How Electric Vehicle Resale Values Compare to ICE Vehicles in India

Over the last few years, India has seen a silent revolution on its roads. Electric vehicles (EVs), once considered futuristic or niche, are slowly becoming a common sight, especially in metro cities. Whether it's two-wheelers buzzing through traffic or electric cars gliding by without a hum, EVs are making a mark. But when buying a car, most Indian buyers still ask the same age-old question: "What will be the resale value?"

This concern is real and valid. For years, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, your traditional petrol or diesel cars, have ruled the resale market. People knew what to expect regarding depreciation, brand reputation, maintenance, and demand. But with EVs being relatively new to the Indian market, the resale value scenario is still evolving. Let’s discuss how EV resale values compare to ICE vehicles in India and what buyers should consider.

The Indian Resale Mindset

In India, buying a car isn’t just a lifestyle decision. It’s also a financial one. Whether someone is purchasing a Maruti Swift or a Hyundai Creta, most buyers want to know how much money they’ll get back when they decide to sell the vehicle a few years down the line. ICE vehicles have decades of data to back up their car valuation trends. On the other hand, EVs have just started building their track record.

EV Resale: What We Know So Far

Right now, EVs tend to depreciate faster than ICE vehicles. Why? Primarily because buyers are still unsure about long-term battery life, replacement costs, and the availability of service centres. The battery is the heart of an electric vehicle, and replacing it after 6–8 years can be costly. So even if the car body is in great condition, the fear of a dying battery affects its resale value.

Another reason is limited demand. Although EV adoption is growing, the resale market for used electric vehicles is still developing. Fewer buyers are confidently looking for second-hand EVs yet, which means lower resale prices.

ICE Vehicles Still Rule the Resale Market

Traditional petrol and diesel vehicles continue to dominate when it comes to resale value. Cars like the Toyota Innova, Hyundai i20, or Maruti Suzuki Baleno have well-established reputations. Their performance over time, ease of maintenance, fuel availability, and trust factor work in their favour.

Even older diesel cars, though facing stricter regulations in metro cities, often find takers in smaller towns where fuel efficiency is still a key factor. Buyers know how long these engines last, what parts cost, and where to get them repaired. All of this builds confidence, which naturally helps the resale value.

The Turning Point for Electric Vehicles

With brands like Tata, Mahindra, Hyundai, and MG putting serious effort into the EV game, we’re seeing stronger after-sales support, improved battery technology, and a wider charging network. This is slowly boosting confidence in the used EV market.

Tata’s Nexon EV, for instance, has emerged as a popular electric SUV. Because of its high sales volume and growing trust among users, it's one of the few EVs in India showing relatively better resale figures.

Another factor is the government push. With incentives for EV purchases and lower road taxes in many states, the total cost of ownership for an EV is now more competitive. That also makes buyers a little more open to exploring used EVs.

Battery Warranties and Their Role in Resale

One of the biggest questions people have about used EVs is, “What if the battery is about to die?” To counter this, many manufacturers offer long-term battery warranties—some up to 8 years or 1,60,000 km.

If you’re selling an EV with a few years left on the battery warranty, it helps make the deal better. It’s almost like selling an ICE vehicle with an extended engine warranty. As awareness grows around this, it could help boost EV resale value.

Platforms Like ACKO Drive Make the Journey Easier

If you're considering buying a new car—electric or ICE—it’s good to have access to trusted platforms. One such platform is ACKO Drive, an online portal that helps users compare, explore, and purchase new cars seamlessly.

What’s great is that ACKO Drive doesn't just give you the basic specs but offers insights on real-world performance and exclusive deals. For someone on the fence between an EV and an ICE vehicle, ACKO Drive’s expert reviews can help make a more informed decision.

Conclusion

Electric vehicles may not have caught up with ICE vehicles in the resale department yet, but they're gaining ground faster than we think. With the Indian government's strong EV push, technological improvements, and rising consumer awareness, it’s only a matter of time before resale value concerns become a thing of the past.