Remember when buying a used electric car felt a bit… risky? Like, “what if the battery doesn’t last?” or “where will I even charge it?” Well, those days are fading fast. The pendulum has swung — and used EVs are suddenly the hottest thing on the forecourt.

The numbers don’t lie

Between April and June this year, 1 in 10 used cars sold was electric. That’s huge. And it’s not just a blip:

• Fully electric battery cars (BEVs) saw sales jump 52.6%.
• Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were up 25.2%.
• Hybrids (HEVs) grew 43.6%.

That’s not us saying it, it’s straight from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

And it’s only picking up pace. By July, AutoTrader reported the Tesla Model 3 was selling in just 17 days, making EVs the fastest-moving fuel type on their site. Used electric cars are now selling faster than petrol or diesel ones. Yep, you read that right.

So… why now?

A few things have clicked into place:

• More choice: as more new EVs hit the road, more used ones filter through to the market.
• Better prices: the gap between petrol, diesel and EVs is closing fast.
• Cheaper to run: if you’ve got a home charger, charging costs can be way lower than filling up at the pump.
• Battery confidence: modern EVs often do 250 miles on a single charge — plenty for the school run, commute, or weekend trip.
• Word of mouth: hearing from a mate or neighbour who loves their EV makes a difference.

Put simply, all those barriers people worried about are coming down.

What it means for you

If you’re thinking about your next car, the used EV market is well worth a look — especially for cars up to five years old. You’ll find more options than ever, great affordability, cheaper running costs and, of course, a greener footprint.

That’s a win-win-win in our book.

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