Used EVs are selling twice as fast as demand for second-hand electric cars surges

London, 23rd September 2026 – Second-hand electric cars are flying off forecourts, with some dealerships selling them in less than half the time they did earlier this year.

Used EVs are finally catching up with the popularity of new electric cars, which have been growing rapidly over the last years. Drivers are increasingly turning to second-hand EVs as a more affordable way to access the latest technology and make the switch to electric.

EV-only retailer Car360 says the average time it takes to buy, prepare and sell a used EV has fallen from 57 days earlier this year to under 30 days today, while rival EV Experts has seen a similar shift.

The appetite for used EVs is not just being seen on forecourts.

Octopus Electric Vehicles, Britain’s biggest EV-only leasing business, has seen demand for used EVs jump by 150% year-on-year, as drivers look for more affordable routes to go electric.

Drivers are no longer just trying EVs — they are sticking with them

At Car360, Fewer than 2% of used vehicles are returned, with most returns linked to practical reasons like adjusting the car size to fit their lifestyle. Competitor EV Experts reports zero returns.

James Buxton, COO of Car360, said: “The days of convincing people to go electric are largely behind us. Most customers have done their research and want expert advice on things like battery health, charging and which car is right for them.

“The clearest sign of how much the market has changed is how quickly cars are selling. Earlier this year it took us 57 days on average to buy, prepare and sell an EV. Today it's less than 30. People aren't just browsing used EVs anymore, they're buying them.”

Martin Miller of EV Experts, said: “We've seen the time between buying an EV and selling it halve to under 30 days. That's a pretty clear signal of where demand is heading.

“Increasingly, buyers know they want an EV. Our job is to understand how they'll use it and make sure they choose the right one.”

Dealerships are having to catch up with their customers

As drivers become more confident about electric cars, dealerships have to raise their game too.

Customers are increasingly walking into showrooms having done their homework on charging, batteries and running costs.

That means staff at dealerships need to know their stuff, rather than just persuade customers to go electric.

Greenhous Group has built more tech-focused teams with greater EV expertise, while Johnsons Fleet Services encourages sales staff to drive EVs as company cars so they have first-hand experience of charging and running them.

Ashley Passant, Managing Director at Greenhous Group, said: “The stereotype of dealerships not understanding EVs is well out of date. Customers have done their research, so they expect expert advice, not a sales pitch.

“Today's EV buyer is informed and confident. Our job is to add value with expertise.”

Terry Ward, National Leasing Manager at Johnsons Fleet Services, said: “Being good at selling EVs isn't about age, it's about having a tech-first mindset. We encourage our sales teams to drive EVs wherever possible, so they can give customers honest, expert advice.”

‘Changed beyond recognition’

Octopus Electric Vehicles says the shift is increasingly visible across its dealer network, with more groups investing in EV expertise and customer experience.

Gurjeet Grewal, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, said: “When we first started, finding dealerships that were genuinely enthusiastic about EVs wasn't easy. That's changed beyond recognition.

“More and more dealers are embracing electric because that's where customer demand is heading. The best aren't trying to convince people to go electric, they're helping them choose the right car and making the switch simple.

“People are buying into better technology, better features and the value that comes with it.”

As used EVs sell faster, leasing demand surges and dealerships build their expertise, the second-hand EV market is starting to look less like a new technology finding its feet and more like a fundamental part of the car market. For drivers, it also means more choice: newer technology and capabilities are increasingly available at used-car prices, putting pressure on older petrol and diesel cars to justify their value.

The shift comes as the industry recognises Used EV Week, led by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), which is bringing businesses across the automotive sector together to showcase the growing choice, value and quality of used electric cars.

ENDS

Press Contact

Octopus Energy

Sam Salehi

sam.salehi@octoenergy.com

0204 5308 369

Octopus Electric Vehicles

Octopus Electric Vehicles, part of the Octopus Energy Group, was launched in 2018 to make it easy for drivers to make the switch to clean, electric transport. With over 133 electric cars now available from 30 different brands, Octopus Electric Vehicles’ team provides everything drivers need to take the road in a new EV.

Offering an all-in-one service, Octopus lease the cars, install charge points, provide specialist EV energy tariffs, and offer access to over 1.4m public charge points across Europe via Octopus Electroverse - all with a 4.8* rating on Trustpilot.

Octopus Electric Vehicles also specialises in salary sacrifice schemes – an employee benefit that makes driving a brand new electric car even cheaper than the petrol or diesel equivalent through tax savings. Placing customer experience first, Octopus Electric Vehicles has designed the scheme to be simple for an employer to set up and run, and support them at every step. Drivers can typically save between 30-40% every month on the cost of their EV; and at zero-cost for an employer to set up, it’s great for their team, their hiring and retention, and for their sustainability goals.

More information can be found at www.octopusev.com