PiP is the most in-demand car in the USA

The low price of gas and diesel is causing a decline in demand for used Alternative energy vehicle
The 2012 Nissan Leaf price is hovering around $14K.
The 2012 PiP price is hovering $18K
The PiP holding its value a bit more than the Leaf...

 

Report: Used electric cars prove a tough sell

 

I see three disadvantages with the used EV. How fast is the charger? Plugging into 110v at home may have been acceptable three years ago but is less desirable now and may be a deal breaker in the future.

Eventually the battery will need to be replaced and the car's utility decreases over time. My gas tank does not shrink. There is no guarantee my engine will need a replacement. (There's no guarantee my engine won't need a replacement.) Over the years my fuel economy doesn't significantly change. The future cost of that battery pack replacement is being factored in to the value of the used car. Prices may be lower in the future but they will still be four figures.

Read what we post about 12v batteries. Nobody wants to buy an old one and that's a 3 figure purchase.

Tax advantages only available on new EVs depress the used market. A used EV loses $7500 just on the Federal tax credit. I can get a Nissan LEAF SL (MSRP $35970) for $32955. That's $25495 net with the tax credit or less than 71% of MSRP. Going down to a base S the numbers are MSRP $29860, $27161 purchase, and $19661 net, less than 66% of MSRP. When the new car doesn't hold its value the used one can't.

 

I found seven 2012 PiP available with 100 miles. Asking prices range from $31100 to $18800 with three under $20000. The price is not listed for one car. When there aren't many new ones to choose from there won't be much of a used selection.

 

dianne finally advertising some deals on '15's.

 

Toyota is focused on fuel cells, not plug-ins. There will be significant changes in 2016.

 

Why would you ever buy a used one, when a new one with quick charge package can be had for $24.5K with 0% financing for 72 months - $7500 federal tax rebate - $2500 CA tax rebate - $3000 San Joaquin rebate (if you lived there) = $11.5K + TTL + free fueling for 2 years? Even if you didn't live in the Central Valley, you're still looking at $14.5K + TTL.

The incentives on new EV's are crazy, and at those prices paid, I wouldn't care what the resale value is in 3 years.

 

That's pretty much what moved me to buy my LEAF. I got a 2015 SV with quick charge LED package for $30k OTD with the 0% 72 months and $10k in tax money already in my bank. So I consider any depreciation based off of $20k for mine, not $35k. I finally got around to changing to TOU rates, so it costs me $1.595 to drive 50 miles if I charge at home overnight, less if I utilize (finding available working) public chargers.

Also, the free fueling thing is great IF you have conveniently located charger on one of the networks partnered with them. Unfortunately Chargepoint is out of the picture, which leaves NRG eVgo and BLINK as the only "free" ones around me, but there aren't that many of them to begin with.

 

Don't worry - circumstances are seeing to it that Dodge dealers won't be doing much of anything;
2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan, Journey, Chrysler Town & Country, Recalled (Again) For Ignition Flaw
.

 

wdub is using dodge drivetrains?

 

Not exactly. VW has no minivan, so they sold a rebadged Dodge Caravan as a VW Routan from 2009-2014.

 

thanks, wow.