Used electric car sales jumped 45.7% in 2025, far outpacing the overall secondhand vehicle market as more drivers made the switch to zero-emission driving, according to new industry data.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported that 274,815 used EVs changed hands last year. This surge helped drive the UK’s used car market to its third consecutive year of growth.
The overall used vehicle market grew 2.2% in 2025.
Electric vehicles now represent 3.5% of all used car sales – a record high. The SMMT points to growing supply, strong buyer demand, and significant running cost savings as key factors behind the growth.
Market Momentum Building
Plug-in hybrids also performed well, with PHEV sales rising 6.3% year-over-year.
“A third year of used car sales growth underscores the market’s resilience, with recovering new car demand revitalising choice and affordability – especially for EVs – in the used market,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.
Hawes emphasized that the record number of buyers switching to electric signals growing confidence in zero-emission motoring.
“Maintaining this momentum, however, and driving the fleet renewal needed to decarbonise our roads at pace, must start with ensuring a strong and sustainable new car market.”
Dealers Push for Support Measures
A separate survey of used car dealers revealed strong support for additional incentives to boost secondhand EV adoption further.
Startline Motor Finance found that nearly two-thirds of dealers believe free home chargers would encourage more drivers to go electric. The survey also showed significant backing for other support measures:
- Just over half supported low-interest loans for EV purchases
- Half backed charging assistance for drivers without private parking
- Half endorsed purchase grants for used EVs
Currently, no financial assistance exists for secondhand EV buyers.
New EV purchasers can still access discounts up to £3,750 through the Electric Car Grant, creating a support gap between new and used markets that dealers say limits adoption potential.
