Demand doubles the pace
Used electric cars are now selling twice as fast as they did at the start of the year. EV-only dealer Car360 says the average time from buying a used model to selling it has dropped from 57 days to under 30. Rival EV Experts reports the same trend. Octopus Electric Vehicles has recorded a 150% year-on-year jump in demand for used EVs on its leasing platform.
Buyers arrive informed
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.”
Fewer than 2% of used EVs are returned at Car360, with most returns down to practical reasons such as needing a different size. EV Experts reports zero returns.
Dealers raise their game
Dealership groups are responding by building specialist EV teams. Greenhous Group and Johnsons Fleet Services now train staff on battery health and charging, and encourage sales teams to drive EVs themselves. Ashley Passant of Greenhous Group said: “Today's EV buyer is informed and confident. Our job is to add value with expertise.”
Gurjeet Grewal, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, noted the shift across the dealer network: “More and more dealers are embracing electric because that's where customer demand is heading.”
Why the surge matters
Lower running costs are one clear driver. The trend also coincides with Used EV Week, organised by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association. For households already on variable tariffs or considering a switch, the faster availability of newer used models adds another route to cut fuel bills. You can compare current energy deals that support home charging at our energy hub.
