Second-hand electric cars on the rise: interest in used electric cars is growing

According to a study by DAT, used electric cars are attracting increasing interest from customers. As many as 14% of people interested in buying a used electric car were recently open to the idea.

This is significantly more than in previous years, when just 4% and 9% of potential buyers could imagine buying a used electric car. Although the electric drive is still the type of engine with the fewest supporters overall, this at least indicates a subtle change in direction.

However, the increased popularity of electric used cars came at the expense of plug-in hybrids. These lost significant popularity, while petrol (41%) and diesel models (16%) met with the same level of interest.

Growing range & battery testing basis for increased interest

The main reason for the increased popularity of used e-cars is the growing supply of used BEVs, which naturally attracts more potential buyers.

However, technical advances and modern battery testing options are also playing their part in making used electric cars more presentable, as it was the previously less tangible battery condition that often made potential customers shy away from a purchase.

Young used electric cars particularly popular

It is also striking that many customers are particularly interested in young used electric vehicles. A full 44% of the potential buyers surveyed by DAT were considering an electric car that was less than twelve months old. Just two years ago, only around 30% were interested in such a vehicle.

However, slightly older used electric cars (> 1 year old) are also becoming increasingly popular. Whereas just a short time ago, a maximum of 7% of potential buyers were interested in purchasing such a second-hand electric car, 12% would now give it a chance.

The preference for new cars, on the other hand, has dropped noticeably from 69% to 61%.

BEV used car customers buy out of conviction

In general, it can be seen that people interested in BEVs mainly buy a used electric car because they are convinced that a vehicle with an electric drive is good for the environment (84%).

69% also believe that e-motors are the drive technology of the future and consider an e-car or e-mobile to be the ideal means of transportation for everyday use.

Desired minimum ranges and falling prices

Most of the prospective BEV buyers surveyed (79%) would buy a used e-car as their first car and would like it to have a minimum range of 366 kilometers. This makes them more modest than the average petrol car buyer with a desired range of at least 448 kilometers.

Although many second-hand electric vehicles are not able to provide a range of 366 kilometers and therefore initially fall through the search grid, it can be assumed that used electric vehicles with an everyday range of 50 - 200 km will also find buyers.

According to experts, however, prices for electric cars are coming under increasing pressure and the residual values of electric vehicles are also very low.

According to residual value experts, this is partly due to the sharp price reductions for new Tesla models, which will presumably also affect the prices of used Tesla vehicles and electric vehicles from competitors.

Conclusion:

To summarize, it can be said that used electric cars are attracting increasing interest - especially from customers for whom an environmentally friendly vehicle that is suitable for everyday use is important.

As more and more used electric cars come onto the market, supply is growing in parallel with demand. Technical advances and modern battery testing methods minimize the risk of buying a second-hand electric vehicle and ensure that more and more people can imagine buying a used electric vehicle as their first car.

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