I signed my first electric lease in 2022. The leasing company had set a residual value of 38% over 48 months for a small entry-level electric car. A colleague was signing a Škoda Enyaq at the same time with a 49% RV over 36 months. His monthly payment was lower than mine — on a car that cost €8,000 more on the list.
That's the residual value trap. Monthly payments don't depend on the price of the car, but on the depreciation you're paying. And with EVs, this gap can be brutal.
Why does residual value determine your leasing monthly payments?
The mechanics are simple: in leasing, you pay the difference between the list price and the estimated residual value at the end of the contract, divided by the number of months, plus financing costs.
A concrete example with two EVs at €45,000 list price, over 36 months / 30,000 km:
| EV | Estimated RV | Depreciation paid | Estimated monthly payment* |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-RV EV (55%) | €24,750 | €20,250 | ~€470/month |
| Low-RV EV (40%) | €18,000 | €27,000 | ~€600/month |
*Excluding insurance, maintenance, excluding bonuses. Finance costs included at 4.5%.
Result: €130/month difference — that's €4,680 over the duration of the contract. For two cars at the same list price. Solely because of residual value.
At 36 months/30,000 km in Belgium — best in the EV market (source: Autoscout24.be, 2025)
Between the best and worst RV in its category — over 48 months, that's €6,240
Upward revision by lessors since 2024 — monthly payments falling
Which EVs have the best residual value in leasing in Belgium?
Here are the consolidated estimates at end 2025, on a 36 months / 30,000 km basis. These figures vary between leasing companies (Ayvens, Alphabet, Arval, Leasys) but the trends remain stable.
Tesla Model Y — the absolute benchmark
The Model Y remains the best-selling EV in Belgium in 2025 (11,500 units — Statbel, 2025). Strong demand on the used market mechanically translates into a high RV. Lessors estimate the residual value at between 52 and 55% at 36 months.
Its competitive advantage: the Tesla Supercharger network, which remains a concrete resale argument. A used-car buyer knows they're buying access to Europe's densest charging infrastructure.
Volvo EX30 — the premium surprise
The EX30 surprised leasing companies with RVs reaching 51 to 53% at 36 months. Several factors explain this: the Volvo brand image (renowned for durability), an accessible list price (~€38,000), and strong demand on the used market. It's the model that has seen the strongest RV growth between 2024 and 2025.
Škoda Enyaq iV 80 — the best RV/price ratio
At 49 to 51% RV for a list price of €43,990, the Enyaq iV 80 offers the best equation on the market for private individuals and SMEs. The Škoda badge, far less "exciting" than Tesla, doesn't dent its value on the Belgian used car market. Used buyers see it as a rational and reliable car — which supports prices.
Kia EV6 and Hyundai IONIQ 5 — the solid Koreans
Both 800V Hyundai/Kia platforms share a similar RV, around 47 to 49%. The 8-year battery warranty (Hyundai) / 7-year (Kia) reassures used buyers, which maintains prices. Ultra-fast charging at 350 kW remains a differentiating technical argument.
| Modèle | Prix | Autonomie réelle | Batterie | Recharge DC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Škoda Enyaq iV 80Recommandé | 43 990 € | 410 km | 82 kWh | 135 kW |
| Hyundai IONIQ 5 | 41 990 € | 390 km | 77.4 kWh | 233 kW |
| Kia EV6 | 44 990 € | 420 km | 77.4 kWh | 233 kW |
| Tesla Model 3 | 42 990 € | 380 km | 60 kWh | 170 kW |
What causes an EV's residual value to drop
Residual value is not a technical figure — it's a market forecast. An EV that nobody wants second-hand, even if excellent on paper, will have a poor RV. It's the Belgian used car market that sets the rules, not the manufacturer.
1. Uncertainty about the battery. Brands without a long track record on battery degradation (Chinese brands, new entrants) receive cautious RVs from lessors. A BYD Atto 3 can have an RV of 33 to 37% when an Enyaq of the same size is at 50%.
2. The speed of model evolution. If the manufacturer releases an improved version every 18 months, the old one's value drops. That's the Tesla syndrome: frequent updates sometimes destabilised the RVs of earlier models before the market adjusted.
3. Local demand. A model that sells well in Belgium (Tesla, VW, Škoda) easily finds a used buyer. A rare or poorly distributed model stagnates and forces lessors to lower their estimate.
4. Real-world range. Below 250 km of real-world range, RV drops systematically after 3 years. The used buyer knows that a 2021 battery with 250 km "new" might deliver 210 to 220 km today. That's often insufficient for comfortable daily use.
How to check residual value before signing a leasing contract
In practice, RV is never directly communicated in leasing offers — you see the monthly payment, not the calculation behind it. Here's how to evaluate it indirectly:
Check used prices online. On AutoScout24.be, compare the price of a 3-year-old model with the current new price. It's an approximation of the market RV. A 2022 Model Y selling at €35,000 against a new list price of €50,000 represents an RV of 70% — used demand is strong.
Compare two leasing offers for the same model. If Ayvens offers €420/month and Alphabet €460/month on the same car at the same mileage, it's because their RV estimates differ. The cheaper one doesn't necessarily mean the best — check the return conditions.
Le verdict de Christophe F.
In EV leasing in Belgium, choosing a model with high residual value is not a luxury: it's a direct financial calculation. The Tesla Model Y and the Enyaq iV 80 dominate the RV rankings in 2026. At a comparable list price, they offer monthly payments €80 to €130 lower than less established brands on the Belgian used car market. Before you sign, always check the used-car value of the model you're targeting — it's the best indicator of the real RV you'll be paying.