Used electric vehicle sales more than double in 2022 Car News

A record number of used electric vehicles were purchased in the first quarter of 2022, with sales more than doubling from last year.

Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that 14,586 used electric vehicles were sold, up from 6,625 in the same period of 2021, an increase of 120.2%.

Increases were also recorded for other types of electrified vehicles. Sales of used plug-in hybrids (PHEV) increased by 35.3% to 14,433, while sales of used hybrids increased by 28.8% to 35,007. In total, the share of 3.6% of electrified vehicles in the total market was up from 1.6% in the first quarter of 2021.

Despite this increase in sales of electrified vehicles, gasoline and diesel vehicles continue to dominate the second-hand market, accounting for 96.2% of sales, or 1,707,135 units.

Overall, used car sales rose 5.1% in the first quarter of 2022, with 1,774,351 transactions in progress – 86,596 more than the same period in 2021, when showrooms cars have been shut down due to the pandemic.

The SMMT said this year’s rise could also be due to the current global shortage of semiconductors, which is hitting new car production, pushing buyers to buy used.

Managing Director Mike Hawes added: “With the new car market hampered by ongoing global supply shortages, growth in the used car market is welcome, if not surprising, to especially since we were locked out last year.

“Electric car sales are driving the market, with zero-emission vehicles starting to arrive in greater numbers to consumers eager to drive the latest, greenest vehicles.

“While there is still some way to go before we see the recent growth of new electric vehicles replicated in the used market, a vibrant new car market will be essential to help drive fleet renewal, which is essential to achieve carbon savings.”

The rise in the number of electric vehicle owners comes just weeks after the government announced there were now 30,290 public electric vehicle chargers in use in the UK, a 33% increase on the number available at this time last year.