Tesla Tops EV Resale Value Rankings in China; Ledao and Li Auto Follow
Tesla continues to dominate not just in sales but also in resale value. According to new data from China, Tesla electric cars hold their value better than any other brand, making them the most “liquid” EVs in the market.
By the end of 2025, China had approximately 293 million passenger vehicles on the road, of which 40.79 million were new energy vehicles (NEVs). With such rapid growth, buyers are increasingly focusing not only on purchase price but also on long-term resale value.
To analyze this trend, Jielanlu analysts studied popular models priced above 150,000 yuan and released a residual value ranking covering 17 brands.
Tesla Leads with Over 80% Residual Value
Tesla secured the top position in the first quarter of 2026, achieving a residual value of 82.7% in March and maintaining above 80% for three consecutive months.
This strong performance is credited to Tesla’s global brand reputation, high sales volume, and extensive service and charging network.
Ledao and Li Auto in Top 3
Ledao ranked second with a residual value of 80.9%. Its L60 model performed particularly well, achieving 83.1% residual value under the Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, compared to 71.8% without it. The higher value is due to the battery cost being excluded from the vehicle’s upfront price.
Ledao is internationally known as Onvo, a budget-focused sub-brand of Nio.
Li Auto secured the third position, continuing its strong presence in China’s EV market.
Other Top Performers
Several other automakers also delivered strong resale value performance, with residual values above 75% in March. These include:
- BYD (Leopard series)
- Wenjie
- Xiaomi
Meanwhile, premium brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, XPeng, and Zeekr maintained steady residual values of around 70%.
Why Resale Value Matters
As China’s EV market matures, resale value (or “liquidity”) is becoming a crucial factor for buyers. A higher residual value indicates lower depreciation, making a vehicle more cost-effective in the long run.
Tesla’s consistent leadership in this segment highlights the importance of brand trust, infrastructure, and market presence in determining an EV’s long-term value.
Sources: mydrivers
