Used EV Market in Indonesia Faces Headwinds

Jakarta – Despite growing popularity of new electric vehicles (EVs) in Indonesia, the used EV market remains sluggish. Sales of used EVs are significantly lower than those of used internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, and even lag behind the growth seen in new EV sales. Several factors contribute to this disparity, including depreciation concerns, limited financing options, and a smaller pool of available vehicles.

Dominance of Japanese Brands in the Used Car Market

The Indonesian used car market is currently dominated by Japanese brands such as Toyota, Suzuki, and Honda. According to Agung Iskandar, Director of OLXmobbi, Chinese manufacturers were not represented among the best-selling used cars on the platform in the past year.¹ This is largely due to the relatively recent introduction of Chinese automotive brands to the Indonesian market and the resulting smaller population of used units available for sale.

Depreciation and Financing Challenges for Used EVs

While Wuling is gaining traction as a popular Chinese brand, Agung Iskandar notes that used Chinese vehicles, including Wuling models like the Almaz and Confero, experience greater depreciation compared to their Japanese counterparts.¹ This depreciation can be substantial, with some models, such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5 (2022), seeing price drops from around Rp350-Rp250 million.³

A significant barrier to used EV sales is the lack of financing options. Most financing companies are hesitant to provide loans for used EVs due to concerns about resale value. If the loan amount exceeds the vehicle’s future value, the lender risks financial loss.¹ Approximately 50% of used car purchases in Indonesia are financed, meaning the lack of financing significantly reduces the potential buyer pool for used EVs.¹

Limited Inventory and Battery Warranty Concerns

Currently, the most commonly advertised used EVs on OLXmobbi are the Wuling Air Ev and the Hyundai Ioniq, reflecting their relative popularity in the Indonesian market.³ Another concern for potential buyers is the potential loss of battery warranty coverage upon resale.¹

OLXmobbi’s Overall Used Car Sales

Despite the challenges in the EV segment, OLXmobbi Astra reported selling 33,000 used cars throughout 2025.⁴ However, used EVs currently represent only 1% of total listings on the platform.³,¹

Key Takeaways

• The used EV market in Indonesia is significantly smaller than the used ICE vehicle market.
• Depreciation is a major concern for potential used EV buyers.
• Limited financing options hinder used EV sales.
• Japanese brands dominate the Indonesian used car market.
• Battery warranty transfer is a potential issue for used EV buyers.