Mikkel Christensen
Demand for used electric cars is rising rapidly as drivers increasingly look for cheaper running costs amid higher fuel prices and growing pressure on household budgets.
Demand for used electric cars is rising rapidly as drivers increasingly look for cheaper running costs amid higher fuel prices and growing pressure on household budgets.
The shift comes even as the wider UK used car market slows for the first time in more than two years.
Electric cars gain momentum
According to Carwow, citing data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), used EV sales jumped 32% in the first quarter of 2026 to nearly 87,000 units.
Hybrid sales also climbed sharply, rising almost 28% during the same period.
Electrified vehicles now account for 11.7% of all used car sales as more second-hand EVs enter the market following strong new-car registrations in recent years.
Used EV prices falling
Industry analysts say falling used-EV prices are also helping attract buyers who were previously priced out of the market.
Depreciation on some electric models has made used EVs significantly more affordable compared with a few years ago, while rising fuel and maintenance costs continue putting pressure on petrol and diesel owners.
At the same time, improving charging infrastructure and longer battery warranties have helped ease concerns around long-term EV ownership.
Hatchbacks still dominate
Despite growing EV demand, traditional compact hatchbacks remain the most popular used vehicles overall.
The Ford Fiesta continued to lead second-hand sales, followed by the Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Golf.
According to the SMMT, small “supermini” vehicles still account for nearly one in three used car sales across the UK.
Wider market slows down
Overall used car transactions slipped 0.2% in the first quarter of 2026, ending a 12-quarter growth streak for the market.
March recorded the weakest performance, with sales falling 2.3% year-on-year against particularly strong figures from 2025.
Analysts say higher borrowing costs, insurance prices and economic uncertainty are also affecting consumer demand across the wider automotive sector.
Petrol still leads for now
Petrol-powered cars remained the largest segment of the used market with more than 1.1 million sales during the quarter.
Diesel vehicles, however, continued their steady decline, with sales falling 6.7% compared with last year.
The average car on UK roads is now nearly 10 years old as many motorists continue holding onto vehicles longer amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
EV transition accelerates
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said stronger support for the new EV market would help increase the supply of affordable electric vehicles entering the used sector in future years.
While petrol cars still dominate overall sales, analysts say the latest figures suggest the used EV market is moving firmly into the mainstream as competition between electric, hybrid and combustion-engine vehicles intensifies.
Sources: Carwow, SMMT
