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Boost to used electric car sales in the UK: Are the days of petrol vehicles numbered?

Electric are sales are on the rise in the UK. What is the future for petrol cars?

The launch of new electric models like the ID Buzz failed to help VW overcome a downturn in sales of EVs in Europe
The launch of new electric models like the ID Buzz failed to help VW overcome a downturn in sales of EVs in Europe - Copyright AFP/File JADE GAO
The launch of new electric models like the ID Buzz failed to help VW overcome a downturn in sales of EVs in Europe - Copyright AFP/File JADE GAO

The automotive company cinch, a seller of used electric vehicles in the UK, has released new data highlighting the growing adoption of EVs by UK drivers.

The data reveals a 311 percent increase in used EV sales over the past twelve-months, signalling a shift in consumer car choice. EVs are selling at a rate 26 percent faster than petrol and diesel cars.

Sam Sheehan, Motoring Editor at cinch, has provided a statement to Digital Journal: “While new EVs still command a small premium versus similar petrol and diesel models due to their construction costs, this gap is narrowing all the time on the used car market. And, if you look at the overall cost of ownership of an EV versus a traditionally-fuelled car, it makes a lot of sense to choose electric these days. Our data highlights that EV owners who charge their car at home can save £1,040 per year on running costs compared to petrol cars.”

Government subsidies have been important in Germany and elsewhere in helping consumers make the switch to electric vehicles
Government subsidies have been important in Germany and elsewhere in helping consumers make the switch to electric vehicles – Copyright AFP/File Hector RETAMAL

The sales pattern indicates that EVs most in demand include Tesla’s Model 3, Renault’s nimble Zoe and the ever-popular Nissan Leaf.

The top 10 best-selling used EVs in the UK are:

  1. Tesla Model 3
  2. Renault Zoe
  3. Nissan Leaf
  4. Hyundai Kona
  5. Vauxhall Corsa-e
  6. Kia e-Niro
  7. Peugeot e208
  8. Peugeot e2008
  9. Jaguar I-Pace
  10. MINI Hatchback

Sheehan adds: “Despite some exciting new entrants to the EV market, Tesla’s Model 3 continues to deliver for many drivers – and they’ve never been more affordable. We expect stiff competition from several manufacturers in the coming year – particularly from the Chinese market – but Tesla still has a loyal army of fans in the UK.”

The barrier to entry appears to be lowering as the used EV market matures. Between July and September 2022, used electric cars sold for an average price of £25,078. Meanwhile, petrol and diesel cars sold for an average of £14,419 – a difference of just over £10,000.

Tesla lost a staggering two-thirds of its market value in 2022
Tesla — © AFP/File Hector RETAMAL

In 2024, the difference between the price of an EV and a petrol/diesel car had narrowed further, with EVs costing just over £1,000 more than ICE cars on average (EVs: £16,075 and ICE: £14,794).

One consideration of whether to buy an electric car is how and where to charge it while out and about. As of October 2024 there were 71,459 public charge points in the UK. This compares with 36,637 in October 2022 – an increase of 95 percent in two years.

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Written By

Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news. Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

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