Electric vehicle resale values have always been controversial, given the battery degradation that happens over the years and, more importantly, their low demand.
A video of an all-electric Porsche Taycan owner recently resurfaced, showing him discovering the harsh truth about his EV’s resale value when he tried to sell it.
Multiple dealerships offered him less than half the price for the EV that cost him around $160,000, a car that did not have high mileage and was just over two years old.
Even Porsche quoted a figure similar to the other dealers when he asked them for its valuation. However, the German brand refused to buy it back.
Porsche Taycan Owner Warns New Car Buyers About EVs
The MacMaster, a UK-based YouTube channel run by Lee Alexander Davey, recently saw one of its videos resurface after Supercar Blondie shared the story of him falling for the EV, only to discover the harsh reality of EV resale values.
This was especially true two years ago, when EV adoption was still relatively low. While more motorists are now considering electric vehicles as an option, partly due to periods of higher gas prices driven by military conflict in the Middle East, demand for EVs still trails that of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines.
While it is not known if EV demand will continue to rise after the conflict subsides and fuel prices stabilize, Davey’s story could make people reconsider their choice if they plan on buying an EV.
Davey gave up on his Taycan and decided to go back to driving gas-powered vehicles. He said the remaining finance balance on the car was still more than $85,400, leaving him with what he describes as more than $27,000 in negative equity based on current trade-in offers.
The YouTuber argues that steep depreciation is one of the biggest drawbacks of EV ownership, warning prospective buyers to carefully consider resale values before making a purchase. He said:
“Electric cars really are a disposable item. If you buy an EV of any kind, you are going to lose a massive amount of money on it.”
Another concern Davey raised was the potential cost of replacing an EV battery once it reaches the end of its life.
Referring specifically to his Taycan, he claimed that a replacement battery would cost around $60,000 before labor, arguing that such an expense could exceed the value of many used vehicles.
“If you’re thinking of buying one, do not do it,” he said.
Notably, the battery replacement cost cited by Davey is not an established figure. Porsche battery replacement costs vary depending on the model, the work required, and whether a full pack replacement is actually needed.
How Much Did the Car Dealers Quote?
The lowest offer Davey received came from CarWow, which valued the Taycan at just $35,000. WeBuyAnyCar offered around $53,000, while Porsche estimated the car was worth about $59,000.
Ironically, the Porsche dealership he bought it from valued the Taycan at roughly $54,000 but still refused to buy it back, saying it was already overstocked with older Taycan models. Davey said in the video:
“I’m basically left with a car that’s worthless. Even the dealership does not want this car back.”
Porsche Taycan 2026
Porsche continues offering the Taycan in 2026 in several trims. The specifications are as follows:
Price range: $108,050-$245,950
EPA-estimated range: 251-293 miles (depending on configuration)
Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
Battery charging: Up to 320 kW DC fast charging with the optional Performance Battery Plus
Transmission: Two-speed transmission on all models
Cargo capacity: 12-14 cu ft
Seats: 2-4
Models and power output:
Taycan (RWD): 402-429 hp
Taycan 4: 402-429 hp
Taycan 4S: 536 hp
Taycan GTS: 690 hp
Taycan Turbo S: 764 hp (938 hp with Launch Control)
Taycan Turbo GT: 777 hp (1,019 hp with Launch Control)