- Used demand for electric cars in the UK continues to grow at strong levels, according to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
- In Q2 of 2025 alone, 68,271 BEVs switched hands on the used market, marking a 40% rise in transactions compared to Q2 of 2024.
- The figures show that demand stays strong in the wake of the freshly-announced Electric Car Grant, but could this scheme put further pressure on used EV values?
Used EV sales continue to rise in the UK
A combination of significant savings on used EVs over buying new, and growing evidence that battery degradation remains minimal on modern EVs even at high mileage, is helping to propel used EV sales to new levels – with fully-electric cars accounting for 3.4% of the used market in Q2.
These cheaper used models make for an accessible path into first-time EV ownership, and if the newly-announced Electric Car Grant succeeds in its aim to boost EV uptake in the new car market, this will naturally filter down into even more used EVs available further down the line. Despite this, there have been recent calls within the industry to support the used EV market further, such as introducing standardised battery health testing for used models.
Despite the impressive rise in used EV sales, there’s still a significant number of independent retailers who don’t sell EVs. According to recent Auto Trader statistics, only a third of independent retailers have stocked at least three EVs, for at least 15 days, since 2023. That’s a figure that continues to rise, but aspects such as standardised battery testing could boost customer and dealer confidence alike, encouraging more sites to stock used models.
SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, commented:
“Surpassing the four million half-year milestone for the first time since 2019 shows the UK’s used car market is building back momentum. That’s good news for the industry and for motorists who benefit from more choice and affordability across a range of higher tech, cleaner vehicles, notably in the emerging electric vehicle sector. To maintain this trajectory, a thriving new car market must be delivered across the segments, along with accelerated investment into the charging network to give every driver the ability to switch.”
Dan Caesar, CEO of Electric Vehicles UK, reacted:
“It’s enormously encouraging to see battery electric vehicles record their strongest quarterly used car market growth (Q2), up 40% at 68,721 units. The savviest buyers are clearly seeing the opportunity to make the switch to more affordable running costs with good value, used battery EVs.
This echoes resilient new car registrations in July, with battery EVs accounting for more than 1 in 5 cars sold. More and more drivers are doing their research and reaping the rewards of cheaper, better, battery electric vehicles. The growing proportion of used and new sales market is a clear sign of early mainstream adoption.”
