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Due to high maintenance costs and unexpected problems, various rental companies are rethinking the use of electric cars in their fleets. What once seemed to be the trend of the future now faces challenges that are leading companies to opt for more traditional and lower operational cost vehicles.
Electric cars, pointed out by many as the vehicles of the future, are facing a challenging moment in the vehicle rental market. The promises of sustainability and long-term savings are being overshadowed by high maintenance costs and rapid depreciation of models, factors that have led rental companies to rethink the adoption of electric cars in their fleets. The trend, which seemed promising, is now in decline, with various rental companies abandoning electric cars due to unexpected challenges.
The Crisis of Electric Cars: Why Rentals Are Giving Up on This Technology
In recent years, the introduction of electric cars in the Brazilian market generated a wave of optimism, especially among rental companies, which traditionally account for half of automaker car sales.
However, the crisis of electric cars is becoming a difficult reality to ignore. With a fleet of over 4,300 electric vehicles and 6,800 hybrids, rental companies are facing a series of challenges with this new technology.
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With a 1.0 engine producing 75 hp and costing less than R$ 70,000, Fiat’s car returns to the podium as the cheapest in the country; a temporary promotion for the 2026 Like version reduces the price of the Fiat Mobi.
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With a mild hybrid system of 48 V, 176 hp and a price of R$ 175,990 in the Sahara version, the new Jeep Renegade changes mostly on the inside, improves slightly in fuel consumption, and remains almost the same car.
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With a 293.5 cm³ engine and a range of up to 400 km with a 14.1-liter tank, the Honda CB 300F Twister 2026 has up to 24.7 hp, an initial price of R$ 25,150, and already exceeds R$ 29,000 in the Fipe Table.
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With a 1.3 engine, nearly 700 km of range, and Turbo 200, the Fiat model surpasses Polo, Tera HB20, and Onix, becoming the best-selling car in March; see the numbers for the Fiat Strada and others.
Paulo Miguel Junior, vice president of the Brazilian Association of Car Rental Companies (Abla), revealed that electric cars represent less than 1% of the total fleet of rental companies in Brazil. Localiza, one of the largest companies in the sector, ended 2023 with only 2,700 electric and hybrid vehicles in a fleet of 631,000 cars.
The problem is not only in the low uptake but also in the rapid depreciation of these vehicles. The first units of electric cars acquired about three years ago were resold with depreciation of up to 45%, a “hit” for the companies that invested heavily in this technology.
Electric Cars Are Stagnating in Rental Companies: The Issue of Depreciation and Lack of Demand
The depreciation of electric cars has been exacerbated by the entry of Chinese brands into the market, with more competitive offerings and superior technology. This forced traditional automakers to reduce their prices to avoid losing competitiveness, leaving the rental companies that acquired electric vehicles at the start of the trend with a hefty bill to pay.
One of the most emblematic examples is that of Movida, one of the pioneers in buying electric cars. The company acquired around 600 electric car models, including Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe, Fiat 500e, and BMW i3 starting in 2021. However, in less than two years, much of these vehicles were abandoned in the lots due to lack of demand. Some were stuck for up to six months and ultimately sold for prices up to 40% below the Fipe table.
The situation is not much different outside of Brazil. The American giant Hertz, for example, also gave up on a large batch of Tesla electric cars due to the accelerated depreciation of used vehicles. The scenario reflects a growing frustration with electric cars, both from rental companies and from consumers.
The Rise and Challenges of Electric Cars in the Used Market
Despite the depreciation, the market for used electric and hybrid cars still shows some growth. Enilson Sales, president of Fenauto, reported that sales of electrified vehicles (electric and hybrid) grew 90% between January and July 2023, totaling 33,000 units. However, he emphasizes that this segment is still a market niche, representing a very small share of total sales.
Sales points out that comparing electric cars to combustion vehicles can be “unfair”, as electric vehicles are just beginning to gain space in the market. The reality is that while the future of electric cars seems promising in terms of sustainability and innovation, the present is still fraught with challenges that directly affect the vehicle rental sector.
Depreciation and High Maintenance Costs Are Driving Rentals Away from Electric Cars
One of the main factors leading rental companies to abandon electric cars is the combination of accelerated depreciation and high maintenance costs.
São Paulo entrepreneur Maurício de Barros, who acquired a Peugeot e-208 for R$ 249,000, reported a bitter experience when trying to sell the vehicle after driving 54,000 km in two and a half years. He did not receive any offers and ended up selling the car for only R$ 100,000 at a dealership, a loss of more than 50% of the original value. “It was a blow”, complained Barros.
This type of scenario has become common for many who bet on electric cars as a long-term solution.
Although the technology is on the rise, there is still a lack of adequate infrastructure and technical support, which contributes to high maintenance costs and a lack of demand in the used market. Many rental companies are choosing to suspend the purchase of new models, preferring to wait for a more favorable moment.
Uncertain Future for Electric Cars in the Rental Market
Although rental companies are abandoning electric cars due to current problems, the future of this technology still remains promising. Brands like BYD and GWM, which brought electric and hybrid models imported from China, are promising to start local production in the coming years, which could improve competitiveness and reduce maintenance and replacement part costs.
These automakers are also adopting strategies for repurchasing used cars, offering amounts close to the Fipe table, an attempt to mitigate losses from depreciation. However, it remains to be seen whether these actions will be sufficient to convince rental companies to resume investment in electric cars.
Rentals and the Difficult Relationship with Electric Cars
The electric car market is currently facing a delicate transition moment, and rental companies, which initially bet on this technology, are now abandoning electric cars due to high depreciation and unexpected costs.
Although sustainability and innovation continue to be key words for the future of transportation, the rental sector has not yet found a viable model to incorporate electric cars into their fleets profitably.
Over time, the market may adjust, with improvements in infrastructure and a drop in production and maintenance costs for electric cars. For now, however, rental companies are cautious and prefer to wait for the market to stabilize before investing again in the vehicles of the future.
Reportagem tendenciosa, quais são as manutenções citadas, tenho carro eletrico, manutenção perto de zero. Quanto a vender carro Francês, nunca foi diferente a desvalorização. Realmente estamos com um grande déficit de bons repórteres.
Tenho um carro totalmente elétrico e estou plenamente satisfeito com a economia e conforto que ele proporciona, além do seguro total e IPVA muito em conta.
Custo de manutenção alto? Kkkkkkkkkk essa piada desesperada foi boa. Todo mundo sabe que custo de manutenção do elétrico é infinitamente mais baixo que o custo de manutenção da combustão. Nunca mais saio do carro elétrico.