The cost of some of Britain’s most sought-after Electric Vehicles (EVs) has plunged over the past year, with several popular models now available for thousands of pounds less. Drivers can now pick up a used Nissan Leaf for an average of just over £8,000 after prices fell by more than 17% in 12 months, new figures suggest.
Nissan Leaf Leads Price Decline
The Leaf remains the most searched-for electric car on AA Cars, but its average price has dropped from £9,855 to £8,146. It comes as the average price of the 20 most popular used electric vehicles fell by 10% in a year, from £15,488 to £13,940. Prices dropped by a further 3.9% between the first and second quarters of 2026, according to the latest AA Cars Used Car Index.
James Hosking, managing director of AA Cars, said: “A year ago, many drivers may have looked at electric cars and decided they were simply too expensive. That picture is changing. Used EV prices have fallen by 10% in a year, and models such as the Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe and Hyundai Ioniq are now within reach of far more buyers.”
Other Models See Substantial Savings
The figures suggest buyers looking beyond the Leaf could also find substantial savings. The average cost of a Tesla Model S fell by 18.7% year-on-year, from £22,011 to £17,901, while a Jaguar I-Pace dropped by 14.4% to £18,647. A used Tesla Model Y was 13.9% cheaper at an average of £23,899, while prices for the Peugeot e-2008 fell by 10.9% to £12,306. The Polestar 2 dropped by 11.4% to £18,362 and the Audi e-Tron fell by 10.4% to £20,317.
Mr Hosking said the falling price of the Leaf could make it a more realistic option for motorists who have previously ruled out switching to electric. He added: “The Nissan Leaf is a good example. It remains the most searched-for EV on AA Cars, but its average price has fallen to just over £8,000. For someone who is curious about going electric but has previously been put off by the cost, the used market is becoming a much more realistic place to start.”
Not All Prices Fell
However, prices did not fall across every model or every measure. The Renault Kangoo was 12.8% cheaper than a year ago, but its average price rose by 23.1% between the first and second quarters of 2026. The Tesla Model 3, the second most searched-for EV, remained almost unchanged over the quarter at £18,030, although it was 3.6% cheaper than a year earlier.
Mr Hosking warned motorists not to choose a car on price alone, adding: “The good news for buyers is that there is more choice at more accessible prices, whatever type of car they are considering. But a lower price does not automatically make a car the right buy. Age, condition, battery health, specification, and running costs can all make a big difference, so it is important to carry out a thorough inspection and check a car’s history before committing.”
