Second-hand electric car sales have spiked as drivers responded to rising fuel prices driven by the US-Iran war, among other factors. EV sales saw their strongest quarterly growth between April and the end of June, rising 67 per cent to 110,761 units.
Record Growth in Used EV Transactions
This increase in used EV transactions was the highest on record since the first quarter of 2024. Second-hand motor sales rose by 0.7 per cent across all fuel types in the second quarter of 2026. Around 2,009,318 vehicles changed hands, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Between April and June, more than one in 18 buyers (5.5 per cent) made the switch to a used EV, up from around one in 30 (3.3 per cent) a year ago, reports The Mail.
Fuel Prices and the US-Iran Conflict
The war in the Middle East has contributed to motorists making the switch from combustion engine vehicles to EVs. The US and Iran have been in conflict since February 28, when joint US-Israeli strikes were carried out on several key Iranian sites. Iran retaliated by striking sites across the region and closing the critical Strait of Hormuz trade route, through which 20% of all global oil traded passed.
Choked oil supply through the strait has rocked global markets and caused rising prices at pumps across the globe.
Impact on Pump Prices and EV Demand
On July 31, the average UK unleaded petrol price (including VAT) was 159.97p per litre. On February 26 it was 132.50p, according to data from RAC. The RAC data also showed that diesel (including VAT) was 178.97p per litre on July 31, up from 141.60p per litre on February 28.
Increased used electric vehicle stock, including far more recent models with longer battery ranges, also supported demand for EVs.
