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A survey based on the Fipe Table shows a sharp depreciation of pioneering electric and hybrid cars in Brazil. The Renault Kwid E-Tech lost 55.2% since 2022, while the Nissan Leaf fell by 53.8%, a trend attributed to technological advancements, Chinese competition, and price adjustments in the Brazilian used car market.
The electric cars that arrived earlier in the Brazilian market are showing a significant difference between the price paid when they were new and the values currently seen in the used market. Among the examples analyzed, the Renault Kwid E-Tech dropped from R$ 142,990 to around R$ 64,000, while the Nissan Leaf, originally priced at R$ 195,900, is now valued at R$ 90,497.
According to a report published by Terra on September 15, 2026, based on a survey by the Mundo do Automóvel for PCD and values from the Fipe Table, pioneering electric and hybrid models have lost nearly or over 50% of their launch prices. The change affected vehicles that helped pave the way for electrification in Brazil.
Kwid E-Tech Loses 55.2% Since Arrival in Brazil
Among the electric cars evaluated, the Renault Kwid E-Tech stands out as a clear example of the drop in value. Upon its market debut in 2022, the model was priced at R$ 142,990. According to the current reference used in the survey, it can now be found for approximately R$ 64,000.
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This represents a reduction of 55.2% from the initial price. In practice, more than half of the launch price has vanished from the evaluation of the used vehicle just a few years after its debut.
The difference is striking because the Kwid E-Tech was sold during an early phase of the expansion of electric vehicles in the country. Since then, the range of electrified models has increased and prices have undergone successive adjustments.
Those who purchased the vehicle near its launch saw a very different market evolve around the product. New competitors emerged, technologies advanced, and the competition for consumers intensified.
Nissan Leaf Drops from R$ 195,900 to R$ 90,497
The Nissan Leaf shows a similar situation. The electric vehicle arrived in the Brazilian market with a price tag of R$ 195,900, while the current value noted in the survey is R$ 90,497.
This difference represents a loss of 53.8% of the original price, placing the Leaf among the models that have already lost more than half of their value since arriving in the country.
In the case of the Nissan, the survey attributes part of this trend to technological advancements in the segment. The model was one of the pioneers among electric vehicles but now competes with more recent cars that offer updated solutions and greater range.
What initially helped the Leaf achieve a prominent position has now become a disadvantage as the market has matured: the project timeline and the speed with which new alternatives have begun to emerge.
Technological Evolution Accelerates Depreciation of Electric Cars
The rapid technological transformation is cited as one of the explanations for the significant depreciation of the electric cars analyzed. Unlike more mature automotive segments, electrification is still undergoing frequent changes in batteries, range, features, and pricing strategies.
When a new vehicle arrives offering more range, recent technology, or competitive pricing, older models can quickly lose their attraction. This dynamic affects not only the decision of those buying brand new cars but also how much the market is willing to pay for used units.
The Nissan Leaf is mentioned precisely within this context. The survey considers that its technology and range have become less competitive compared to cars that have arrived later.
This creates an unusual situation for some of the early buyers: the car remains functional but now competes against technologically newer products, and in some cases, these are sold at prices that directly pressure the value of the used car.
Chinese Brands Increase Price Pressure in Brazil
Another factor noted is the entry of Chinese manufacturers with aggressive pricing strategies and the offering of more recent electrified technology. The survey specifically highlights the expansion of brands like BYD and GWM in the Brazilian market.
The arrival of these companies has increased competition and prompted traditional manufacturers to reassess their prices. As a result, models that were launched under different commercial conditions are now facing newer rivals with adjusted price listings.
When the price of a new car decreases or a more modern competitor appears at a similar price, the used car also feels the pressure. Buyers start comparing not only vehicles of the same age but also what they could obtain new for just a bit more.
This effect helps explain why some of the first electric cars available in Brazil lost so much value in just a few years. The depreciation is not attributed to a single factor, but rather to a combination of technological evolution, competition, and changes in the prices set by manufacturers.
Jeep Compass 4xe Shows That Hybrids Have Also Been Affected
The phenomenon is not limited to fully electric vehicles. The survey also includes hybrid models, such as the Jeep Compass 4xe, a plug-in version that entered the market at R$ 349,000.
Currently, the average value is reported at R$ 177,777, a reduction of about 49.1% from the initial price. Although the drop is slightly below 50%, the Compass demonstrates that price pressure has also reached another category of electrified vehicles.
This data is important because it prevents the entire discussion from being reduced solely to battery-powered cars. The survey addresses a broader movement among several of the pioneering electrified models sold in the country.
Still, the two most notable examples among electric cars, the Kwid E-Tech and the Nissan Leaf, exceed the 50% loss threshold, making the impact clearer for those who purchased these vehicles at launch prices.
Loss for First Buyers Becomes Opportunity in the Used Market
The same depreciation that represents a loss of asset value for those who bought new vehicles creates a different situation for those looking for a used car. Models that were previously sold at high prices have now entered a much lower price range.
A Kwid E-Tech that cost R$ 142,990 at launch appearing for around R$ 64,000 completely changes the profile of the consumer capable of considering the vehicle. The same goes for the Leaf, which has fallen from nearly R$ 196,000 to just above R$ 90,000.
This does not mean that a lower price eliminates the need to evaluate the used car individually. The report focuses on price comparisons and market trends without turning the price drop into a guarantee of advantage for any buyer.
What the numbers show is a clear reversal of perspective: those who entered the electric car market first absorbed a significant depreciation, while newcomers find some of these same models for less than half the original price.
For those who paid the launch prices, the speed of the decline can be hard to ignore. However, for those observing the used market, the same numbers open up a new access range to electrified vehicles.
Would you buy a used electric car today that has lost more than 50% of its original value, or would you consider this depreciation a sign of risk for the purchase? Tell us in the comments how you would evaluate a Kwid E-Tech for about R$ 64,000 or a Nissan Leaf close to R$ 90,000.
