Whereas EVs are usually not probably the most modifiable vehicles in the marketplace, there are a number of methods that you may modify your EV to enhance its consolation, efficiency, or aesthetics.

Nonetheless, aftermarket modification decisions can (and often do) have an effect on the resale worth of your EV.

On this weblog publish, we’ll take a look at what defines an aftermarket mod, how mods can have an effect on the worth of your EV, and the best way to promote a modded EV for one of the best worth.

What are Aftermarket Mods?

Let’s begin by trying on the definition of aftermarket modifications for EVs.

Definition of an Aftermarket Modification (Aftermarket vs OEM)

First, an aftermarket mod is any modification that you just make (or pay another person to make) to the unique construct of your car after it leaves the manufacturing facility, usually from elements that aren’t made by the car’s producer (non-OEM). This will appear to be a window tint, a Paint Safety Movie (PPF) wrap, altering out textile upholstery for leather-based, and even one thing so simple as a tire swap.

Aftermarket modifications for electrical automobiles also can embody performance-focused mods like suspension enhancements, wheel units, brake kits, and (sometimes) controllers that may tune up motor torque or improve regenerative braking.

Mods vs Equipment

An adjunct, even whether it is one thing you intend on promoting alongside together with your automobile, in all probability received’t be thought-about a modification except it alters the construction or efficiency of the automobile.

For instance, storage options to your EV which are simply moved out and in of the automobile (like a Tesla frunk organizer) could be thought-about an adjunct.

Nonetheless, a brand new set of aftermarket tires could be thought-about a modification though they’re simply swapped out as a result of they do have an effect on efficiency and look. And, clearly, you may’t use the automobile with out them.

How Can Aftermarket Mods Have an effect on an EV’s Worth?

The quick reply: modding your EV (both with aftermarket or with OEM elements) can enhance or cut back your EVs worth as much as 25% of the modification’s precise value.

For the lengthy reply, we’ve damaged down mod prices and doable added worth into the sections under.

However earlier than we get into the main points about how a lot EV mods value, we do wish to level out that if an aftermarket mod voids your electrical car’s guarantee, the impact in your EV’s used worth could also be important.

We extremely advocate that you just just remember to perceive the change in worth that would happen with any aftermarket mod that negates your EV guarantee’s phrases and circumstances. Something that features reducing, wiring, or tuning is susceptible to being cited as a cause for denying guarantee protection within the case of a car failure. Be sure that to learn your EV producer’s unique guarantee phrases to get a greater concept of which aftermarket mods might trigger a difficulty together with your guarantee protection.

Word: a dialogue of warranties and whether or not or not aftermarket mods ought to or shouldn’t have an effect on them is a deeper topic than we’re capable of tackle right here. To dive into the controversy about what a producer ought to or shouldn’t be capable to do relating to your EV’s guarantee, you may seek for discussions on the Magnuson-Moss Guarantee Act (like this one from Client Studies).

How A lot Are Aftermarket Mods Value on Used EVs?

Do aftermarket mods add any worth to your EV? The quick reply: usually not lots, nevertheless it relies upon. As a common rule, something that modifications the inventory situation of a automobile tends to cut back its worth within the eyes of many consumers.

An exception to this rule could be mods that improve efficiency on a automobile that’s already widespread for its efficiency traits, supplied that you may present the modification work has been completed professionally (and has not been put to heavy use).

The underside line is that the perceived worth of a modded automobile will differ broadly from purchaser to purchaser even on the personal market.

Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at how producers, dealerships, and personal consumers are likely to worth aftermarket automobile mods:

Modification Worth for Producer Commerce-In: Tesla and Rivian

On the time of writing, each Tesla and Rivian have trade-in packages that might will let you put your modified EV’s worth in direction of the order of certainly one of their new (or pre-owned) automobiles.

Nonetheless, the worth of a modified EV will nearly at all times undergo in these transactions.

Tesla explicitly states that every one aftermarket modifications (particularly if the car you’re buying and selling in is a Tesla) will cut back the worth of your car vs a stock-condition car. In actual fact, some Tesla homeowners report that their Tesla’s trade-in worth (from Tesla) was diminished by the 1000’s for frequent mods like PPF and powder-coated brake calipers

Rivian is a little more imprecise on their trade-in phrases, however they’d probably observe typical dealership pricing practices. Your EV mods would probably deliver down your car’s worth for a trade-in transaction with Rivian, regardless of how well-installed or costly it was.

How A lot are EV Mods Value at a Dealership (Money Sale or Commerce-In)?

Like trading-in to Rivian or Tesla, most modified electrical automobiles would take a success in worth at a dealership versus a stock-conditioned automobile. One of the best costs from dealerships are usually for stock-condition vehicles with low mileage.

Nonetheless, some EV modifications could also be worth impartial or considerably constructive to the fitting dealership. For instance, a dealership that focuses on EVs may take into account it a bonus for a Tesla Mannequin 3 to have already got PPF on the rockers (a identified drawback space), particularly if the work was completed professionally and just lately.

However bear in mind: even from a educated dealership, you could solely get a small proportion of your unique funding again for the mod, even in case you paid fairly a bit to buy it and/or have it put in (see the personal sale dialogue under).

How A lot Are EV Mods Value in a Personal Sale?

How a lot you may get for EV mods in a personal sale varies broadly by the kind of mod and the type of purchaser you find yourself attracting. Let’s take a look at the car mods we priced earlier to get a greater concept of how they have an effect on the promoting worth of your EV:

Paint Safety Movie (PPF)

A full, skilled set up of paint safety movie (PPF) on an EV can value anyplace from $1,000-$9,000, although most quotes common round $4,000-$5,000.

For a smaller set up of PPF, equivalent to on the rockers or entrance bumper, costs hover round $500-$1,500.

DIY PPF, whereas not really helpful, prices solely as a lot because the precise movie. This might be as little as $200 for smaller installs all the way in which as much as $2,000 or extra for your complete automobile.

Attainable return on funding: + 10% to + 15% of the PPF set up

For the fitting purchaser, PPF could be a bonus, particularly if the movie was utilized just lately and by knowledgeable. If a full wrap in your EV value you round $5,000, then the added worth to your used worth could be about $500-$750.

Not all consumers will probably be all in favour of PPF as an added characteristic, particularly for these simply in search of a commuter or household EV that matches into their price range. Your EV might take longer to promote in case you insist on making again a few of your funding in PPF (particularly in case you’ve completed it extra for aesthetics than practicality). For instance, that frosted wrap could also be very visually vital to you, however your consumers probably received’t rank it very excessive on their listing of “must-haves” when shopping for a used EV.

EV Brake Upgrades

Aftermarket brake upgrades for EVs can value anyplace from $500-$1,000 for brake system parts all the way in which as much as $20,000 carbon-ceramic brake packages for the monitor.

Attainable return on funding: + 10% to + 15% of the elements and set up value

Whereas upgraded brakes aren’t a big issue for many consumers of EVs, there’s a risk that you might get some return to your funding from the racing crowd. Even so, as a result of brakes are definitely a put on and tear merchandise, you’ll in all probability solely get a small quantity again contemplating what you paid.

For instance, an $8,000 brake improve (the present value for a carbon-ceramic entrance huge brake equipment for the Mannequin Y) might solely add round $800-$1,200 to your car’s worth.

Electrical Automobile Suspension Mods

Suspension mods are probably the most broadly accessible efficiency mods for electrical automobiles, and so they are likely to value anyplace from $300-$600 for parts like sway bars and spring units to $2,000-$4,000 for full suspension coil-over kits.

Attainable return on funding: + 5% to + 10% OR – 10% to – 20% of the elements and set up value

Folks have sturdy opinions about how a suspension ought to really feel. What might really feel agency and sporty to you might really feel downright uncomfortable to another person.

For consumers who like the texture of the aftermarket suspension in your EV, you may make again a small quantity of your buy worth (particularly if the set up was completed professionally). For a $3,000 job, that’s simply $150-$300 added to the value of your EV.

Nonetheless, be ready to additionally see the worth of your EV go down within the eyes of consumers in search of the inventory suspension. For a $3,000 mod, that might be a doable lack of $300-$600 out of your promoting worth.

Price of Aftermarket Wheels and Tires for EVs

Tires are a particular merchandise for EVs, with most costing from $100-$500 every. On common, a superb EV tire from a revered model goes to value about $250 (or $1000 for a full set).

Aftermarket wheels for EVs simply value $1,500-$8,000 for a set, with a mean worth of about $2,000.

Attainable return on funding: + 10% to + 20% of the wheel and/or tire alternative

We’d say it’s greatest to stay with a well known identify model set of tires for EVs, significantly if you would like them so as to add some worth to your EV in a sale.

For a superb set of tires, you may anticipate as much as 10% of the value added to your EVs worth, significantly if they’re nonetheless in wonderful situation. Additionally, promoting a set of winter tires alongside together with your car might web you as much as 20% of your unique value.

Aftermarket wheel units to your EV ought to enhance worth in an analogous strategy to tires, however there are exceptions. For instance, if the wheel set is, let’s say, wildly unique or simply doesn’t match the aesthetic of the inventory car design, then you could find yourself detracting from the worth of your EV. If you happen to don’t have the inventory set of wheels to promote alongside together with your automobile, your potential consumers could also be occupied with how a lot it’ll value them to get these aftermarket wheels changed.

EV Reupholstery Pricing

Most EVs are new sufficient that the upholstery ought to nonetheless be in first rate situation, so an upholstery mod is often aesthetic in nature. Switching from fake leather-based to textile (or vice versa) prices round $250-$700 per seat.

Reupholstering in real leather-based brings up the value to someplace round $5,000-$10,000 relying on the scale of the automobile and the kind of leather-based you select to have put in.

Attainable return on funding: – 20% to + 5%  of the reupholstering value

Like so many different mods, an upholstery improve or modification is a really private alternative and doesn’t essentially attraction to consumers in a means that provides worth. Inventory upholstery is greatest generally.

Whereas it will possibly value you a fantastic deal to have upholstery work completed, one of the best return you’ll probably get is round 5% of the modification’s worth. However even that quantity is optimistic; your upholstery decisions can also drop the worth of your car by as a lot as 20% of the reupholstering worth.

EV Window Tinting Costs

Window tinting is a well-liked strategy to enhance EV cooling effectivity (and passenger consolation) and prices anyplace from $300 for a number of home windows and as much as $1,500 for a top quality tint (usually ceramic movie) on all home windows.

Attainable return on funding: + 0% to + 20%  of the tint set up

Until the tint in your EV was completed poorly or is extraordinarily darkish, window tinting can both be worth impartial or constructive for an EV. Most individuals don’t thoughts just a little window tinting, particularly if it was completed professionally.

For a well-done tinting job, you may be capable to add as much as 20% of the mod’s worth to the gross sales worth of your EV. That’s about $300 for the high-quality, $1,500 tinting job we talked about.

EV Spoiler and Physique Package Value Vary

Relying on the extent of the outside modifications you make to your EV, physique modifications can value anyplace from $900-$15,000.

Attainable return on funding: – 20% to + 10%  of the elements and set up value

Like some other aesthetic alternative on a car, spoilers and physique kits will solely maintain worth to you and to similarly-minded consumers. You could possibly stand up to 10% on a physique equipment buy (perhaps $500 for a $5,000 buy), however this may largely depend upon the type of purchaser you’re attracting.

Physique kits might show you how to enhance the effectivity of your EV, however let’s be trustworthy: most of them are put in to attain a sure aesthetic. For example, many of the Mustang Mach-E physique mods we’ve seen—spoilers, fender flares, diffusers—give the Mach-E a extra aggressive visible stance, however they don’t realistically enhance your monitor efficiency (or your vary).

A phrase of warning in case you’re on the fence about getting EV physique mods: many individuals might assume that in case your EV appears to be like like a racecar, it’s in all probability been pushed like a racecar (and sure has the damage and tear to show it). This notion can negatively impression your promoting worth fairly than enhance it.

EV Customized Paint Jobs

A customized paint job on an EV usually prices between $1,500 to $3,500 for high quality work on a single coloration, however can run up into the tens of 1000’s in case you’re in search of one thing actually distinctive or creative.

Attainable return on funding: – 25% to + 3% of improve’s MSRP

A customized paint job, whether or not or not it was completed for aesthetics or simply to switch outdated paint, doesn’t usually add any worth to your EV. In lots of circumstances, a customized coloration can harm your EV’s worth by as much as 25% of the paint job’s unique value.

Word: If you happen to haven’t already modified the colour of your EV, you should definitely look into physique wraps first to see if they may meet your wants for a customized coloration. Wraps are usually detachable (and cheaper) and are available all kinds of colours, patterns, and even textures. Wish to make your Tesla appear to be a cell-shaded cartoon? There’s a wrap job for that.

EV Audio Upgrades

Aftermarket audio gear has a large worth vary, with parts beginning at lower than $100 as much as insanely-priced programs that may value practically as a lot as your EV. The common value of a superb EV aftermarket sound system runs at round $1,000-$3,000.

Attainable return on funding: – 10% to + 10%  of improve’s MSRP

Let’s be trustworthy, the audio gear in at the moment’s EVs is greater than sufficient for most individuals’s wants. Solely consumers who’re additionally devoted audiophiles will probably be all in favour of paying additional to your alternative of a sound system improve (and provided that it matches their very own preferences). You might be ready some time to promote your EV if you wish to get any worth to your audio mods.

The Finest Solution to Promote an EV with Aftermarket Mods

Whereas trading-in your modified EV might streamline the method of getting a brand new automobile, it’s nearly by no means going to get you as a lot worth as promoting a modded EV for money.

One of many best methods to promote a modified EV for a superb worth is to a dealership with actual EV expertise. However how will which dealerships even know the best way to cost an EV? And interviewing dealerships to see in the event that they know what a Rivian R1S is price or the best way to worth a Ford F-150 Lightning seems like a trouble to us.

So we did the interviews for you (you’re welcome!). Meet the EV Money Provide community!

Our EV Money Provide places you in contact with a community of EV dealerships that we’ve personally vetted and verified. They know what your EV’s aftermarket mods are price and are able to make you a no-obligation, money provide.

However there may be yet one more strategy to promote your modded electrical automobile, and we’d even say it’s one of the simplest ways to take advantage of to your EV. Checklist your EV on Discover My Electrical and see how straightforward it’s to get your EV in entrance of one of the best used EV consumers on the market.

Our listings system is completely EV-focused. We assist join you with consumers who’re in search of precisely what you’re promoting, whether or not it’s a Tesla Mannequin Y with a full physique wrap or a Kia EV6 with aftermarket air suspension.

Don’t accept less-than-stellar worth to your modded EV. Try our EV Money Provide and/or get your EV listed with us at the moment!