Glass's: Battery leasing cost-effective for electric nearly new cars

Published: 10/05/2011 at 11:28:38
Posted by Faye Sparks

People looking for electric used car sales may be interested to hear that experts have predicted that battery leasing for these vehicles will be the most cost effective way to power them over the long term.

According to Glass's, the UK's leading vehicle valuations expert, battery leasing will provide a more effective cost solution than other commercial approaches.

It claims that the Nissan Leaf, which includes the battery in its purchase cost, keeps 35 percent of its value after three years and 36,000 miles.

But in comparison, an electric vehicle similar in size, but with a leased battery, should retain 54 percent of its original value over the same period, Glass's said.

Andy Carroll, managing director at Glass's UK, said: "The use of whole life costs is the only way to assess the new powertrain technologies and differing business models.

"In particular, the battery leasing option that we assessed is attractive for the car buyer as it not only means the initial purchase price of the electric car is closer to a conventional vehicle, but also removes the uncertainty of battery durability and replacement cost."

Last month the Nissan Leaf was crowned the 2011 World Car of the Year, which could help people looking for electric nearly new cars decide which motor to buy.