Out of all the cars on the market currently (electric, gas, diesel, or otherwise), Teslas retain more of their value over time than any others in the UK, according to the CAP Black Book. This is in spite of the fact that Tesla’s offerings are quite expensive — thereby flying in the face of broader tendencies for expensive cars to depreciate faster.
The CAP Black Book also describes the Tesla Model S as “the green motoring choice for the serious car buyer with a decent budget and a passion for investing in the latest electric vehicle technology.”
Clearly, it’s not just for EV fanatics — it’s for anyone who loves a nice car! The Model S is widely considered the best mass-produced car on the planet.
“The Tesla is still, relatively, rare in the UK and most are bought new by passionate enthusiasts or business fleet buyers,” stated Jeff Knight at CAP. “This means that second-hand examples tend to be fitted with between £10,000–20,000 worth of optional equipment. This helps the Tesla hold its value on the used car market. At Black Book, we have held Tesla values static for a year now, which is highly unusual.”
Knight continued: “Many Tesla owners alter their lifestyle to fit the charging regime, because they are that passionate about the benefits of their vehicle. In the US, it’s not unusual for owners to call at the supercharger on the way home and sit in the car, using the free Wi-Fi to send emails as the car charges. People, clearly, love this vehicle, which means it holds its value. For anyone looking to buy an executive car with green credentials, but can handle the charging regime, a Tesla is one of the smartest investments in today’s market.”
I have to wonder, though, if this reality will change somewhat over the coming years as more and more Model Ss are sold. Furthermore, will it continue now that Autopilot is out? Maybe?
As much as I like this news, as a prospective owner, I’m a bit bummed out by it as well. I guess that’s why I’m in a Leaf for now as they are not having the same successes in retaining value to say the least.
What’s the big deal about ‘handling the charging regime’? Unless your commute is more than 265 miles a day, you are actually saving time. Someone should come up with a yearly time spent fueling comparison between a Model S and an ICE car.
Yes, I really want to see that as well.