Used Electric Car Prices Are Falling in Portugal — Is Now the Time to Buy?
Published: 04/04/2026
Used electric car prices keep falling — is now the right time to buy in Portugal?
A 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 with 20,000 km for under 7,000 euros. A Nissan Leaf for 6,900 euros. A Renault Zoe with a 52 kWh battery for less than 8,000 euros. These are not hypothetical scenarios — they are real prices for used electric cars available in Portugal in April 2026. Two years ago, numbers like these would have been unthinkable.
Used electric car prices are falling across Europe, and Portugal is no exception. Data from La Centrale in France shows an average drop of 2,300 euros year-on-year (-9.53%) for used EVs. In the UK, prices fell 7.4% in 2025. In the US, the gap between a used EV and a used petrol car has shrunk to just $1,300 — down from over $10,000 in early 2023. The question many buyers in Portugal are asking: is this the best time to buy a used electric car?
Why used EV prices are dropping
Three main forces explain the decline in used electric car prices.
First, the lease return wave. Hundreds of thousands of EVs leased between 2021 and 2023 are flooding back onto the market as contracts expire. In France alone, 123,000 vehicles returned in 2025, with projections of 329,000 in 2026 and 650,000 by 2027. The result is an oversupply that pushes prices down.
Second, cheaper new models are creating downward pressure. Brands like BYD, Dacia, and MG have launched new EVs at aggressive price points, which automatically reduces the perceived value of used ones. A new Dacia Spring starts at around 17,000 euros — why pay 15,000 for a used one when a brand-new car costs just a little more?
Third, battery anxiety persists. Many buyers remain wary of battery health in EVs that are a few years old. This hesitation creates risk discounts, even though modern EV batteries come with 8-year or 100,000 km warranties and normal degradation sits between 10-15% after several years of use.
What you can find on the Portuguese market in 2026
The used EV landscape in Portugal offers options for nearly every budget. The median price sits around 28,500 euros, but there are compelling opportunities well below that figure.
Under 10,000 euros — affordable entry
For those who want to try electric mobility without a major investment, solid options exist:
| Model | Year | Price | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf 24 kWh | 2016 | 6,900 € | 107,000 km |
| Volkswagen ID.3 Pro 62 kWh | 2023 | 6,980 € | 20,000 km |
| Renault Zoe 25.9 kWh | 2013-2016 | 7,000-7,800 € | 50,000-129,000 km |
| Renault Zoe 52 kWh | 2020 | 7,850 € | 44,200 km |
| Dacia Spring 27.4 kWh | 2021-2022 | 8,900 € | 37,000-85,000 km |
The Renault Zoe dominates this segment in Portugal, with dozens of examples available. The older versions (25.9 kWh) offer limited range — around 100-120 km in real-world conditions — but work perfectly for daily urban commuting. The 52 kWh versions promise roughly 300 km on the WLTP cycle, which changes the equation entirely.
Worth noting: the 2023 Volkswagen ID.3 with a 62 kWh battery for under 7,000 euros — if confirmed and free of hidden issues, this represents exceptional value for a car with real-world range above 350 km.
15,000 to 25,000 euros — the sweet spot
In this range, options multiply with newer models and longer ranges:
| Model | Year | Price | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peugeot e-208 50 kWh | 2020 | 15,500 € | 102,500 km |
| Opel Corsa-e 50 kWh | 2021-2023 | 15,500 € | 20,000-91,000 km |
| Hyundai Kona Electric 67 kWh | 2019-2020 | 15,500 € | 87,800-173,000 km |
| Nissan Leaf 40 kWh | 2021 | 15,500 € | 10,000 km |
| Renault Zoe 52 kWh | 2022 | 15,500 € | 32,917 km |
The Hyundai Kona Electric with the 67 kWh battery deserves special attention. With real-world range that easily exceeds 350 km, it can handle a Lisbon-to-Porto trip without a charging stop. The Peugeot e-208, meanwhile, is one of the most enjoyable EVs to drive in this price bracket.
Above 25,000 euros — premium within reach
Those seeking more space, power, or prestige will find options that cost twice as much just a few years ago:
| Model | Year | Price | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 Performance | 2021 | 25,490 € | 143,000 km |
| BYD Atto 3 60.48 kWh | 2023 | 25,490 € | 29,000 km |
| Volvo XC40 Recharge 69 kWh | 2023 | 25,500 € | 110,000 km |
| Audi Q4 e-tron 82 kWh | 2021 | 25,500 € | 157,201 km |
| Kia e-Niro 67 kWh | 2022 | 25,500 € | 33,095 km |
A Tesla Model 3 Performance for 25,490 euros — with 513 horsepower and fast charging on the Supercharger network — is the kind of opportunity that aggressive EV depreciation has created. Models like the Tesla Model S, Audi Q8 e-tron, and Mercedes EQS have lost between 60% and 72% of their value within five years.
How much you save driving electric in Portugal
The purchase price is only part of the equation. For a driver in Portugal, the running cost savings of a used EV can be substantial.
Home charging costs between 0.15 and 0.20 euros per kWh on a standard electricity tariff. An EV averaging 16 kWh per 100 km costs roughly 2.50-3.20 euros per 100 kilometres to run. The same distance in a petrol car consuming 6.5 litres per 100 km costs around 10-11 euros. That is a 7-8 euro difference every 100 km.
On top of that, electric vehicles in Portugal are exempt from ISV (vehicle tax, a one-off registration tax) and IUC (annual road tax). Maintenance costs roughly half what a combustion engine requires — no oil changes, fuel filters, or timing belt replacements.
For a typical daily commute of 40-50 km (common for those living in Greater Lisbon or Greater Porto), the annual savings can easily reach 1,500-2,000 euros compared to an equivalent petrol car.
The battery — addressing the elephant in the room
The biggest concern for used EV buyers is battery health. It is a legitimate worry, but one that deserves context.
Normal lithium battery degradation sits between 10% and 15% after several years of use. This means a car with 300 km of WLTP range when new will still have around 255-270 km after 5-6 years. For most Portuguese drivers — who average 30-40 km per day — that remains more than enough.
Most manufacturers warrant the battery for 8 years or 100,000-160,000 km. When buying a used EV from 2019 or 2020, that warranty may still be active. It is always worth checking the battery's state of health (SOH) before purchasing — many dealerships and specialist workshops can run this diagnostic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Used electric car prices in Portugal range from around 6,900 euros for models like the 2016 Nissan Leaf to over 25,000 euros for premium options such as the Tesla Model 3 Performance. The median price sits around 28,500 euros, but dozens of options exist under 10,000 euros, including the Renault Zoe, Dacia Spring, and even the Volkswagen ID.3 with a 62 kWh battery. These figures represent drops of roughly 9.5% compared to the previous year, according to European market data.
For most drivers in Portugal, yes. Prices are at historic lows and running cost savings are substantial: home charging costs between 2.50 and 3.20 euros per 100 km, compared to 10-11 euros for petrol. Electric vehicles are also exempt from ISV (vehicle registration tax) and IUC (annual road tax) in Portugal, and maintenance costs roughly half. For a typical daily commute of 40-50 km, annual savings can reach 1,500-2,000 euros compared to an equivalent petrol car.
Under 10,000 euros, standout options include the Renault Zoe 52 kWh (around 300 km WLTP range) at 7,850 euros and the Dacia Spring at 8,900 euros. In the 15,000 euro bracket, the Hyundai Kona Electric with its 67 kWh battery delivers real-world range above 350 km, while the Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsa-e combine modern design with 50 kWh batteries. All of these models are available on the Portuguese market, with battery warranties still active in many cases.
Normal lithium battery degradation sits between 10% and 15% after several years of use — a car with 300 km of range when new will still have around 255-270 km after 5-6 years. Most manufacturers warrant the battery for 8 years or 100,000-160,000 km. Before buying, it is advisable to check the battery's state of health (SOH) at a dealership or specialist workshop — a straightforward diagnostic that can prevent unwelcome surprises.
Market analysts point to price stabilisation through 2026 rather than further sharp declines. The supply of 5-6 year old used EVs is set to shrink, as fewer electric cars were on the road in 2020-2021. At the same time, demand is rising — in the UK, used EV sales grew 45.7% in 2025, and in France searches surged 91% since February 2026. The window of low prices may be closing as demand outpaces supply.
Will this window of opportunity last?
Market analysts point to price stabilisation through 2026 rather than further dramatic drops. Several factors could even push prices upward in the second half of the year.
The supply of 5-6 year old used EVs is set to shrink — simply because fewer electric cars were on the road in 2020-2021. At the same time, demand for used EVs keeps rising. In the UK, used EV sales grew 45.7% in 2025 and EVs sell faster than petrol cars (30 days versus 35 days on average). In France, searches for used EVs on La Centrale surged 91% since February 2026.
For those considering buying a used electric car in Portugal in 2026, the timing looks favourable. Prices are at historic lows, the variety of models available is the widest it has ever been, and running costs remain unbeatable. Waiting a few more months might yield slightly lower prices — or it might mean missing the best deals as demand continues to grow.