Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows used battery electric vehicle (BEV) transactions surged by 67% in Q2 2026, marking the strongest growth period since early 2024. Between April and June, more than 1 in 18 second-hand buyers chose an electric car.
Whilst rumours of the death of internal combustion engine vehicles are a tad premature, the patient is certainly not well!
Middle East conflict-driven fuel price spikes were cited by motor retailers as the primary catalyst for buyers making the switch, alongside falling second-hand EV prices—down 10% year-on-year—and wider vehicle choice. While pure petrol (-1.2%) and diesel (-7.2%) sales contracted, combustion engines still accounted for 86.7% of the total used market, indicating substantial room for growth.
The EV Café View: The used EV market has officially turned the corner. As affordable models feed through from fleet de-fleeting, EV adoption is shifting from early adopters into mainstream acceptance. Maintaining robust public charging and technician training is now critical to support this momentum.
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John: Noted that internal combustion engines will still have a long tail in the second-hand market, but underscored that driving operational efficiency across all vehicle types remains key.
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Sara: Highlighted consumer psychology and warranty confidence, praising dealer schemes (like Nathaniel Cars in South Wales) that remove buyer risk on second-hand EVs by covering warranties, maintenance, and charging for two years.
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Paul: Reminded viewers to view the used market in context: the used market reflects the new car market from 3–4 years ago (when new EV market share was sub-10%), so used availability will naturally grow as fleets mature and de-fleet.
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Sam: Championed ultra-efficient driving, sharing his experience achieving 822 miles in a plug-in hybrid at over 150 MPG, noting that if high-efficiency transitional tech gets mass adoption moving toward pure electric, it ultimately accelerates the end goal.