Value of Fuel-Efficient Cars Tank Amid Low Gas Prices

Gas prices have fallen nearly 40 percent since summer 2014 highs and currently average $2.23 for a gallon of regular unleaded nationally, according to AAA. Low gas prices are helping drivers keep more money in their pockets, but values for electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel-efficient gas-powered cars have dramatically fallen at the same time.

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Seller-set asking prices for the Nissan Leaf electric car have taken the biggest hit, falling 33.7 percent ($6,186) from July 1, 2014, to Oct. 19, 2015. The Leaf's price decline is more than four times greater than the 7.4 percent decrease for all 2011 to 2013 used cars over the same time period.

The rest of the cars in the top five are all designed to travel further on less gas or, in the case of the Chevrolet Volt range-extended electric car, let owners avoid the gas station for long stretches. Asking prices for the Toyota Prius Plug-in fell 28.1 percent ($7,020), Ford C-Max Hybrid prices dipped 26.5 percent ($5,917) and prices for the Volt and Ford Fusion Hybrid were both down 25.3 percent. Prices for small, fuel-efficient gas-powered cars also fell, with the Mazda2 and Chevrolet Aveo, Spark and Sonic all seeing prices decrease by 23 percent or more.

Meanwhile, prices for SUVs and trucks outperformed the overall used-car market. Jeep Wrangler prices were down 3.2 percent ($846) to $25,662 and Toyota Tacoma prices were off 3.7 percent ($1,004) to $26,033 on average. Just one model — the now-discontinued Toyota FJ Cruiser SUV — recorded a price increase; it was up 2.4 percent ($720) to $31,013.

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Cars.com chart

Editor's note: The chart details used cars from the 2011 to 2013 model years with the greatest declines in seller-set prices. To be eligible for the list, a model must have at least 250 cars in Cars.com's search listings.

Source: Cars.com used-car listings, 2011 to 2013 model years



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