
</ul>

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

Model&nbsp;42kWh La Prima&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£30,995 |&nbsp;36k/3yr resale value&nbsp;£9775 |&nbsp;Price drop&nbsp;£21,220 |&nbsp;Retained value&nbsp;31.54%

If you want to match retro looks with modern electric car technology, then the Fiat 500 is worth considering. It offers peppy performance and agile handling, making weaving in and out of city traffic a doddle, and while the range is small at just 115 miles, we think most commuters will find they have enough.&nbsp;

If you want more range, then there's a version with a 42kWh battery, and this offers a range of up to 199 miles depending on the trim level you choose. That model also performs slightly better in terms of depreciation.

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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/honda-e/hatchback/review/n20882">Honda E</a>&nbsp;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,&nbsp; 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.

9: Fiat 500

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Decent range between charges</li>
	<li>Fun to drive around town</li>
	<li>Stacks up well financially</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Tiny rear seats</li>
	<li>Noisy on the motorway</li>
	<li>Rivals have longer electric ranges</li>
</ul>

MG has a long heritage in the UK, and while these days it is owned by Chinese firm SAIC, it is slowly but surely beefing up its model range.

Kicking things off is the MG 3, a rival for affordable hatchbacks such as the Dacia Sandero and Skoda Fabia. Then there’s the ZS small SUV, which faces off against the likes of the Renault Captur and Seat Arona. And at the top of the range is the GS, which goes up against Dacia’s Duster and the Ssangyong Tivoli.

While any future MG products are likely to be introduced in China before coming to the UK, design work is still undertaken in the UK. MG’s design studio is based at Longbridge, where the brand made its name with models such as the MGB GT.

MG MOTOR UK

Temporary taxonomy to separate ZS EV from other models in the ZS range. Built by ChrisH 11/10/2019

ZS EV

Model&nbsp;Trophy 51kWh&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£35,495 |&nbsp;36k/3yr resale value&nbsp;£11,075 |&nbsp;Price drop&nbsp;£24,420 |&nbsp;Retained value&nbsp;31.00%

As a cash purchase the MG ZS EV is cheaper than most of its rivals – but as a PCP finance package, its steep depreciation keeps prices higher than you might like.&nbsp;

Still, there is a lot to like here. The ZS EV feels pleasantly nippier than its petrol-engined sibling, for example, with a 0-62mph sprint time of just over eight seconds – meaning it'll keep pace with the Kia Niro EV. And while range from the 51.1kWh battery isn't stellar, at an official 198 miles, that might still be enough for most buyers to use as a second car.

There's no masking the ZS EV's budget credentials inside, but it actually offers a better driving position than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/2008/estate/review/n20552">Peugeot e-2008</a>&nbsp;and still comes with most of the kit you're likely to want, including a 10.1in touchscreen infotainment system with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>&nbsp;smartphone mirroring.

8: MG ZS EV

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>More practical than similarly priced electric cars</li>
	<li>Long Range version has an impressive range</li>
	<li>Cheaper than rival electric SUVs</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Mediocre to drive</li>
	<li>Not the quietest cruiser</li>
	<li>Many electric cars can charge up quicker</li>
</ul>

Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.

So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.

Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.

MAZDA

MX-30

Model&nbsp;Makoto 35.5kWh&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£32,395 |&nbsp;36k/3yr resale value&nbsp;£9750 |&nbsp;Price drop&nbsp;£22,645&nbsp;|&nbsp;Retained value&nbsp;30.10%

Mazda's first electric car is already a fairly expensive proposition, so it's bad news that it will also lose value faster than most rivals, shedding more than £20,000 after three years and 36,000 miles of ownership.

The MX-30 doesn't make up for that fact with a fantastic driving experience, either, because it has a short range of just 124 – we suspect that figure would fall to around 115 miles in real-world use – and it feels slow on faster roads.&nbsp;

Plus, while the interior is smart and the infotainment system is easy to get along with, getting inside the MX-30 using its rear-hinged doors takes a lot of getting used to. The boot isn't large, either, with the rival Kia Niro EV being able to carry substantially more.

7: Mazda MX-30

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good ride and handling balance</li>
	<li>Smart interior with great infotainment system</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Pathetic range</li>
	<li>Loses its value quickly</li>
	<li>Poor rear-seat space</li>
</ul>

Estate

Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

I-PACE

Model&nbsp;EV400 R-Dynamic S 90kWh&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£69,995 |&nbsp;36k/3yr resale value&nbsp;£20,775 |&nbsp;Price drop&nbsp;£49,220 |&nbsp;Retained value&nbsp;29.68%

That the Jaguar I-Pace loses the most value of any car on this list by some margin spells excellent news for used car buyers, but is a nightmare for anyone buying new. In fact, the £49,000 in lost value from the I-Pace is enough to buy most of the other cars on this list outright

Still, once you've swallowed the depreciation pill, there's a lot to like about Jaguar's electric SUV. It drives well, offering the kind of eager handling which keen drivers will love, while taking the sting out of ruts and bumps in the road thanks to a smooth ride.

While the material quality inside isn't going to have Audi or BMW worried, there's still plenty of 'wow' factor to the I-Pace's interior, plus lots of clever tech, including a system to turn the rear-view mirror into a camera.

6: Jaguar I-Pace

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Entertaining handling</li>
	<li>User-friendly interior</li>
	<li>Surprisingly capable off road</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Restricted rear visibility</li>
	<li>Range and charging speed are nothing special</li>
	<li>Not as hushed as rivals</li>
</ul>

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

Mokka-E

Model&nbsp;GS 115kWh |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£31,960 |&nbsp;36k/3yr resale value&nbsp;£10,775 |&nbsp;Price drop&nbsp;£39,735 |&nbsp;Retained value&nbsp;27.12%

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 46.3kWh (usable capacity) battery and sent to the front wheels via a 134bhp 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. Indeed, its official range of 209 miles is less than most versions of the Niro EV can manage.

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.

5: Vauxhall Mokka Electric

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Pretty comfortable</li>
	<li>Impressively quiet at speed</li>
	<li>Plenty of standard kit</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Niro EV and ID 3 have longer ranges</li>
	<li>Cheap feeling interior</li>
	<li>Not that quick by EV standards</li>
</ul>

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition. In fact, it&nbsp;tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from a tiny EV (the Ami) through to the C3 small hatchback and&nbsp;the large van-based&nbsp;Spacetourer MPV.

Its range of SUVs are all badged Aircross, and like the rest of its range place emphasis on comfort, not speed.

CITROEN

e-C4

Model&nbsp;You 50kwh |&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£31,960 |&nbsp;36k/3yr resale value&nbsp;£8500 |&nbsp;Price drop&nbsp;£23,460 |&nbsp;Retained value&nbsp;26.60%

This electric&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/coupe-suvs/n23014">coupé-SUV</a>&nbsp;from Citroën is competitively priced against similarly sized electric cars such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/niro/estate/review/n24582">Kia Niro EV</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id3/hatchback/review/n21832">Volkswagen ID 3</a>, but it loses more value than both after three years of ownership.

We like that it offers a comfortable ride, and is quiet at speed, but plenty of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-suvs/n23038">electric SUV</a>&nbsp;rivals have longer ranges – the e-C4 will officially do 219-221&nbsp;miles between charges, depending on what trim you choose.&nbsp;It's not very fast, either, with a 0-62mph sprint time of 10 seconds, and acceleration which tails off once you're up to motorway speeds.

At least the e-C4 is comfortable, with its deliberately soft suspension doing a good job of cushioning you from larger ruts and speed bumps. You can fit a decent amount into its boot – we managed to squeeze in five carry-on suitcases – but it's worth noting that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/niro/estate/review/n24582">Kia Niro EV</a>&nbsp;can carry more.

4: Citroën ë-C4

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Mainly cushy ride</li>
	<li>Good quality interior</li>
	<li>Hushed at motorway speeds</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Relatively slow acceleration</li>
	<li>Not as roomy as some rivals</li>
	<li>Competent handling but not particularly fun to drive</li>
</ul>

DS has only existed as a standalone manufacturer since 2015&nbsp;(prior to that the badge was used on upmarket&nbsp;Citroëns), but it is now the premium brand in the Stellantis group, which also includes&nbsp;Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall.

The first DS models were essentially rebadged Citroëns, but more recently its cars are now standalone models in their own right. Yet under the skin, they're still very closely related.

Its models are&nbsp;influenced by the French fashion industry and are designed&nbsp;to take on the ubiquitous offerings of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

DS 3

Model&nbsp;Performance Line&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£38,465 |&nbsp;36k/3yr resale value&nbsp;£9150 |&nbsp;Price drop&nbsp;£29,315 |&nbsp;Retained value&nbsp;23.79%

If you're the kind of person who would eschew mainstream electric SUV choices like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/kona/hatchback/review/n18164">Hyundai Kona Electric</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/niro/estate/review/n24582">Kia Niro EV</a>&nbsp;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 250 miles.

3: DS 3 E-Tense

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Distinctive looks</li>
	<li>Decent refinement</li>
	<li>Plenty of standard kit</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Cramped rear seats</li>
	<li>Poor visibility</li>
	<li>Not exciting to drive</li>
</ul>

Corsa-e

Model&nbsp;Design 50kWh&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£32,445 |&nbsp;36k/3yr resale value&nbsp;£7700 |&nbsp;Price drop&nbsp;£24,745 |&nbsp;Retained value&nbsp;23.73%

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<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">,</a>&nbsp;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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg4/hatchback/review/n24916">MG4 EV</a>&nbsp;would be a better bet if you regularly carry tall passengers – and there's not a lot of space in the Vauxhall's&nbsp;boot.

2: Vauxhall Corsa electric

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Relatively well priced</li>
	<li>Respectable charging speeds</li>
	<li>Plenty of standard kit</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Disappointing Euro NCAP safety rating</li>
	<li>Rivals are nicer to drive</li>
	<li>Reliability could be better</li>
</ul>

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

LEAF

Model&nbsp;Acenta 39kWh&nbsp;|&nbsp;List price&nbsp;£28,995|&nbsp;36k/3yr resale value&nbsp;£6425 |&nbsp;Price drop&nbsp;£22,570 |&nbsp;Retained value&nbsp;22.16%

The Nissan Leaf was one of the founding fathers of the electric car class, and it's still worth considering if you want to go&nbsp;green.

There are two versions to choose from, with 39kWh models offering a range of up to 168 miles, and 59kwh models managing 239 miles between charges. It's the former version we're looking at here, which managed 128 miles from a full charge in our real-world range test – less than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a>.

Neither version of the Leaf does well in terms of depreciation, but it's the former which will have the bigger drop in value over three years of ownership – especially if you also choose entry-level Acenta trim.

At least the Leaf's precise steering allows you to place the car exactly where you want it on the road, and there's a decent amount of space in the boot for your luggage.

1: Nissan Leaf

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>39kWh model is quite comfy</li>
	<li>Lots of standard kit</li>
	<li>Big boot</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rear headroom is tight</li>
	<li>Flawed driving position</li>
	<li>Risk of injuries in a crash</li>
</ul>

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

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