In our previous feature, experts from Volkswagen Financial Services projected 10–15% annual growth in the used electric vehicle (EV) market, pointing to rising lease returns, stronger consumer confidence, and an expanding charging network as key drivers.
But not everyone sees the road ahead as smooth. Conversely, experts at DEKRA – one of Europe’s most trusted vehicle inspection firms – describe the current state of the used EV market as quite difficult. They cite low demand, steep depreciation, and widespread consumer uncertainty as key challenges slowing market development.
This tension between growing opportunity and persistent barriers isn’t a contradiction, but a snapshot of a market in transition. And it’s exactly where companies like Uptime see their role: building the digital infrastructure that helps bridge the gap between risk and confidence.
Turning transparency into trust
Tomas Chłopek, Head of the Vehicle Evaluation Department at DEKRA, is clear about the biggest roadblock to used EV sales. “The main factor that affects the value of used electric vehicles is the state of the health (SOH) of the battery,” he says. “Mileage also plays a role, as it affects wear and tear on other components, but SOH is what buyers care about most.”
He also notes that EVs depreciate faster than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and that this steep depreciation leads many buyers to lease rather than buy, simply to avoid resale risk.
This is precisely where digital innovation steps in. “Battery SOH is the new odometer,” says Michal Jankowski, Head of Uptime Development. “EVs lose value somewhat faster because we don’t yet have standard tools to communicate their true condition. That’s what we’re building.”
Instead of pulling isolated data points, Uptime focuses on creating seamless digital experiences that help both buyers and sellers understand the real value of a used electric vehicle. At the heart of this approach are tools like EV-specific leasing calculators, which account for battery health, mileage, and real-time market trends – turning complex data into clear monthly cost scenarios.
Alongside these, mobile apps are being developed to provide sellers with intuitive dashboards that track a vehicle’s resale readiness and alert them when it’s the optimal time to sell. On the buyer side, user experience (UX) design plays a critical role, presenting technical insights like battery SOH and charging history in a format that’s easy to navigate, compare, and trust.
“We’re helping both the seller and the buyer understand what the data means,” says Jankowski. “That’s the only way to flatten the depreciation curve and build a functioning second-hand market.”
From scepticism to strategy
Chłopek’s insights reflect a market still searching for equilibrium. Some consumers, as he notes, remain hesitant. “But there’s also a clear segment of confident EV users, especially those who can rely on cheap or renewable energy sources at home,” he adds.
“These buyers know the math and they understand the cost advantages,” Jankowski explains. “The problem is scaling that confidence. Our tools show how charging habits and driving patterns translate into residual value. We can help consumers see their car as an asset, not a gamble.”
Chłopek also expects that a new generation of batteries will appear on the market, which could boost the residual value of electric vehicles. These batteries will have much higher capacity and much shorter charging times, which could present a new opportunity for Uptime.
“The tech is only as good as the tools that explain it,” Jankowski says. “You can have a solid-state battery, but if the resale buyer doesn’t know it’s still performing well, the value drops anyway.”
The EV market is caught between momentum and mistrust. For every leasing milestone or battery innovation, there’s a customer wary of resale risks or unclear metrics. But instead of seeing this as a contradiction, Uptime sees it as a design challenge. “And that’s exactly where transformation starts,” says Jankowski.