Interest in used electric car jumps sharply

Used car buyers are increasingly considering an electric model as their next car, according to the latest data.

Figures from the December’s Startline used car tracker show that consumer interest in used electric cars has grown 10% in the last six months as buyers look for vehicles with lower running costs.

The monthly analysis of car buyers’ intentions shows that 29% of drivers say they would definitely consider an EV as their next vehicle, up from 19% six months ago. It also found even more drivers have longer-term plans to make the switch.

At the same time and despite their plummeting popularity on the new car market, interest in diesels has also climbed. However, interest in petrol and hybrid vehicles has remained relatively static.

Startline’s CEO Paul Burgess, said this could be an indicator that running costs are an increasingly important consideration for used car buyers.

He said: “Our reading of this is that consumers are becoming more and more interested in vehicles that are cheap to fuel and so are more open to the idea of diesel and electric power.

“Electric cars, if charged at home, are very low cost to operate on a day-to-day basis, while diesel generally offers much improved miles per gallon performance compared to petrol and even most hybrid cars.

“It’s interesting that last month, we carried out some research among dealers which showed that 99% thought there was a direct link between consumer enthusiasm for electric cars and high fuel prices, and these new findings potentially underline that trend.”

Sales of used electric cars have surged this year as a growing number of cars reach the secondhand market, bringing more variety and value for drivers thinking of going electric.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), more than 53,000 used EVs changed hands between July and September – a 57% increase on the same period in 2023.

The Startline tracker suggested that drivers are increasingly aware of low emissions zones and other factors potentially affecting ICE vehicles. It asked motorists what fuel they expect to consider not just for their next car but the one after. December’s results showed that 38% would look at electric, compared with 29% for hybrid, 23% for petrol and just 11% for diesel.

Burgess added: “This suggests that, probably near the end of the decade, around two-thirds of used car buyers expect to be driving either an electric or hybrid car, which would be a massive swing towards electrification in a relatively short space of time.”