Used Dutch EV prices have gotten 30% cheaper since 2023
A surge in lease returns and subsidy cuts has sent used EV prices in the Netherlands tumbling by 30%, bringing them closer to petrol cars.
Published on July 2, 2025
Mauro swapped Sardinia for Eindhoven and has been an IO+ editor for 3 years. As a GREEN+ expert, he covers the energy transition with data-driven stories.
The price of used Dutch electric vehicles (EVs) has decreased by 30% since 2023, according to sales platform Looping.nl. As of now, the average cost for a second-hand EV is €18,427. Behind this decline, a mix of factors is at play, including reduced government subsidies, lower costs of new models, and an influx of vehicles from leases into the used market.
The analysis was conducted by the platform using its database of over 8,000 vehicles sold through its website between January 2023 and June 2025. By contrast, the average sales price of petrol cars dropped by 16% in the same period.
Despite the drop in costs, buying a used EV remains, on average, more expensive than purchasing an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. Looping underlines how a used EV from the years 2020-2022 is €5,000 more expensive than a petrol model. Analysts explain this is because EVs were considerably more costly and featured more modern technology. Nevertheless, as the 30% price drop suggests, this difference is now decreasing, bringing EVs closer to parity with ICE cars.
Behind the Figures
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View Behind the FiguresAn influx of cars brought prices down
According to Looping.nl, an influential factor in decreasing the price of second-hand EVs has been the termination of many lease contracts stipulated in 2019. As a result, this influx of cars into the market has led to an oversupply, which in turn contributes to a decline in prices in the second-hand market.
Another figure also justifies this surplus. In 2024, the Netherlands exported more second-hand EVs than it imported, showing how demand didn’t keep pace with a soaring supply. Furthermore, automakers expanded their range of EV offerings on the market, with lower price tags, too, and lowered the costs of some models. The prime example is Tesla, which cut prices on its Model 3 and Y. As reported by AutoVisie, the average price for a Tesla at the beginning of 2025 was €23,000, down from €33,000 the previous year.
To this extent, Looping.nl identified the models that have experienced the most significant depreciation since 2023. The Tesla Model 3 lost over €8,500 in value as a used car, while the more compact Renault Zoe dropped by 38%.
New rules
The regulatory framework has also evolved. The subsidy scheme (SEPP) for purchasing EVs is not running anymore. Until last year, applicants could receive €2,000 to buy a second-hand EV.
Additionally, taxation has also changed. Since this year, EV owners started paying road tax — up until now, they were exempted. EV cars pay a quarter of the normal rate for this duty, which will surge to 70% in 2026. This tax is calculated based on the weight of vehicles. Given the presence of bulky battery packs, EVs are usually 10-15% heavier than their ICE counterparts.
For instance, the Hyundai Kona weighs 1290 kg to 1525 kg, depending on the model, in its ICE version, whereas it reaches 1773 kg in its electric version. These figures refer to the curb weight, measured without passengers and baggage on board.
Stabilizing EV demand
Dutch bank ABN-AMRO also forecasts strong demand for used EVs in the coming years. This is particularly evident by the fact that the number of ‘days in stock’ — the number of days a car stays at a dealership — is now comparable to that of ICE cars.
At the same time, the bank estimates that the most significant price drops for used cars are likely behind us. The number of days in stock for all drivetrains decreased, and the first months of 2025 saw dealers selling more used cars than in 2024 — 8.7% more in January and 4.2% more in February. As the EV adoption grows, analysts expect the second-hand market to stabilize.