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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Steve Fowler

Used electric car sales hit record high as buyers hunt for cheaper EVs

The Kia eNiro is one of the UK’s most popular used electric cars - (Local Library)

Used electric cars are no longer the niche choice they once were, with sales hitting a new record as buyers look for more affordable ways into EV ownership.

The latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that 86,943 used battery electric cars changed hands in the first three months of 2026. That is up 32 per cent on the same period last year and means EVs now account for 4.3 per cent of all used car sales, or nearly one in every 23 purchases.

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